Epic Games and Telefónica have forged a significant partnership, resulting in the pre-installation of the Epic Games Store (EGS) on Android devices sold by Telefónica. This affects numerous markets, including O2 (UK), Movistar, and Vivo, making the EGS a default app option.
This seemingly small detail represents a substantial strategic move by Epic Games. Telefónica's global reach, encompassing dozens of countries, instantly grants the EGS significant market penetration. The EGS will now compete directly with Google Play as a default app store on these phones.
Convenience: A Key Factor
The biggest hurdle for alternative app stores is user convenience. Many casual users remain unaware of, or unconcerned with, options beyond their phone's pre-installed apps. This partnership places Epic ahead of the competition by making their store a default option in key markets including Spain, the UK, Germany, Latin America, and beyond.
This collaboration is merely the initial phase of a long-term partnership. A previous collaboration in 2021 saw the O2 Arena (also known as the Millennium Dome) featured within Fortnite.
This deal marks a significant advancement for Epic Games, who have recently faced legal challenges with Apple and Google. The potential long-term benefits for both Epic and consumers are considerable.
