Epic Games Settles Antitrust Lawsuit with Samsung, Google Remains Defendant

Settlement Reached Between Epic Games and Samsung in Antitrust Lawsuit; Google Remains Defendant

Epic Games, creator of Fortnite, announced an agreement with Samsung on Monday, July 7th, concluding an antitrust lawsuit pending in a federal court in San Francisco, USA. In the lawsuit, Epic had accused Samsung and Google of collaborating to block competing marketplaces on Android devices. In an official statement, Epic confirmed it withdrew its allegations against Samsung but maintained Google as a defendant in the case. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney publicly thanked Samsung for addressing the company’s concerns, though the specific terms of the agreement remain confidential. Epic initiated the legal action in September 2023, challenging security standards adopted by Samsung and Google that Epic claimed prevented the installation of alternative app stores on their smartphones. Specifically, Samsung had announced a security feature in July 2023, known as “Auto Blocker,” which Epic contended not only protected against malware but also actively blocked downloads from rival marketplaces to the Play Store and Galaxy Store. Epic considered this practice anticompetitive, alleging that it made it significantly harder for users to install Epic Games titles like Fortnite, requiring up to 21 attempts. The company sought unspecified damages.

Epic Games’ Settlement with Samsung Shifts Mobile Game Monetization Landscape; Continued Battle with Google Over Power Struggle

Chris Hewish, Xsolla’s Chief Strategy Officer, a financial services company for game developers, views this settlement as a significant shift in mobile game monetization. This lawsuit against Samsung and Google is not the only instance where Epic has challenged the power of major mobile platforms. Despite launching its own mobile app store in August 2023, Epic faced consumer resistance as users largely continued to use pre-installed official stores on Android devices.

Epic Games’ Persisting Battle with Apple and Google Over App Store Fees and Distribution

The company gained notoriety for its feud with Apple, which began in 2020 when Epic attempted to bypass the App Store’s 30% transaction fee. This dispute culminated in a lengthy legal battle that saw Epic declared victorious in May 2025, though it was required to pay approximately $1 billion to settle remaining issues. This outcome, potentially paving the way for other payment and app distribution methods on iOS, faced immediate challenges. Even after a key decision, Apple initially blocked Fortnite’s relaunch in US and EU app stores in mid-May. While the game has since been re-released in the US, players in the EU have had to resort to Epic’s own store, allowed by local legislation. In Brazil, following a March court ruling, Fortnite’s official return to Apple devices is expected this month, alongside the launch of the Epic Games Store for iOS in the country. Epic has also seen partial victories against Google. In 2023, a jury recognized the Google Play Store’s monopoly, though that decision remains under appeal.

In an increasingly regulated market, Epic continues its efforts to challenge dominant distribution and payment policies within mobile ecosystems, seeking to expand its own store’s reach and maintain Fortnite’s relevance among the world’s most played games.

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