Epic Games Accuses Samsung of Making Fortnite Download Difficult - Epic Legal Battle Unfolds
Epic Games, the developer behind the wildly popular video game Fortnite, has filed a legal complaint against Samsung for making it overly complicated to download the game on certain mobile devices. The complaint, set to be filed on Monday, alleges that users have to go through a whopping "21 steps" before they can play Fortnite on a new Samsung product, including navigating security warning screens and adjusting settings. This arduous process has reportedly led to a 50% abandonment rate among users trying to install the game on these devices.
Epic attributes this issue to a Samsung feature called Auto Blocker, which is enabled by default on the company's latest products. While the tool is designed to thwart malicious activity and prevent unauthorized app installations, Epic argues that it is hindering Fortnite downloads and potentially violating competition laws. Unlike apps on Samsung or Google's official stores, Fortnite must be downloaded from Epic's own store, triggering Samsung's Auto Blocker feature to issue warnings.
Epic asserts that both Google and Samsung are aware of Fortnite's legitimacy as an app, given its past availability on Google Play and collaborations with Samsung on in-game content. The developer is seeking a resolution with Samsung to streamline the download process for Fortnite and other third-party apps.
This legal dispute is not the first for Epic, as the company has previously taken on tech giants Google and Apple over app store policies. While Fortnite has made a comeback on EU-registered iPhones following a court order against Apple, the game remains unavailable on iOS in the UK. Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney, expressed disappointment in the need for further legal action but emphasized the importance of creating a fair environment for developers.
In conclusion, the ongoing battle between Epic Games and Samsung highlights the complexities of app distribution and the significance of fair competition in the tech industry. As consumers, it is essential to stay informed about these issues, as they can impact not only our gaming experiences but also the broader landscape of digital commerce and innovation.