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

Apples legal fight with Epic Games is continuing on, and during the 2nd day of the trial, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney continued his statement against Apple.
Sweeney was grilled by Apples attorneys, and made a number of points relatively beneficial to Apple. In addition to pointing out how he prefers Apples iPhone and values Apples privacy policies that hes aiming to take apart, Sweeney validated that Apples 30 percent cut is also the “most widespread rate” that other platforms charge.
Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all take a 30 percent cut from Epic Games on their platforms and need their in-app purchase systems to be utilized, however Sweeney stated that Epic is not challenging them due to the fact that he thinks in the idea of “subsidized hardware,” though he also confessed that iPhone and iOS advancement is “really comparable.” Its also worth noting that Fortnite makes more cash on console platforms than it does from iOS.
Sweeney confirmed that Epic Games has a history of bullying platform makers. Legendary Games pushed Sony into allowing cross-platform play, but Sony ultimately got the upper hand and needs extra payment to enable cross-platform capabilities, unlike iOS, where cross-platform play is totally free and has been because Fortnite introduced on the App Store.
Apple explained Epic Games usage of Apples Metal API and shared correspondence where Sweeney and Epic had applauded Metal in the past as evidence that Epic advantages from Apples SDKs and apis. From an Epic internal e-mail discussing a quote to offer to Apple:
Weve been using Metal on iOS to excellent result since its release in 2014. A quick, nimble, feature-rich API like Metal is exactly what we require to bring a game created for modern-day desktops and consoles to the battery-powered iPhone and iPad. As a developer, it blows away OpenGL in every method.
Starting in 2015, Sweeney began attempting to convince Apple to make the App Store an open platform.
Humorously, when he got Sweeneys preliminary e-mail, Cook didnt understand who Sweeney was. “Is this the person that was at among our practice sessions?” he asked Phil Schiller in a forwarded email.
When asked whether he would have accepted a special deal from Apple for a lower App Store commission, Sweeney said “Yes, I would have,” which seems to deteriorate Epics argument that its choice to start a legal battle with Apple was done to benefit all designers.
At the conclusion of todays questioning, Sweeney was asked what he would do if Epic Games loses the case. In response, he stated that Apple would be able to cut off Fortnite and eliminate Epic Games from the designer program for any factor. “We would need to deal with not supporting the iOS platform,” he stated.
The legal battle between Apple and Epic will continue for 3 weeks, with Apple executives like Tim Cook set to affirm throughout the 3rd week. Well have ongoing protection of Apple v. Epic as the case continues on.

Humorously, when he got Sweeneys initial e-mail, Cook didnt understand who Sweeney was. At the conclusion of todays questioning, Sweeney was asked what he would do if Epic Games loses the case. In reaction, he stated that Apple would be able to cut off Fortnite and eliminate Epic Games from the developer program for any factor. “We would have to live with not supporting the iOS platform,” he stated.