Tech enthusiasts! Buckle up, because the drama in the mobile gaming world is heating up again. Epic Games, the mastermind behind Fortnite, is back in the legal ring – and this time, they’re taking on not one, but two tech giants: Google and Samsung.
You might remember Epic’s previous legal victories against Google and Apple. Well, it seems those wins were just the warm-up act. Now, Epic’s set its sights on a new target: Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature.
So, what’s the deal? Epic claims that Samsung’s Auto Blocker is making it a real headache for users to install the Epic Games Store on their shiny new Samsung devices. And let’s face it, if you can’t easily get your hands on Fortnite, that’s a problem!
Here’s the lowdown: Samsung’s latest devices come with Auto Blocker turned on by default. This nifty (or not-so-nifty, depending on your perspective) feature only allows app installs from the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store. Want to install something from elsewhere? You’ve got to jump through some hoops to disable Auto Blocker first.
Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, is even hinting at a possible team-up between Google and Samsung. While he admits there’s no smoking gun, the implication is clear: these tech behemoths might be working together to keep Epic (and your favorite battle royale game) out of your pocket.
But is it really that hard to install the Epic Games Store? The Verge’s Sean Hollister decided to find out. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t impossible, but it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park either. There were no clear instructions on how to turn off Auto Blocker, and the process involved a bit of a digital treasure hunt through various settings screens.
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Now, you might be wondering, “Didn’t Epic already win against Google?” You’re right! Epic proved that Google had an illegal monopoly on Android app distribution and in-app billing. They even scored a win against Apple, with the EU forcing Apple to allow the Epic Games Store on iOS devices (though Apple’s not thrilled about it).
So why this new lawsuit? Well, it seems Epic isn’t content with just winning in court – they want to make sure users can actually benefit from those victories by easily accessing their store and games.
As for Google and Samsung, they’re likely to push back, arguing that they’re not intentionally making things difficult for Epic. But at this point, only time (and the courts) will tell how this battle royale plays out.
One thing’s for sure: Epic Games isn’t afraid to take on the big players in the tech world to fight for what they believe is right for gamers. So, whether you’re Team Epic or just here for the popcorn, stay tuned – this legal showdown is far from over!
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