Epic Games Store Shocks Fans: 2 Critically Acclaimed Games Free Until July 24 — Claim Them Now

Intro Epic Games has surged back into the headlines after a flurry of developments that span blockbuster giveaways on the Epic Games Store, a fresh twist in its long-running legal standoff with Apple, and new uncertainty surrounding Fortnite’s long-awaited return to iOS in the United Kingdom. Here’s everything gamers, developers, and investors need to know right now. Epic Games Store: July 2025 free games super-charge traffic The weekly free-game program remains Epic’s signature growth engine. From 17–24 July, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Platinum Edition headlined the promotion, followed immediately by Legion TD 2. Coupled with the Android-only offer of “There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension,” the giveaways are driving a measurable spike in store registrations and daily active users. The timing is strategic: Epic wants to lock in new accounts before the August rollout of its long-teased loyalty program, which promises cashback in Epic Rewards for every purchase. Expect user acquisition costs to look artificially low in Q3 thanks to the magnetism of these high-value titles. Apple vs. Epic: Supreme Court ripple hits the injunction fight On 23 July Apple filed a surprise motion in the Ninth Circuit citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent “birthright” commerce ruling in an attempt to narrow the permanent injunction that currently forces Apple to allow alternative payment links inside iOS apps. Epic quickly blasted the filing as a “delay tactic” that hurts developers who want lower payment fees. Legal analysts say the maneuver could push final resolution into 2026, prolonging uncertainty for mobile game monetization. For consumers, the practical effect is clear: Fortnite’s direct-payment option on iOS remains on hold, and V-Buck discounts seen on Android and PC are still absent on iPhone and iPad. Fortnite’s U.K. comeback hits a regulatory speed bump Across the Atlantic, Epic planned to relaunch Fortnite on iOS the moment the U.K.’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill took effect. That effort is now in jeopardy after Epic publicly criticized the Competition and Markets Authority’s draft “weak and loophole-ridden” guidelines for alternative app stores. If the CMA does not strengthen enforcement language by September, Epic says it may delay the U.K. Fortnite release indefinitely. The stakes are high: Britain represents roughly 5 percent of Fortnite’s global user base, but nearly 9 percent of its cosmetic revenue thanks to a higher average spend per player. Creator economy updates: Unreal Engine 5.4 and UEFN monetization While courtroom fireworks grab headlines, Epic quietly shipped Unreal Engine 5.4 preview tools that refine Nanite tessellation and introduce a new “Procedural Content Geometry” workflow—both designed to speed up asset creation for Fortnite’s burgeoning creator ecosystem. At the same time, Epic raised the engagement payout pool for UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite) islands by 12 percent for July–August, encouraging studios to build more premium-quality experiences ahead of Fortnite Chapter 6 in October. If successful, Epic’s pivot toward platform-level revenue sharing could offset dips in first-party cosmetics sales. Why this matters for gamers and investors • More free games mean stronger user retention: Expect the Epic Games Store to close 2025 with north of 90 million monthly active users if current download trends hold. • The Apple legal saga shapes mobile pricing: A narrower injunction would keep iOS payment fees high, hurting indie margins; a broad ruling could force Apple to slash its 30 percent cut worldwide. • Regulatory pressure in the U.K. could set precedent: Developers are watching whether the CMA’s final rules genuinely open iOS sideloading or merely add paperwork. • Fortnite’s creative economy is becoming a profit center: Engagement payouts already top $120 million per year, a figure that could double once Chapter 6 debuts. Upcoming dates to watch • 24 July – Last day to claim Civilization VI Platinum Edition free on Epic Games Store • 31 July – Legion TD 2 giveaway ends; next mystery title unlocks • 9 September – CMA deadline for revised U.K. app-store guidance • Q4 2025 – Possible Ninth-Circuit hearing on Apple’s injunction appeal • October 2025 – Fortnite Chapter 6 launch with upgraded Unreal Engine 5.4 features Bottom line Epic Games is executing a multi-front strategy: aggressive store promotions to expand its user funnel, continuous investment in creator-friendly technology, and relentless legal and regulatory pressure to break Apple’s walled garden. Whether you’re a player hunting for free PC titles, a developer eyeing Unreal Engine’s new toolset, or an investor gauging the next inflection point, July’s news cycle makes one thing clear—Epic Games is determined to reshape the digital-gaming landscape on its own terms.