Epic Sues Over Fortnite Download Hassles
Epic Games, the company behind the Unreal Engine and the wildly popular Fortnite, is once again taking legal action against Google. This time, they're also dragging Samsung into the fray. The lawsuit focuses on how difficult it is to download third-party software, like the Epic Game Store, onto Samsung devices. This follows Epic's recent victory against Google in an anticompetitive practices suit.
Epic's Legal Battles
In 2023, Epic successfully argued that Google's prevention of alternative app stores on its devices was anticompetitive. As a result, the Epic Game Store (EGS) became available for installation on Android devices worldwide. However, this new lawsuit claims that Samsung's tech discourages the installation of third-party software.
Epic alleges that Samsung added extra steps to the process of installing unapproved apps. This includes enabling the "Auto Blocker" by default, which complicates the installation process.
Why This Matters
If you've ever tried to install the Epic Game Store on an Android device, you know it's not straightforward. You have to change settings to allow external APK files, dig for these files, and then deal with warnings about potential dangers. For Samsung devices, the process is even more complicated.
- Enable external APK files
- Disable Samsung's Auto Blocker
- Deal with additional warnings and settings
Epic's CEO Tim Sweeney argues that these safety features are not designed to protect against malware but to prevent competition. However, he admits there is currently no proof of these issues causing Epic material harm.
The Bigger Picture
Google and other mobile OS providers argue that allowing users to install any APK they download is a significant security risk. The default blocking of such actions is meant to protect device owners. However, Epic claims that the cumbersome process amounts to being anticompetitive.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications. If the judge rules in favor of Epic, it could mean that third-party app stores might entirely replace Google's Play Store. This would be a significant shift in the mobile app ecosystem.
What's Next?
As we await the judge's final ruling, the gaming community is watching closely. If Epic wins, it could make downloading and installing third-party apps much easier. For now, though, the process remains a hassle.
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