Epic Games and Fortnite poised to return to Android through Google Play Store after US court ruling.

Epic Games is set to return Fortnite and its app store to Android through the Google Play Store following a US court's affirmation of Google's monopoly verdict. The company's CEO, Tim Sweeney, announced the move on X, stating that the Epic Games Store will soon be available on Android via the Play Store. The timeline for the return is unclear, but the move will make it easier for Android users to access Fortnite and other titles without sideloading or pre-installation deals. Google has reportedly said it will appeal the decision again, likely bringing the case to the US Supreme Court.

In a significant development, Epic Games is poised to return Fortnite and its app store to Android through the Google Play Store, following a U.S. court's affirmation of Google's monopoly verdict. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced the move on X, stating that the Epic Games Store will soon be available on Android via the Play Store [2]. The timeline for the return is unclear, but the move will make it easier for Android users to access Fortnite and other titles without sideloading or pre-installation deals.

The court's decision, which was upheld by the Ninth Circuit, requires Google to distribute rival marketplaces via the Play store and give them access to its entire catalogue of apps, unless they opt-out. Google is also barred from incentivizing developers with money or perks to exclusively launch on its store and cannot force its own billing option [4]. The injunction lasts for three years once implemented.

Google has reportedly said it will appeal the decision again, likely bringing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a statement, Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google's global head of regulatory affairs, expressed concern that the ruling will "significantly harm user safety, limit choice, and undermine the innovation that has always been central to the Android ecosystem" [1].

Epic Games' victory in court could have broader implications for the tech industry. It sets a precedent for allowing third-party app stores and payment systems on major platforms, potentially challenging the dominance of Apple's App Store and Google Play Store. This development could lead to increased competition and potentially lower costs for consumers.

References:
[1] https://www.theverge.com/news/716914/fortnite-epic-games-store-android-google-play
[2] https://simulationdaily.com/news/epic-games-store-returning-google-play-android-court-win/
[3] https://ca.news.yahoo.com/google-loses-appeal-over-app-165019142.html
[4] https://www.pocketgamer.biz/google-loses-appeal-in-epic-games-case-that-could-crack-open-the-play-store/