Epic Games Partners with Android Manufacturers to Preinstall Fortnite in the UK and Spain
Epic Games has collaborated with telecom provider Telefónica to ensure its flagship store and Fortnite are preloaded on Android devices. This “long-term collaboration” is targeted at gamers within the Telefónica network across the UK, Germany, Spain, and Spanish-speaking regions of Latin America.
In its statement, Epic mentions that the partnership “enhances accessibility to Fortnite and the Epic Games Store on countless Telefónica Android devices. […] This strategic collaboration aims to create a more competitive ecosystem for Android gamers, providing them with an alternative to the existing app marketplaces.”
Telefónica operates in Europe and Latin America, and Epic noted that the provider was the first mobile operator to implement direct carrier billing in the Epic Games Store. The two had previously collaborated on an interactive music experience within Fortnite.
With this agreement, players in these regions gain easier access to Epic’s marketplace and battle royale, in addition to Rocket League and third-party games.
Epic still desires an open app market to achieve its goals
Both Epic and CEO Tim Sweeney have consistently advocated for the vision of an open app market for mobile devices. The EGS and Fortnite are launching (or will launch) on iOS in areas such as Japan and the European Union, which he describes as critical steps toward “removing the anti-competitive terms imposed by Apple and Google on developers and consumers, allowing us to create a superior store for all.”
As part of its extended legal battle, Apple suspended Epic’s European developer account earlier this year to hinder Fortnite and the EGS from launching on iOS in that region. The account was subsequently reinstated, but not before Sweeney utilized the incident to criticize Apple for “[not] enabling genuine competition on iOS devices.”
Last year, Epic acknowledged that it had established an advocacy group in alliance with companies like Bandcamp and Spotify to support its antitrust case against Apple. The two music streaming services were reportedly unaware of Epic’s true objectives at the time.
According to Epic, both it and Telefónica intend to deliver “further benefits” to mobile gamers throughout 2025.
About the Author
Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com
Hailing from Kansas City, MO, Justin Carter has contributed to various publications including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. Besides Game Developer, his articles can also be found on io9 over at Gizmodo. Don’t ask him about how much gum he’s consumed, as the answer is likely more than he’s willing to disclose.