<p>Microsoft's video game unit Xbox on Thursday said it will tap into cloud computing to make "Fortnite" free to play on mobile devices powered by Apple or Android software.</p>.<p>The popular battle royale title from Epic Games will be the first free-to-play game available through an Xbox Cloud Gaming service available in 26 countries, head of product Catherine Gluckstein said in a blog post.</p>.<p>Fortnite's return to iPhones and iPads comes after the game was booted from Apple's App Store for trying to bypass its payment system in violation of the iPhone maker's rules.</p>.<p>Apple has clashed in court with Epic, which has accused the iPhone maker of operating a monopoly of its App Store shop for digital goods and services.</p>.<p>A US federal judge in November ordered Apple to loosen control of its App Store payment options, but said Epic had failed to prove that antitrust violations had taken place.</p>.<p>"Fortnite" will be free at Xbox Cloud Gaming as a result of a partnership with Epic.</p>.<p>Fans of the game can play on Apple iOS-powered devices, Android phones or tablets, as well as on Windows computers through web browsers, Gluckstein said.</p>.<p>Apple and Google dominate the market, with their operating systems running on the majority of the world's smartphones.</p>.<p>"This is just the beginning for us," Gluckstein said.</p>.<p>"We're going to learn, implement feedback, and in time look to bring even more free-to-play titles to players through the cloud."</p>.<p>Microsoft has courted the favor of antitrust regulators scrutinizing its plan to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard, promising that any app store it builds will treat developers fairly.</p>.<p>Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy the video game powerhouse needs to pass muster with regulators in Europe and the United States intent on reining in tech titans.</p>.<p>Principles outlined by Microsoft included allowing all developers access to its app store and not requiring them to use the technology firm's payment system for in-app transactions.</p>
<p>Microsoft's video game unit Xbox on Thursday said it will tap into cloud computing to make "Fortnite" free to play on mobile devices powered by Apple or Android software.</p>.<p>The popular battle royale title from Epic Games will be the first free-to-play game available through an Xbox Cloud Gaming service available in 26 countries, head of product Catherine Gluckstein said in a blog post.</p>.<p>Fortnite's return to iPhones and iPads comes after the game was booted from Apple's App Store for trying to bypass its payment system in violation of the iPhone maker's rules.</p>.<p>Apple has clashed in court with Epic, which has accused the iPhone maker of operating a monopoly of its App Store shop for digital goods and services.</p>.<p>A US federal judge in November ordered Apple to loosen control of its App Store payment options, but said Epic had failed to prove that antitrust violations had taken place.</p>.<p>"Fortnite" will be free at Xbox Cloud Gaming as a result of a partnership with Epic.</p>.<p>Fans of the game can play on Apple iOS-powered devices, Android phones or tablets, as well as on Windows computers through web browsers, Gluckstein said.</p>.<p>Apple and Google dominate the market, with their operating systems running on the majority of the world's smartphones.</p>.<p>"This is just the beginning for us," Gluckstein said.</p>.<p>"We're going to learn, implement feedback, and in time look to bring even more free-to-play titles to players through the cloud."</p>.<p>Microsoft has courted the favor of antitrust regulators scrutinizing its plan to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard, promising that any app store it builds will treat developers fairly.</p>.<p>Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy the video game powerhouse needs to pass muster with regulators in Europe and the United States intent on reining in tech titans.</p>.<p>Principles outlined by Microsoft included allowing all developers access to its app store and not requiring them to use the technology firm's payment system for in-app transactions.</p>