Fortnite Back on Mobile Thanks to Microsoft Xbox Cloud Gaming, but Not Available Yet in SG
The uber popular, metaverse-ready video game Fortnite is making a big return to mobile.
Microsoft announced a new partnership with publisher Epic Games to make the battle royale shooter available via Xbox Cloud Gaming on supported browsers. This means players can stream the game on their Android and iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads, and once again be able to play on-the-go.
And the game will be playable for free – no installation or subscription required. Players will just have to go to Xbox’s website on their device’s browser and sign into their Microsoft accounts. They can then start playing using the touch screen controls or by connecting an Xbox controller.
"This is just the beginning for us – we're going to learn, implement feedback, and in time look to bring even more free-to-play titles to players through the cloud," said Microsoft.
However, because Microsoft has yet to make Xbox Cloud Gaming available in Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries, the game is currently inaccessible. Microsoft said that, as of right now, it’s only available in countries like Australia, Japan, Brazil, the U.S. and Mexico, among others.
Players also have the option to similarly stream the game on browsers through Nvidia’s GeForce Now, but it’ll require a subscription to the service.
Fortnite in 2020 was pulled from Apple and Google’s mobile app stores after it was discovered that Epic gave players the option to pay it directly for in-game purchases, essentially removing the two tech giants from the equation. This, of course, prevented Apple and Google from making a percentage from the transactions as they normally do from in-app purchases – a violation of the rules of both companies’ app stores.
Since then, players have been unable to install the game via the app stores on both Android and iOS. Those who already had it installed in their devices, meanwhile, could no longer update the game. Epic would later offer instructions on how to install the game again without using the app stores, though it was only for Android.
The disputes were taken to court, where a judge ruled in favour of Epic Games, telling Apple that it cannot block third-party payments on the App Store. But there still seems to be tension between the companies involved, with the game yet to make its return to the app store.
At least now, there’s a new alternative for those who want to play Fortnite again on mobile.
Microsoft announced a new partnership with publisher Epic Games to make Fortnite available via Xbox Cloud Gaming on supported browsers.
This allows the game to be streamed on Android and iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads.
However, because Xbox Cloud Gaming is not available yet in Singapore, the game, as of right now, is inaccessible in the country.
Fortnite in 2020 was pulled from Apple and Google’s mobile app stores after it was discovered that Epic gave players the option to pay it directly for in-game purchases, essentially removing the two tech giants from receiving a percentage of the transactions.