A New Era for Android Gaming
In a significant move, Epic Games has announced a partnership with Telefónica, one of the largest telecommunication providers in the world. As part of this collaboration, the Epic Games Store will be preinstalled on all new compatible Android devices on Telefónica’s network, marking a major milestone in the gaming industry.
Telefónica Services Span Multiple Countries
The company’s services cover Spain, the U.K., Germany, and Latin America, making it one of the most extensive telecommunications networks globally. With this partnership, Epic Games aims to bring its game store to millions of phones, providing users with an alternative to traditional app marketplaces like Google Play.
A Breakthrough in Android Gaming
The partnership is a significant step forward for Epic Games, which has been working tirelessly to expand its reach and offer more choice to gamers. This collaboration marks the first time that Epic’s app store will be preinstalled on consumer devices, setting a new precedent for the gaming industry.
Easy Access to Popular Games
Telefónica customers will have seamless access to popular games like Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe, with Epic promising more titles in the future. The company emphasizes that users will be able to download third-party games on the Epic Games Store, giving them a wide range of choices.
A Competitive Ecosystem
Epic Games is confident that this partnership will bring about a more competitive ecosystem for Android players, providing them with a choice beyond traditional app marketplaces. The company’s press release highlights the strategic alliance as a way to "empower" users with a new alternative.
Background: Epic’s Ongoing Battle with Google
This announcement comes on the heels of a significant win for Epic Games in its ongoing antitrust battle with Google. Last year, a federal jury found that Google’s app store and billing system operated as an illegal monopoly, leading to a major shift in the industry. Judge James Donato issued his final ruling in October, ordering Google to open up its Play Store to rivals and give Android users more choice when it comes to downloading apps.
A New Era for Epic Games
The partnership with Telefónica marks a significant milestone for Epic Games, which has been working to expand its reach and offer more choices to gamers. The company launched the Epic Games Store back in August, aiming to provide developers with a new platform to launch their games.
A Collaboration Built on Trust
This is not the first time that Epic has partnered with Telefónica. In fact, the carrier was one of the first telecommunications companies to introduce Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) in the Epic Games Store. Lorena Itziar Senador-Gómez Lázaro, Director of Partnerships and Devices at Telefónica, emphasized the strength of their relationship, stating that this collaboration "strenghthens" their partnership and delivers "high-quality, accessible, and innovative digital experiences to our customers."
What’s Next for Epic Games?
With its new partnership with Telefónica, Epic Games is poised to make a significant impact on the gaming industry. As the company continues to expand its reach and offer more choices to gamers, one thing is certain – the future of Android gaming has never looked brighter.
About Aisha Malik
Aisha Malik is a consumer news reporter at TechCrunch, where she covers stories related to the tech industry. Prior to joining the publication in 2021, she was a telecom reporter at MobileSyrup. She holds an honors bachelor’s degree from University of Toronto and a master’s degree in journalism from Western University.
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