Epic’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google Ends in Settlement—But Is It Enough?

So if you’ve been keeping up with the multitude of lawsuits that have been happening within the game industry, you probably know about the Google lawsuit with Epic Games. we now have a little update about that, where Google is agreeing to a court settlement with  Epic Games. What were they settling, though?

So glad you asked!

What Was the Issue?

Back in 2020, Epic Games put forth an antitrust lawsuit and accused Google (the big bad) of monopolizing the way users access apps and when they make in-app purchases on Android devices. Throughout this whole trial, Google has denied any sort of wrongdoing on their part.

As of now, U.S. Judge James Donato of the federal court in San Francisco has been reviewing a proposal from this long-running legal feud—and Google’s ready to settle. The tech giant has agreed to a deal that would require it to make significant changes to its Play Store policies, especially around how developers distribute apps and handle in-app purchases.

So what’s actually changing?

What’s in the Settlement?

According to the proposed terms, Google will:

• Allow developers more freedom to offer alternative billing systems
• Loosen restrictions on how apps are distributed outside the Play Store
• Increase transparency around app promotion and ranking

In short, Google’s trying to shake off the “gatekeeper” label by opening up its ecosystem—at least a little. But don’t expect a free-for-all. These reforms come with conditions (because yeah), and Google still maintains control over how third-party stores interact with Android devices.

Epic’s Take: A Win, But This Isn’t The End

Epic Games, the studio behind Fortnite (as if you didn’t already know) and the original lawsuit, sees this as a step forward—but realize they haven’t won the war just yet. They’ve long argued that mobile platforms should be open marketplaces, not curated storefronts with a 30% toll booth. This settlement chips away at that model, but it doesn’t bulldoze it.

Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney hasn’t issued a final statement yet, but based on past commentary, you can bet they’ll keep pushing for deeper reform. This isn’t just about Fortnite—it’s about reshaping how mobile games and apps reach users without getting buried under fees and restrictions.

Final Word: Reform or Just a Rebrand?

Google’s settlement is a headline grabber, but the real test will be how these changes play out for indie devs, mid-tier studios, and anyone trying to build without bending the knee. If the Play Store becomes more open, great. If it just becomes more complicated, expect Epic to reload and fire again.

This case might be winding down, but the fight for platform freedom is far from over.