Epic Games is set to bring approximately 20 third-party games to its mobile app store for Android globally and iOS in the European Union. Alongside this, the company plans to launch a free games program on mobile devices, beginning with Bloons TD 6 and Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee. To support iOS developers participating in the program, Epic has committed to covering some of Apple’s fees, which the company describes as “the barrier to expanding beyond the App Store.”
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney emphasized the goal of creating “a single, cross-platform store where users can purchase games or digital goods on one device and use them on another.” Initially, the store will offer free games monthly, transitioning to weekly updates over time. However, technical challenges have delayed the rollout of third-party games. Epic has assured users it is “working on fixes” and we’ll keep you updated when the games are available.
Addressing Developer Challenges
To attract developers, Epic Games has promised to temporarily cover the Core Technology Fee (CTF)—a commission of €0.50 per app installation via third-party stores on iOS for apps exceeding 1 million downloads annually. However, this support is temporary while the European Commission investigates Apple’s alleged breaches of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Epic argues that neither it nor other third-party stores can sustain paying these fees long-term.
The company continues to criticize Apple’s policies, calling the CTF “destructive to competition” in a blog post. Epic highlighted that the commission is applied to all game installations, including those made via the App Store itself.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Outlook
Epic’s battle with Apple and Google has spanned several years. While the company faced partial setbacks in a U.S. lawsuit against Apple, the DMA has allowed it to bypass iOS ecosystem restrictions in Europe. Meanwhile, Google emphasizes that Android developers have always had the option to distribute apps through third-party stores or directly from websites.
Despite progress, Epic acknowledges that it lags behind its goals, adds NIX Solutions. By 2024, its mobile store reached only 29 million users, far short of the 100 million target. Tim Sweeney attributes this to “scare screens” on devices discouraging users from installing apps from third-party sources. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic: “Freedom of choice of app stores will become a reality if the DMA is strictly observed.”
Epic’s efforts signal a significant shift in the mobile gaming market, and yet we’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.