Epic Games has scored a major legal victory in its long-running antitrust battle with Google. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2023 jury verdict that declared Google’s Play Store and billing system to be illegal monopolies, then refused to stay the ruling’s injunctive orders, tells The Verge.
What This Means for Gamers:
- Fortnite and other Epic titles (like Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe) will be available directly through the Epic Games Store within Google Play, eliminating the need for awkward sideloading or relying on regional storefronts.
- Android users can expect cross-platform game saves, weekly free games, and Epic’s full ecosystem built into their devices, just like PC and console players already get.
- Timing for the rollout is still unknown; Google intends to appeal, possibly up to the Supreme Court, but the Court has already lifted the stay on the injunction, allowing Epic’s store to move forward.
Why It Matters:
- This opens Android to multiple rival app stores and alternative payment systems for at least the next three years, a shift that promises more choice and potentially better deals for players and developers alike.
- Epic CEO Tim Sweeney hailed the outcome as a “total victory,” emphasizing how important it is for gamers to control how they buy content—and not be restricted by app store commissions or policies.
- For Android gamers, this marks a pivotal moment: Fortnite’s long-awaited return to Google Play means easier access, native updates, and full integration—it’s a win for Epic, but more importantly, a win for players.
For Android gamers, this marks a pivotal moment: Fortnite’s long-awaited return to Google Play means easier access, native updates, and full integration—it’s a win for Epic, but more importantly, a win for players.