Epic Games has announced in a press release that it is "pausing" Fortnite's availability on the Google Play Store, opting instead to distribute the blockbuster multiplayer title directly through the official Fortnite website. Players eager to continue enjoying the hit game will now need to download it from Epic's site and manually install the file onto their device storage before the app can run.
The decision follows similar moves by major publishers such as Zynga, Microsoft, and PlayStation, who recently pulled back from offering free versions of their titles on Google Play. The shift comes amid accusations that Google has been leveraging its dominance in the mobile space by promoting free versions of its own games, while pushing third-party developers into less favorable positions. To broaden its reach, Google has begun making its free game offerings available on alternative platforms, including YouTube. While Android remains one of the fastest-growing smartphone ecosystems globally, critics argue that Google's tactics are aimed at tightening its control over the market under the guise of creating an "open" platform.
Meanwhile, discussions on Reddit's Android community suggest that many users have already downloaded Fortnite directly from Epic's official site and are running it smoothly on their devices. This distribution method allows Epic to bypass the traditional app store framework and deliver the game worldwide via its own servers. However, early reports indicate that access to these apps may require a paid membership, raising questions about whether this approach will succeed long-term-or if it will primarily benefit games tied to subscription models.
