Microsoft partners with Epic to offer Fortnite for free through Xbox Cloud Gaming, with or without a subscription, across Android, iOS, iPadOS, and Windows PCs

CNET 2022-05-06 Ian Sherr

Context & Ripple Effects

Epic had already invested in cross-platform login and social-game tooling, making Fortnite a natural title for a service intended to span device categories. Its earlier direct-payment option on mobile also showed Epic's interest in reaching mobile players without relying solely on conventional app-store distribution.

Microsoft is using Fortnite's broad audience to make Xbox Cloud Gaming accessible without either a console or a subscription, turning a major game into an entry point for the service.

First-order effects

Fortnite players on Android, iOS, iPadOS, and Windows PCs can use Xbox Cloud Gaming for the game without a Game Pass subscription, reducing the immediate access barrier for both Epic and Microsoft.
Microsoft gains a high-recognition demonstration of cloud gaming across platforms, while Epic gains another route to mobile and PC players.

Second-order effects

Xbox Cloud Gaming's value proposition shifts beyond paid Game Pass access: a free Fortnite offering gives Microsoft a way to acquire users before asking them to subscribe to other service content.
Epic's cross-platform account and social infrastructure becomes more valuable as Fortnite is reachable through another distribution layer rather than a single device storefront.

Third-order effects

If large free-to-play games increasingly serve as cloud-service entry points, console ecosystems will compete more on cross-device access and account reach than on requiring players to own particular hardware.
The arrangement reinforces a model in which game publishers preserve broad distribution while platform operators use marquee titles to build service audiences.

The trend: Cloud gaming is evolving from a subscription benefit into a cross-platform distribution channel anchored by free-to-play games with established social networks.

Discussion

Xbox Wire Xbox Wire on x
Play Fortnite on iOS, iPadOS, Android Phones and Tablets, and Windows PC with Xbox Cloud Gaming for Free
@timsweeneyepic Tim Sweeney on x
Monumental news everyone! Fortnite is now available to play FOR FREE streaming to web browsers on iPhone, iPad, and Android via Xbox Cloud. No subscription required, no 30% Apple tax. https://news.xbox.com/...
@xbox @xbox on x
Take your Victory Royale to the Cloud. Drop into @FortniteGame on your phone, tablet, or PC with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) for free. No install or subscription required: https://www.xbox.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@starfire2258 Sean Hollister on x
Update: It's not a Microsoft exclusive. “We are working with Epic to fully launch Fortnite with touch controls, streaming with GeForce performance, on GeForce NOW,” Nvidia tells us. https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Fortnite is arriving on Xbox Cloud Gaming today! 🎮☁️ iPhone and iPad owners can play Fortnite free and no sub needed. It's the first free-to-play game on xCloud, and Microsoft says there are more to come 👀 you can play it right now https://www.xbox.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@satyanadella Satya Nadella on x
We're partnering with Epic Games to make Fortnite available with Xbox Cloud Gaming, as we build on our commitment to use the power of the cloud to bring great games to more people across more devices. https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Fortnite free on Xbox Cloud Gaming is part of Microsoft's “Xbox Everywhere” initiative, which I'm sure we're gonna hear a lot more about in the coming months. xCloud is getting ready for more markets, more games, and more devices https://twitter.com/...
@jamescz19 James Czerniawski on x
So we can expect EPIC to be withdrawing is nonsensical antitrust lawsuit? Go figure - enough motivation and you are able to get the cost savings you were looking for. https://twitter.com/...
@avoblackfyre @avoblackfyre on x
@TimSweeneyEpic Well played Tim. I'm shocked feel like apple is going to declare war on Microsoft for this lol
@bdsams Brad Sams on x
Xbox bringing Fornite to iOS via Cloud Gaming is neat and a win for Microsoft. It does make you wonder if Epic/TS miscalculated on their fight against the app store
@timsweeneyepic Tim Sweeney on x
@avoblackfyre Apple is already at war with Microsoft. They blocked the Microsoft xCloud app from iOS, but they're not blocking the xCloud web site, at least not yet. https://screenrant.com/...
@dankvr Jin on x
You can play Fortnite right now in your WEB browser for free, no install + no build mode so no excuses - it's a must play game: https://www.xbox.com/... btw Victory Royale on first game w/ build mode on😤 https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@bdsams Brad Sams on x
and to be clear, i am very much in favor of Epic's position here that Apple's fee is unreasonable but so far, it looks like the courts have not yet agreed with that yet.
@slightlylate Alex Russell on x
Now imagine if iOS browsers weren't hobbled by Apple's trailing-edge runtime? 🤔🤔🤔 Most games could work client-side w/ a bit of spit polish, WASM/SAB + WebGPU
@udiwertheimer @udiwertheimer on x
cloud streaming to web browsers is probably the way to go for “open metaverse” things high fidelity on all devices, while staying on the open web and bypassing apple/google/meta optional nfts and in-app purchases can subsidize free access for users https://twitter.com/...
@zacbowden Zac Bowden on x
Haha this is epic. Take that, Apple! https://twitter.com/...
@firt Maximiliano Firtman on x
Fortine is back on iOS and iPadOS thanks to the Xbox Cloud web app, streamed to your browser. Also compatible with Android and desktop. You can use a game pad or touch to play. https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@slightlylate Alex Russell on x
Web FTW. https://twitter.com/...
@pathedger18 Patrick Hedger on x
Monumental news: Epic Games blows up its entire case for the corporate welfare antitrust bills they've been pushing across the country that would have dragged taxpayers in their contract dispute with Apple. https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
this is a big deal for Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming ambitions, and it comes nearly a year after court documents revealed Epic was holding back Fortnite from xCloud https://www.theverge.com/...
@wario64 @wario64 on x
No installation or membership is required to play Fortnite through Xbox Cloud Gaming https://news.xbox.com/... https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...

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