Fortnite maker Epic Games settles antitrust case against Samsung

Epic Games, the renowned creator of the global gaming phenomenon Fortnite, has officially settled its prominent antitrust lawsuit against Samsung. This significant development, confirmed through a recent court filing, marks a crucial moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding mobile app distribution and market competition.

The lawsuit, initiated by Epic Games last September, levied accusations against Samsung for allegedly colluding with Google to stifle competition within the mobile app distribution landscape. Central to Epic’s claims was Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which was purported to be a joint effort to obstruct downloads from sources other than the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store, thereby limiting user choice and competitive alternatives.

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, publicly announced the dismissal of the case via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We’re dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties’ discussions. We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic’s concerns.” An Epic spokesperson refrained from further comment, directing inquiries to Sweeney’s post.

Previously, Google had labeled Epic’s legal action as “meritless,” asserting that “Android device makers are free to take their own steps to keep their users safe and secure.” Samsung had also declared its intention to “vigorously contest Epic Game’s [sic] baseless claims.” Neither Samsung nor Google provided immediate comments when contacted regarding the recent settlement.

This settlement occurs approximately a year after Epic Games launched its dedicated mobile app store in August 2024, aiming to facilitate the distribution of both its proprietary games and third-party titles across mobile platforms. The move underscores Epic’s broader strategy for fostering a more open mobile ecosystem, following its notable antitrust victory against Google in December 2023. In that case, a judge ruled that Google’s app store practices constituted an illegal monopoly, mandating Google to open its platform to rival app stores, although Google’s appeal against this decision remains pending.

The resolution of the Samsung lawsuit, alongside Epic’s continuing legal endeavors against Google, reinforces the company’s commitment to challenging established mobile app distribution models and advocating for increased market fairness and competition.