Archive — US — techcrunch
Epic Games CEO calls Apple and Google ‘gangster-style’ businesses in need ofcompetition
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Apple and Google as ‘gangster-style’ businesses at YCombinator, citing their practices that harm competition and deter users from installing Epic's Games Store. Epic’s lawsuits against both companies highlight issues of monopolistic practices and self-preferencing tactics, impacting developer access and user adoption rates.
Key points
- Sweeney called Apple and Google 'gangster-style businesses' and accused them of illegal practices.
- Epic Games has sued both companies over monopolistic practices; won against Google but not Apple.
- Court mandated Apple to allow linking to alternative payment methods, though implementation issues remain.
- Google uses scare tactics on Android to deter users from Epic's store, causing a 50-60% drop-off rate.
- Apple employs similar tactics on iOS, impacting user installations and developer engagement.
- Sweeney criticized self-preferencing as a way for big tech to sustain monopolies.
- The Epic Games Store struggles in attracting developers due to high fees imposed by Apple.
Why it matters
- Sweeney's remarks reflect ongoing debates about market dominance by big tech companies.
- The European Union has introduced regulations aimed at curbing the power of tech monopolies.
- Growing backlash against app store fees highlights shift towards alternative payment systems.
- Epic's lawsuit outcomes may influence future app store policies and competitive practices.
Sweeney's critique of Apple and Google underscores the ongoing struggle for fair competition in the tech industry, revealing how monopolistic practices continue to hinder innovation and developer opportunities in the gaming sector.