Epic’s dream is coming true — its store will be preloaded on ‘millions’ of Android phones

Telefónica, one of the world’s largest mobile operators serving the UK, Spain, Germany, and Latin America through the O2 and Movistar networks, will begin to include the Epic Games Store on all new compatible Android phones it sells – including Samsung phones.

It is part of a “long-term partnership” to bring the store and smash hit Fortnite on “millions” of the carrier’s devices, according to Telefónica and Epic. It will be the first time that the Epic Games Store has been installed first on consumer phones, and it would be the next big step in realizing Epic’s dreams of challenging the autonomy of the Google app store and increasing its declining revenue.

Last December, a federal judge unanimously agreed with Epic Games Epic v. Googlehas discovered that Google has turned its Android app store and Google Play Billing service into one illegal place. Epic sued in 2020, alleging that Google “blocked” or “bribed” phone makers and cell phone carriers to keep games like Fortnite and other app stores to be pre-installed on phones.

But now, nearly a month after Judge James Donato barred Google from any further obstruction or bribery, one of the world’s largest network companies will begin that first rollout, adding an entire rival game store (which may also carry non-sports apps at some point future. ) of Google.

Telefónica was not one of the carriers that Google “bribed,” Epic spokeswoman Natalie Muñoz confirmed The Vergeso it’s not like Judge Donato’s order made this happen.

In fact, Telefónica has partnered with Epic in the past. In 2020, it started allowing Movistar customers in Spain to do it themselves Fortnite purchase on their phone bill. That year, court documents revealed that Telefónica expected to receive five percent of those earnings Fortnite they don’t play because of that. Verizon and Hutchison (Three, Wind Tre) have been offered similar deals, but we don’t know if they will follow suit.

I wonder what Samsung thinks about Telefónica pre-installing the Epic Game Store on its phones – this September, Epic sued Samsung.