Epic Games is winning its European bet.
When the developer launched its own mobile storefront on iOS in the European Union, skeptics wondered if gamers would bother downloading a third-party marketplace just to play Fortnite. Now, we have an answer. It is a resounding yes.
Breaking the Apple Monopoly
According to Epic’s latest performance updates, the Epic Games Store on iOS has experienced unprecedented player growth in the EU. This surge comes after the legal and regulatory framework of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) cleared the path for independent stores to exist on Apple devices.
For years, iPhone users had only one way to get apps: the official App Store. That changed when European regulators forced Apple to allow alternative marketplaces. Epic was first in line. The company launched its dedicated mobile store, bringing its massive catalog back to iOS after a highly publicized four-year ban.
The Power of Fortnite and Fall Guys
The growth isn’t just a temporary spike. Epic reports that monthly active users on iOS have steadily climbed, beating initial internal forecasts. The main driver behind this migration is obvious: Fortnite. But it is not a one-trick pony. The mobile release of Fall Guys has also pulled in millions of downloads, proving that bite-sized multiplayer games thrive when freed from Apple’s strict distribution rules.
“We are seeing incredible momentum in Europe,” Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said. “The DMA opened a door that Apple tried to keep locked forever, and players are walking right through it. This is proof that true competition benefits everyone, especially the players.”
Overcoming Apple’s Roadblocks
The transition has not been entirely smooth. Apple did not make it easy for Epic or its users to embrace alternative marketplaces. Installing a third-party store on an iPhone in Europe still requires navigating multiple warning screens and settings menus—a process Epic has previously described as intentional friction designed to scare off casual users.
Furthermore, developers still have to contend with Apple’s Core Technology Fee. This fee charges developers 0.50 euros for every first annual install after a one-million-install threshold. Epic has absorbed these costs to keep its storefront viable, but the company remains vocal about the fee’s unfairness.
- Epic’s iOS store continues to hit new active user peaks every quarter.
- Alternative payment methods are saving developers money on high commission fees.
- The success in the EU is serving as a blueprint for battles in other regions like Japan and the UK.
What Lies Ahead for Mobile Gaming?
Epic’s success in Europe is sending shockwaves through the global mobile industry. Other developers are watching closely. If Epic can prove that an independent store is highly profitable despite Apple’s fees, more publishers will likely follow suit.
Epic has already announced plans to bring third-party developers into its mobile store soon. Currently, the store only hosts Epic’s in-house games, but opening up to external creators could turn it into a genuine competitor to the App Store. For now, European gamers are enjoying the freedom of choice—and Epic is reaping the rewards of its long legal crusade.
