Fortnite Returns to US Google Play After Settlement

Epic Games' popular battle royale game Fortnite has returned to the Google Play Store in the United States after more than four years of absence, marking a significant milestone in the company's antitrust battles with major tech platforms.

The relisting, announced this week, stems from a recent settlement between Epic Games and Google that resolved a lawsuit filed in 2020. That year, Epic introduced a direct payment option in Fortnite to bypass the 30 percent commission charged by app stores on in-app purchases. Both Google and Apple responded by removing the game from their platforms, prompting Epic to sue both companies for anticompetitive practices. A U.S. District Court ruled in Epic's favor against Google, declaring the Play Store a monopoly and ordering changes to allow developers greater flexibility with alternative billing systems and reduced fees. The settlement, reached in November, complies with an injunction from Judge James Donato and enables Fortnite's return while Epic seeks court approval for broader implementation.

For Android users, the development simplifies access to the game. Previously unavailable on Google Play, Fortnite could still be installed via...