Overview
The Epic Games Store (EGS) is a digital video game storefront owned and operated by Epic Games, Inc. Established in 2018, the platform has become a formidable competitor to the long-standing industry leader, Steam. Epic Games Store offers exclusive games, a generous revenue-sharing model for developers, and frequent giveaways and discounts.
Features
Exclusive Games
A major draw of the EGS is its exclusive games. Epic Games invests heavily in securing timed or permanent exclusivity deals with developers to offer select titles only through its platform. Notable exclusives include:
Game Title | Release Date |
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Fortnite | 2017 |
Rocket League | 2015 |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 2018 |
Metro Exodus | 2019 |
Developer Revenue Sharing
Epic Games Store has a generous revenue-sharing model for developers. It offers an 88/12 revenue split, where developers receive 88% of game sales, significantly higher than Steam’s 70/30 split. This incentive has attracted numerous developers to the platform, ensuring a steady flow of new titles.
Free Games and Discounts
The Epic Games Store frequently offers free games to all users. These giveaways typically include popular titles or indie gems. Additionally, the platform regularly features sales and discounts on a wide range of games, making them more affordable for players.
Controversies
Exclusivity and Platform Fragmentation
The EGS’s focus on exclusive games has sparked controversy within the gaming industry. Critics argue that exclusivity practices fragment the PC gaming market and limit players’ choice. Developers who choose to release their games exclusively on one platform may alienate a significant portion of potential customers.
Antitrust Allegations
In 2021, Apple filed an antitrust lawsuit against Epic Games over the EGS’s payment system. Apple claimed that Epic Games violated App Store guidelines by allowing users to make purchases directly through its platform, bypassing Apple’s payment system and resulting in lost revenue for Apple.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits
- Exclusive games
- Generous revenue-sharing for developers
- Free games and discounts
- User-friendly interface
Drawbacks
- Limited library compared to Steam
- Lack of certain features (e.g., cloud saves, modding support)
- Exclusivity practices can fragment the market
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between Epic Games Store and Steam?
A: The Epic Games Store offers exclusive games, a generous revenue-sharing model for developers, and frequent giveaways and discounts. Steam has a larger library, more features, and a wider user base.
Q: Can I play Epic Games Store games on other platforms?
A: Most Epic Games Store games are exclusive to the platform. However, some games may also be available on other platforms, such as consoles or other digital storefronts.
Q: Is Epic Games Store safe to use?
A: Yes, Epic Games Store is a legitimate digital game storefront operated by a reputable company (Epic Games). It uses industry-standard security measures to protect user data and transactions.
Samsung Galaxy Fortnite Skin
Availability:
The Samsung Galaxy Fortnite skin was exclusive to Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Tab S4 users.
Appearance:
The skin featured an all-black design with a glowing neon blue Samsung logo on the chest. It also had glowing neon blue accents on the hands and feet.
Features:
- Customizable Accessories: Players could customize the skin with various accessories, including a Samsung-themed back bling and a pickaxe.
- Exclusive Emotes: The skin allowed players to perform exclusive emotes, such as the "Samsung Sway" and the "Galaxy Groove."
- Special Effects: The skin had special effects when used with certain weapons, such as the "Thunderclap" effect when using the Shotgun.
Release Date:
The skin was released on September 6, 2018, as part of a collaboration between Samsung and Epic Games.
Google Play Store Fortnite
Fortnite is not available on the Google Play Store due to a dispute between Epic Games and Google. In 2018, Epic released Fortnite on the Google Play Store, but with an alternative payment method to bypass Google’s mandatory in-app purchase commission. This violated Google’s policies, and Epic’s developer account was terminated.
Epic filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging that Google maintains an anti-competitive grip on the Android ecosystem. The lawsuit is ongoing, and Fortnite remains unavailable on the Google Play Store. Users on Android devices can still download Fortnite from Epic’s own website or through alternative app stores such as the Samsung Galaxy Store.
Fortnite on Samsung Galaxy Devices
Samsung Galaxy devices offer an optimized gaming experience for Fortnite, providing players with exclusive content, performance enhancements, and exclusive in-game events.
Exclusive Content:
- Fortnite-themed Galaxy Skins and cosmetics
- Galaxy Cup tournaments with unique prizes
Performance Enhancements:
- High refresh rates for smoother gameplay
- Adaptive power management for extended battery life
- Game Booster mode for optimized performance
Exclusive Events:
- Galaxy Fortnite Crew subscription with exclusive rewards
- Galaxy Gaming Lounge for community events and tournaments
- In-game events featuring Samsung-themed content
Additionally, Samsung Galaxy devices provide support for Fortnite cross-play, allowing players to compete with friends on other platforms. The optimized performance and exclusive content make Samsung Galaxy devices a desirable choice for Fortnite enthusiasts.
Fortnite Mobile on Google Play
Fortnite Mobile is a free-to-play battle royale game developed by Epic Games. The game was released on Android devices in August 2018.
Fortnite Mobile is a port of the PC and console versions of the game. It features the same gameplay and graphics, but with some modifications to make it work on mobile devices. The game can be played in solo, duo, or squad modes.
Fortnite Mobile has been a huge success, with over 100 million downloads. The game has been praised for its fun gameplay and impressive graphics.
Here are some of the key features of Fortnite Mobile on Google Play:
- Free-to-play
- Cross-platform play with PC, console, and mobile players
- Solo, duo, and squad modes
- Customizable controls
- Regular updates with new content
Epic Games-Samsung Partnership
Epic Games and Samsung have forged a strategic partnership that has significantly impacted the mobile gaming landscape. This collaboration has brought exclusive Fortnite content, hardware optimizations, and cloud-based gaming experiences to Samsung devices.
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Exclusive Content: Samsung users have access to exclusive skins, emotes, and other cosmetic items that are not available on other platforms. This has created a unique and immersive experience for Samsung gamers.
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Hardware Optimizations: Epic Games and Samsung have worked together to optimize Fortnite for Samsung devices, ensuring smooth and immersive gameplay. These optimizations include improved graphics, enhanced performance, and reduced latency.
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Cloud-Based Gaming: Samsung users can now access Fortnite through Samsung Cloud Gaming. This allows them to play the game on their mobile devices without having to download the full version, making it more accessible and convenient.
The Epic Games-Samsung partnership has been mutually beneficial, providing exclusive content and enhanced gaming experiences for Samsung users while driving growth for Fortnite and other Epic Games products.
Fortnite Google Play Revenue
Epic Games’ popular battle royale game Fortnite has generated billions in revenue since its launch in 2017. Despite being removed from the Google Play Store in August 2020 due to an antitrust dispute, Fortnite has continued to earn significant revenue through other platforms.
In 2021, Fortnite earned an estimated $5.1 billion on Google Play, according to market research firm Sensor Tower. This accounted for approximately 10% of the game’s total revenue that year, which reached $5.7 billion. Notably, Fortnite’s revenue on Google Play has declined in recent years due to its removal from the store.
Despite being unavailable on Google Play in 2022, Fortnite still generated an estimated $3.2 billion in revenue through other platforms. This suggests that the game’s overall popularity and player base remain strong, despite the challenges it faces in the mobile gaming market.
Fortnite Samsung Exclusive Skins
Fortnite has collaborated with Samsung to release several exclusive skins only available to players who own specific Samsung devices. These skins include:
- Glow in the Dark Galaxy Skin (2019): Released with the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy Tab S4, featuring a glowing galaxy-themed design.
- Ikonik Skin (2019): Available with the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy A90, featuring an electric blue and yellow design with a lightning bolt motif.
- Glow Skin (2020): Released with the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20, featuring a neon pink and blue design with glowing effects.
- Haze Skin (2021): Available with the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Tab S7, featuring a purple and black design with a mist-like effect.
- Midnight Skin (2022): Released with the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Tab S8, featuring a sleek black and silver design.
Epic Games Android Fortnite
Epic Games launched Fortnite for Android devices in August 2018, allowing players to experience the popular battle royale game on their smartphones and tablets. However, shortly after its release, Fortnite was removed from the Google Play Store due to a violation of Google’s policies regarding in-app purchases.
Epic Games subsequently filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the company’s practices were anti-competitive. The lawsuit sparked a wider debate about the power of platform holders and the future of app distribution on mobile devices.
Despite being removed from the Play Store, Fortnite remains available on Android through the Epic Games Store app. However, players using this method may face performance issues and security concerns due to the lack of Google Play Services integration.
Fortnite Google Play Download
Fortnite is currently not available for download on the Google Play Store. Epic Games decided to forgo the Play Store and release Fortnite directly on its website due to Google’s 30% cut of in-app purchases. Epic Games argued that this commission was too high and stifled innovation. Instead, users can download Fortnite for Android from the Epic Games website or the Samsung Galaxy Store.
Fortnite Samsung Galaxy Fortnite Performance
Fortnite has been optimized for Samsung Galaxy devices, offering exclusive features and performance enhancements. These include:
- Up to 120Hz refresh rate: Selected Galaxy devices support a high refresh rate for smoother gameplay and better responsiveness.
- Exclusive cosmetics: Galaxy users can unlock exclusive in-game cosmetic items, such as skins, emotes, and back blings.
- Game Booster: Samsung’s built-in Game Booster provides performance optimizations, such as frame rate locking, power saving, and cooling.
- Advanced Game Mode: Game Mode enhances the gaming experience by blocking notifications, improving touch sensitivity, and optimizing network performance.
- Optimized controls: Fortnite’s controls are tailored to the Galaxy devices’ screen size and aspect ratio for better ergonomics.