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 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 response, 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.

Apples legal fight with Epic Games is advancing, and throughout the second day of the trial, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney continued his testament against Apple.
Sweeney was grilled by Apples attorneys, and made several points apparently favorable to Apple. In addition to mentioning how he prefers Apples iPhone and values Apples personal privacy policies that hes intending to take apart, Sweeney validated 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 need their in-app purchase systems to be utilized, but Sweeney stated that Epic is not challenging them because he thinks in the concept of “subsidized hardware,” though he likewise admitted that iPhone and iOS development is “very similar.” Its also worth keeping in mind that Fortnite makes more cash on console platforms than it does from iOS.
Sweeney verified that Epic Games has a history of bullying platform makers. Impressive Games pressed Sony into permitting cross-platform play, however Sony eventually got the upper hand and needs additional payment to make it possible for cross-platform abilities, unlike iOS, where cross-platform play is free and has been since Fortnite released on the App Store.
Apple mentioned Epic Games usage 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 APIs and SDKs. From an Epic internal email discussing a quote to provide to Apple:
Weve been utilizing Metal on iOS to great effect considering that its release in 2014. A quick, agile, feature-rich API like Metal is exactly what we need to bring a game created for contemporary consoles and desktops to the battery-powered iPhone and iPad. As a designer, it blows away OpenGL in every way.
Beginning in 2015, Sweeney started attempting to convince Apple to make the App Store an open platform.
Humorously, when he got Sweeneys initial e-mail, Cook didnt understand who Sweeney was. “Is this the guy that was at one of our wedding rehearsals?” he asked Phil Schiller in a forwarded e-mail.
When asked whether he would have accepted an unique deal from Apple for a lower App Store commission, Sweeney said “Yes, I would have,” which seems to weaken Epics argument that its decision to kick off 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 reaction, he said that Apple would have the ability to cut off Fortnite and eliminate Epic Games from the developer program for any factor. “We would need to cope with not supporting the iOS platform,” he said.
The legal fight between Apple and Epic will continue for three weeks, with Apple executives like Tim Cook set to testify during the 3rd week. Well have continuous protection of Apple v. Epic as the case advances.