Epic Games Mobile Store Sees Lower-Than-Expected Installs, but Adds Third-Party Games

The first wave of third-party games is available on the Epic Games Store mobile app, and a free games programme has also been launched. The alternative app store has been installed on more than 29 million mobile devices, far fewer than Epic Games had expected.

Epic Games has announced the first wave of third-party mobile games on the Epic Games Store mobile app. "Following our launch on mobile just a few months ago, this represents a major step forward for the store and we're thankful for the partners joining us on this journey," the company said. There are 17 games available on Android worldwide and 15 games on iOS in the European Union.

However, Epic Games also points out that so far none of the top 100 mobile game developers have agreed to distribute their games on this alternative app store. Epic Games: "While this is an important step in our fight, Apple continues to ban Epic, an American company, from launching our store on iOS devices in the U.S. Even in places like the European Union where policy makers have passed laws, Apple and Google's non-compliance continues to undermine competition and developer and consumer choice. So far none of the 100 highest grossing mobile game developers are willing to distribute their games on the Epic Games Store because of the Core Technology Fee and Apple and Google's onerous restrictions and scare screens."

Since launch, there have been 29 million installs of the Epic Games Store on mobile devices, which is short of Epic's goal of 100 million installs by the end of 2024. "So far, more than 50% of the time a player tries to install the Epic Games Store on Android or iOS they are unsuccessful due to onerous scare screens. In the European Union, an additional 5 million attempts to install the Epic Games Store were blocked by Apple's browser and operating system 'Eligibility Requirements'," the company said.

"Developers and players deserve to choose where they distribute their games and how they play them. It’s that simple. We’re working with regulators in the European Union to stop Apple and Google from breaking the law, and we plan to bring the Epic Games Store to iOS in the UK and Japan at the end of this year. Once policymakers and courts in other countries like Brazil, Australia, Korea and the United States make it possible, we’ll bring the Epic Games Store to iOS in those countries too. We will keep fighting to break down barriers not just for the Epic Games Store, but for everyone." - Statement from Epic Games about the App Store Economy

In addition, Epic Games has launched the Free Games programme (familiar from its PC Store) on Android worldwide and iOS in the European Union. Starting with Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, new games will be offered every month until they move to a weekly schedule later this year.