Epic Games and Telefónica Partner to Pre-install Epic Games Store on Android Devices
Epic Games has forged a significant partnership with Telefónica, a major telecommunications company. This collaboration will result in the pre-installation of the Epic Games Store (EGS) on Android devices sold through Telefónica's network. This means users of O2 (UK), Movistar, and Vivo (other regions) will find the EGS readily available as a default app.
This seemingly small detail represents a substantial strategic move by Epic Games to expand its mobile presence. Telefónica's global reach, encompassing numerous countries and brands, provides Epic with unprecedented access to a vast potential user base. The EGS will now compete directly with Google Play as a primary app marketplace on these devices. This is a critical development, given Epic's considerable investment in differentiating itself from competitors.
Convenience: A Key Factor
A major hurdle for alternative app stores is user convenience. Many casual users are unaware of, or unconcerned with, options beyond their phone's pre-installed apps. Epic's partnership with Telefónica directly addresses this challenge. By securing pre-installation as a default option in key markets like Spain, the UK, Germany, and Latin America, Epic gains a significant competitive advantage.
This agreement marks only the beginning of the Epic Games and Telefónica collaboration. Their previous joint project in 2021, a digital recreation of the O2 Arena within Fortnite, showcases their existing synergy.
For Epic Games, embroiled in ongoing legal disputes with Apple and Google, this partnership offers a strategic detour, potentially yielding substantial long-term benefits – hopefully for consumers as well.
