Epic is bringing its free games program to mobile this year
Most people download new games on their Android devices through the Google Play Store. However, other sources of games are becoming popular, too. Epic launched the Epic Games Store on Android in August, giving users a destination to download Fortnite on Android, alongside other games like Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe. If you want more top-tier Android games to enjoy for free, Epic has good news.
At the Unreal Fest event in Seattle, Epic Games Store general manager Steve Allison said in a post-keynote roundtable that Epic’s “free games” program is coming to mobile in Q4 this year (h/t Mobile Gamer), likely through the Epic Games Store. It will launch with third-party apps in the Epic Games Store during the holiday season. Epic expects about 10-50 apps to be ready, though adding a payment solution could delay some.
One of the first third-party games on the Epic Games Store will be Ark: Ultimate Mobile Edition, expected to arrive on mobile later this year.
Epic also plans to add self-publishing tools, allowing developers to list their apps and games on the Epic Games Store without Epic's involvement. This is planned for early 2025, possibly in January. Other features in the works include enabling social and party features like in-game chat and cross-platform play, aimed for later in 2025.
From personal experience, the Epic Games Store and its “free games” program on desktop allowed me to enjoy many great titles. Even if these games were free years after their peak, they are still playable, and I have spent hours enjoying them. Since these games are often older or non-AAA titles, the graphics are dated, but I can play them on less powerful hardware. For Epic, the free games are a way to attract users to its store. The company hasn’t detailed the full plan for its mobile free games program, but it will likely follow similar lines.
At the Unreal Fest event in Seattle, Epic Games Store general manager Steve Allison said in a post-keynote roundtable that Epic’s “free games” program is coming to mobile in Q4 this year (h/t Mobile Gamer), likely through the Epic Games Store. It will launch with third-party apps in the Epic Games Store during the holiday season. Epic expects about 10-50 apps to be ready, though adding a payment solution could delay some.
One of the first third-party games on the Epic Games Store will be Ark: Ultimate Mobile Edition, expected to arrive on mobile later this year.
Epic also plans to add self-publishing tools, allowing developers to list their apps and games on the Epic Games Store without Epic's involvement. This is planned for early 2025, possibly in January. Other features in the works include enabling social and party features like in-game chat and cross-platform play, aimed for later in 2025.
From personal experience, the Epic Games Store and its “free games” program on desktop allowed me to enjoy many great titles. Even if these games were free years after their peak, they are still playable, and I have spent hours enjoying them. Since these games are often older or non-AAA titles, the graphics are dated, but I can play them on less powerful hardware. For Epic, the free games are a way to attract users to its store. The company hasn’t detailed the full plan for its mobile free games program, but it will likely follow similar lines.