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 email, 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 action, he said that Apple would be able to cut off Fortnite and get rid of Epic Games from the designer 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 2nd day of the trial, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney continued his statement versus Apple.
Sweeney was grilled by Apples attorneys, and made numerous points seemingly beneficial to Apple. In addition to discussing how he prefers Apples iPhone and worths Apples personal privacy policies that hes aiming to take apart, Sweeney verified that Apples 30 percent cut is likewise 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 said that Epic is not challenging them since he thinks in the idea of “subsidized hardware,” though he also admitted that iPhone and iOS advancement is “very similar.” Its likewise worth keeping in mind that Fortnite makes more money on console platforms than it does from iOS.
Sweeney confirmed that Epic Games has a history of bullying platform makers. Impressive Games pressed Sony into allowing cross-platform play, but Sony ultimately got the upper hand and requires extra payment to make it possible for cross-platform capabilities, unlike iOS, where cross-platform play is free and has actually been since Fortnite released on the App Store.
Apple mentioned Epic Games use of Apples Metal API and shared correspondence where Sweeney and Epic had applauded Metal in the past as evidence that Epic take advantage of Apples SDKs and apis. From an Epic internal e-mail going over a quote to give to Apple:
Weve been using Metal on iOS to fantastic effect because its release in 2014. A fast, agile, feature-rich API like Metal is exactly what we require to bring a video game developed for modern consoles and desktops to the battery-powered iPhone and iPad. As a designer, it blows away OpenGL in every way.
Starting in 2015, Sweeney began trying to convince Apple to make the App Store an open platform.
Humorously, when he got Sweeneys initial email, 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 email.
When asked whether he would have accepted an unique offer from Apple for a lower App Store commission, Sweeney stated “Yes, I would have,” which seems to damage Epics argument that its choice to start a legal fight with Apple was done to benefit all designers.
At the conclusion these dayss questioning, Sweeney was asked what he would do if Epic Games loses the case. In reaction, he stated that Apple would have the ability to cut off Fortnite and get rid of Epic Games from the developer program for any factor. “We would have to deal with not supporting the iOS platform,” he said.
The legal battle in between Apple and Epic will continue for 3 weeks, with Apple executives like Tim Cook set to testify during the 3rd week. Well have ongoing coverage of Apple v. Epic as the case advances.