Fortnite has re-emerged on Google Play like a phoenix reborn from the ashes. After being removed by Google for trying to circumvent Google’s policies regarding in-app purchases, Epic Games spent the last few years fighting Google in court with claims that the Google Play Store was a monopoly run by Google that, among other things, stifled competition.
Years of court hearings and many Fortnite matches later, Epic was awarded the victory, and the US Department of Justice ruled that the Play Store was in fact a monopoly, forcing Google to commit to changes that would improve the experience for users and developers. It’s been a long and arduous journey for Fortnite and its creators. But Android can now once again drop in with their friends after having installed Fortnite from the Google Play Store.
Fortnite has never left Android, even if it wasn’t available on Google Play directly
Just because the game wasn’t available on Google Play, that doesn’t mean Android users have been locked out of the game. Luckily for Android users, the platform allows for installing apps outside of Google Play. So, naturally, Epic’s solution to having its game pulled was just to offer Fortnite as an APK install through its own website. Still, this wasn’t the same as being in Google’s official app store.
It no doubt took away from the many eyes Epic could have had set upon its game. Fortnite was also removed from the iOS App Store around the same time Google removed it from the Play Store. Apple users weren’t so lucky, however, since there was no method for installing apps outside of the App Store. It was added back in May of this year.
One thing worth noting is that this return, both for Google Play and for the App Store, is only for users in the US. No doubt Epic will continue to fight to get its game restored in these stores in other regions. For now, at least some users have regained access. Epic has also confirmed that players can stay tuned for Fortnite’s return to Google Play for the rest of the world. So, it’s definitely working on that.
