Earlier this week, a leak revealed that the Android version of Fortnite would not be available through the Google Play marketplace. Instead, suggested files found on Epic Games' website, Epic would host its own launcher for the mobile title. The reports of this information left fans divided and many were eager for Epic Games to clarify.

In a newly published interview, Epic Games has now confirmed that Fortnite Android will not be available on Google Play. The company explains that players will download an installer from Epic (the installer is downloaded as an APK file) and that when this installer is run, players will be prompted to change their security settings before being able to download and play the game.

Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney says that "on open platforms like PC, Mac, and Android, Epic's goal is to bring its games directly to customers." Sweeney also explains that consumers will benefit from the competition of software sources on the platform.

However, Sweeney later elaborates that Google's 30% cut of the revenue, or the Google Play "store tax" as Sweeney calls it, is also part of Epic's motivation to bypass the marketplace. Not only is that 30% a "high cost" when developers have just 70% to go towards developing, operating and supporting their games, but it's "disproportionate" to the cost that Google Play provides, which includes payment processing and customer service.

It will come as little surprise that Sweeney feels this way about the way that Google runs its platform. Sweeney previously criticized Microsoft and its Universal Windows Platform, accusing the company of trying to "force" all games to be offered through the Windows Store, thus pushing Steam out of the market. The Epic Games executive was very wary of the idea that Windows could become a "closed" platform. This perhaps explains why he is keen to make sure that there's competition on Android, at least.

Though, many Fortnite fans have suggested that Epic's plan to offer the Android version of the game through its website could lead to security concerns. When asked about previous Fortnite scams and how Epic's decision to bypass Google Play may help these scams thrive, Sweeney again highlights the "freedom" that open platforms provide.

Sweeney also says that players have a "responsibility" to check where they're getting their games from, pointing to Steam, GOG, Battle.net, and Riot Games as examples of open platforms that have succeeded. Given that many children play Fortnite, some may argue that not all Fortnite will have the digital literacy to check their software sources, as Sweeney suggests, meaning that despite the executive's comments some players will still be vulnerable to scams.

Fortnite is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and iOS devices. A release on Android is expected later this summer.

Source: Eurogamer