After four years, the popular game Fortnite is back on iPhones — albeit only in Europe — right as the game launches a big Marvel-themed season.
Epic Games said Friday that Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys are now available on iPhones in the E.U. and on Android phones worldwide, accessible via an Epic Games Store. The company credits the E.U. Digital Markets Act for allowing it to launch its own app store, and provides instructions for how to install it on devices in a blog post.
The move is a major 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 return of the game to the devices four years after it was pulled in a dispute over payments. Apple and Epic ultimately engaged in litigation, leading to a mixed decision.
And the timing is ideal for Epic, which on Friday launched a major new season on Fortnite: “Absolute Doom!” with a Marvel theme.
“Wielding the ancient power of Pandora’s Box, Marvel’s armored despot Doctor Doom has transplanted his Latvarian domain to the Battle Royale Island and seized a foothold with his army of loyal henchmen,” Fortnite said in a logline. “Once his empowered armor is complete, he’ll reap total control. Doctor Doom and his lieutenants must be defeated! Whatever it takes.”
The game includes playable versions of some of Marvel’s biggest 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 expand their partnership, with the entertainment giant investing $1.5 billion in Epic, with plans to build a new playable universe that will be connected to Fortnite.
At the D23 summit in Anaheim last 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,” Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro said. “Over the past 100 years, Disney has been a pioneer in movies, television, theme parks, books, games – and the list goes on and 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.”