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, and throughout the 2nd day of the trial, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney continued his testament against Apple.
Sweeney was grilled by Apples legal representatives, and made a number of points relatively favorable to Apple. In addition to mentioning how he prefers Apples iPhone and worths Apples privacy policies that hes intending to take apart, Sweeney validated that Apples 30 percent cut is also the “most prevalent 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 utilized, however Sweeney said that Epic is not challenging them because he thinks in the idea of “subsidized hardware,” though he also confessed that iPhone and iOS development is “extremely comparable.” Its also worth noting 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 pushed Sony into permitting cross-platform play, but Sony eventually got the upper hand and requires extra payment to make it possible for cross-platform abilities, unlike iOS, where cross-platform play is totally free and has actually been considering that Fortnite released on the App Store.
Apple mentioned Epic Games usage of Apples Metal API and shared correspondence where Sweeney and Epic had praised Metal in the past as evidence that Epic take advantage of Apples APIs and SDKs. From an Epic internal email discussing a quote to give to Apple:
Weve been utilizing Metal on iOS to great impact because its release in 2014. A fast, agile, feature-rich API like Metal is exactly what we require to bring a game developed for modern-day 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 trying 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 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 offer from Apple for a lower App Store commission, Sweeney stated “Yes, I would have,” which appears to damage Epics argument that its decision to begin a legal fight with Apple was done to benefit all developers.
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 be able to cut off Fortnite and get rid of Epic Games from the developer program for any reason. “We would have to cope with not supporting the iOS platform,” he said.
The legal battle between Apple and Epic will continue for three weeks, with Apple executives like Tim Cook set to affirm during the third week. Well have ongoing coverage of Apple v. Epic as the case advances.
Humorously, when he got Sweeneys initial e-mail, 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 reaction, 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.