Fortnite’s Got Pre-Loaded on Telefónica Devices? Epic’s at It Again!
Alright then, let’s have a chinwag about Epic Games, who clearly can’t lay off the energy drinks. After a series of sulks, legal battles, and a proper scrap with Google, Apple, and Samsung, Epic has successfully got Fortnite and their Epic Games Store pre-installed on phones sold by Telefónica. That’s right. Pre-installed. Without any request from you. Because obviously, more bloatware on your brand-new device is just what everyone wants, isn’t it?
What’s Going On With Telefónica?
If you’re curious, Telefónica is a giant mobile provider selling phones to customers in the UK, Spain, Germany, and a bunch of countries in Latin America like Argentina and Peru, boasting a cheeky 392 million users. Epic is claiming you’ll be able to “easily download Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe,” along with whatever new titles they have up their sleeve. To be fair, it seems they’re not daft enough to preload the full 15GB of Fortnite straight onto devices right away. Small mercies, eh?
Epic’s Got Its Way – But At What Price?
No beating around the bush: this is a huge win for Epic. They’ve been keen to dodge Google Play and Apple’s App Store since 2020, primarily so they don’t have to share their delicious microtransaction pie. Well done, Epic. You’ve managed to sneak onto potentially millions of devices without even needing to butter up the phone buyers. Quite the move.
But here’s the catch: this deal reminds me of when Epic got Fortnite onto Samsung devices through the Galaxy Store. That went smoothly until Epic decided to sue Samsung too. I guess when you’ve got billions to count, why not throw in a few lawsuits, right?
The Irony of Gaming Megacorps
But here’s the twist. Epic positions itself as the scrappy underdog, taking on the corporate giants on behalf of us regular folk. Do you recall when they made that cringe-worthy spoof of Apple’s 1984 ad, urging us to “join the fight” between a company worth $32 billion and another worth $3.7 trillion? Aye, that really struck a chord while I was shelling out £8 for a skinny cappuccino and crossing my fingers that my V-Bucks purchase didn’t push me into the overdraft.
And while they’re banging on about giving phone users the “freedom” to install whatever software they fancy, they go suspiciously quiet when it comes to consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. Oh, that’s probably because they’re cozy with Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, isn’t it? Funny how that works. They’re more than eager to split the profits with console developers as long as you’re using a game controller, but phones? Nah, that’s where Epic heroically draws the line. It’s a head-scratcher, but okay.
Android Bloatware – An All Too Common Frustration
If you’re an Android user like me, you’ll be all too familiar with the annoyance of preloaded junk on your phone. Some you can uninstall or at least deactivate, like Amazon Shopping or Chrome, but then you have others – I’m looking at you, Samsung Bixby – that are stuck onto your device like gum on a train seat. The big question is, where will Epic’s Games Store fall on this irritation scale?
Will you have the option to uninstall the Epic Games Store and its incessant nudges to download Fortnite? Or will it be locked down tighter than a Greggs pastry in a faulty microwave, hollering “freedom” at you while being utterly unmovable? Only time will tell, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Epic’s Battle – For You? Or Their Pockets?
The real irony is how Epic’s whole routine of “fighting for the players” conveniently overlooks that preloading their app onto millions of devices is classic bloatware behavior. Isn’t that what they’ve been slating Apple and Google for? But now that it’s their shot at becoming a megacorp, all of a sudden, it’s about accessibility and convenience. Come on, man. Who do they think they’re kidding?
Honestly, I’m just biding my time for when Epic declares their Games Store as “essential software” and completely removes the uninstall option. Because who needs consumer choice when corporate hypocrisy is on the table?
Summary: Epic’s Liberty Fight is About as Free as a Pint of Murky Beer
Here’s the crux, folks: Epic’s acting like the Robin Hood of gaming, valiantly fighting for your right to download what you wish. But what they’re genuinely doing is plopping their apps onto millions of phones like that one mate who continually shows up at your door uninvited. A victory for Epic? Aye. A win for you? That’s up for debate. If this is “freedom,” I’ll gladly take the tyranny of my local chippy, cheers.
For more no-holds-barred tech rants and reviews, swing by GadgetLad – it’s the sole place where I’ll let you know if something is worth your time or a total waste. Until next time, keep your phone bloat-free and your wit sharp. Catch you later!
