Google described sideloading as ‘horrible’ amid Epic Games hostility

Google is currently defending itself against a lawsuit in the United States that challenges the Play Store’s requirements for the use of Google app billing, reducing revenue. Recently unsealed court documents revealed interesting details about Google and Epic Games, including the fact that Google previously described sideloading on Android as a “horrible experience.”

The ability to load apps onto Android devices is a central argument for Google in the ongoing lawsuit, but a quote from a Google official at Epic Games undermines it a bit. In an email exchange, a Google Play official described sideloading as a “horrible” and “utterly sad” experience while discussing Epic Games’ plans to distribute Fortnite as an APK file to direct download (via the edge).

An official reached out to Epic’s vice president and co-founder to gauge Epic’s interest in a special offer and discussed, among other things, “the experience of getting It’s an electronic game On Android ”by direct download. Manager’s call notes say she saw the direct download It’s an electronic game as “frankly bad” and a “horrible experience”, and that Epic should “be concerned that most of them don’t go through a phase beyond 15 years.”

Other points in the document made it clear that sideloading was something Google directly knew “would drastically limit Epic’s reach” on Android, saying this method would lead to “significant user confusion.”

In addition, Epic cited an alleged internal Google document that apparently described Epic’s plans as an “infection” that threatens Google and that the tech giant “was considering purchasing some or all” of the Epic games. to eliminate them. In a tweet, Epic’s CEO said the company was unaware of Google’s efforts at the time.

As stated in the newsletter InformationHowever, this point is perhaps a bit of a teaser. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney is the majority shareholder of the company, so even if Google wanted to buy the company, that would ultimately be Sweeney’s decision.

In a previous comment on this situation, Google said it “will continue to defend [itself] against these baseless allegations.

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