Fortnite, the most popular game on the planet, will soon be out for Android. Recent reports have suggested that developer Epic Games has inked a partnership with Samsung to launch Fortnite for Android as a timed exclusive with the Galaxy Note 9.
This hasn't been confirmed as yet but the reports say that Fortnite might be exclusive for a month on the Galaxy Note 9 before it's available for other devices. Even if that is the case, you may not need to install Fortnite on Galaxy Note 9 because there's a possibility that it may be installed on the device out of the box.
No need to install Fortnite on Galaxy Note 9
Epic Games has confirmed today that it won't be distributing Fortnite for Android through the Google Play Store. It will distribute the game through the game's official website. Android users will be able to download a Fortnite Installer app which will then install the game on compatible Android smartphones.
The developer didn't confirm when the game is going to be released. It also didn't comment on the reports about the partnership with Samsung and the timed-exclusive for the Galaxy Note 9. Epic Games has decided to not distribute the game through the Google Play Store for financial reasons.
Fortnite is free-to-play on all platforms and that would be the case on Android as well. However, this behemoth is entirely funded through in-app purchases. Google takes a 30 percent cut of all in-app purchases so circumventing the Play Store will save this cost for Epic Games.
“The 30 percent store tax is a high cost in a world where game developers’ 70 percent must cover all the cost of developing, operating, and supporting their games,” said Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney.
Epic Games can go down this route on Android because the platform allows users to install apps from sources other than the Google Play Store. This isn't allowed on iOS so the developer has no choice but to distribute the game through the App Store.
If the game is indeed a timed exclusive for the upcoming flagship, then there may be no need to install Fortnite on Galaxy Note 9 because it could be pre-installed. That would certainly make sense given the decision to bypass the Google Play Store. Samsung may also decide to distribute it through the Galaxy Apps store.
