Fortnite on Android Will Not Use Google Play Says Time Sweeney

By Nicholas Barth ·

Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney has confirmed an earlier leak that stated the version of Fortnite for Android mobile platforms would not use Google Play as a platform for distribution.

Fortnite on Android Will Not Use Google Play Says Time Sweeney

Epic Games founder Twin Sweeney has confirmed that the mobile version of Fortnite Battle Royale for Android devices will not utilize Google Play as a distribution platform. 

Speaking to Games Beat, Tim Sweeney stated that the mobile version of Fortnite for Android devices will be available for download directly from the developer's website and not Google Play. 

"“First, we want to have a direct relationship with our customers wherever we can. On open platforms like PC and Android, it’s possible for them to get the software direct from us. We can be in contact with them and not have a third-party distributor in between. The second motivation is the economics of the store ecosystem as it exists right now," said Sweeney.

Sweeney continued to state in the interview that he believes that marketplaces for mobile devices, such as Google Play, do not benefit developers, especially when they insert ads of competing titles in front of or around a developer's game on the store. 

The success of Fortnite on iOS mobile devices had led to much anticipation for its arrival on Android devices. (Source: Epic Games)
The success of Fortnite on iOS mobile devices had led to much anticipation for its arrival on Android devices. (Source: Epic Games)

“When you search for Fortnite on iOS, you’ll often get PUBG or Minecraft ads. Whoever bought that ad in front of us is the top result when searching for Fortnite,” said Sweeney. “It’s just a bad experience. Why not just make the game available direct to users, instead of having the store get between us and our customers and inject all kinds of cruft like that? It’s a general criticism I have of the smartphone platforms right now.”

These criticisms of the current state of mobile platform marketplaces in the eyes of Sweeney has led the Epic Games founder to make the decision to have his studio's massively popular battle royale game of Fortnite available for download directly on the Epic Games website and not utilize a middle man for distribution. 

What are your thoughts on Fortnite for Android devices not being available on Google Play? Let us know in the comments below!

(cover photo courtesy of Epic Games)