Epic Games has accused Samsung of making it overly complicated for users to download its popular video game, Fortnite, on specific Samsung mobile devices.
In a legal complaint Epic Games plans to file, the company alleges that users must go through as many as “21 steps” to download and play Fortnite on new Samsung products. This includes navigating security warning screens and changing default settings, which Epic claims have led to half of the users abandoning the download process before completion.
Samsung has responded by calling the allegations “baseless” and vowing to “vigorously contest” the claims.
According to Epic Games, installing Fortnite on other Android devices involves only 12 steps, significantly fewer than on Samsung products. The company blames Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which is enabled by default on newer Samsung devices. Auto Blocker is designed to prevent unauthorized app installations and block malicious activities, but Epic argues that it is wrongfully obstructing legitimate Fortnite downloads.
Epic Games claims that this practice violates competition laws. Auto Blocker makes it much more challenging for users to access Fortnite than apps from Google Play or Samsung’s app store, which can be downloaded with just a few clicks.
Samsung defended its security feature, stating that users can disable Auto Blocker. A spokesperson said, “Samsung fosters market competition, enhances consumer choice, and conducts its operations fairly. Our devices are designed with security, privacy, and user control as core principles.”
Apps from the Google Play Store and Samsung’s App Store go through an approval process that simplifies installation. However, Fortnite is available only through Epic Games’ store, which triggers Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature. Epic asserts that both Google and Samsung know Fortnite is a legitimate app, given its prior availability on Google Play and Samsung’s past collaboration with Fortnite, which included hosting competitions and creating in-game character skins.
Epic Games is requesting Samsung implement a system that allows legitimate third-party app developers to apply for a whitelist, exempting them from Auto Blocker. However, the two companies have not reached an agreement so far.
Fortnite’s removal from Apple and Google app stores in 2020 over Epic’s introduction of its in-app payment system has fueled several legal battles. In December 2023, Epic won a significant court case against Google over app store monopolization, with a jury ruling that Google had been operating a monopoly.
Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, expressed frustration over the ongoing legal disputes, saying, “The fight against Samsung is new, and it sucks. I did not think we would end up in this place.” While Epic could have “made a lot more money” by not pursuing these lawsuits, the company is committed to creating a “level playing field” for developers.
For more tech news and insights, visit Rwanda Tech News, and explore similar topics and trends in the world of technology.
