Epic’s Victory Royale: Google to open Android like never before

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Just when it looked like Epic v. Google was headed for one last dramatic Supreme Court showdown, the two companies pulled a plot twist: they’re settling. 

Yes, after four years of legal sword-fighting, Fortnite maker Epic Games and Google now want to walk into the sunset together, assuming Judge James Donato approves the deal.

And this isn’t some bare-minimum settlement where everyone shrugs and pays lawyer fees. 

If approved, this could force Google to actually open up Android the way Epic has been yelling about since 2020, not just in the US, but globally, through 2032.

Let’s rewind. Earlier this year, Judge Donato already handed Epic a major W: Google would be required to allow rival app stores inside the Google Play Store, give them full access to apps, and stop forcing developers into Google Play Billing. 

But that ruling only lasted three years and only applied to US users.

Now Google’s offering a deal that goes further. Highlights:

• Google Play fees drop to 20% or 9%, depending on the type of purchase
• Alternative app stores become “Registered App Stores” that users can install with one click, no more security scare pop-ups
• Changes apply worldwide until June 2032 (aka six and a half years of Epic victory laps)
• Side-by-side payments: Google Play Billing stays, but developers can show other options right next to it, and even charge less if users pick them
• Google says that if you use a third-party billing system, you pay Google zero billing fees

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney is calling it an “awesome proposal,” and not-so-subtly shading Apple for still pretending the App Store is a moat guarded by dragons. 

Google, meanwhile, is framing this as “we totally love openness now.”

There’s fine print, of course, Google can still take a cut in certain cases, and the fee structure is, let’s say, “lawyer-flavored.” 

But if Judge Donato approves, Android could become the first major mobile OS to fully normalize competing app stores.

And if Google drops its cut to single digits? Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Valve, your move.