Epic famously objected to Steam's 30 percent revenue cut and introduced a 12 percent store, but it is also fighting Google for the same reason: since the launch of the Android version, Epic has opposed Google's 30 percent cut of in-app transactions and therefore Fortnite is not offered in the Google Play Store. To get around this cut, Epic has opted to distribute Fortnite through an app accessible only via a web browser.

However, Epic pulled out for now. This is because as of today, Fortnite is available in the Google Play store. This capitulation was due to Epic's determination that the platform was becoming increasingly unstable for software that was not available in Google's Play Store.

In a statement sent to Polygon, Epic describes the obstacles it faces: [Google has been forced to take a stand against the dreaded security pop-ups that repeatedly appear for downloaded and updated software, restrictive manufacturer and carrier contracts and deals, Google's public relations efforts to portray third-party software sources as malware, and new initiatives such as Google Play Protect, which completely blocks software obtained outside of the Google Play Store, through technical and business means, . puts software available for download outside of Google Play at a disadvantage.

"To this end, we have launched Fortnite for Android in the Google Play store and will continue to operate the Epic Games app and Fortnite outside of Google Play. We expect Google to revise its policies and business dealings in the near future so that all developers can freely contact and engage in commerce with customers on a level playing field on Android and in the Play Store through open services, including payment services."

Although Epic Games sought an exception to the 30% cut, it claimed in a statement last year that it expected "a general change in practices in the smartphone industry." Similarly, it said that collecting 12% from Epic Games Store sales is a challenge to Steam's long-established PC gaming practices.

The conflict stems from the fact that software sold on the Google Play Store requires the use of Google's own payment services for microtransactions. Last year, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney told 9to5Google that Epic believes that "mandatory tying of payment services with a 30% fee is illegal on a distribution platform with over 50% market share," and that Epic is not allowed to use its store, and noted that it does not allow its own payment ecosystem to be used for games in its store. Clearly, Google saw no reason to back down.

As for the Epic Games store and Steam, Valve has not said much publicly about its criticism of Epic, although it continues to improve Steam and has lowered the reduction for the platform's biggest games; Valve boss Gabe Newell said in March that "everyone benefits" from competition,