Epic Games forces its store on millions of Android devices

In a significant move to enhance its market presence, Epic Games has established a partnership with Telefónica, a leading telecommunications provider, to preinstall the Epic Games Store on all new compatible Android devices within Telefónica's network. This initiative is expected to reach millions of smartphones across regions including Spain, the U.K., Germany, and Latin America, representing a major expansion for Epic's game store. The launch of this initiative marks a pivotal moment for Epic Games as it aims to broaden the reach of its ecosystem amidst ongoing competition with Google Play and Apple’s App Store. Epic's game store, which first launched in August, hopes to attract players to its platform by providing popular titles such as Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe. Furthermore, Epic has plans to include third-party games in the future, thereby enhancing the appeal of its store. This collaboration comes in the wake of a significant legal victory for Epic Games against Google, in which a jury found that Google’s app marketplace operations constituted an illegal monopoly. The federal ruling mandated changes to Google's Play Store's policies and practices, thus paving the way for increased competition in app distribution on Android devices. In the words of Lorena Itziar Senador-Gómez Lázaro, Telefónica’s Director of Partnerships and Devices, this partnership not only strengthens the relationship between the two companies but also aims to deliver innovative digital experiences to a broader customer base. As the gaming market continues to evolve, this strategy positions Epic to further challenge established players in the app ecosystem, ultimately empowering users with more choices in the digital landscape.