Latest news with #EpicGames
The Verge
3 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Bluesky is rolling out age verification in the UK
Bluesky is adding age verification to its platform in the UK as part of efforts to comply with the country's Online Safety Act. In an update on Thursday, the platform says it will let users verify their age by scanning their face, uploading an ID, or entering a payment card. Bluesky will perform age verification through Kid Web Services (KWS), an Epic Games-owned tool that developers can use to implement age verification and parental controls on their platforms. If users don't want to verify their age, or if they're under 18, they will still be able to have an account with certain features limited. Bluesky will block 'adult-appropriate content' and turn off certain features, such as direct messaging. The UK passed the Online Safety Act in 2023, which privacy advocates have warned will 'lead to a much more censored, locked-down internet for British users.' Another part of the law is coming into force on July 25th, requiring sites and apps containing porn and harmful content to provide 'highly effective age assurance.' Platforms that don't comply with the new rules will face fines of up to £18 million ($24 million) or 10 percent of their worldwide revenue, whichever is higher. Once the age requirements take effect, Bluesky says it will show a notification to users in the UK asking them to verify their age. Based on the images shared by Bluesky, it looks like UK users will first have to register their email with KWS, which will send them instructions on how to verify their age. 'In addition to these updates, we'll continue to look at how we're doing to shield children from unwanted content, and how we can improve,' Bluesky writes in the update.
Geek Girl Authority
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Backpack Hero Archives
Categories Select Category Games GGA Columns Movies Stuff We Like The Daily Bugle TV & Streaming Backpack Hero and Figment are free this week in the Epic Games Store. Organize your way through endless dungeons and explore a surreal world.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Epic Games urges Fortnite mobile players to make space for huge 25GB file size
Fortnite mobile players are getting an error message that's down to the game's massive file size and the fix is to start deleting everything else. We're all used to file sizes for games getting a bit out of hand these days on PC and consoles, but now mobile players are having to wrestle with conundrum of what to keep and what to delete, thanks to Fortnite. Fortnite mobile is back after a five-year banishment from the App Store and Google Play Store. The breakup between Apple, Google, and Epic Games stemmed from a dispute over a lack of direct in-app payment methods and the cut the tech giants took from sales. But after a lengthy lawsuit (during which people were flogging their phones on eBay that still had Fortnite installed on them), Fortnite is back on iOS and Android. For players in Europe, Fortnite mobile has been back on the platforms since August last year, while the game only just returned to iOS in May 2025 for US users – which lined up nicely with the start of the mini Star Wars season (well, after Epic delayed the start to accommodate the App Store return). A lot has changed since the last time Fortnite was on mobile, with what feels like countless collabs, loads of live events, skins galore, and of course, more modes than you can shake a stick at. Fortnite mobile offers the core modes like Battle Royale and Zero Build as well as the newly introduced Blitz Royale, which is pretty much designed for on-the-go gaming with its five-minute matches. There's also Lego Fortnite, Fortnite Festival, and Rocket Racing, and that's a lot more content compared to what we had on Fortnite mobile five years ago. Ultimately that means a big beast of a file size since it was last on iOS and Android, with Fortnite mobile weighing in at a massive 25GB – and apparently it's taken some gamers by surprise, with Epic Games addressing an error message that is basically telling players they'd better start clearing out space. Space under fire Fortnite mobile players have been told that if they're presented with the error message "Failed to write necessary files. Please try again later," that the culprit could be the immense file size sucking up space on their phones. The @FortniteStatus Twitter account advises that, should you get this error message, to "clear more space on your device so the files can be downloaded," adding that Fortnite mobile "may need up to 25 GB of free space to fully download." To put that into perspective, 2011's Skyrim comes in at 4GB for the base game, and around 22GB for the Special Edition, which includes improvements to graphics and effects as well as a ton of bonus content. That's pretty small when it comes to modern games, which can clock in at anywhere from 50GB to 200GB plus (I'm looking at you, Call of Duty). However, there are only a handful of iOS and Android titles that rival Fortnite mobile, with CoD mobile coming close once you've downloaded all the extras, and Genshin Impact mobile making you realise things could be worse, needing 30GB of free space. So yes, it might be a surprise for players coming back to Fortnite mobile after its hiatus to discover just how hefty it is now, but the game has grown and evolved over the past half-decade, and it's got to go somewhere. If you really can't bear to start clearing out space or deleting other games, you can always solve the problem by throwing money at it: the Nintendo Switch 2 just launched after all. It's perfect for on-the-go gaming, and you can easily expand its storage, especially with Prime Day deals this week. Not the best solutions, but at least you have an excuse to treat yourself to a new console now! You're welcome.
CNET
4 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Epic Games Settles With Samsung. That's a Big Deal for Fortnite Players and Gamers More Broadly
Epic Games says it's reached a settlement with Samsung after suing both Samsung and Google last year over antitrust issues. The action is likely a turning point for players of Fortnite and other games. Epic didn't disclose the terms of the settlement, but the original suit focused on Samsung blocking the installation of apps on its mobile devices, making it more difficult for users to install Epic Games titles, such as the popular Fortnite. At the time, Epic said it took 21 steps to install a game because of Samsung's Auto Blocker feature. In an email to CNET, Epic Games pointed to CEO and founder Tim Sweeney's post on X, which says: "We're dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties' discussions. We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic's concerns." Even though the terms weren't disclosed, consider it another win for Epic in its ongoing legal challenges, says one game industry expert. "This settlement and the broader momentum around developer rights signal a monumental shift in mobile game monetization, one that's long overdue," says Chris Hewish, chief strategy officer at Xsolla, a finance company for game developers. "For over a decade, developers have been confined to restrictive ecosystems that limit their ability to build relationships with players, offer value, and retain revenue. Now, that era is ending." Samsung didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Epic's legal battles against Apple and Google are ongoing. The Federal Trade Commission recently extended a deadline for players to claim money in a $245 million settlement involving Fortnite. That deadline is now July 9. What it means for Fortnite fans and other Epic Games players In its suits against Apple, Google and Samsung, Epic Games has repeatedly claimed that restrictions from those companies have been anticompetitive because they have required the company to adhere to rules for the Apple App Store and Google Play storefronts. In addition to having to give a cut of sales from app purchases to Apple and Google, Epic has been restricted from giving users access to its own storefront, Epic Games Store. The company argues that consumers should be able to access games like Fortnite and Fall Guys without having to download them from the App Store or Google Play. In response, Epic Games made Fortnite unavailable to play on iOS devices, but has since relented. Those companies, meanwhile, argue that their app stores are more secure and protect consumers from security or privacy threats from third-party app ecosystems. Hewish, a veteran of game companies including Activision, says the changes to app stores and to the way platforms are managed mark a significant shift, making the landscape "more open and equitable" for those in the business of making mobile games. "The ability to drive players from in-game experiences to branded web shops means higher revenue margins, stronger customer relationships and more predictable monetization strategies."
Time Business News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
How to Develop Mini-Games Like ‘Red Light, Green Light' in Fortnite Style
The world of gaming has evolved far beyond the classic 'start-to-finish' experience. Today, mini-games have become a powerful way to captivate audiences especially in sandbox titles like Fortnite. One of the most iconic examples is Red Light, Green Light, a simple concept turned into a thrilling challenge within custom Fortnite Creative maps. Whether you're an indie developer or part of a seasoned game design company, learning how to build engaging mini-games like these can level up your portfolio and open new monetization opportunities. In this guide, we'll take you step-by-step through designing a Fortnite-style mini-game that not only entertains but also fosters player retention. Before jumping into code or map design, it's crucial to grasp why games like Red Light, Green Light resonate so well. This game gained global recognition through Squid Game, and its success is grounded in its tension-filled simplicity. The premise: move when allowed, freeze when warned, or get eliminated. Mini-games like this work because they: Have low entry barriers (simple mechanics) Create high emotional stakes (suspenseful pauses) Offer replayability (quick rounds) As a game design company, understanding these psychological hooks is the first step in building viral mini-games. Epic Games has revolutionized player-generated content through Fortnite Creative. Developers now have access to powerful tools without needing to code from scratch. With Fortnite's new Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), building intricate gameplay systems is more accessible than ever. Benefits of using Fortnite Creative include: A massive built-in audience ready to test your games Seamless integration with Unreal Engine assets Regular updates with new props, effects, and logic tools For aspiring devs or a 2d animation production company looking to prototype fast, Fortnite Creative is an excellent platform to bring mini-game ideas to life. Rule-setting is the backbone of any mini-game. For Red Light, Green Light, the following core rules apply: A designated 'caller' controls when players can move or must freeze. Players who move during a red light are eliminated. First to reach the finish line wins. To translate this into a Fortnite-style game: Create a timer system to alternate between 'Green Light' and 'Red Light' phases. Detect player movement during the red phase. Eliminate players or teleport them to a 'jail' zone. Having a clear rule set makes it easier to design gameplay logic using Fortnite Creative's devices and triggers. A well-designed map enhances gameplay. Keep it minimal to focus on the challenge, but ensure visual cues communicate the game's flow. Here's what you need to consider: Start and finish zones: Clearly marked to indicate progress. Clearly marked to indicate progress. Caller's platform: Elevated area for the 'Red Light, Green Light' voice or light source. Elevated area for the 'Red Light, Green Light' voice or light source. Obstacles (optional): Add low walls or barriers to increase difficulty. To simulate the red/green light visually, use signal lights, colored fog, or holograms. A game design company would often emphasize clarity in level design to reduce player confusion and frustration. Here's where the real magic happens. Fortnite Creative provides a suite of devices to build logic without needing complex scripts. For Red Light, Green Light, the following are essential: Timer Device: Controls how long each light phase lasts. Controls how long each light phase lasts. Trigger Device: Detects player actions and can be set to eliminate players. Detects player actions and can be set to eliminate players. Conditional Button Device: Allows the caller to switch lights manually or automatically. Allows the caller to switch lights manually or automatically. Player Reference Device: Targets specific players to eliminate based on movement. For a cleaner user experience, integrate HUD Messages to display current phase ('STOP!' or 'GO!'). An experienced game design company often uses modular logic design to make changes easy later on. Detecting illegal movement during the red phase is crucial. While Fortnite doesn't support full-blown AI surveillance, you can use clever tricks to simulate it: Trigger zones: Place them around the playing area and link them to phase conditions. Place them around the playing area and link them to phase conditions. Speed checks: Use a Player Speed Check Device to determine if a player is moving. Use a to determine if a player is moving. Elimination volumes: Automatically remove rule-breakers who move when they shouldn't. While it's not 100% foolproof, combining multiple detection methods increases fairness. A game design company would usually run tests across various movement styles (walk, sprint, crouch) to ensure reliability. The difference between a good and great mini-game lies in its polish. Here's how to bring your Fortnite-style Red Light, Green Light game to life: Use sound cues: Alarms or voiceovers for red/green transitions. Alarms or voiceovers for red/green transitions. Animations: Have the caller NPC or player avatar make dramatic gestures. Have the caller NPC or player avatar make dramatic gestures. Visual effects: Flashing lights, color shifts, confetti for winners. By adding sensory feedback, you keep players immersed and informed. A game design company will usually have dedicated artists and sound engineers to elevate this aspect of development. No mini-game is perfect at first launch. Testing helps you fine-tune rules, adjust difficulty, and identify bugs. Steps to follow: Run closed playtests with friends or community members. Collect feedback via surveys or direct chats. Analyze common issues are people getting eliminated unfairly? Is the timer too fast? A good game design company builds testing into the development pipeline, using A/B testing, heatmaps, and player behavior tracking to iterate quickly. Once your game's ready, it's time to go public. Fortnite makes publishing seamless, but success depends on smart promotion. To publish: Submit your map for approval through Fortnite Creative's island submission process. Get a unique island code to share with the community. To promote: Create gameplay trailers or highlight reels. Share your code on Reddit, Discord, and TikTok. Partner with streamers or micro-influencers. If you're part of a game design company, leverage your existing marketing channels or press connections to get visibility. Why stop at Red Light, Green Light? Once you've nailed this game, you can expand into: Other Squid Game-inspired challenges (e.g., Tug of War, Glass Bridge) Original obstacle course mini-games Competitive race-to-survive modes Bundle them into a mini-game series with leaderboards and seasonal updates. A game design company can take this further by integrating monetization or branding deals. Mini-games like Red Light, Green Light prove that simple ideas when executed with polish can capture massive audiences. Fortnite Creative and UEFN give you the sandbox tools to turn small concepts into major hits. Whether you're an indie dev or part of a seasoned game design company, there's never been a better time to build and share your creations. So, gather your team, start designing, and remember: sometimes the best games are the ones that make players stop and go. Read More: Is PUBG Cross Platform With PC TIME BUSINESS NEWS
