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| Fortnite is available on Google Play Store |
The game officially first came exclusively to some Samsung phones. Later in October 2018 they announced that it would be available for all Android phones (that meet some minimum specifications). Of course, installing it was not like any other app, but you had to download the APK from the official website and install it manually. A somewhat more laborious process that in return allowed Epic Games to avoid Google's commission.
The rules of Google Play Store and other popular mobile stores such as the Apple App Store are that (in general terms) the store takes a 30% commission on all purchases made through the app if it has been downloaded from the store. In this way, the company obtains a benefit in exchange for offering visibility on the platform and an easy option for the user to have the developer's app.
Google puts downloadable software outside of Google Play at a disadvantage
After a year and a half using this alternative path to reach Android users, Epic Games has decided to directly offer 'Fortnite' on the Google Play Store. The reason? As stated in statements collected by Polygon, due to the difficulties Google puts on third-party software that does not arrive through the Play Store. They indicate:
"Google puts downloadable software outside of Google Play at a disadvantage, through technical and business measures such as scary and repetitive security pop-ups for downloaded and updated software, restrictive manufacturer and operator deals and deals, Google public relations that they tag third-party software sources as malware. "
What Epic Games refers to with these statements is the different security measures that Android takes when downloading or updating executables that do not come from Google Play. Since it is easier for malicious software to reach the phone from the outside when it is not controlled than from the Google Play Store, the measures are greater. It is not impossible to install apps and games from the outside, but neither is it as easy as from Google Play. And even less so for users not so advanced in technical knowledge.
Be that as it may, it is now possible to download 'Fortnite' from the Google Play Store like any other app or game. Epic Games explains that they will continue to update and also maintain the external version that could be obtained so far from the official website.