Fortnite Won’t Launch on Google Play Store for Android Users

The popular mobile game has been a big hit with Apple users, available from the Apple app store.

No Fortnite on Android? 

(Photo Courtesy: Epic Games)

It’s official, Fortnite for Android will not be available from the Google Play Store. However, Epic Games will launch the game via its website, something which wasn’t possible in the case of Apple’s iOS.

The company still hasn’t given a launch date for Fortnite on Android, but rumours suggest that Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 is likely to get a 30-day exclusive access to the popular mobile game.

Fortnite has been a big hit with iPhone users across the globe but Epic Games seems to be taking its own time to roll out the game for Android. And the news that the app won’t come to Google’s app store is going to create some confusion for the gamers.

So, why exactly has Epic Games decided to ditch Google for its game? Speaking to The Verge, Tim Sweeney, chief executive at Epic Games, said that Google’s 30 percent cut on Play Store isn’t a viable model for his company.

He was also quoted saying that the company is looking “to have a direct relationship with our customers on all platforms, wherever possible.”

It’s very rare to see game makers questioning Google’s monetary intentions but Epic Games might have a point. After all, they’ve got a golden goose in their hands, and the mobile gaming space is slowly picking up traction. No wonder, the makers of Fortnite want to eat the whole pie.

Having said that, Fortnite might fall prey to malicious apps showing up on Google Play Store, which shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Epic Games is surely taking a big gamble by going on its own with the Android app, and hopefully Google will make sure Fortnite doesn’t face compatibility issues, just because it isn’t coming to Android natively via the app store.

It’s a free game, and that’s all that matters to the avid gamers, not where the game is available from.