legal battles Archives

AppWizard

February 8, 2025

If not via the App Store, here’s how to download TikTok on Android in the U.S.

TikTok has announced that Android users in the U.S. can download the app from its official website due to its absence from Google and Apple’s app stores, following a new U.S. law effective January 19 that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban. Despite the law, TikTok remains unavailable on both platforms, and President Trump has signed an executive order delaying enforcement by 75 days while discussions for a potential acquisition continue. TikTok has approximately 170 million users in the U.S. and has denied allegations regarding the misuse of user data, stating that data is stored securely in the U.S. on Oracle-operated cloud servers. Concerns about ByteDance's ownership persist, and while there is bipartisan support for a ban, free speech advocates argue it undermines digital rights. The future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain, with no confirmation from ByteDance about a potential sale.

BetaBeacon

December 15, 2024

Epic Games Enters New Android Agreement for Fortnite

Epic Games and Telefonica have partnered to enhance mobile gaming accessibility, with the Epic Games Store app being pre-installed on new Android devices sold by Telefonica. This initiative aims to make it easier for users in select European countries and Spanish-speaking Latin American countries to download and play Fortnite right out of the box. The partnership also includes plans for additional benefits for mobile gamers on Telefonica's network to be unveiled in 2025. This collaboration is part of a broader trend in the gaming industry where game developers and telecommunications companies are working together to improve accessibility and enhance the gaming experience for users.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

Epic Games Store will be preloaded onto Telefónica phones in new partnership

Epic Games has partnered with Telefónica to pre-load the Epic Game Store on every Android device offered by Telefónica. This initiative will provide users in Spain, the U.K., Germany, Mexico, and Spanish-speaking LATAM countries access to games like Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe. The partnership aims to offer more choices beyond conventional app marketplaces and is set to expand further by 2025. Epic maintains an 88/12 revenue split for purchases, contrasting with Google’s 15% to 30% fees. This collaboration follows Epic's legal battles with Google over anti-competitive practices related to app distribution.

BetaBeacon

December 12, 2024

Epic Games’ app store will be preinstalled on millions of Android phones

Epic Games has partnered with Telefónica to have its mobile storefront pre-installed on millions of compatible Android devices sold by Telefónica networks, offering popular games like Fortnite and Fall Guys.

AppWizard

October 24, 2024

Will these PC games ever come to Steam? We predict the chances of WoW, Minecraft, and more

World of Warcraft, originally released in November 2004, has a 30% chance of releasing on Steam due to its complex subscription model and integration with Blizzard's Battle.net. The Ultima series, first released in 1981, has a 60% chance of appearing on Steam as EA is reintroducing classic titles on the platform. MiHoYo's games Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, released in September 2020, April 2023, and July 2024 respectively, have a 40% chance of releasing on Steam, depending on MiHoYo's revenue strategy. Fortnite, released in July 2017, has a 2% chance of coming to Steam as Epic Games seeks to retain full control over its revenue. Riot Games' titles, including League of Legends and Valorant, released between October 2009 and June 2020, have a 15% chance of being on Steam due to their profitable ecosystems. Minecraft, launched in November 2011, has a 50% chance of releasing on Steam, though integrating its Java and Bedrock editions poses challenges. Star Citizen, which began its first playable module in August 2013, has a 15% chance of coming to Steam due to its unique monetization strategy and ongoing development issues.

AppWizard

October 12, 2024

Disco Elysium ‘spiritual successor’ in development at new video game studio

Longdue is a new game developer creating a "spiritual successor" to the 2019 title Disco Elysium, with a team of 12 that includes former contributors to the original game and talent from Bungie and Rockstar. Their first project is a "psychogeographic RPG" focusing on the dynamics between the conscious and subconscious. Disco Elysium, the predecessor, is a BAFTA-winning RPG known for its narrative and themes, but its future became uncertain after disputes at developer ZA/UM, leading to legal battles and the scrapping of sequel plans. Longdue has confirmed that key figures from Disco Elysium, including lead designer Robert Kurvitz and lead artist Aleksander Rostov, are not part of the new project, which is being led by Grant Roberts from Bungie and Rocksteady.

BetaBeacon

October 8, 2024

Epic Games Wins Case To Open Up Android Store, But Google Is Appealing

Epic Games has won an antitrust case against Google, requiring the Android mobile store to open up. Google plans to appeal the decision, arguing that Android and iOS are competitors in the same market. The ruling imposes a three-year ban on Google paying developers for exclusive apps. Epic Games is also involved in legal battles with Samsung and Google over an autoblocker feature.

AppWizard

October 8, 2024

Google must open up lucrative app store to rivals after historic ‘Fortnite’ verdict, judge rules

A federal judge has ordered Google to open its Android app store to increased competition, allowing developers like Epic Games to use their own in-app payment systems and direct users to alternative app sources. The ruling prohibits Google from making exclusive distribution agreements with specific app developers and from sharing revenue with other app store operators. This decision follows a previous ruling that found Google operating illegal monopolies through its Play Store. Additionally, Google is facing another antitrust case regarding its digital advertising technology monopoly.

AppWizard

October 7, 2024

Epic Boss Tim Sweeney says Unreal Engine 6 will be a ‘metaverse’ joining Fortnite and other Unreal games, including an upcoming ‘persistent universe’ in development with Disney

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, discussed the company's future plans, including a 16% workforce reduction last year. He emphasized the potential of a "metaverse" that promotes interoperability among assets and marketplaces, particularly between Fortnite and Unreal Engine projects, including a collaboration with Disney. Epic's financial situation has improved, with a deficit that has narrowed to just above its revenue, following a period of overspending. Forbes estimated Epic's revenue to exceed billion in 2022, while the Epic Game Store reported approximately 0 million in sales for 2023. Epic's financial strength, largely from Fortnite, allows it to engage in legal battles with companies like Google and Apple. Unreal Engine has gained popularity beyond gaming, being used in Hollywood for CGI production, with notable transitions from other engines to Unreal Engine 5 by companies like CD Projekt and Halo Studios. Despite investments in the Epic Game Store, it remains behind Steam in the PC launcher market, with exclusive titles often achieving success only after being released on Steam. The future of gaming remains uncertain, with Epic's vision of a Fortnite-Disney-Unreal metaverse potentially materializing by 2029.

AppWizard

October 1, 2024

Tim Sweeney says Epic Games is now ‘financially sound’ after last year’s layoffs and Bandcamp fumble

Epic Games laid off over 800 employees and divested from Bandcamp due to financial strain, acknowledging that it had been spending more than it earned. CEO Tim Sweeney expressed regret over the unrealistic optimism regarding the company's transition. Recently, Sweeney stated that the company has successfully recalibrated its course, highlighting Fortnite's 110 million monthly active users and the Epic Games Store's peak of 70 million monthly active users. Epic introduced a new incentive for game developers by eliminating Unreal Engine royalty fees for games sold through its platform and reducing the fee for sales made outside the Epic Games Store from 5% to 3.5% if developers launch their games on the Epic Games Store on day one. The company is involved in legal battles with Apple and Google over mobile game sales and continues to offer a 100% revenue share for exclusive launches on the Epic Games Store for the first six months, although industry trends suggest a decline in exclusivity.