Battle Royale Coming To iOS And Android

Fortnite: Battle Royale is coming to mobile devices, Epic has announced. Most intriguingly, this is apparently the same 100-player experience, and it will support cross-play for some systems. Thanks to a partnership with Sony, the game will support cross-play and cross-progression between PS4, PC, Mac, iOS, and (eventually) Android. The Xbox One edition does not support cross-play, presumably due to Epic's partnership with Sony.

"Same gameplay, same map, same content, same weekly updates," Epic said in a forum post about Fortnite: Battle Royale's mobile edition. "We believe this is the future of games. The same game on all platforms. Console quality graphics and action. Play when you want, where you want."

As for the cross-play support, Epic said you'll be able to join a squad and play together with friends on different platforms. That sounds pretty cool, and it'll be interesting to see how it works in practice. You'd have to imagine that console/PC players would have an advantage.

Sign-ups will open on Monday for an invite-only test on iOS; Android will follow "in the next few months." You'll be able to sign up at Fornite's website starting March 12, and you'll receive an invite "shortly thereafter" by email if you're accepted. More invites will be sent out over the coming months, so if you don't get in right away, you'll have more opportunities later. If you do get in, you'll get codes to share with friends, so that's good.

Fortnite's mobile edition requires an internet connection (of course), and an iPhone 6S/SE, iPad Mini 4, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad 2017 device or newer. Right now, it sounds like only Battle Royale is coming to mobile, not Fortnite's other mode, Save the World.

Battle Royale is free on consoles and PC, supported by microtransactions (which are cosmetic only), and we would expect the mobile edition for follow the same format. We'll report back with more details on Battle Royale's mobile edition as they're announced.

PUBG, which likely inspired Fortnite: Battle Royale, also has a mobile edition--but it's only available in China and it does not support cross-play. The game is not available on PS4, which might also explain Sony's apparent eagerness to partner with Epic for Fortnite: Battle Royale.

[UPDATE] Epic's Nick Chester has now offered some insight into how cross-play will work, stating it will be an opt-in. In other words, you'll be able to play with friends who are on other platforms, but you won't be forced into teaming up with someone on mobile if you're on PS4 or PC.