NEWS  News  November 9, 2023  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

Day three of the Epic vs Google showdown unfolded like a gaming soap opera, exposing the backstage drama of Fortnite's debut on the Android stage. Epic Games, led by the daring Tim Sweeney, initially snubbed Google Play, citing the "30% store tax" as a buzzkill.

In a courtroom drama that rivals a telenovela, Epic argued that sideloading Fortnite on Android was like navigating a maze with 15 confusing steps and more security warnings than a paranoid robot's worst nightmare. The Verge spilled the beans on a secret Google document that laid bare the company's desperate attempts to woo Fortnite onto the Play store.

Top entry: "Install friction is as enjoyable as stepping on a LEGO, and it's killing their vibe."

Another gem: "Our [Play] store is like a magnet for billions, but they'll be lost in Fortnite limbo without a clear exit strategy." Google, it seems, played its Trump card – a whopping $147 million proposal to Epic. Think of it as Google's attempt at a grand romantic gesture, only to be shot down like a rejected suitor.

Google's VP of Play partnerships spilled the tea on the rejected offer, confirming that the $147 million deal was like an expensive bouquet of roses tossed aside. The deal came with strings attached – a three-year incremental funding plan, which Google justified with estimates of potential revenue losses ranging from $130 million to a mind-boggling $3.6 billion if other game developers caught the sideloading fever.

Epic Games, the stubborn protagonist of our saga, resisted the tempting deal, standing firm on its decision to keep Fortnite off Google Play. Yet, after 18 months of plot twists and turns, Epic finally caved, releasing Fortnite on Google Play in a move that shook the gaming world.

But wait, there's more! The saga continued with a hotfix in April 2020 that triggered Epic's antitrust lawsuit against Google. It seems the drama never ends in the world of tech trials, where courtroom exhibits are more guarded than royal treasures. As the jury deliberates, the public is left in suspense, wondering what hidden gems lie within the sealed documents.

In the grand tradition of legal showdowns, this Epic vs Google saga delivers twists, turns, and a dose of corporate theatrics that could rival any blockbuster game plot. Stay tuned for the next episode of "Fortnite: Courtroom Chronicles."

(Cover image by pressfoto on Freepik)