Epic Games, Inc., a prominent American video game and software developer and publisher, has expressed its desire to make it easier for Android users to download apps from alternative sources, primarily the Epic Games Store. This initiative reflects Epic Games' long-standing goal of expanding app distribution beyond official app stores, a vision the company has actively pursued with Apple, Inc. for several years.
According to Epic, Google LLC should allow users to download apps from anywhere "without intervention". In practice, this is already possible because Android allows the installation of apk files, but Epic wants Google LLC to stop what it calls "deterrent tactics," such as warning screens. "Consumers should be able to download apps directly, much like they do on their computers," Epic writes.
Epic also wants Google LLC to make it easier to make in-app purchases that are "free of anti-competitive limits and restrictions." Epic wants developers to be able to tell users directly that they can make an in-app purchase on another platform and that Google allows alternative payment methods in apps.
According to Epic, Google LLC should allow users to download apps from anywhere "without intervention". In practice, this is already possible because Android allows the installation of apk files, but Epic wants Google LLC to stop what it calls "deterrent tactics," such as warning screens. "Consumers should be able to download apps directly, much like they do on their computers," Epic writes.
Epic also wants Google LLC to make it easier to make in-app purchases that are "free of anti-competitive limits and restrictions." Epic wants developers to be able to tell users directly that they can make an in-app purchase on another platform and that Google allows alternative payment methods in apps.