Tue Apr 29 16:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Epic Games’ Mobile Store Struggles Despite Apple Fine: A Fortnite Launcher, Not a Competitor

**London, UK** – The European Commission’s recent €500 million fine against Apple for violating the Digital Markets Act has highlighted the ongoing struggles of Epic Games’ mobile app store. While Epic celebrated Apple’s punishment, its own mobile storefront continues to underperform, raising questions about its long-term viability.

Despite offering weekly free games to attract users, the mobile Epic Games Store has fallen far short of its 100 million install goal by January 2025, achieving less than 30 million. Analysts suggest that the strategy, effective for the PC version, is less compelling on mobile where most games are already free. The incentive of free titles like *Loop Hero* or *Chuchel* hasn’t driven significant adoption.

While the store boasts *Fortnite* as its flagship title, its other offerings, including *Fall Guys* and *Rocket League Sideswipe*, seem to lack traction. Third-party games also appear to contribute minimally to the store’s success.

The article suggests that Epic’s legal battles, while beneficial for the mobile gaming industry by challenging app store fees, haven’t translated into meaningful competition. Instead, developers are bypassing the 30% platform tax by directing high-spending players to web shops, offering them better value for in-game purchases.

The author concludes that the core issue wasn’t the app stores themselves but the substantial fees. Until Apple and Google are compelled by authorities to make significant changes – and even then, compliance remains questionable – the status quo is likely to persist. Epic’s mobile store, the author argues, is ultimately a less-than-successful attempt to circumvent the app stores, when a more strategic focus on a dedicated *Fortnite* webshop might have been a more effective approach. A return of *Fortnite* to major app stores, with a robust webshop, is suggested as the ideal outcome, but hinges on the involved parties setting aside their egos.

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