Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney’s company has created Fortnite and tools for other developers, including Unreal Engine, calling on Apple and Google to call on “gangster-style businesses” to engage in illegal practices while speaking at the Y Combinator event on Wednesday. The executive also highlighted how the practices of large tech companies directly impact their business, which scares users to install Epic’s Games Store software and prevents Epic from attracting developers to use its products.
It is worth noting that over the past few years, Epic Games has played an important role in the battle against large-scale technology monopolies.
The company sued both Apple and Google for their monopoly practices in their respective app stores. epic Winning the case with Google but Not with Apple. However, the court did ask Apple to open up more competition by forcing changes to its App Store rules. The court said app developers should now be able to link to other purchasing mechanisms other than Apple itself. (Unfortunately, for app developers, Epic is still fighting Apple in court because Claims Apple violated court orders By allowing developers to process their own payments, but only a small reduction of 3% commission, it is not worth them. )
On the stage, Sweeney once again called on the practice of large tech companies and “malicious compliance” of court judgments.
“The sad truth is that Apple and Google are no longer law-abiding companies,” Sweeney said. “They can run in many ways because gangster-style businesses will do whatever they think they can get rid of. If they think the fine will be cheaper than the loss income in illegal practice, they always keep going through illegal practice and paying the fine.”
Game executives point out how the tech company’s practice hurts his business.
For example, when users on Android try to install the Epic Games store on their smartphones, Google warns them that the software comes from “unknown sources” that could harm their devices. What Sweeney calls this “panic screen” is intended to warn users of the dangers of installing non-game store applications. But he said the screen would cause 50-60% of users to give up trying to install the software.
A similar rate of decline was found on iOS. In Europe, epic gaming stores are allowed due to new regulations, but Apple has shown warnings to users trying to install it. This again leads to a 50-60% drop, Sweeney said.
He called the use of these screens “textbook self-pick,” noting that the companies are “get rid of it.”
“Crime has paid for big tech companies,” he said, telling the audience, “Obviously, we shouldn’t expect that to change until law enforcement becomes more dynamic.”
Additionally, Fortnite Exec said that due to friction on third-party app stores on iOS and related expenses, no major game developers are willing to distribute games through the Epic Game Store. Instead of requiring 30% fees, Apple cuts the fees, but charges 50 cents a year for “core technology fees” to install every year, with any app being over $1 million.
“Unless your app has a very high gross margin per user, any free game is largely discouraged,” Sweeney explained. “It’s too expensive for them. Apple would go bankrupt if it did.”
He did point out that the Epic Games store on iOS has managed to attract some background games. Meanwhile, the Android version will be submitted to developers later this year, and Sweeney hopes this will further improve the directory.
