Epic Games has partnered with Telefónica, one of the world's largest communications providers, to pre-install the Epic Games Store on all new compatible Android devices on their network. Telefonica serves Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Latin America.
The company says the partnership will bring the Epic Games Store to “millions of phones” and marks the first time its app store will be pre-installed on a consumer device.
Telefonica customers will now be able to easily download Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe. Epic says users will be able to download third-party games in the future.
“This strategic partnership aims to provide Android players with a more competitive ecosystem and options beyond traditional app marketplaces,” Epic wrote in a press release.
The release comes a year after a federal jury sided with Epic Games over Google in an antitrust case, ending a three-year legal battle between the two companies. The jury found that Google's app store and Google Play billing systems operate as illegal monopolies.
In October, Judge James Donato issued a final ruling in the case, detailing the need for Google to change the way it operates its app store, forcing the company to open up Google Play to rivals and restrict Android users. ordered them to give people more choice when downloading apps.
With today's announcement, Epic brings its game store to millions of devices, challenging Google Play and the iOS App Store.
Epic launched the Epic Games Store in August. The company said at the time that it was working with developers to bring games to the store in the future.
This is not the first time Epic has partnered with Telefonica, which is notable as it is the first carrier to introduce carrier billing directly to the Epic Games Store.
“With this partnership with Epic Games, we strengthen our relationship and take another step forward in delivering high-quality, accessible and innovative digital experiences to our customers,” said Telefonica Head of Partnerships and Devices. said Director Lorena Itzial Senador Gómez Lázaro. press release.