Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney Renews Blast At 'Gatekeeper' Platform Owners (venturebeat.com) 77
An anonymous reader quotes a report from VentureBeat: Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney opened the Unreal Fest Seattle event today with an update on news that included a blistering criticism of monopolistic platform owners. Sweeney is a big proponent of open platforms and the open metaverse. In fact, he will talk about that subject in a virtual talk at our GamesBeat Next 2024 event on October 28-29 in San Francisco. (You can use this code for a 25% discount: gbn24dean). And so Sweeney continues to pressure the major platforms to give more favorable terms to game developers. He started out on that front by giving a price cut for users of Unreal Engine 5, Epic's tools for making games. For those who release games first or simultaneously on the Epic Games Store, Epic is cutting its royalty rate from 5% to 3.5% for Unreal developers. He noted that Epic is in better financial shape than it was a year ago, when Epic had to lay off a lot of staff. Sweeney said the company spent the last year rebuilding. "We're at a point now where game development is expensive. It's low margin, and game companies are suffering. Apple and Google make way more profit from most games than the developers make themselves, while contributing nothing," Sweeney said.
Sweeney reminisced about programming on early Apple computers, aligning with Steve Wozniak's vision for Apple where users had complete freedom without corporate restrictions. He contrasted this with today's mobile platforms, accusing Apple and Google of acting as gatekeepers that stifle innovation. "Among the fights we've taken on here, he noted the case with Apple is still an ongoing fight to open up payments so developers can process payments without Apple mediation and without Apple fees," he said, noting the "massive victory" against Google in a jury trial late last year.
Sweeney reminisced about programming on early Apple computers, aligning with Steve Wozniak's vision for Apple where users had complete freedom without corporate restrictions. He contrasted this with today's mobile platforms, accusing Apple and Google of acting as gatekeepers that stifle innovation. "Among the fights we've taken on here, he noted the case with Apple is still an ongoing fight to open up payments so developers can process payments without Apple mediation and without Apple fees," he said, noting the "massive victory" against Google in a jury trial late last year.
Profits (Score:2)
Epic used to earn Billions USD. Now it merely earns hundreds of millions USD. There's no profit in that?
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Epic made 6 billion last year, mostly on Fortnight sales. I mean, yeah, it is only 6000 million dollars. What a trifle. They should be making 6000000 million.
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Epic made 6 billion last year, mostly on Fortnight sales. I mean, yeah, it is only 6000 million dollars. ....
Let me fix that for you, "Epic made 6 billion last year overcharging kids for vbucks, manipulating them into playing too much and letting cheaters pubstomp and abuse them.
The matchmaking is EOMM which is both unfair and manipulative, Fortnite needs real SBMM to be fair and have a level playing field in casual (non-ranked) matches. Cheating is rampant and Epic doesn't seem to ban anyone unless the player makes a public display of cheating or gets caught in a tournament. It's obvious that the only thing Epic
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winners never cheat, cheaters never prosper, in the end, evil people are their own reward
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Cheating is a valid lifestyle choice
No. It's not.
allows anyone to achieve a taste of high-level play
No. It doesn't.
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The matchmaking is EOMM which is both unfair and manipulative, Fortnite needs real SBMM to be fair and have a level playing field in casual (non-ranked) matches.
Way to shoehorn in your argument. Use ranked play if you want to play with like-ranked people. How is EOMM unfair and manipulative for non-ranked matches? (and do you even have evidence that's what Fortnite uses?)
TBH, it just sounds like you're buthurt cause you're bad at the game. The matchmaking is a problem, and ranked or casual are a problem, and cheating is a problem, and 2TecTom is getting pubstomped, and they NEED to do it differently even though they're retaining gobs of active players and raking in
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Way to shoehorn in your argument. Use ranked play if you want to play with like-ranked people. How is EOMM unfair and manipulative for non-ranked matches? (and do you even have evidence that's what Fortnite uses?)
TBH, it just sounds like you're buthurt cause you're bad at the game. The matchmaking is a problem, and ranked or casual are a problem, and cheating is a problem,.....r.
were you raised to be insulting and abusive or did you come up with that on your own?, just like cheaters in fortnite, /. is infested with trolls
EOMM by definition is manipulative, just throw players in a match when they've lost enough just so they keep playing
These transnational corporations have been convicted for manipulating players into spending money on these vastly overpriced 'cosmetics'
you're need to be insulting perfectly demonstrates you have no faith in your own arguments and you need to start a
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were you raised to be insulting and abusive or did you come up with that on your own?, just like cheaters in fortnite, /. is infested with trolls
I apologize for offending you. Your post still has nothing to do with the topic, and your reply continues that trend. And you're continuing to call out cheaters and shills and the system (which is unrelated to platform gatekeepers and Epic's broader efforts outside the of the individual games), which does *sound* like someone that's just complaining because they're losing; Apparently, you're not (Mr. top 500 in solos - WTG).
If you're top 500 in solos, I've gotta wonder - why do you continue to participate i
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thanks, it happens, no problem
i think my post is on topic, I have no problem with Epic's actions against the gatekeeper, but Epic is itself a gatekeeper and should be doing much more
it's all too easy to criticize others but ignore one's own problems
people who are invested have the most right to complain and have the most to gain by providing feedback
I'll remove you from the list as real trolls never apologize, sorry that I so easily mistook you for one but hey, you started it, just saying and as a player i
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people who are invested have the most right to complain and have the most to gain by providing feedback
Totally get this. The more invested you are, the more the issues might get under your skin.
look up lowly grunt on twitch...
Thanks! Might check it out (I haven't watched a twitch stream in a LONG long time).
... Epic is itself a gatekeeper and should be doing much more
I must be overlooking something, because this isn't the only post to make such a claim. I don't get what their gatekeeping (EGS access?), nor what more they should be doing (since these recent articles about them are about them trying to do more... maybe that's no in the same sense or direction you mean though). AFAIK, their EGS fees a
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Epic runs a store themselves and their terms, conditions and prices aren't that great either, better but not fair or affordable, unless one is affluent and or a first worlder. The lesser of two evils. Still not free or fair market.
i'm also on youtube but if people want, they are always free to friend me and tell me in person what they think ... i'm not hard to find on the net
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way to go, you're my foe now, just another in a long list
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btw, i'm in the top 500 at solos in fortnite according to tracker network, so you're there wrong too
by the way, do you mistreat people in public often? just asking
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btw, i'm in the top 500 at solos in fortnite according to tracker network ...
Thanks! I've never bothered to figure out where to find those stats. I couldn't figure out where that top 500 list was, but I guess I'm doing alright for an old fart.
Solo, 1221 tracker rating, 52 wins, 10.2% win%, 1276 kills, 2.78 K/D.
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nice stats, well played, yah, Fortnite can be fun, too bad epic is so evil and irresponsible
Failed Single White App Store Attempt (Score:2)
distribution channels (Score:5, Insightful)
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Distribution channels often make more money than the thing they are distributing.
Then why distribute anything at all?
Re: distribution channels (Score:3)
Sweeney was always scummy (Score:4, Insightful)
His paid-for-exclusives programme was always scummy and anti-consumer.
That horrific excuse for a scummy storefront was always scummy.
So what does this say about the consumers who engage with Epic?
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Absolutely. Though I don't think he's a scumbag who rips off little kids. Fortnite is legitimately an amazing game for the target audience, and it's free to play.
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Ask Tim Sweeney if Potomac Computer Systems ever paid out any of its contest winners in the 90's.
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Pretty sure you don't get to make that decision. Bon apetite!
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You should really recalibrate your basic cognitive model. You just made a request of me. By definition, it's up to me to honor your request or not.
So yes, that decision is in fact fully up to me, because that's the way you yourself decided to pursue the subject.
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I mean, if you want to go through this discussion pretending he's something he's not because you refuse to ask questions... maybe Tim Sweeney isn't the only problematic character around here?
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I'm sure that anyone who disagrees with your emotional takes is "problematic". And not a human but a "character".
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I've seen no one do any defending yet.
But if you're going to complain about Steam, you better be able to provide at least a nearly-as-good solution. But the Epic Games Store is just shit all around. UI is awful. Basic ass features, still missing. There is zero benefit to the consumer, or developers, for using Epic Games Store. For the cut that Steam does take, they at least provide developers with a lot of useful tools, while Epic provides nothing.
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The hilarious part is that Epic was advertised as more developer friendly than steam due to no review system and no forums on top of far lower store fees.
And that made it much more customer hostile.
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So, how many PC stores are selling Alan Wake 2?
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"How dare you try to break monopoly through trying to get limited exclusivity deals to attract customers?"
Damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario.
He is just sore his own platform failed (Score:5, Insightful)
Dishonest CEO here, nothing to see.
Re:He is just sore his own platform failed (Score:5, Informative)
Dishonest CEO here, nothing to see.
Indeed. From TFS: "Sweeney is a big proponent of open platforms and the open metaverse."
Number of open platforms supported by Epic: 0.
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Dishonest CEO here, nothing to see.
Indeed. From TFS: "Sweeney is a big proponent of open platforms and the open metaverse."
Number of open platforms supported by Epic: 0.
Yep, the CEO of a company that tried to bring console like exclusives to the PC (and fortunately failed) is complaining that other platforms aren't open enough... My irony meter just exploded.
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Some people just have zero honor or integrity. In other words, perfect CEO material.
Article ran through bullshit translator: (Score:5, Insightful)
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney opened the Unreal Fest Seattle event today with an update on news that included a blistering criticism of of other more popular stores which aren't engaging in monopolistic behaviour despite what he thinks. Sweeney is a big proponent of trying to make as much money as possible. In fact, he will talk about that subject in a virtual talk at our GamesBeat Next 2024 event on October 28-29 in San Francisco. (You can use this code for a 25% discount: gbn24dean). And so Sweeney continues to pressure the major platforms to give more favorable terms to him so he makes more money. He started out on that front by giving a price cut for users of Unreal Engine 5, Epic's tools for making games. For those who release games first or simultaneously on the Epic Games Store, Epic is cutting its royalty rate from 5% to 3.5% for Unreal developers a practice which would actually be considered monopolising if the Epic store was in any way popular enough to have market power. He noted that Epic is in better financial shape than it was a year ago, when Epic had to lay off a lot of staff due to Tim's other monopolizing behaviour of spending literal billions to attempt to make 3rd party games exclusive to his ailing platform. Sweeney said the company spent the last year reflecting that his bullshit strategy failed.
To continue to cut through the rest of the bullshit, Sweeney claims Apple and Google contribute nothing, while actual games released on the Epic Store, even AAA titles have failed spectacularly only to recoup a mountain of losses when released on another store - which goes to show that these guys while making money contribute more to game sales than Sweeney likes to admit.
As for stifling innovation, the only innovation that Sweeney is being prevented in undertaking is creating even more of a casino aimed at kids to separate them from their Vbucks ... I mean real bucks.
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which goes to show that these guys while making money contribute more to game sales than Sweeney likes to admit.
I think you're interpreting this wrong, its not Apple and Google whose platforms help them earn money, but Steam, with its customer friendly policies, such as refund on demand
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False. No one is on Steam simply because of refund on demand. The reality is Google, Apple, and Steam are all king makers thanks to their insanely popular app stores. The value they provide is in the potential user base. You can see that clearly by how desperate Epic was to get back on the stores when they were blocked, that despite on Android having the ability to sideload freely.
Access to clients matter.
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To continue to cut through the rest of the bullshit, Sweeney claims Apple and Google contribute nothing, while actual games released on the Epic Store, even AAA titles have failed spectacularly only to recoup a mountain of losses when released on another store - which goes to show that these guys while making money contribute more to game sales than Sweeney likes to admit.
As for stifling innovation, the only innovation that Sweeney is being prevented in undertaking is creating even more of a casino aimed at kids to separate them from their Vbucks ... I mean real bucks.
I think Sweeney wants free access to Apple and Google's user base via their stores. He couches it in a fight for freedom, but if he was so open platform why hasn't he made Fortnight open? In the end, it's all about who gets what of the revenue.
Blame shifting? (Score:5, Informative)
We're at a point now where game development is expensive.
Then don't make it expensive. You chose to do that.
I don't need realistic graphics in a game that prevents me from running it on a five or six year old laptop. I don't need micro transactions or some in-game currency I can buy or sell. I don't need elaborate online features to play a local LAN game with friends.
A good story and user customisation makes a good game and fun to replay it again. So many simple games have become hits because of that.
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Gaming more than probably anything else makes me feel like the older generation I now am. When I was younger we had great single player games with interesting mechanics and meaningful progression. Then simultaneous multiplayer came along via LANs and shared screens on consoles, so we could play with our friends. The early days of online gaming were a natural extension of that, where people could spin up their own servers and their friends could connect in and each server would probably have its own "regular
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I don't need your shitty laptop dictating what graphics should be provided for my power rig. Not every game is for everyone. Good graphics alone can't make a good game, but that doesn't mean people should cater to the lowest common denominator.
The main reason... (Score:1)
Now game developers & audiences alike must pay the rent-seeking gate-keepers their tithes. Of course
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Really? I don't think they had that much power back then. Maybe Flash died because something better and more secure came along. I guess the HTML 2D Canvas was part of that.
I have not seen a 2D game that doesn't feel like it couldn't be got close to in a browser with JS. 3D I know is different , Unity manage it , something is doable.
Video games started off with kids coding in their bedrooms being creative with very little. Then the Psycho CEOs took over and it's turned into what it is now, somewhere between
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Agreed. At the time Flash was getting killed off, the open source flash player was starting to gain feature parity, and open source Flash creation libraries were stabilizing (Ex: you could write a little perl script to create SWF output), and new GUI's were starting to support SWF output.
IMO, the player/plugin should have been open sourced and overhauled (I recall there being a ton of 32bit only stuff in it). Though the technology was being misused or overused, it had a lot great use cases, and it was filli
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Stores (Score:2)
Personally I think the amount app stores charge for their services is insane.
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Personally I think the amount app stores charge for their services is insane.
Nothing is stopping a company from selling a game directly through their own website. In my opinion, Steam offers a lot for their 30% cut - workshop support, multiplayer support, patching, cloud storage, anti-cheat, etc.
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How do you sell iOS apps without their store? Who does that?
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How do you sell iOS apps without their store? Who does that?
I was talking about game stores. iOS is monopolistic walled garden garbage. Practically every other type of device and operating system allows side-loading, aka installing whatever the fuck you want because its your device.
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I was talking about game stores. iOS is monopolistic walled garden garbage. Practically every other type of device and operating system allows side-loading
How do you legally side-load on a current PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo console? Those are even more closed than iOS, as I understand it.
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I was talking about game stores. iOS is monopolistic walled garden garbage. Practically every other type of device and operating system allows side-loading
How do you legally side-load on a current PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo console? Those are even more closed than iOS, as I understand it.
Fair point, they are pretty much just computers running specialized operating systems. I say they should get have the hammer dropped on them too, especially Nintendo for doing shit like selling retro games through the Wii store then making you rebuy the exact same retro games again if you want to play them on the Switch.
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I think one should inspect that:
https://digital-markets-act.ec... [europa.eu]
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I still think 30% is a bit high. Maybe 20%? The platform should make money, and yeah, you've pointed out some great features that Steam brings.
But...in the end, people are there to play the games, and taking almost 1/3rd of the sales just seems really high.
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I still think 30% is a bit high. Maybe 20%? The platform should make money, and yeah, you've pointed out some great features that Steam brings.
But...in the end, people are there to play the games, and taking almost 1/3rd of the sales just seems really high.
As a consumer, I've really only seen a positive impact. Game prices haven't really risen as quickly as inflation (most games were $50 going back to 1990 while some were over $70 like Street Fighter II for SNES and today most are still within this range) and I don't know how much companies were paying for physical distribution before Steam but some quick Google results show anywhere from 30% to 80% of a game's profit. That probably makes sense because you had to pay for manufacturing, packaging, shipping, an
Bitching (Score:2)
This is the main guy leading a fight against monopolists - and winning - and 2/3 of the people here side against developers because "Tim once did this other thing."
Amazing, but that's how monopolists get their power.
I'll back Tim at least until F-Droid can install security updates without root.
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The issue is, you care about developers first. I care about users first. Their interests do not align very well.
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Ok. But instead of wasting his time fighting legal battles, Tim could use all the time and energy to make the Epic Games Store worth using to the end users and developers. Ok, so the devs (mostly the publisher, actually) get to keep 95% or whatever it is right this moment. As the end user, that means NOTHING to me. Likewise, the amount that a store spends wholesale for a physical product means nothing to me. If I'm paying $50 for a pair a of boots regardless of which store I go to, I don't really care if th
Godot (Score:2, Interesting)
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Re: Godot (Score:2)
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Opposite actually. The LGBT crowd is only political because the government made it so. If the government didn't treat them differently and withhold/take away rights from them, they would never have needed to get political in the attempt to get their rights back. Just like concepts like "public health" aren't really a political issue (it's literally a health issue, it's in the name), but stupid retards forced it into a political issue because they can't, or won't, just take their own, or other's, health seri
Poor Me (Score:2)
"How dare others demand a cut of profits on their own platform, the exact same way we demand a cut of the profits on our own platform. It's not fair when others do the exact same thing we do."
All this guy does is cry about other companies, while his company makes billions. He's the biggest baby in the tech industry.
The only reason ... (Score:1)
... why is that he has become a chinese drone to enforce 'open market' for chinese.
Oh really? (Score:3)
You don't like gatekeeper platform owners, eh? Then how come it's impossible to play Alan Wake 2 on PC if I don't buy it from *your* platform? Is it because you paid for exclusivity, proving that you're only opposed to locking stuff down when you're not the one profiting from it?
open platforms (Score:2)
"Sweeney is a big proponent of open platforms"
this must be the biggest joke of the week, proponent of open platforms, as long as it's windows.