Xbox makes Fortnite free on Android and iOS

The popular battle royale video game Fortnite is now available for free on Android and iOS for Xbox Cloud Gaming users, thanks to a new partnership between Microsoft Corp and Epic Games.

Fortnite has been out of the reach of mobile users since Apple Inc and Google removed it from their app stores in 2020 over a tussle about in-app payment guidelines.

The Microsoft partnership would allow users including PC gamers to stream Fortnite on internet browsers on their devices just like Netflix irrespective of the hardware specifications.

The move is likely to help Microsoft attract more casual gamers as the software giant doubles down on efforts to bolster its presence in the video gaming market and take on rival Sony Corp. The company earlier this year unveiled a $68.7 billion takeover of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard.

Since launching in 2020, more than 10 million people around the world have streamed games through Xbox Cloud Gaming. The service is available in 26 markets, including the United States.

Microsoft, as well as Epic Games and scores of other firms, have criticised Apple's store practices, which require developers to pay commissions of up to 30% for purchases made in the store.

The Fortnite creator has also been involved in a legal battle with Apple, but it largely lost a trial last year over whether Apple's payment rules for apps were anticompetitive.

That decision found Apple had suitable reasons to force some app makers to use its payment system and take commissions of 15% to 30% on their sales, according to reports.