The Fortnite logo is seen on October 25, 2018, at the Paris Games Week (PGW), a video game trade show in Paris, France. BENOIT TESSIER/REUTERS 5 May (Reuters) – Thanks to a partnership between Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) and Epic Games, Xbox Cloud Gaming users will now be able to play “Fortnite” for free on devices powered by Google-owned Android and Apple’s iOS, the companies announced on Thursday. The popular battle-royal videogame has been unavailable to mobile users since Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Google removed it from their app stores in 2020 due to a disagreement over in-app payment policies.
“Fortnite” is the first free-to-play title to join the Xbox Cloud Gaming service. “It’s an important step to add a Free-to-Play title to the cloud gaming catalog as we continue our cloud journey,” Microsoft said in a blog post. Since launching in 2020, more than 10 million people around the world have streamed games through Xbox Cloud Gaming. The service is available in 26 markets, including the United States. Microsoft, as well as Epic Games and scores of other firms, have criticized Apple’s store practices, which require developers to pay commissions of up to 30% for purchases made in the store.
The Microsoft partnership would allow users including PC gamers to stream “Fortnite” on internet browsers on their devices just like Netflix irrespective of the hardware specifications. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The move is likely to help Microsoft attract more casual gamers as the software giant doubles down on efforts to bolster its presence in the videogaming market and take on rival Sony Corp (6758.T). The company earlier this year unveiled a $68.7 billion takeover of “Call of Duty” maker Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O).
The “Fortnite” creator has also been involved in a legal battle with Apple, but it largely lost a trial last year over whether Apple’s payment rules for apps were anticompetitive. That decision found Apple had suitable reasons to force some app makers to use its payment system and take commissions of 15% to 30% on their sales.
News Summary:
- Microsoft collaborates with Epic Games to bring ‘Fortnite’ to Xbox One
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