It’s well known that Epic Games has been heavily into giving away free PC games, and now it’s making that appeal to mobile devices. Epic’s free games program, a feature popular on desktops, is also coming to Android users soon. Though it’s free games, it’s a big mobile gaming moment.
By the end of this year, Epic Games will have unleashed its free games program on mobile. Steve Allison, general manager of Epic Games Store, announced during a roundtable at the Unreal Fest event in Seattle. Allison says the program will debut in the fourth quarter of 2024. The exact launch date is still up in the air, but we know it will be during the holiday season, so fans will have plenty to sink their teeth into before the end of the year.
Epic Store free games hit mobile in time for the holidays
Not only is Epic spilling over into Android free games, but it’s also bringing third-party games into its Android store. One of the first major titles to be released is Ark: Ultimate Mobile Edition. A key moment in the store’s mobile expansion, this version of the popular survival game is set to arrive before the year ends.
It’s not just about giving away free games: The Epic Games Store’s move into mobile is also about expanding its base of third-party apps, which could shift how people discover and play games with their devices. The Epic Games Store is replacing the Google Play Store’s wares, and it’s gaining popularity. With its August 2024 launch, it’s already a place to go for games like Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe.
Epic also plans to add 10 to 50 third-party apps to the store by the end of the year, in addition to games. The variety of choices could attract more users to the platform, but some apps can be delayed depending on how payment systems are integrated.
What’s next for the Epic Games Store?
Epic isn’t ending with just games and apps. Further, while the company is still years away from allowing anyone to put their games on their store without consulting with Epic’s team first, it is implementing self-publishing tools to allow developers to get their titles on the store without Epic’s blessing. This upcoming move in early 2025 would pave the way for open content, placing the Epic Games Store in an even bigger running for the mobile gaming sector.
Social and party tools like chat and cross-platform play are also coming in 2025. Adding these sorts of things to the store could be an appealing thing to shop at, especially since this would fit especially for people wanting to have a connected experience between two different devices.
Its free games program on PC has proven successful, with Epic Games offering players a crack at older or indie games for free. With those moves and the mobile expansion of its success, it now wants to know that success with Android, too, giving another platform for users to explore new games without spending their hard-earned money. Everybody is watching how well this program will work on mobile devices.
Image credits: Unreal Engine
