Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney launched a scathing criticism of Apple and Google during a Y Combinator event on Wednesday, accusing both tech giants of operating like "gangster-style businesses" that willfully engage in illegal practices.
Sweeney, whose company develops Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, pointed to specific ways these companies' practices directly impact Epic Games. When users attempt to install the Epic Games Store on Android devices, Google displays warning screens about "unknown sources" that frighten away 50-60% of potential users. A similar scenario plays out on iOS devices in Europe, where despite new regulations allowing third-party stores, Apple's warning messages lead to comparable abandonment rates.
"The sad truth is that Apple and Google are no longer good-faith, law-abiding companies," Sweeney stated during the event. He accused both companies of calculating whether fines would cost less than revenue from illegal practices, then choosing to pay penalties rather than change their behavior.
The criticism comes amid ongoing legal battles between Epic Games and the tech giants. While Epic won its case against Google regarding monopolistic app store practices, its lawsuit against Apple saw mixed results. Though the court ordered Apple to allow developers to link to alternative payment methods, Epic continues to challenge Apple's implementation, which only offers a minimal 3% commission reduction.
Sweeney also highlighted how Apple's fee structure prevents major game developers from distributing through the Epic Games Store on iOS. Apple charges a "core technology fee" of 50 cents per install annually for apps exceeding 1 million downloads, which Sweeney claims would "bankrupt" many free-to-play game developers.
Despite these challenges, Epic Games plans to open its store to developer submissions later this year, aiming to expand its catalog on both Android and iOS platforms.