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 stated that Apple would be able to cut off Fortnite and eliminate 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 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 legal representatives, and made several points relatively beneficial to Apple. In addition to pointing out how he chooses Apples iPhone and worths Apples personal privacy policies that hes intending to take apart, Sweeney confirmed 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 used, but Sweeney stated that Epic is not challenging them because he believes in the concept of “subsidized hardware,” though he also admitted that iPhone and iOS advancement is “extremely similar.” Its also worth noting 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. Impressive Games pushed Sony into permitting cross-platform play, however Sony eventually got the upper hand and requires additional payment to make it possible for cross-platform abilities, unlike iOS, where cross-platform play is complimentary and has been since Fortnite released on the App Store.
Apple pointed out 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 take advantage of Apples APIs and SDKs. From an Epic internal email talking about a quote to provide to Apple:
Weve been using Metal on iOS to great result considering that its release in 2014. A quick, agile, feature-rich API like Metal is precisely what we need to bring a video game developed for modern-day desktops and consoles to the battery-powered iPhone and iPad. As a designer, it blows away OpenGL in every method.
Starting in 2015, Sweeney started trying to persuade Apple to make the App Store an open platform.
Humorously, when he got Sweeneys preliminary email, Cook didnt understand who Sweeney was. “Is this the guy that was at among our rehearsals?” he asked Phil Schiller in a forwarded e-mail.
When asked whether he would have accepted an unique offer from Apple for a lower App Store commission, Sweeney said “Yes, I would have,” which appears to compromise Epics argument that its choice to kick off a legal fight 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 action, he stated that Apple would be able to cut off Fortnite and remove Epic Games from the designer program for any reason. “We would need to deal with not supporting the iOS platform,” he said.
The legal battle in between Apple and Epic will continue for three weeks, with Apple executives like Tim Cook set to testify throughout the 3rd week. Well have ongoing protection of Apple v. Epic as the case continues.