Fortnite for Android: New mobile version of hit game unveiled at Samsung event

The long-awaited release date of the Android version of Fortnite has finally been announced, however it won't be available to everyone straight away.

Tim Sweeney, the chief executive of Fortnite developer Epic Games, revealed that the game will available from today but only for owners of the Samsung smartphone. The latest Galaxy Note 9 smartphone was unveiled at an event in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday, 9 August.

A beta version of the game will also be available for a range of recent Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus, Note 8, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Tab S4 and Tab S3.

According to Samsung, this exclusive period will last for "the next few days."

When it is rolled out more widely, the Fortnite app will not be available through the Google Play Store, after Epic Games complained about the "disproportionate" cut that Google takes for enabling downloads through its online app store.

Google takes a 30 per cent cut of sales made through Google Play, which is the main platform through which Android users download apps to their smartphones and tablets.

Mr Sweeney said in a statement shared with The Verge earlier this month that his firm wants a "direct relationship with our customers on all platforms where that's possible."

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He added: "The great thing about the internet and the digital revolution is that this is possible, now that physical storefronts and middlemen distributors are no longer required."

Android is the last major platform yet to support Fortnite, with players already able to download the game for PC, Mac, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and iPhones and iPads through Apple's official app store.

Apple also takes a 30 per cent cut of sales through the App Store, however the Cupertino company has much tighter controls over installing apps and software through unofficial platforms.

A special "Galaxy" skin will also be made available as part of the partnership with Samsung.