Epic Games is making a bold move to expand its mobile app store by adding nearly 20 third-party games and launching a free games program.
The initiative, which includes popular titles like Bloons TD 6 and Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, aims to attract developers by temporarily covering Apple’s Core Technology Fee (CTF) for participants.
What’s New?
Epic’s mobile store will soon feature third-party games on Android globally and iOS in the European Union. The free games program will offer new titles monthly, eventually shifting to a weekly schedule.
However, the rollout has faced delays due to technical issues, with Epic stating, “We ran into a few bugs that we’re working through now.”
Covering Apple’s Core Technology Fee
To ease the financial burden on developers, Epic will pay the CTF for one year for those participating in its free games program. The CTF, a 50 euro cent charge per install after 1 million annual downloads, has been a major point of contention. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called the fee “ruinous” for competing app stores and hopes this move will encourage more developers to join its platform.
The Bigger Battle
This initiative is part of Epic’s ongoing fight against Apple and Google’s app store policies. While the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has forced Apple to open its ecosystem, Epic argues that the CTF undermines competition. The company is urging the European Commission to investigate Apple’s compliance with the DMA.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its efforts, Epic’s mobile store has struggled to gain traction, with only 29 million installs by the end of 2024, far short of its 100 million goal. Sweeney attributes this to “scare screens” and other barriers that deter users from installing third-party stores.
What’s Next?
Epic’s strategy highlights its commitment to challenging the dominance of Apple and Google. By covering fees and expanding its game offerings, the company hopes to create a more competitive app marketplace. However, the success of this initiative will depend on overcoming technical hurdles and regulatory challenges.
Stay tuned for updates as Epic works to bring its expanded mobile store to life.
