A Fortnite player noticed a mold-like texture in the game, which Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney explained is actually a default texture from Unreal Engine, dating back to 1995. This texture, a stock photo of cave pearls, appears when a programmer forgets to specify a texture. Sweeney's response on social media clarified the texture's origins, linking it to a nostalgic artifact from the 1990s.
Court documents reveal Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney's anger at Valve's 30% platform fees for listing games on Steam, with unearthed emails showing his frustration and motivation behind launching the competing Epic Games Store in 2018. Sweeney criticized Valve and Apple for squeezing "the little guy" with what he saw as inflated fees, and urged Valve to lower its platform fees to demonstrate that store competition leads to better rates for all developers, in an effort to steer Apple towards fully opening up iOS.
In the ongoing legal battle between Wolfire and Valve, leaked emails reveal Epic's Tim Sweeney expressing dissatisfaction with Valve's 30% platform fee and announcing the launch of the Epic Games Store with lower developer cuts. Valve's COO responded with a cheeky "You mad bro?" internally, prompting Sweeney's frustration. Despite Valve's subsequent reduction in fees for top-selling games, the Epic Games Store has not significantly impacted Valve's success, as evidenced by their continued financial growth and user records.
Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2 launch is delayed due to an unexpected issue, with Epic Games extending downtime by at least 8 hours. CEO Tim Sweeney made a lighthearted tweet about the situation, receiving mixed reactions. The nature of the problem is unknown, but the extended delay is unusual. Players may have to wait until tomorrow to play, and some are taking the delay in good humor while others express disappointment.
Apple has terminated Epic's iOS developer account less than a month after approving it, preventing the Fortnite developer from bringing its Epic Games Store to iOS devices. Epic claims this is a violation of the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which requires companies to allow third-party storefronts on their devices. Apple cited public attacks on its policies by Epic CEO Tim Sweeney as justification for the termination. The ongoing dispute between the two companies shows no signs of resolution, with both parties unwilling to compromise.
Apple terminated Epic Games' developer account, preventing the company from creating its own Epic Games Store for iOS, citing CEO Tim Sweeney's critical tweets about Apple's practices. This move comes after European regulators passed the Digital Markets Act, allowing Epic to launch its own marketplace for games on iOS devices. Apple claims Epic is "verifiably untrustworthy" and a "threat to their ecosystem," while Epic argues that Apple is exerting its power over developers.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney suggests that Apple's decision to break iPhone web apps in the EU may be driven by anticompetitive reasons rather than security concerns, as claimed by Apple. Sweeney argues that Apple may be trying to protect its revenue by quashing a potential threat to its business posed by progressive web apps (PWAs). Apple's explanation for ending support for web apps in the EU acknowledges a technical solution to the security issues but states that it chose not to implement it due to the demands of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and low user adoption of Home Screen web apps. This move raises questions about Apple's true motivations and its impact on the growing PWA market.
Epic Games has informed a judge that Apple has not fully complied with a court order to allow non-App Store purchasing options for third-party developers. Apple's changes to its U.S. App Store policies now permit a single link to a developer website for in-app purchase alternatives, but Apple still plans to collect a 12 to 27 percent commission on content bought this way. Epic Games plans to contest this and Apple's implementation of the changes. Meanwhile, Apple is seeking $73.4 million in legal fees from Epic Games after winning the antitrust case, based on Epic's original violation of its developer agreement.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticizes Apple's proposed App Store policy changes in response to the EU's Digital Markets Act, calling them "anticompetitive" and "rife with junk fees." Sweeney argues that Apple's plan violates the law and undermines competition, while the Coalition for App Fairness echoes similar sentiments. However, Apple's proposed changes align with the DMA's requirements, including fair and reasonable fees for third-party app stores. Despite the ongoing dispute, Fortnite remains banned from the App Store, but Epic is expected to restore it on its own app store in the EU.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticizes Apple's App Store changes in the EU, calling them "hot garbage" and "a new instance of Malicious Compliance." Apple's updates, made to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, include allowing sideloading, alternative app stores, third-party browser engines, and alternative in-app payment options. Sweeney argues that the changes are unfair to developers and could lead to new fees and taxes. He aims to launch the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android, emphasizing payment competition and lower fees. Other developers, such as Spotify, are also expected to respond to Apple's new rules.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticizes Apple's new App Store rules, calling them "malicious compliance" and filled with "junk fees." Apple's new rules, part of its compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act, target larger developers and include a "core technology fee" for sideloaded apps. Sweeney argues that the rules are anti-competitive and hinder competition. The ongoing dispute between Epic Games and Apple continues, with Epic planning to contest Apple's compliance with court rulings and expressing determination to launch the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Apple's compliance plan with the anti-steering mandate, claiming it introduces a new 27% tax on web purchases and kills price competition. Apple's plan requires a commission from web sales initiated within iOS apps, but exempts apps already selling over the web without paying Apple. Sweeney plans to contest this in court, arguing that Apple's solution doesn't comply with the injunction. While some believe Apple should allow apps to direct users to web purchases without commission, others argue that Apple's strict control over iOS is necessary to prevent adversarial software. The debate raises questions about Apple's motivations and its approach to regulatory and legislative pressure.
Epic's Tim Sweeney vows more legal action against Apple after the US Supreme Court rejects appeals in the Epic vs. Apple antitrust lawsuit, with Sweeney calling it a "sad outcome for all developers." The court battle to open iOS to competing stores and payments is lost in the United States, and Apple has been forced to allow iOS developers to include external links for purchasing mechanisms in their apps. However, Apple is mandating a 27 percent commission on proceeds made via external links and has implemented a full-screen notification warning app users about the privacy and security of purchases made on the web. Sweeney criticizes Apple's fee as "anticompetitive" and plans to contest Apple's compliance plan in District Court, indicating that Epic has no intention of backing down.
Microsoft and Apple are vying for the title of the world's most valuable company, with Microsoft briefly surpassing Apple's market capitalization. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney congratulated Microsoft on its success, praising its history of supporting developers and contrasting it with Apple and Google. Sweeney's remarks come amid ongoing legal battles between Epic Games and Apple and Google. The European Union's potential enforcement of a Windows-like structure for software development could benefit companies like Epic Games, while Microsoft is preparing to launch an Xbox game store for mobile devices, potentially luring developers with competitive payment fees and leveraging the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney discusses the recent federal jury verdict in favor of Epic Games in its antitrust case against Google. Sweeney expresses relief and highlights the significance of the verdict in challenging tech monopolies. He reveals evidence of Google's bad faith practices, including leaking conversations to reporters, paying off developers not to launch their own stores, and making secret deals with carriers and OEMs. Sweeney emphasizes the need for free and fair competition and criticizes Apple's restrictions on competition. He also mentions Epic's plans to continue fighting for all developers and pursuing remedies worldwide.
