Google has been entering into agreements with certain mobile device makers since 2019 that restrict them from pre-installing other app stores on most or all new Android devices they sell, Epic said in the unredacted complaint.
One such effort by Google was to strike exclusive deals with device makers to thwart the presence of alternative app stores on mobile devices, according to the complaint. Thursday's filing fleshes out Epic's claims that Google “developed a series of internal projects” to stop other game makers and app developers from distributing their apps the way Epic did with Fortnite. When Google realized that Epic might not accept such a deal, it considered approaching Tencent, Epic said. Google planned to offer Epic a discounted fee of 25%, compared with the standard 30% cut it took from developers, to give Epic additional revenue share, according to the unredacted complaint. In its own complaint, Epic says Google executives came up with a plan to offer a $208 million “custom” deal to persuade the game maker to launch Fortnite on Google Play. In response, Google said the states' antitrust lawsuit “gets it wrong” by limiting the definition of the app marketplace to Android devices and ignoring that Google competes with Apple for developers and consumers. The states allege that after Epic launched its app outside Google Play, Google “bought off” developers to dissuade them from doing the same - but details of those payouts were redacted in the states' complaint. Google also faces a sweeping complaint filed in July by attorneys general of three dozen states, alleging that the company unlawfully abused its power over the sale and distribution of apps through Google Play.
Epic rejected Google's “special deal,” opting instead to distribute Fortnite for Android via Epic's website and through a partnership with Samsung Electronics, according to the complaint. They also considered lowering the fees they charged Epic. In July 2018, senior Google executives including Alphabet's chief financial officer considered offering Epic a partnership worth as much as $208 million over three years, according to Epic. The fight with Google is just heating up.
A trial in the Epic-Apple case took place in May, and the companies are awaiting a ruling from the judge. over fees the companies charge developers in their mobile-app stores. “Android provides more choices in mobile devices for developers and consumers.”Įpic is battling Google and Apple Inc. Most devices will only have the Model Number and Android Version on it, while others will have complete details about.
Look for the option About Phone (It is usually at the bottom of the Settings screen). “As we have stated previously, Epic's lawsuit is baseless and mischaracterizes our business conversations,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement. This guide will help you identify the specifications of your Android device to determine it’s capable to run Fortnite. The alleged takeover plan first came to light this month when a partially redacted version of the complaint was filed with the court. Also read: Looking for a smartphone? Check Mobile Finder here.