Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has escalated his criticism of Apple and Google, accusing them of running "gangster-style businesses" that prioritize profits over fair competition.
Speaking at a Y Combinator event, Sweeney claimed both companies intentionally engage in anticompetitive behavior, choosing to pay fines rather than change practices that generate substantial revenue.
He highlighted how Apple and Google discourage users from installing the Epic Games Store by displaying warning messages. Google flags the store as an "unknown source" on Android devices, while Apple issues alert in Europe, where new regulations permit third-party app stores. According to Sweeney, these deterrents lead to 50-60% of users abandoning installation.
Epic has been at the forefront of legal battles against both companies, winning an antitrust case against Google but largely losing against Apple.
However, Apple was compelled to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods. Epic continues to challenge Apple's compliance, arguing that its revised policies—which still impose transaction fees—do not align with the court's ruling.
Sweeney also criticized Apple's "core technology fee" of 50 cents per install per year for apps exceeding one million downloads, calling it a deterrent for free-to-play game developers.
Despite these obstacles, Epic plans to expand its Games Store later this year, aiming to attract more developers to its platform.
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