Epic CEO Tim Sweeney Admits App Store’s 30% Cut Is Similar to Consoles, Would Have Accepted Special Deal With Apple

Humorously, when he got Sweeneys preliminary email, Cook didnt know who Sweeney was. At the conclusion of todays questioning, Sweeney was asked what he would do if Epic Games loses the case. In action, he said that Apple would be able to cut off Fortnite and remove Epic Games from the developer program for any reason. “We would have to live with not supporting the iOS platform,” he stated.

Apples legal battle with Epic Games is advancing, and during the 2nd day of the trial, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney continued his testimony versus Apple.
Sweeney was grilled by Apples legal representatives, and made numerous points relatively beneficial to Apple. In addition to discussing how he prefers Apples iPhone and worths Apples privacy policies that hes aiming to take apart, Sweeney confirmed that Apples 30 percent cut is also the “most common rate” that other platforms charge.
Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all take a 30 percent cut from Epic Games on their platforms and require their in-app purchase systems to be used, but Sweeney stated that Epic is not challenging them due to the fact that he thinks in the idea of “subsidized hardware,” though he also admitted that iPhone and iOS advancement is “really comparable.” Its also worth keeping in mind that Fortnite makes more money on console platforms than it does from iOS.
Sweeney verified that Epic Games has a history of bullying platform makers. Epic Games pressed Sony into allowing cross-platform play, however Sony eventually got the upper hand and requires additional payment to allow cross-platform capabilities, unlike iOS, where cross-platform play is free and has been because Fortnite released on the App Store.
Apple mentioned Epic Games use of Apples Metal API and shared correspondence where Sweeney and Epic had actually applauded Metal in the past as proof that Epic gain from Apples SDKs and apis. From an Epic internal e-mail discussing a quote to provide to Apple:
Weve been using Metal on iOS to terrific effect given that its release in 2014. A quick, nimble, feature-rich API like Metal is precisely what we require to bring a game developed for contemporary consoles and desktops to the battery-powered iPhone and iPad. As a developer, it blows away OpenGL in every method.
Beginning in 2015, Sweeney started trying to convince Apple to make the App Store an open platform.
Humorously, when he got Sweeneys preliminary e-mail, Cook didnt know who Sweeney was. “Is this the man that was at one of our wedding rehearsals?” he asked Phil Schiller in a forwarded e-mail.
When asked whether he would have accepted a special deal from Apple for a lower App Store commission, Sweeney stated “Yes, I would have,” which appears to damage Epics argument that its choice to begin a legal fight with Apple was done to benefit all developers.
At the conclusion these dayss questioning, Sweeney was asked what he would do if Epic Games loses the case. In reaction, he said that Apple would have the ability to cut off Fortnite and remove Epic Games from the developer program for any reason. “We would need to deal with not supporting the iOS platform,” he stated.
The legal battle in between Apple and Epic will continue for three weeks, with Apple executives like Tim Cook set to affirm during the 3rd week. Well have ongoing coverage of Apple v. Epic as the case continues on.