Epic Games announced that it is developing a mobile version of Fortnite Battle Royale, the incredibly popular free-to-play mode for the multiplayer game. Users on iOS will soon be able to sign up to receive invites into an early version of the game, with Android support to come thereafter.
“On phones and tablets, Fortnite is the same 100-player game you know from PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Mac,” said the development team in a blog post. “Same gameplay, same map, same content, same weekly updates.”
Both mobile versions will even offer cross-play, including the ability to maintain progression across platforms, with the Mac, PC and PlayStation 4 versions. And iOS users will be able to take on Android owners when the latter version is available.
Over the next few months, Epic Games will allow small numbers of players into the game in regular batches as part of an invite event process. Registering on the game’s official website will get you on the email list; players who receive invite codes will then be able to share them with friends. This will open on Monday, March 12.
A fully featured version of Fortnite Battle Royale — one of the hottest games du jour — for mobile devices is a wild concept, but Epic Games thinks this is only the beginning.
“We believe this is the future of games,” the developer wrote. “The same game on all platforms. Console quality graphics and action. Play when you want, where you want.”
Update: Mobile players have the choice to opt into PlayStation 4 and PC queues, while PS4 and PC players can’t jump into mobile lobbies, said Epic Games rep Nick Chester on Twitter.
“A PC gamer cannot join a mobile queue, but a mobile gamer can opt in to play with a PC player,” Chester explained. “They’re not all dumped into one matchmaking pool.”
Although Epic hasn’t clarified whether PC and console players have the choice to block mobile users from entering their lobbies, at least anyone who exclusively plays Fortnite Battle Royale on iOS and Android will be able to decide whether or not they want to take on the bigger consoles.
Update 2 (March 12): Registration for Fortnite Battle Royale on iOS is now live. Android users can also sign up to receive word when the mobile version is supported on the platform.
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