After four years, the popular game Fortnite is back on iPhones — albeit only in Europe — as the game launches a major Marvel-themed season.
Epic Games said on Friday that Fortnite, Rocket League And Fallen boys are now available on iPhones in the EU and Android phones worldwide, accessible via an Epic Games Store. The company credits the EU Digital Markets Act for allowing it to launch its own app store, and provides instructions on how to install it on devices in a blog post.
The move is a big one, not only because the Epic Games Store is a major viable alternative to Apple's own app store, but also because it marks the game's return to devices, four years after its release. it was drawn in a dispute over payments. Apple and Epic eventually went to court, which led to a mixed decision.
And the timing is ideal for Epic, which launched a major new season on Friday Fortnite: “Absolute Doom!” with a Marvel theme.
“Using the ancient power of Pandora's Box, Marvel's armored despot Doctor Doom has moved his Latverian domain to the Battle Royale Island and taken hold with his army of loyal minions,” Fortnite said in a logline. “Once his powered-up armor is complete, he will gain complete control. Doctor Doom and his lieutenants must be defeated! Whatever it takes.”
The game features playable versions of some of Marvel's greatest heroes and villains, including Captain America, War Machine, a Wolverine banana-man variant (“Peelverine”), and Mysterio, as well as Doctor Doom himself.
The Marvel season of Fortnite comes as Epic and Disney expanding their partnership, which will see the entertainment giant invest $1.5 billion in Epic, with plans to build a new playable universe that will connect to Fortnite.
During the D23 summit in Anaheim this past weekend, Disney executives revealed that Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, The Incredibles and characters from the Star Wars universe will join Fortnite in the coming weeks and months.
“Walt’s original vision was to bring his stories to as many places as possible,” said Josh D’Amaro, president of Disney Experiences. “For the past 100 years, Disney has been a pioneer in film, television, theme parks, books, games – the list goes on. This new universe we’re creating with Epic Games is the next step in reaching new fans and connecting with them where they are.”