What is an Epic account (Fortnite)?

I've recently downloaded Fortnite for the switch and there came the field with the Epic account. So what's an epic account?

Epic is the developer of the Unreal Engine, the graphics software that made this game. And there you can sign up, or even you need. Is pratically something like a Steam account or Ubi account, in case you should also play on the PC.

You'll need to sign in to the developer (Epic Games) with email and password so you can play Fortnite, save your character and achievements, and access them on other consoles.

Epic Games is the inventor of Fortnite and for that you need an account

Ne question, this is the first time that you install Fortnite or: play

Epic has also released the game itself.