As we’ve seen over the years, the right video game offered to smartphone users can bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Epic Games, the developer of sizzling hot Fortnite, has made the game available for those using a mobile device powered by iOS. And even though a beta version of the game will be made available exclusively to those toting certain high-end Samsung Galaxy models,
Search result in the Google Play Store warns Android users that Fortnite cannot be found there
As we’ve seen over the years, the right video game offered to smartphone users can bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Epic Games, the developer of sizzling hot Fortnite, has made the game available for those using a mobile device powered by iOS. And even though a beta version of the game will be made available exclusively to those toting certain high-end Samsung Galaxy models, Fortnite will not be offered to Android users through the Google Play Store. Apparently, Epic does not want to give Google 30% of the huge amount of revenues that would be generated from a listing in the Play Store (which doesn’t make sense considering that is the same percentage that Apple is taking from the iOS app).
Eventually, when the game is officially offered to Android users, they will have to sideload Fortnite through Epic’s website. The company feels that the game is so popular that eventually Android users with compatible handsets will flock to its website to install Fortnite, even without a Play Store listing. App research firm Sensor Tower says that from now through the end of the year, Epic’s end run around the Play Store will cost Google $50 million or more in lost platform fees.
Sensor Tower also says that Epic has grossed $180 million from iOS users since it first became available on March 15th via invitation to iPhone and iPad users. Now, the game is available from the App Store. Apple’s share of the take has amounted to $54 million thus far.
With the decision not to launch the game on the Google Play Store, Google is reminding those who search for the game in the Play Store that it is not available there (see the screenshot at right). This is being done to prevent Android users from getting scammed by knockoff and copycat apps
