Epic Games, the powerhouse behind popular titles like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys, has spent a significant amount of money battling tech giants Google and Apple in court. The company’s antitrust lawsuits, aimed at challenging the dominant app store policies of these companies, have spanned several years and involved hefty legal fees.
During this time, Fortnite was removed from both the Google Play Store and the App Store, significantly impacting Epic’s revenue. While this impact was less severe on Android due to the ability to side-load apps, the loss on iOS was substantial. Fortnite only recently returned to iOS, but only in the European Union due to the EU’s new Digital Markets Act.
In a recent interview, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney revealed the cost of these legal battles. He estimated that the lawsuits have cost the company close to $1 billion, approximately 5% of Fortnite’s total revenue. Despite this immense financial burden, Sweeney sees it as a necessary investment in the future. He believes that securing the freedom of Epic and other developers within the market is worth the price.
Beyond legal fees, Sweeney also highlighted the impact on Fortnite’s revenue due to its absence from iOS. He believes that the company has missed out on an estimated $1 billion in microtransaction earnings over the past four years. However, Sweeney remains optimistic about the future of Epic and the gaming industry as a whole. He believes that the company’s commitment to fighting for a more open and competitive gaming marketplace will ultimately benefit the industry in the long run.
