Fortnite will be pre-loaded on Telefónica phones

Epic is incredibly exhausting. After years of lawsuits against mobile-affiliated companies like Google, Apple, and Samsung, claiming users should have the right to install any software and app store they want, Epic is now pre-loading its Epic Games Store and access to Fortnite onto carrier phones.

The Epic Games Store will come pre-loaded on Android phones sold by Telefónica to customers in the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. Although the press release didn’t specify the exact countries, Telefónica and its subsidiaries operate in countries like Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Telefónica boasts 392 million total customers.

According to the press release, gamers will have easier access to download Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe, as well as third-party games in the future. This suggests that the full Fortnite game, which is currently a 15GB package on my phone, may not be fully pre-installed initially.

This move is a win for Epic as it achieves its goal of getting Fortnite onto phones without going through the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. This was the main objective of its lawsuit in 2020. Now, Epic will have Fortnite on millions of new devices without the need for side-loading.

Furthermore, the Epic Games Store will be installed on these phones without requiring permission from the phone buyers. However, it’s worth questioning if this is truly a positive development.

This deal is not entirely unprecedented. Epic previously had a similar arrangement with Samsung, promoting Fortnite on Samsung phones via the Galaxy Store before their current legal dispute.

It’s important to remember that Epic wants to portray itself as different from other large corporations. However, its actions and legal battles raise questions about its true intentions.

Epic initiated its fight for freedom on behalf of phone users who supposedly deserved the right to install any software outside of an app store. However, Epic’s stance on game consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch, which have similar ecosystems, raises doubts about its motives.

It’s worth questioning why Epic hasn’t taken legal action against Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, considering its close relationships with these companies. Epic has collaborated with all three console makers to sell Fortnite bundles and seems content with the profit-sharing arrangement for in-game items on consoles.

It’s possible that Epic has weighed the risks of challenging console makers and decided it’s not worth jeopardizing its access to those platforms during legal proceedings.

Another point to consider is Android’s ability to uninstall pre-loaded apps. While some apps can be uninstalled, others can only be disabled, and some cannot be removed at all. The pre-loaded Epic Games Store and Fortnite may be considered bloatware by some users.

As Epic expands its presence on millions of phones worldwide, will it uphold its commitment to player rights and allow users to remove these pre-loaded apps? Or will it treat them as essential features, similar to bloatware, with no option for removal?