Epic Games CEO Criticizes Apple and Google for “Gangster-Style” Tactics

According to a recent report by TechCrunch, Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, made headlines during a Y Combinator event by labeling Apple and Google as “gangster-style businesses.” He accused both tech giants of operating in bad faith and selectively complying with legal rulings, asserting that they prioritize profit over ethics.

They’re run, in many ways, as gangster-style businesses that will do anything they think they can get away with. If they think that the fine is going to be cheaper than the lost revenue from an illegal practice, they always continue the illegal practice and pay the fine.

The ongoing conflict between Epic Games, Apple, and Google has intensified over the past few years, primarily ignited by Epic’s attempts to circumvent the app store fees imposed by both platforms. Below is a concise timeline highlighting key events in this escalating showdown:

June 2020: Epic Games publicly criticizes Apple’s App Store practices as monopolistic.
August 2020: Epic launches a direct payment option in Fortnite, allowing players to bypass traditional app store fees, resulting in both Apple and Google removing the game from their stores.
August 14, 2020: Epic files antitrust lawsuits against Apple and Google while also parodying Apple’s famous 1984 advertisement with “Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite.”
August 17, 2020: Apple threatens to deactivate Epic’s developer accounts, putting the future of Unreal Engine on Apple devices at risk. Epic successfully secures a temporary restraining order to prevent this.
September 2020: Apple countersues Epic for contract violations related to app store regulations.
December 2023: Epic celebrates a significant victory when a jury rules that Google’s Play Store practices are illegal.
October 2024: A judge mandates Google to permit third-party app stores and alternative payment systems on Android, though Google indicates plans to appeal.
February 2025: Google formally files its appeal to challenge the jury’s decision.

During the Y Combinator event, Sweeney elaborated on practices by Apple and Google that he believes undermine his business. Specifically, he pointed out issues users face when attempting to sideload the Epic Games Store on Android: the warning notifications from Google about potential risks associated with installing apps from unknown sources, which he describes as “scare screens.”Sweeney argues that these warnings can deter up to 60% of users from following through with the installation.

Additionally, Sweeney criticized Apple for its restrictive practices that hinder major game developers from distributing their titles through the Epic Games Store on iOS. While Apple claims to allow third-party app stores, the associated “core technology fee”of 50 cents per install annually for apps with over a million downloads serves as a significant barrier to entry for developers. Sweeney argues that such financial constraints effectively stifle the growth of free-to-play games on iOS platforms.

Image via Depositphotos.com

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