:Epic Games

Potomac Computer Systems was founded by Tim Sweeney in 1991.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/from-the-past-to-the-future-tim-sweeney-talks |title=From The Past To The Future: Tim Sweeney Talks |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=May 25, 2009 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=June 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204115638/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132426/from_the_past_to_the_future_tim_.php |archive-date=February 4, 2017 |url-status=live}} At the time, Sweeney was studying mechanical engineering and living in a dorm at the University of Maryland. He frequently visited his parents, who lived in nearby Potomac, Maryland, where his personal computer, used for both work and leisure, was situated. Out of this location, Sweeney started Potomac Computer Systems as a computer consulting business but later figured that it would be too much work he would have to put into keeping the business stable, and scrapped the idea.

After finishing his game ZZT, Sweeney opted to re-use the Potomac Computer Systems name to release the game to the public in January 1991.{{Cite web |title=ZZT and Epic Newsletter Scans |url=https://museumofzzt.com/article/515/zzt-and-epic-newsletter-scans |website=Museum of ZZT |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116052413/https://museumofzzt.com/article/515/zzt-and-epic-newsletter-scans |url-status=live }} It was only with the unexpected success of ZZT, caused in most part by the easy modifiability of the game using Sweeney's custom ZZT-oop programming language,{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/1/3438196/better-with-age-a-history-of-epic-games |title=Better with age: A history of Epic Games |first=Chris |last=Plante |date=October 1, 2012 |website=Polygon |access-date=January 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035609/https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/1/3438196/better-with-age-a-history-of-epic-games |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |url-status=live}} that made Sweeney consider turning Potomac Computer Systems into a video game company. ZZT was sold through bulletin board systems, while all orders were fulfilled by Sweeney's father, Paul Sweeney.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/11/21/5128872/epic-classics-ships-last-copy-of-zzt |title=Epic Classics ships last copy of ZZT |first=Jenna |last=Pitcher |date=November 21, 2013 |website=Polygon |access-date=January 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519184708/http://www.polygon.com/2013/11/21/5128872/epic-classics-ships-last-copy-of-zzt |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |url-status=live}} The game sold several thousand copies as of May 2009, and Paul Sweeney still lived at the former Potomac Computer Systems address at the time, fulfilling all orders that eventually came by mail. The final copy of ZZT was shipped by Paul Sweeney in November 2013.

File:Tim sweeney GDCA 2017.jpg]]

In early 1992, Sweeney found himself and his new-found video game company in a business where larger studios, such as Apogee Software and id Software, were dominant, and he had to find a more serious name for his. As such, Sweeney came up with "Epic MegaGames", a name which incorporated "Epic" and "Mega" to make it sound like it represented a fairly large company (such as Apogee Software), although he was its only employee. Sweeney soon underwent searching for a business partner, and eventually caught up with Mark Rein, who previously quit his job at id Software and moved to Toronto, Ontario. Rein worked remotely from Toronto, and primarily handled sales, marketing and publishing deals; business development that Sweeney found to have significantly contributed to the company's growth. Some time this season, the company soon had 20 employees consisting of programmers, artists, designers and composers.{{cite web |url=https://museumofzzt.com/article/265/epic-megagames-newsletter |title=Epic MegaGames Newsletter – Spring 1992 |last=Sweeney |first=Tim |author-link=Tim Sweeney (game developer) |date=1992 |website=Museum of ZZT |access-date=March 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718114944/https://museumofzzt.com/article/265/epic-megagames-newsletter |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |url-status=live}} Among them was the 17-year old Cliff Bleszinski, who joined the company after submitting his game Dare to Dream to Sweeney.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/11/03/the-grammar-of-fun |title=The Grammar of Fun |magazine=The New Yorker |date=November 3, 2008 |author-link=Tom Bissell |first=Tom |last=Bissell |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224113522/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/11/03/the-grammar-of-fun |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |url-status=live}} The following year, they had over 30 employees.Epic MegaGames Catalog – Winter & Spring 1993

In 1996, Epic MegaGames produced a shareware isometric shooter called Fire Fight, developed by Polish studio Chaos Works. It was published by Electronic Arts.{{Cite magazine |title=Kicks Arson |url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-021/Next_Generation_Issue_021_September_1996#page/n157/mode/2up |magazine=Next Generation |volume=Two |issue=21 (September 1996) |page=154 |access-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203233916/https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-021/Next_Generation_Issue_021_September_1996#page/n157/mode/2up |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |url-status=live}} By 1997, Epic MegaGames had 50 people working for them worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://www.slideshare.net/VinceCavin/epic-games-author-info-pack-vince-cavin-web |title=Epic MegaGames Author Info Pack |website=SlideShare |date=January 9, 2017 |access-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330211237/https://www.slideshare.net/VinceCavin/epic-games-author-info-pack-vince-cavin-web |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |url-status=live}} In 1998, Epic MegaGames released Unreal, a 3D first-person shooter co-developed with Digital Extremes, which expanded into a series of Unreal games. The company also began to license the core technology, the Unreal Engine, to other game developers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/classic-tools-retrospective-tim-sweeney-on-the-first-version-of-the-unreal-editor |title=Classic Tools Retrospective: Tim Sweeney on the first version of the Unreal Editor |last=Lightbown |first=David |date=January 9, 2018 |website=Game Developer |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823012812/https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DavidLightbown/20180109/309414/Classic_Tools_Retrospective_Tim_Sweeney_on_the_first_version_of_the_Unreal_Editor.php |archive-date=August 23, 2018 |url-status=live}}

In February 1999, Epic MegaGames announced that they had moved their headquarters to a new location in Cary, North Carolina, and would henceforth be known as simply Epic Games.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/04/epic-sets-up-shop |title=Epic Sets up Shop |website=IGN |date=February 4, 1999 |publication-date=February 3, 1999 |access-date=July 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713174455/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/04/epic-sets-up-shop |archive-date=July 13, 2017 |url-status=live}} Rein explained that "Unreal was first created by developers who were scattered across the world, eventually, the team came together to finish the game and that's when the real magic started. The move to North Carolina centralizes Epic, bringing all of the company's talented developers under one roof." Furthermore, Sweeney stated that the "Mega" part of the name was dropped because they no longer wanted to pretend to be a big company, as was the original intention of the name when it was a one-man team. The follow-up game, Unreal Tournament, shipped to critical acclaim the same year,{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/unreal-tournament-1999/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Unreal Tournament |website=Metacritic |access-date=October 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922060742/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/unreal-tournament-1999 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |url-status=live}} at which point the studio had 13 employees.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/02/technology/game-theory-for-game-maker-there-s-gold-in-the-code.html |title=Game Theory; For Game Maker, There's Gold in the Code |last=Herz |first=J. C. |date=December 2, 1999 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919141813/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/02/technology/game-theory-for-game-maker-there-s-gold-in-the-code.html |archive-date=September 19, 2017 |url-status=live}}

The company launched the Make Something Unreal competition in 2004, aiming to reward video game developers who create mods using the Unreal game engine. Tripwire Interactive won US$80,000 in cash and computer hardware prizes over the course of the contest in the first contest in 2004.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.04/reds.html |title=How the Reds Conquered Unreal |date=April 2006 |magazine=Wired |first=Lucas |last=Graves |access-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519111919/http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.04/reds.html |archive-date=May 19, 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/03/intel-and-epic-games-launch-1-million-intel-make-something-unreal-contest |title=Intel and Epic Games Launch '$1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest' |date=April 3, 2008 |author=IGN Staff |website=IGN |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306103959/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/03/intel-and-epic-games-launch-1-million-intel-make-something-unreal-contest |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live}}

Around 2006, the personal computer video game market was struggling with copyright infringement in the form of software piracy, and it became difficult to make single-player games, elements that had been part of Epic's business model to that point. The company decided to shift focus into developing console systems, a move which Sweeney called the start of the third major iteration of the company, "Epic 3.0". In 2006, Epic released the Xbox 360 shooter Gears of War, which became a commercial success for the company, grossing about {{USD|100 million|long=no}} off a {{USD|12 million|long=no}} budget.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/5/2/11565868/gears-of-war-4-100-million-budget-epic-games-sale |title=Gears of War 4 would have cost over $100M to make – and could have killed Epic Games |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=May 2, 2016 |website=Polygon |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729185830/https://www.polygon.com/2016/5/2/11565868/gears-of-war-4-100-million-budget-epic-games-sale |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |url-status=live}} A year later, the company released Unreal Tournament 3 for PC and acquired a majority share in People Can Fly.{{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/unreal-tournament-3-to-blast-in-on-november-23rd/ |title=Unreal Tournament 3 to blast in on November 23rd |last=Foster |first=Lisa |date=November 7, 2007 |website=MCV |access-date=July 28, 2017 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121194551/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/unreal-tournament-3-to-blast-in-on-november-23rd/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/08/20/epic-believes-people-can-fly-acquires-majority-stake/ |title=Epic believes People Can Fly, acquires majority stake |last=Rea |first=Jared |date=August 20, 2007 |website=Engadget |access-date=July 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728205230/https://www.engadget.com/2007/08/20/epic-believes-people-can-fly-acquires-majority-stake/ |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |url-status=live}}

In 2008, Epic Games released Gears of War 2,{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a132547/epics-gears-of-war-2-goes-gold/ |title=Epic's 'Gears Of War 2' goes gold |last=Laughlin |first=Andrew |date=October 13, 2008 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729185803/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a132547/epics-gears-of-war-2-goes-gold/ |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |url-status=live}} selling over three million copies within the first month of its release.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gears-of-war-2-sales-hit-3-million-mark |title=Gears of War 2 sales hit 3 million mark |last=Gibson |first=Ellie |date=December 9, 2008 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729212945/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gears-of-war-2-sales-hit-3-million-mark?comment_start=0 |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}

Epic Games released Epic Citadel on September 1, 2010 as a tech demo to demonstrate the Unreal Engine 3 running on Apple iOS, within Adobe Flash Player Stage3D and using HTML5 WebGL technologies. It was also released for Android on January 29, 2013. Epic Games worked on an iOS game, Infinity Blade,{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/03/project-sword-becomes-infinity-blade |title=Project Sword Becomes Infinity Blade |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=November 2, 2010 |website=IGN |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919145745/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/03/project-sword-becomes-infinity-blade |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=live}} which was released on December 9, 2010.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/play-with-the-unreal-engine-on-your-iphone-with-epic-ci-5627701 |title=Play With The Unreal Engine On Your iPhone With Epic Citadel |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=September 1, 2010 |website=Kotaku |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824052306/http://kotaku.com/5627701/play-with-the-unreal-engine-on-your-iphone-with-epic-citadel |archive-date=August 24, 2016 |url-status=live}} The third game in the series, Gears of War 3, came out in 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/01/gears-of-war-3-delayed-to-fall-2011 |title=Gears of War 3 Delayed to Fall 2011 |last=Reilly |first=Jim |date=October 1, 2010 |website=IGN |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627060020/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/01/gears-of-war-3-delayed-to-fall-2011 |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |url-status=live}}

In 2011, Epic's subsidiary Titan Studios was dissolved.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/07/05/carbon-games-formed-by-fat-princess-devs/ |title=Carbon Games formed by Fat Princess devs |last=Sliwinski |first=Alexander |date=July 5, 2011 |website=Engadget |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826100426/https://www.engadget.com/2011/07/05/carbon-games-formed-by-fat-princess-devs/ |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=live}} At the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards, Epic Games announced their new game Fortnite.{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a355417/fortnite-revealed-by-epic-games/ |title='Fortnite' revealed by Epic Games |last=Langshaw |first=Mark |date=December 11, 2011 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=July 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906232345/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a355417/fortnite-revealed-by-epic-games/ |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |url-status=live}} In March 2012, Epic Games China became independent from Epic as Ying Pei Games ({{Zh|c=英佩游戏}}), developing Mercenary Ops at the time, while Epic still retained a minority stake.{{Cite web |last=Plante |first=Chris |date=2012-03-07 |title=Epic Games China now YingPei Games, no longer part of Epic Games |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/3/7/2852141/epic-games-china-now-ying-pei-games-no-longer-part-of-epic-games |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

In June 2012, Epic announced that it was opening up a new studio, Epic Baltimore, made up of members of 38 Studios' Big Huge Games.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/06/03/big-huge-games-members-picked-up-for-epic-baltmore/ |title=Big Huge Games members picked up for Epic Baltimore |last=Sliwinski |first=Alexander |date=June 3, 2012 |website=Engadget |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817093420/https://www.engadget.com/2012/06/03/big-huge-games-members-picked-up-for-epic-baltmore/ |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url-status=live}} Epic Baltimore was renamed to Impossible Studios in August 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/08/09/epic-baltimore-now-impossible-studios-working-on-infinity-blade/ |title=Epic Baltimore now Impossible Studios, working on Infinity Blade: Dungeons |last=Sliwinski |first=Alexander |date=August 9, 2012 |website=Engadget |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817090902/https://www.engadget.com/2012/08/09/epic-baltimore-now-impossible-studios-working-on-infinity-blade/ |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url-status=live}} However, the studio ended up closing its doors in February 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/8/3968500/epic-impossible-studios-closed-infinity-blade-dungeons-delay |title=Epic Games is closing Impossible Studios, Infinity Blade Dungeons on hold |last=Corriea |first=Alexa Ray |date=February 8, 2013 |website=Polygon |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424095757/http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/8/3968500/epic-impossible-studios-closed-infinity-blade-dungeons-delay |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/08/epic-games-closes-its-newest-studio-impossible-games |title=Epic Games Closes Its Newest Studio, Impossible Games |last=Moriarty |first=Colin |date=February 8, 2013 |website=IGN |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919145843/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/08/epic-games-closes-its-newest-studio-impossible-games |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=live}}

Epic fully acquired People Can Fly in August 2012, rebranding them as Epic Games Poland in November 2013 as they began work on Fortnite alongside Epic.{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2013/11/1/5055008/people-can-fly-now-known-as-epic-games-poland | title = People Can Fly now known as Epic Games Poland | first = Samit | last = Sarkar | date = November 1, 2013 | access-date = October 25, 2021 | work = Polygon | archive-date = August 6, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170806021057/https://www.polygon.com/2013/11/1/5055008/people-can-fly-now-known-as-epic-games-poland | url-status = live }} Epic alongside People Can Fly made one last game in the Gears of War series that served as a prequel to the other games, Gears of War: Judgement, which was released in 2013. At this point, Epic had considered developing a fourth main title for Gears of War, but estimated that its budget would be at least {{USD|100 million|long=no}}. Additionally, they had suggested the idea of a multiplayer-only version of Gears of War that featured improved versions of maps based on user feedback, similar to the concept behind Unreal Tournament, but Microsoft rejected this idea. Epic recognized the troubles of being held to the business objectives of a publisher and began to shift the company again.

File:GitHub OctoTales - Epic Games.webm

Coupled with their desire to move away from being beholden to a publisher, Epic Games observed that the video game industry was shifting to a games-as-a-service model (GaaS). Sweeney stated, "There was an increasing realization that the old model wasn't working anymore and that the new model was looking increasingly like the way to go." In an attempt to gain more GaaS experience, they made an agreement with Chinese Tencent, who had several games under their banner (including Riot Games' League of Legends) operating successfully as games as a service.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/fortnite/why-has-fortnite-taken-so-long |title=Why has Fortnite taken so long? |first=Jeremey |last=Peel |date=June 8, 2017 |website=PCGamesN |access-date=November 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030702/https://www.pcgamesn.com/fortnite/why-has-fortnite-taken-so-long |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}} In exchange for Tencent's help, Tencent acquired approximately 48.4% of Epic then issued share capital, equating to 40% of total Epic – inclusive of both stock and employee stock options, for $330 million in June 2012. Tencent Holdings has the right to nominate directors to the board of Epic Games and thus counts as an associate of the Group. However, Sweeney stated that Tencent otherwise has very little control on the creative output of Epic Games. Sweeney considered the partial acquisition by Tencent as the start of "Epic 4.0", the fourth major iteration of the company, allowing the company to be more agile in the video game marketplace.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/a/epic-4-0/the-four-lives-of-epic-games |title=The four lives of Epic Games |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=May 5, 2016 |website=Polygon |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109083043/https://www.polygon.com/a/epic-4-0/the-four-lives-of-epic-games |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/fortnite-epic-games-billion-dollar-decision-1202884194/ |title=How a 2012 Decision Helped 'Fortnite' Make Epic Games a Billion Dollar Company |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=July 26, 2018 |website=Variety |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725233503/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/fortnite-epic-games-billion-dollar-decision-1202884194/ |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |url-status=live}}

Around this point, Epic had about 200 employees. A number of high-profile staff left the company months after the Tencent deal was announced for various reasons. Some notable departures included:{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/chinese-internet-company-owns-40-percent-of-epic-games/1100-6405749/ |title=Chinese Internet company owns 40 percent of Epic Games |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=March 21, 2013 |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625024647/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/chinese-internet-company-owns-40-percent-of-epic-games/1100-6405749/ |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |url-status=live}}

• Cliff Bleszinski, then the design director, announced he was leaving Epic Games in October 2012 after 20 years with the company. His official reason was "It's time for a much-needed break".{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/3/3451812/gears-of-war-design-director-cliff-bleszinski-leaves-epic-games |title='Gears of War' design director Cliff Bleszinski leaves Epic Games |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=October 3, 2012 |website=Polygon |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315071640/http://www.polygon.com/2012/10/3/3451812/gears-of-war-design-director-cliff-bleszinski-leaves-epic-games |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |url-status=live}} Bleszinski later stated that he had become "jaded" about the gaming industry in the lead-up to Tencent's involvement. After Tencent's investment, Bleszinski attempted to renegotiate his contract but failed to come to terms, making him think about retirement instead. He opted to stop coming to work, spending his time at his beach house, eventually leading Sweeney to come down and have a heart-to-heart discussion with Bleszinski on the new direction Epic was going, and asking him to make a firm decision regarding his commitment to Epic. Bleszinski opted to write his resignation letter the next day.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/a/epic-4-0/epic-luminaries-on-why-they-left |title=Epic luminaries on why they left |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=May 5, 2016 |website=Polygon |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726201720/https://www.polygon.com/a/epic-4-0/epic-luminaries-on-why-they-left |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} After about two years, Bleszinski started Boss Key Productions in 2014.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
• President Mike Capps announced his retirement in December 2012, and cited as reasons the birth of a baby boy he was having with his wife and his plans to be a stay-at-home dad.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/epic-games-president-retiring/1100-6401056/ |title=Epic Games president retiring |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=December 4, 2012 |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218114047/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/epic-games-president-retiring/1100-6401056/ |archive-date=February 18, 2014 |url-status=live}} He subsequently announced quitting his advisory role as well as his affiliation with the company in March 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/former-epic-games-president-mike-capps-parts-ways-with-studio/1100-6405042/ |title=Former Epic Games president Mike Capps parts ways with studio |last=Gaston |first=Martin |date=March 8, 2013 |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909080436/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/former-epic-games-president-mike-capps-parts-ways-with-studio/1100-6405042/ |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |url-status=live}}
• Rod Fergusson, who had been a lead developer for the Gears of War series, left Epic in August 2012. Fergusson stated that he had seen the direction that the Tencent acquisition would have taken the company, and was not interested in the free-to-play style of games but instead wanted to continue developing a "AAA, big-narrative, big-story, big-impact game".{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/1/5958879/gears-of-war-black-tusk-rod-fergusson |title=The fixer: Why Rod Fergusson returned to Gears of War |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=August 1, 2014 |website=Polygon |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726235328/https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/1/5958879/gears-of-war-black-tusk-rod-fergusson |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} Fergusson briefly joined Irrational Games, owned by 2K Games, to help complete BioShock Infinite. While there, Fergusson talked with 2K about potentially continuing the Gears of War series, leading to talks between 2K Games, Epic, and Microsoft. As a result, Microsoft acquired the rights to Gears of War on January 27, 2014, eventually assigned those to Microsoft Game Studios; Fergusson moved to Black Tusk Studios, owned by Microsoft Game Studios, to take on lead development for a new Gears title, with the studio being rebranded as The Coalition. The first game since the acquisition, Gears of War 4, was released in October 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/1/27/5345342/gears-of-war-xbox-one-microsoft-epic-games-rod-fergusson |title=Microsoft acquires Gears of War from Epic, hires series producer Rod Fergusson |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=January 27, 2014 |website=Polygon |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162807/https://www.polygon.com/2014/1/27/5345342/gears-of-war-xbox-one-microsoft-epic-games-rod-fergusson |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/01/microsoft-buys-gears-of-war-franchise-from-epic-games/ |title=Microsoft buys Gears of War franchise from Epic Games |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=January 27, 2014 |website=Ars Technica |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923104254/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/01/microsoft-buys-gears-of-war-franchise-from-epic-games/ |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=live}}
• Adrian Chmielarz, the founder of People Can Fly, who joined Epic when his studio was acquired earlier in 2012, decided to leave after Tencent's acquisition, stating that he and other former People Can Fly members did not believe the free-to-play games as a service direction fit their own personal vision or direction they wanted to go. Chmielarz and these others left Epic in late 2012 to form The Astronauts.
• Lee Perry, a lead designer on both Unreal and Gears of War series, felt that Epic has started to grow too large to maintain a role as an eccentric game developer. Coupled with the studio's need for more management to support the games as a service model, Perry felt that their creative freedom would become limited. He and five other senior people left Epic to form a new studio, Bitmonster.

Epic continued its goal to deliver games as a service following these departures. Fortnite was to serve as their testbed for living games, but with the shifts in staff, and its engine from Unreal Engine 3 to 4, its release suffered some setbacks. Epic started additional projects; the free-to-play and community-developed Unreal Tournament, first announced in 2014,{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/08/epic-games-reveals-free-to-play-unreal-tournament |title=Epic Games Reveals Free, Crowdsourced Unreal Tournament |last=Dyer |first=Mitch |date=May 8, 2014 |website=IGN |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821154242/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/08/epic-games-reveals-free-to-play-unreal-tournament |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-unreal-tournament-in-development-and-it-ll-be-absolutely-free/1100-6419511/ |title=New Unreal Tournament in development, and it'll be absolutely free |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=July 25, 2014 |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426030640/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-unreal-tournament-in-development-and-it-ll-be-absolutely-free/1100-6419511/ |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |url-status=live}} and the free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game Paragon, launched in 2016 for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4.{{cite web |url=https://uk.pcmag.com/gaming-1/72774/epic-games-teases-new-pc-shooter-paragon |title=Epic Games Teases New PC Shooter 'Paragon' |last=Moscaritolo |first=Angela |date=November 4, 2015 |website=PCMag UK |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921071711/http://uk.pcmag.com/computer-console-gaming-products/72774/news/epic-games-teases-new-pc-shooter-paragon |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |url-status=live}} Epic also released a remastered version of Shadow Complex for newer consoles and computers in 2015,{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2015/12/shadow-complex-remastered-announced-ps4-xbox-one-pc |title=Shadow Complex Remastered announced for PS4, Xbox One, and PC |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=December 3, 2015 |website=Gematsu |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730074923/http://gematsu.com/2015/12/shadow-complex-remastered-announced-ps4-xbox-one-pc |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/08/09/shadow-complex-gets-physical-release/220412/ |title=Shadow Complex Gets Physical Release |last=Shive |first=Chris |date=August 9, 2016 |website=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729214450/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/08/09/shadow-complex-gets-physical-release/220412/ |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |url-status=live}} and their first foray into virtual reality with the release of Robo Recall for the Oculus Rift.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/born-out-of-i-bullet-train-i-epic-s-first-commercial-vr-game-is-i-robo-recall-i- |title=Born out of Bullet Train, Epic's first commercial VR game is Robo Recall |last=Wawro |first=Alex |date=October 6, 2016 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=July 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809173145/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/282863/Born_out_of_Bullet_Train_Epics_first_commercial_VR_game_is_Robo_Recall.php |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/01/robo-recall-review |title=Robo Recall Review |last=Stapleton |first=Dan |date=March 1, 2017 |website=IGN |access-date=March 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317151913/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/01/robo-recall-review |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}

The investment infusion from Tencent allowed Epic Games to relicense the Unreal Engine 4 engine in March 2015 to be free for all users to develop with, with Epic taking 5% royalties on games developed with the engine.{{cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2015/03/03/epic-games-unreal-tech-free/ |title=Why Epic Games is giving away its game technology |website=Fortune |date=March 3, 2015 |first=John |last=Gaudiosi |access-date=March 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308142904/http://fortune.com/2015/03/03/epic-games-unreal-tech-free/ |archive-date=March 8, 2015 |url-status=live}}

In June 2015, Epic agreed to allow Epic Games Poland's departure from the company and sold its shares in the studio; the studio reverted to their former name, People Can Fly. The Bulletstorm IP was retained by People Can Fly who has since launched a remastered version called Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition on April 7, 2017, published by Gearbox Software.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/6/24/8838307/people-can-fly-returns-no-longer-owned-by-epic-games |title=People Can Fly returns, no longer owned by Epic Games |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=June 24, 2015 |website=Polygon |access-date=August 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318032626/https://www.polygon.com/2015/6/24/8838307/people-can-fly-returns-no-longer-owned-by-epic-games |archive-date=March 18, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/12/02/bulletstorm-remastered-edition-revealed-released-date-announced |title=Bulletstorm Remastered Edition Revealed, Release Date Announced |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=December 1, 2016 |website=IGN |access-date=August 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808161005/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/12/02/bulletstorm-remastered-edition-revealed-released-date-announced |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |url-status=live}}

File:Fortnite at E3 2018 (42781993231).jpg]]

By July 2017, Fortnite was finally in a state for public play.{{Cite news |last1=Amenabar |first1=Teddy |last2=Lee |first2=Jonathan |title='Fortnite': Battle royale, concert venue and, maybe, the start of the metaverse |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/interactive/2022/fortnite-anniversary-epic-games/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330131918/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/interactive/2022/fortnite-anniversary-epic-games/ |url-status=live }} Epic launched the title through a paid early access then, with a full free-to-play release expected in 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/8/15761278/fortnite-early-accessrelease-date-ps4-xbox-one-pc-mac-price-preview |title=Fortnite announces early access release, hands-on the unfinished game |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=June 8, 2017 |website=Polygon |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121194548/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/8/15761278/fortnite-early-access-release-date-ps4-xbox-one-pc-mac-price-preview |url-status=live }} Following on the popularity of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, a battle royale game released earlier in 2017, Epic developed a variant of Fortnite called Fortnite Battle Royale, which was released in September 2017{{Cite web |last=Swan |first=Cameron |date=2023-01-11 |title=Why a Dead Space-Fortnite Crossover Seems Unlikely |url=https://gamerant.com/fortnite-dead-space-crossover-isaac-clarke-skin-necromorph-horror-gore/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130194754/https://gamerant.com/fortnite-dead-space-crossover-isaac-clarke-skin-necromorph-horror-gore/ |url-status=live }} as a free-to-play title across computer, console, and mobile platforms. Fortnite Battle Royale quickly gained an audience, amassing over 125 million players by May 2018 with estimates of having earned over {{USD|1 billion|long=no}} by July 2018 through microtransactions, including its battle pass system. Epic Games, which had been valued at around {{USD|825 million|long=no}} at the time of Tencent's acquisition, was estimated to be worth {{USD|4.5 billion|long=no}} in July 2018 due to Fortnite Battle Royale, and expected to surpass {{USD|8.5 billion|long=no}} by the end of 2018 with projected growth of the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-07-24/fortnite-phenomenon-turns-epic-game-developer-into-billionaire |title=Fortnite Mania Fuels Epic Growth to $8.5 Billion |first1=Devon |last1=Pendleton |first2=Christopher |last2=Palmeri |date=July 24, 2018 |website=Bloomberg LP |access-date=July 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724114421/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-07-24/fortnite-phenomenon-turns-epic-game-developer-into-billionaire |archive-date=July 24, 2018 |url-status=live}} Player count continued to expand when Epic broke new ground by convincing Sony to change its stance on cross-platform play allowing players on any device to compete with each other in Fortnite Battle Royale.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/sony-is-finally-allowing-cross-play-on-the-ps4-1829326043 |title=Sony Is Finally Allowing Cross-Play On The PS4 |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date=September 26, 2018 |website=Kotaku |access-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926132536/https://kotaku.com/sony-is-finally-allowing-cross-play-on-the-ps4-1829326043 |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} Fortnite has drawn nearly 250 million players as of March 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/03/20/fortnite-250-million-epic-games-sweeney-interview-gdc/ |title=Epic Games has 250 million 'Fortnite' players and a lot of plans |first=Jessica |last=Conditt |date=March 20, 2019 |website=Engadget |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320213658/https://www.engadget.com/2019/03/20/fortnite-250-million-epic-games-sweeney-interview-gdc/ |archive-date=March 20, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Fortnite{{'}}s commercial success enabled Epic to make several changes to its other product offerings. In July 2018, it reduced the revenue cut that it took for assets sold on the Unreal Engine Marketplace from 30% to 12%.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnite-is-making-so-much-money-that-epic-is-giving-unreal-marketplace-creators-a-big-raise/ |title=Fortnite is making so much money that Epic is giving Unreal Marketplace creators a big raise |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=July 12, 2018 |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=July 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713013236/https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnite-is-making-so-much-money-that-epic-is-giving-unreal-marketplace-creators-a-big-raise/ |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |url-status=live}} Epic launched the Epic Games Store digital storefront to compete with services like Steam and GOG.com, not only taking a 12% cut of revenue compared to the industry standard of 30%, but also eliminated the 5% cut for games using the Unreal engine sold via the storefront.{{Cite web |last1=Frank |first1=Allegra |title=Epic Games is launching its own store, and taking a smaller cut than Steam |website=Polygon |date=December 4, 2018 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/4/18125498/epic-games-store-details-revenue-split-launch-date |access-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120080823/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/4/18125498/epic-games-store-details-revenue-split-launch-date |archive-date=January 20, 2019 |url-status=live}} However the company also refocused its development efforts to provide more support for Unreal and Fortnite by ending support for Paragon{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/after-fortnites-massive-success-epic-shuts-down-parago-1822460782 |title=After Fortnite's Massive Success, Epic Shuts Down Paragon |first=Jason |last=Schreier |date=January 26, 2018 |website=Kotaku |access-date=January 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126203649/https://kotaku.com/after-fortnites-massive-success-epic-shuts-down-parago-1822460782 |archive-date=January 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} and Unreal Tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/amid-fortnites-success-new-unreal-tournament-stops/1100-6463665/ |title=Amid Fortnite's Success, New Unreal Tournament Stops Development At Epic Games |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |date=December 4, 2018 |website=GameSpot |access-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205041825/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/amid-fortnites-success-new-unreal-tournament-stops/1100-6463665/ |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |url-status=live}}

The financial success of Fortnite brought additional investment into Epic Games. Epic Games was one of eleven companies selected to be part of the Disney Accelerator program in 2017, providing Epic equity investment and access to some of Disney's executives, and potential opportunity to work with Disney in the future. Disney had selected both Epic and aXiomatic as potential leads in the growing esports arena.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/epic-games-gets-1-25-billion-investment-from-seven-firms-1202998408/ |title=Disney Accelerator 2017 Includes Investments in aXiomatic and EPIC Games |first=Patrick |last=Garren |date=July 12, 2017 |website=The Esports Observer |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026161654/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/epic-games-gets-1-25-billion-investment-from-seven-firms-1202998408/ |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}

Epic's has used its windfall to support its products. In January 2019, following a dispute between Improbable and Unity Technologies over changes to the acceptable uses of the Unity game engine, Epic announced it was partnering with Improbable to launch a {{USD|25 million|long=no}} fund to help bring developers they believe affected by these changes towards solutions that are more open and would have fewer service compatibilities.{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/01/unity-engine-tos-change-makes-cloud-based-spatialos-games-illegal/ |title=Improbable snubs Unity, partners with Epic for $25M "open engine" fund |first=Kyle |last=Orland |date=January 10, 2019 |website=Ars Technica |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111000135/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/01/unity-engine-tos-change-makes-cloud-based-spatialos-games-illegal/ |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |url-status=live}} Epic launched a {{USD|100 million|long=no}} prize pool in February 2019 for Fortnite-related esports activities that it plans to run from 2019 onward.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/epic-fortnite-world-cup-100-million-prize-1203145829/ |title=Epic Breaks Down the 'Fortnite' World Cup $100 Million Prize Pool |first=Emily |last=Gera |date=February 22, 2019 |website=Variety |access-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330010002/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/epic-fortnite-world-cup-100-million-prize-1203145829/ |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |url-status=live}} To expand its esports initiatives, Epic Games hired Nate Nanzer from Blizzard Entertainment and their commissioner of the Overwatch League in May 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/26815521/overwatch-league-commissioner-nanzer-join-epic-games |title=Overwatch League commissioner Nanzer to join Epic Games |first=Jacob |last=Wolf |date=May 24, 2019 |website=ESPN |access-date=May 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525040037/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/26815521/overwatch-league-commissioner-nanzer-join-epic-games |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |url-status=live}} At the 2019 Game Developers Conference, Epic announced it was launching a {{USD|100 million|long=no}} MegaGrants initiative, allowing anyone to apply for up to {{USD|500,000|long=no}} in funding to support game development using the Unreal Engine or for any project, even if not directly games-related, that would benefit the Unreal Engine.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-20-epic-games-announces-usd100m-megagrants-program-launches-free-online-services-tools |title=Epic Games announces $100m MegaGrants program, launches free Online Services tools |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=March 20, 2019 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330010419/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-20-epic-games-announces-usd100m-megagrants-program-launches-free-online-services-tools |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |url-status=live}} One of the first major funded entities under this was the Blender Foundation in July 2019, having received {{USD|1.2 million|long=no}} from the MegaGrants funding, to help them to improve and professionalize their Blender tools for 3D art creation.{{cite web |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/346627/Epic_awards_12_million_to_Blender_Foundation_through_Epic_MegaGrants_program.php |title=Epic awards $1.2 million to Blender Foundation through Epic MegaGrants program |first=Alissa |last=McAloon |date=July 15, 2019 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715211751/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/346627/Epic_awards_12_million_to_Blender_Foundation_through_Epic_MegaGrants_program.php |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |url-status=dead}}

Epic Games was given the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Special Award in June 2019 for its past and continuing developments for the Unreal Engine,{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-games-to-receive-bafta-special-award-for-contribution-to-game-development |title=Epic Games to receive BAFTA Special Award for contribution to game development |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=May 14, 2019 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514143013/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/342616/Epic_Games_to_receive_BAFTA_Special_Award_for_contribution_to_game_development.php |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |url-status=live}} a software which also earned it the Engineering Excellence Award from the Hollywood Professional Association.{{Cite web |url=https://hpaonline.com/hpa-engineering-excellence-award-epic-games-unreal-engine-4/ |title=HPA Engineering Excellence Award: Epic Games – Unreal Engine 4 |last=Kaufman |first=Debra |date=August 29, 2019 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |website=Hollywood Professional Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904195837/https://hpaonline.com/hpa-engineering-excellence-award-epic-games-unreal-engine-4/ |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Epic announced in March 2020 it was establishing a new multi-platform publishing label, Epic Games Publishing. Alongside this, the label had announced three deals with developers Remedy Entertainment, Playdead and GenDesign in which Epic would fully fund development and publishing (including employee salaries, quality assurance, localization, and marketing) of one or more games from each studio, but leaving full creative control and IP rights to the studio, and sharing profits, following Epic's recouping of its investment, 50/50 with the studio.{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-will-publish-games-from-remedy-playdead-and-gen-design/ |title=Epic will publish games from Remedy, Playdead and Gen Design |first=Andy |last=Robinson |date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=March 26, 2020 |work=Video Games Chronicle |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326160209/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-will-publish-games-from-remedy-playdead-and-gen-design/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-signs-playdead-remedy-and-gendesign-to-new-publishing-label |title=Epic signs Playdead, Remedy, and genDesign to new publishing label |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=March 26, 2020 |work=Gamasutra |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326163145/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/360163/Epic_signs_Playdead_Remedy_and_genDesign_to_new_publishing_label.php |url-status=live }} The company expanded their publishing options in October 2021 with Spry Fox and Eyes Out.{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/epic-publishing-eyes-out-spry-fox-new-game-cosmic-horror | title = Epic Announces New Publishing Partners, Including Nine Inch Nails Guitarist's Studio | first = Joe | last = Skrebels | date = October 20, 2021 | access-date = October 20, 2021 | work = IGN | archive-date = October 20, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211020130331/https://www.ign.com/articles/epic-publishing-eyes-out-spry-fox-new-game-cosmic-horror | url-status = live }}

Unreal Engine 5 was announced on May 13, 2020, with plans for an early 2022 release. Alongside this announcement, Epic released its Epic Online Services, a free SDK toolset for online matchmaking and other similar cross-platform play support features based on Fortnite. Epic further waived all Unreal license fees retroactively for games up through the first {{USD|1 million|long=no}} in revenue, regardless of how they were published, retroactively starting from January 1, 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-13-epic-games-announces-unreal-engine-5-with-first-ps5-footage |title=Epic Games announces Unreal Engine 5 with first PS5 footage |first=Rebekah |last=Valentine |date=May 13, 2020 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |work=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520112019/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-13-epic-games-announces-unreal-engine-5-with-first-ps5-footage |url-status=live }}

Bloomberg reported that Epic was nearing a {{USD|17 billion|long=no}} valuation in June 2020 once it had completed a new {{USD|750 million|long=no}} investing round from its previous investors and newcomings T. Rowe Price Group Inc. and Baillie Gifford.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-15/fortnite-maker-epic-is-said-to-near-funding-at-17-billion-value |title=Fortnite Maker Epic Games Nears Funding at $17 Billion Value |first1=Katie |last1=Roof |first2=Gillian |last2=Tan |first3=Liana |last3=Baker |first4=Olga |last4=Kharif |date=June 15, 2020 |access-date=June 16, 2020 |work=Bloomberg News |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616111824/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-15/fortnite-maker-epic-is-said-to-near-funding-at-17-billion-value |url-status=live }} The company partnered with Christopher Nolan and Warner Bros. to acquire distribution rights for Inception, Batman Begins and The Prestige as part of "Movie Nite" on Fortnite's "Party Royale" island. The film live streams were based on a user's country.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2020-06-24 |title='Fortnite' Will Livestream Christopher Nolan's 'Inception,' Two Other Movies for Free |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/fortnite-christopher-nolan-movies-inception-1234648388/ |access-date=2020-10-16 |website=Variety |language=en |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118040649/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/fortnite-christopher-nolan-movies-inception-1234648388/ |url-status=live }}

Across July and August, Epic raised an additional {{USD|1.78 billion|long=no}} in capital investment, bringing the company's post-money equity valuation to {{USD|17.3 billion|long=no}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/367740/Fortnite_developer_Epic_Games_secures_178_billion_in_funding.php |title=Fortnite developer Epic Games secures $1.78 billion in funding |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 |work=Gamasutra |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806214029/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/367740/Fortnite_developer_Epic_Games_secures_178_billion_in_funding.php |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/gaming/news/fortnite-epic-games-1-78-billion-funding-sony-1234727436/ |title='Fortnite' Maker Epic Games Announces $1.78 Billion Funding, Including $250 Million From Sony |first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 |work=Variety |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807065855/https://variety.com/2020/gaming/news/fortnite-epic-games-1-78-billion-funding-sony-1234727436/ |url-status=live }} This included a {{USD|250 million|long=no}} investment from Sony, approximately a 1.4% stake in the company. The deal continues the two companies' technology collaboration after they had worked together on the development of Unreal Engine 5, but does not commit Epic to any exclusivity to the Sony PlayStation platform.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/09/sony-invests-250-million-in-fortnite-maker-epic-games/ |title=Sony invests $250 million in Fortnite maker Epic Games |first1=Dean |last1=Takahashi |date=July 9, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |work=Venturebeat |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709184916/https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/09/sony-invests-250-million-in-fortnite-maker-epic-games/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |first=Shannon |last=Liao |title=Sony invests $250 million in Fortnite maker Epic Games |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/09/tech/sony-fortnite-epic-games/index.html |date=July 9, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |work=CNN |archive-date=July 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710174458/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/09/tech/sony-fortnite-epic-games/index.html |url-status=live }} Sweeney said that Sony had started talking with Epic about investing following the demonstration of the Unreal Engine 5 in May 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-epic-games-ps5-investment |title=Sony Acquires Minority Stake in Epic for $250 Million |first=Matt |last=Kim |date=July 10, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2020 |work=IGN |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709231605/https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-epic-games-ps5-investment |url-status=live }}

Epic purchased Cary Towne Center in Cary, North Carolina, in January 2021, which had been scheduled to be closed and demolished after 2020, to be their new headquarters and campus, with the conversion to be complete by 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.wral.com/epic-games-announces-new-headquarters-at-site-of-cary-towne-center/19455534/ |title=Epic Games announces new headquarters at site of Cary Towne Center |first=Aaron |last=Thomas |date=January 3, 2021 |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=WRAL-TV |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103224709/https://www.wral.com/epic-games-announces-new-headquarters-at-site-of-cary-towne-center/19455534/ |url-status=live }} All of the existing mall's structure, with the exception of a section housing the Belk department store, was razed. However, after no further actions, the Town of Cary revoked Epic's zoning application on December 6, 2024, declaring it "inactive".{{cite web |url=https://www.wral.com/epic-games-announces-new-headquarters-at-site-of-cary-towne-center/19455534/ |title=Rezoning pulled for Epic Games' planned Cary Towne Center headquarters, future of site unknown|first=Shaun|last= Gallagher |date=January 29, 2025 |access-date=February 9, 2025 |work=WRAL-TV}}

Epic unveiled its MetaHuman Creator project in February 2021. Based on the technology from 3Lateral, Cubic Motion, and Quixel, the MetaHuman Creator is a browser-based application to allow game developers to create realistic human characters within a short amount of time starting from various presets, and then can be exported as pre-made models and animation files ready for use in Unreal Engine.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/377303/Epic_Games_new_MetaHuman_Creator_will_let_devs_everywhere_build_high_fidelity_humans.php | title = Epic Games' new MetaHuman Creator will let devs everywhere build high fidelity humans | first = Chris | last = Kerr | date = February 10, 2021 | access-date = February 10, 2021 | work = Gamasutra | archive-date = February 10, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210210155814/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/377303/Epic_Games_new_MetaHuman_Creator_will_let_devs_everywhere_build_high_fidelity_humans.php | url-status = dead }}

Epic announced a partnership with Cesium in March 2021 to bring its 3D geospatial data as a free add-on into the Unreal Engine.{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/30/epic-games-teams-up-with-cesium-to-bring-3d-geospatial-data-to-unreal/ | title = Epic Games teams up with Cesium to bring 3D geospatial data to Unreal | first = Dean | last = Takahashi | date = March 30, 2021 | access-date = March 30, 2021 | work = Venture Beat | archive-date = March 30, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210330150043/https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/30/epic-games-teams-up-with-cesium-to-bring-3d-geospatial-data-to-unreal/ | url-status = live }}

In April 2021, Epic completed another {{USD|1 billion|long=no}} round of funding to support the company's "long-term vision for the metaverse", putting the company's valuation at {{USD|28.7 billion|long=no}}. The round of funding included another {{USD|200 million|long=no}} strategic investment from Sony.{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2021 |title='Fortnite' maker Epic Games gets $28.7 billion valuation in latest funding |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-epic-games-funding/fortnite-maker-epic-games-raises-1-billion-at-28-7-billion-valuation-idUSKBN2C01P7?il=0 |access-date=April 13, 2021 |website=Reuters |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413145600/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-epic-games-funding/fortnite-maker-epic-games-raises-1-billion-at-28-7-billion-valuation-idUSKBN2C01P7?il=0 |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-nets-1-billion-in-funding-including-200-million-investment-from-sony | title = Epic nets $1 billion in funding, including $200 million investment from Sony | first = Chris | last = Kerr | date = April 13, 2021 | access-date = April 13, 2021 | work = Gamasutra | archive-date = April 13, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210413141759/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/379736/Epic_nets_1_billion_in_funding_including_200_million_investment_from_Sony.php | url-status = live }} Sweeney remains the controlling shareholder with these additional investments.

The Information reported that Epic Games was launching a new scripted entertainment division in October 2021, bringing on three former executives from Lucasfilm to manage it, with initial plans for a Fortnite film.{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-11-epic-mulls-fortnite-movie-as-it-launches-entertainment-division | title = Epic mulls Fortnite movie as it launches entertainment division | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = October 11, 2021 | access-date = October 11, 2021 | work = Eurogamer | archive-date = October 11, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211011161146/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-11-epic-mulls-fortnite-movie-as-it-launches-entertainment-division | url-status = live }}

In February 2022, Epic Games announced that at least half a billion accounts have been created on its platform.{{Cite web|date=2022-02-17|title=Epic Games Store: le nombre (impressionnant) de comptes dévoilé|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.fr/news/409488-epic-games-store-le-nombre-impressionnant-de-comptes-devoile|access-date=2022-02-25|website=jeuxvideo.fr|language=fr-FR|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217155255/https://www.jeuxvideo.fr/news/409488-epic-games-store-le-nombre-impressionnant-de-comptes-devoile|url-status=live}}

Epic released the initial beta version of RealityScan, a mobile app that uses the tools from Capturing Reality and Quixel, in April 2022. RealityScan allows users to create 3D models that can be imported into Sketchfab using photos taken by the user.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/4/23010382/epic-games-realityscan-app-3d-models-smartphone-photos | title = Epic's new RealityScan app can make 3D models from smartphone photos | first = Jay | last = Peters | date = April 4, 2022 | access-date = April 4, 2022 | work = The Verge | archive-date = April 4, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220404213630/https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/4/23010382/epic-games-realityscan-app-3d-models-smartphone-photos | url-status = live }}

Epic received another $1 billion each from Sony and from Kirkbi, the parent company of The Lego Group, in April 2022 for continued support of building out Epic's metaverse.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/11/23020134/epic-2-billion-funding-metaverse-sony-lego | title = Epic announces $2 billion in funding for its metaverse efforts | first = Andrew | last = Webster | date = April 11, 2022 | access-date = April 11, 2022 | work = The Verge | archive-date = April 11, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220411134713/https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/11/23020134/epic-2-billion-funding-metaverse-sony-lego | url-status = live }} These investments gave Kirkbi 3% ownership and increased Sony's to 4.9%.{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/24d4378a-6977-4ed8-be63-23c9bf9df366 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/24d4378a-6977-4ed8-be63-23c9bf9df366 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Epic Games secures $2bn from Sony and Lego to build gaming metaverse |first=Anna |last=Gross |date=April 11, 2022 |website=Financial Times |access-date=May 18, 2022}} With these investments, Epic had an estimated valuation of {{USD|32 billion|long=no}}.{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/technology/epic-games-raises-2-bln-valuation-nearly-32-bln-2022-04-11/ | title = Epic Games valued at about $32 bln in funding from Sony, Lego firm | work = Reuters | date = April 11, 2022 | access-date = April 11, 2022 | archive-date = April 11, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220411133609/https://www.reuters.com/technology/epic-games-raises-2-bln-valuation-nearly-32-bln-2022-04-11/ | url-status = live }} Epic and Lego also announced their partnership to build a child-friendly space in the metaverse that same month.{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/lego-and-epic-games-announce-new-partnership | title = Lego and Epic Games announce new partnership | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = April 7, 2022 | access-date = April 11, 2022 | work = Eurogamer | archive-date = April 11, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220411141813/https://www.eurogamer.net/lego-and-epic-games-announce-new-partnership | url-status = live }}

The company announced in September 2023 that it was laying off 870 employees, along with divesting in Bandcamp to Songtradr and spinning off SuperAwesome into its own company. Sweeney said this move was needed to rein in spending, and did not anticipate there would be further layoffs in the future.{{cite web | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-28/epic-games-is-cutting-about-900-jobs-or-16-of-staff | title = 'Fortnite' Maker Epic Games Is Cutting About 16% of Staff | first = Jason | last = Schreier | date = September 28, 2023 | accessdate = September 28, 2023 | work = Bloomberg News | archive-date = September 28, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230928150653/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-28/epic-games-is-cutting-about-900-jobs-or-16-of-staff | url-status = live }} Mediatonic reported a significant number of layoffs from their team, but remained part of Epic.{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/fall-guys-developer-hit-hard-by-epic-games-layoffs-but-studio-to-remain-open | title = Fall Guys developer hit hard by Epic Games layoffs, but studio to remain open | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = September 29, 2023 | accessdate = September 29, 2023 | work = Eurogamer | archive-date = September 29, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230929155111/https://www.eurogamer.net/fall-guys-developer-hit-hard-by-epic-games-layoffs-but-studio-to-remain-open | url-status = live }}

On February 7, 2024, Epic Games received a $1.5 billion investment from the Walt Disney Company. Pending regulatory approval, Disney will acquire a 9% stake. Disney plans to co-develop new games and an "entertainment universe" encompassing its properties with Epic.{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=2024-02-07 |title=Disney to take $1.5 billion stake in Epic Games, work with Fortnite maker on new content |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/07/disney-to-take-1point5-billion-stake-in-epic-games-maker-of-fortnite.html |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207212919/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/07/disney-to-take-1point5-billion-stake-in-epic-games-maker-of-fortnite.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Malik |first=Yuvraj |date=2024-02-08 |title=Disney's Epic deal shows sharp cut in Fortnite maker's valuation -The Information |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/disneys-epic-deal-shows-sharp-cut-fortnite-makers-valuation-the-information-2024-02-08/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=Reuters}} Part of this involved bringing more of the Disney properties to Fortnite; while Fortnite had already featured numerous cosmetics based on Marvel Comics and Star Wars, Disney announced new plans to bring its classic animated characters and those from Pixar properties to the game.{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/marvel-doctor-doom-fantastic-four-d23-fortnite-epic-games-1236100375/| title = Doctor Doom Coming to 'Fortnite' as Disney and Epic Games Reveal Details of Gaming Collaboration Plans | first = Jennifer | last = Maas | date = August 10, 2024 | accessdate= August 11, 2024 | work = Variety }}

In July 2024, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), an actor labor union of which numerous video game voice actors are members of, would initiate a labor strike against a number of video publishers, including Epic Games, over concerns about lack of A.I. protections related to not only video game actors, but also the use of A.I to replicate an actor’s voice, or create a digital replica of their likeness.{{cite news|url=https://www.sagaftra.org/videogamestrike|title=SAG-AFTRA Members Who Work on Video Games Go on Strike; A.I. Protections Remain the Sticking Point|publisher=SAG AFTRA|date=July 26, 2024|accessdate=July 26, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hollywoods-videogame-performers-go-strike-over-ai-pay-concerns-2024-07-25/|title=Hollywood's videogame performers to strike over AI, pay concerns|first=Danielle|last=Broadway|publisher=Reuters|date=July 25, 2024|accessdate=July 26, 2024}}

Epic launched Fab, a unified marketplace for Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab, ArtStation Marketplace, and Quixel assets, on October 22, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/epic-launching-unified-fab-marketplace-in-mid-october | title=Epic launching unified Fab marketplace in mid-October | date=September 17, 2024 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/epic-launches-combined-fab-marketplace-amid-confusion-and-backlash-from-artists-and-developers|title=Epic launches combined Fab marketplace amid confusion and backlash from artists and developers|first=James Batchelor|last=Editor-in-chief|date=October 22, 2024|website=GamesIndustry.biz}}

Following an investigation by the Department of Justice, the two Tencent board members stepped down, as they were also board members on Riot Games, which was seen as a violation of the Sherman Act by the department.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/us-justice-department-investigation-leads-to-board-members-leaving-epic-games/1100-6528567/|title=US Justice Department Investigation Leads To Epic Games Board Members Leaving}}

In 2008, Epic acquired Utah based Chair Entertainment, developer of Undertow.{{cite web |author=Brandon Boyer |website=Gamasutra |date=May 20, 2008 |title=Epic Games Acquires Undertow Developer Chair |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/109678/Epic_Games_Acquires_Undertow_Developer_Chair.php |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509044855/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18727 |archive-date=May 9, 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/epic-snags-undertow-developer-chair-entertainment-group-33292978 |title=Epic Snags Undertow Developer Chair Entertainment Group |last=Alexander |first=Leigh |date=May 20, 2008 |website=Kotaku |access-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118162931/http://kotaku.com/392173/epic-snags-undertow-developer-chair-entertainment-group |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |url-status=live}} Summer 2009 saw the launch of Chair's Shadow Complex, an adventure game inspired by the Metroid series.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/how-shadow-complex-was-inspired-by-super-metroid-and-n-5325016 |title=How Shadow Complex Was Inspired By Super Metroid (And Never Looked Back) |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=July 28, 2009 |website=Kotaku |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729182951/http://kotaku.com/5325016/how-shadow-complex-was-inspired-by-super-metroid-and-never-looked-back |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}

Epic announced in October 2018 that it had acquired {{USD|1.25 billion|long=no}} in investment from seven firms: KKR, ICONIQ Capital, Smash Ventures, aXiomatic, Vulcan Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The firms join Tencent, Disney, and Endeavor as minority shareholders in Epic.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/epic-games-gets-1-25-billion-investment-from-seven-firms-1202998408/ |title=Epic Games Gets $1.25 Billion Investment From KKR, Six Others |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=October 26, 2018 |website=Variety |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026161654/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/epic-games-gets-1-25-billion-investment-from-seven-firms-1202998408/ |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-26/fortnite-s-epic-games-gets-1-25-billion-from-new-investor-group |title=Fortnite's Epic Games Gets $1.25 Billion From New Investor Group |last1=Novy-Williams |first1=Eben |last2=Palmeri |first2=Christopher |date=October 26, 2018 |website=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027021649/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-26/fortnite-s-epic-games-gets-1-25-billion-from-new-investor-group |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live}} With the investment, Epic Games was estimated to have a nearly {{USD|15 billion|long=no}} valuation in October 2018.{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fortnite-creator-epic-games-valued-at-nearly-15-billion-1540577025 |title=Fortnite Creator Epic Games Valued at Nearly $15 Billion |last1=Needleman |first1=Sarah E. |date=October 26, 2018 |website=The Wall Street Journal |last2=Rook |first2=Katie |name-list-style=amp |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026194608/https://www.wsj.com/articles/fortnite-creator-epic-games-valued-at-nearly-15-billion-1540577025 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}

Besides expanding support for Fortnite and the Epic Games Store, these investments allowed Epic to acquire additional firms. In January 2018, it was announced that Epic had acquired Cloudgine, a developer of cloud-based gaming software.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/epic-games-acquires-cloud-processing-tech-provider-cloudgine |title=Epic Games acquires cloud processing tech provider Cloudgine |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=January 22, 2018 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072411/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/313429/Epic_Games_acquires_cloud_processing_tech_provider_Cloudgine_.php |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |url-status=live}} The company also announced the acquisition of Kamu, a firm that offered anti-cheat software called Easy Anti-Cheat, in October 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-10-08-epic-games-acquires-game-security-and-anti-cheat-firm-kamu |title=Epic Games acquires game security and anti-cheat firm Kamu |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=October 8, 2018 |website=Gameindustry.biz |access-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121194537/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-10-08-epic-games-acquires-game-security-and-anti-cheat-firm-kamu |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/epic-games-acquires-kamu-1202971927/ |title=Epic Games Acquires Anti-Cheat Company Kamu |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=October 8, 2018 |website=Variety |access-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121194521/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/epic-games-acquires-kamu-1202971927/ |url-status=live }} A year later, in January 2019, Epic acquired 3Lateral and Agog Labs. 3Lateral is known for its "digital human" creations, using a combination of digital technology, motion capture, and other tools to create photo-realistic human subjects in real-time. Epic plans to add some of 3Lateral's features to the Unreal Engine.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-23-epic-games-acquires-3lateral |title=Epic Games acquires 3Lateral |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=January 23, 2019 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223300/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-23-epic-games-acquires-3lateral |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |url-status=live}} Agog had developed SkookumScript, a platform for scripting events in video games; on the announcement of this acquisition, Agog stated they will stop the development of SkookumScript to work more on Unreal Engine scripting support.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/23/epic-games-buys-scripting-tool-maker-agog-labs-for-unreal-engine-4/ |title=Epic Games buys scripting tool maker Agog Labs for Unreal Engine 4 |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=January 23, 2019 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124041820/https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/23/epic-games-buys-scripting-tool-maker-agog-labs-for-unreal-engine-4/ |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Epic acquired Psyonix, the developer of Rocket League, in May 2019. Epic and Psyonix have had a past history, as Psyonix was originally founded a few miles from Epic's headquarters and had contributed to Epic's Unreal Tournament.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/epic-acquires-rocket-league-developer-psyonix-1834454038 |title=Epic Acquires Rocket League Developer Psyonix |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=May 1, 2019 |website=Kotaku |access-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121194530/https://kotaku.com/epic-acquires-rocket-league-developer-psyonix-1834454038 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/1/18525842/epic-games-psyonix-acquisition-rocket-league-fortnite-unreal-deal |title=Epic buys Rocket League developer Psyonix, will stop selling the game on Steam |first=Nick |last=Statt |date=May 1, 2019 |website=The Verge |access-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501194904/https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/1/18525842/epic-games-psyonix-acquisition-rocket-league-fortnite-unreal-deal |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |url-status=live}} Besides ongoing support for Rocket League, Psyonix developed an arcade-style car racing game inside of Fortnite, named Rocket Racing, which was added in December 2023.

Epic acquired the Twinmotion visualization tool used in architectural design in May 2019 from Abvent, and which they plan to expand and incorporate into their Unreal Engine offerings.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-14-epic-games-acquires-twinmotion |title=Epic Games acquires Twinmotion |first=Haydn |last=Taylor |date=May 13, 2019 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514140831/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-14-epic-games-acquires-twinmotion |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Corke |first=Greg |date=2019-05-13 |title=Epic Games acquires Twinmotion viz tool for architects, then gives it away |url=https://aecmag.com/news/epic-games-acquires-architect-friendly-viz-tool-then-gives-it-away-free/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=AEC Magazine |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131032024/https://aecmag.com/news/epic-games-acquires-architect-friendly-viz-tool-then-gives-it-away-free/ |url-status=live }} Epic acquired Life on Air, the developers behind Houseparty, a social networking service, in June 2019. The monetary terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/12/18662708/epic-games-houseparty-acquisition-fortnite-video-chat |title=Fortnite maker Epic Games buys video chat app Houseparty |first=Jacob |last=Kastrenakes |date=June 12, 2019 |access-date=March 31, 2020 |work=The Verge |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329053919/https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/12/18662708/epic-games-houseparty-acquisition-fortnite-video-chat |url-status=live }} Epic later shuttered Houseparty's app in October 2021, though the team behind it was continuing to develop social apps for Epic's platforms.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/9/22663531/epic-games-shutting-down-houseparty-october | title = Epic is shutting down Houseparty | first = Jay | last = Peters | date = September 9, 2021 | access-date = September 9, 2021 | work = The Verge | archive-date = September 9, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210909191516/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/9/22663531/epic-games-shutting-down-houseparty-october | url-status = live }}

In November 2019, Epic acquired Quixel, the world's largest photogrammetry asset library which makes 3D models of objects based on real-world high-definition photography. Epic plans to open Quixel's existing library of models to users of Unreal Engine, while the Quixel staff will continue to build out its assets within Epic.{{cite web |url=https://quixel.com/blog/2019/11/12/quixel-joins-forces-with-epic-games |title=Quixel joins forces with Epic Games |date=November 12, 2019 |website=Quixel |access-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112145900/https://quixel.com/blog/2019/11/12/quixel-joins-forces-with-epic-games |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/11/12/epic-games-acquires-quixel-worlds-largest-bank-photogrammetry-data/ |title=Epic Games acquires Quixel for world's largest bank of photogrammetry data |first=Sam |last=White |date=November 12, 2019 |access-date=November 12, 2019 |work=VG247 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112144757/https://www.vg247.com/2019/11/12/epic-games-acquires-quixel-worlds-largest-bank-photogrammetry-data/ |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} The company acquired Cubic Motion, a studio that provides highly detailed digital facial animations for both films and video games, in March 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/epic-games-acquires-facial-animation-tech-studio-cubic-motion |title=Epic Games acquires facial animation tech studio Cubic Motion |first=Alissa |last=McAloon |date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2020 |work=Gamasutra |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314224212/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/359522/Epic_Games_acquires_facial_animation_tech_studio_Cubic_Motion.php |url-status=live }}

Epic acquired SuperAwesome, a firm that has developed services to support children-safe games and services around games, in September 2020, as to incorporate these elements more into Epic's portfolio and to offer to other developers, particularly for games built around Epic's vision of metaverse games.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-games-acquires-superawesome-to-create-a-range-of-kid-safe-services |title=Epic Games acquires SuperAwesome to create a range of 'kid safe' services |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=September 25, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |work=Gamasutra |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927085050/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/370849/Epic_Games_acquires_SuperAwesome_to_create_a_range_of_kid_safe_services_.php |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/30/epics-superawesome-enables-free-parent-app-approvals-for-unreal-developers/ | title = Epic's Superawesome lets Unreal devs set up free parental verification for child gamers | first = Dean | last = Takahashi | date = September 30, 2021 | access-date = September 30, 2021 | work = Venture Beat | archive-date = September 30, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210930132023/https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/30/epics-superawesome-enables-free-parent-app-approvals-for-unreal-developers/ | url-status = live }}

Epic acquired the digital facial animation firm Hyprsense in November 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/71706/epic-has-bought-facial-animation-firm-hyprsense/ |title=Epic has bought facial animation firm Hyprsense |first=Alex |last=Calvin |date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 18, 2020 |work=PC Games Insider |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118101909/https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/71706/epic-has-bought-facial-animation-firm-hyprsense/ |url-status=live }}

In January 2021, Epic acquired RAD Game Tools, a company that makes a variety of middleware solutions for video game development which Epic plans to incorporate into the Unreal Engine. RAD's tools will still remain available outside of Unreal as well.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/epic-acquires-rad-game-tools |title=Epic acquires RAD Game Tools |first=Bryant |last=Francis |date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |work=Gamasutra |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107203724/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/375979/Epic_acquires_RAD_Game_Tools.php |url-status=live }}

In March 2021, Epic announced it was acquiring the Tonic Games Group, which includes developers Mediatonic and Fortitude Games. Mediatonic's Fall Guys, a major success during 2020, would remain available on Steam while Epic would help to bring it to additional platforms.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/2/22309569/epic-games-fall-guys-mediatonic-acquisition-buying-announce-deal | title = Epic Games is buying Fall Guys creator Mediatonic | first = Nick | last = Statt | date = March 2, 2021 | access-date = March 2, 2021 | work = The Verge | archive-date = March 2, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210302180917/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/2/22309569/epic-games-fall-guys-mediatonic-acquisition-buying-announce-deal | url-status = live }} Epic buying Tonic Games Group falls under the company's broader plans of creating its own metaverse.{{Cite web|last=Molina|first=Brett|title='Fall Guys' to join 'Fortnite' family under Epic Games. What that could mean for players|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2021/03/02/fortnite-creator-epic-games-buys-fall-guys-studio/6888445002/|access-date=2021-03-03|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303024237/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2021/03/02/fortnite-creator-epic-games-buys-fall-guys-studio/6888445002/|url-status=live}} Additionally in March, Epic acquired Capturing Reality, the developers of RealityCapture, a photogrammetry suite that can create 3D models from numerous photographs. Epic plans to integrate RealityCapture into the Unreal Engine.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-games-acquires-photogrammetry-software-developer-capturing-reality | title = Epic Games acquires photogrammetry software developer Capturing Reality | first = Chris | last = Kerr | date = March 9, 2021 | access-date = March 9, 2021 | work = Gamasutra | archive-date = March 9, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210309182558/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/378272/Epic_Games_acquires_photogrammetry_software_developer_Capturing_Reality.php | url-status = live }}

Epic Games acquired ArtStation, a professional artists' marketplace, in April 2021. As part of the acquisition, ArtStation members would gain access to Epic's tools and support such as the Unreal Engine, while the ArtStation marketplace will reduce its take on purchases from 30% to 12%.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-04-30-epic-acquires-artstation | title = Epic acquires ArtStation | first = Brendan | last = Sinclair | date = April 30, 2021 | access-date = April 30, 2021 | work = GamesIndustry.biz | archive-date = April 30, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210430172211/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-04-30-epic-acquires-artstation | url-status = live }} In July 2021, Epic acquired Sketchfab, a marketplace for 3D models. As with ArtStation, the acquisition allowed Sketchfab to reduce its pricing structure, lowering its revenue cut on purchases to 12% and making their Sketchfab Plus level of membership free.{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/epic-games-3d-asset-platform-sketchfab-unreal-engine-153014312.html?src=rss | title = Epic Games buys 3D asset platform Sketchfab | first = Kris | last = Holt | date = July 21, 2021 | access-date = July 21, 2021 | work = Engadget | archive-date = July 21, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210721153718/https://www.engadget.com/epic-games-3d-asset-platform-sketchfab-unreal-engine-153014312.html?src=rss | url-status = live }}

In November 2021, Epic Games acquired Harmonix, a music game developer, for undisclosed terms.{{Cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2021/11/23/epic-games-acquires-rock-band-maker-harmonix/ | title = Epic Games acquires Rock Band maker Harmonix | first = Dean | last = Takahashi | date = November 23, 2021 | access-date = November 23, 2021 | work = Venture Beat | archive-date = November 23, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211123174338/https://venturebeat.com/2021/11/23/epic-games-acquires-rock-band-maker-harmonix/ | url-status = live }} Harmonix continued to support their existing games including Rock Band 4 and Fuser while building out Fortnite{{'s}} musical experiences, adding a Fortnite Festival mode that mimics the note-matching gameplay of Rock Band in December 2023,{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/2/23978521/fortnite-the-big-bang-eminem-chapter-5 | title = Fortnite's Eminem concert teased the future of the game | first = Andrew | last = Webster | date = December 2, 2023 | accessdate = December 2, 2023 | work = The Verge | archive-date = December 2, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231202195938/https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/2/23978521/fortnite-the-big-bang-eminem-chapter-5 | url-status = live }} and Epic's larger metaverse plans.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-has-acquired-rock-band-and-dance-central-creator-harmonix/ | title = Epic Games has acquired Rock Band and Dance Central creator Harmonix | first = Tom | last = Ivan | date = November 23, 2021 | access-date = November 23, 2021 | work = Video Games Chronicle | archive-date = November 23, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211123180159/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-has-acquired-rock-band-and-dance-central-creator-harmonix/ | url-status = live }}

Epic acquired the indie music platform Bandcamp in March 2022. Bandcamp was expected to remain independently operated under Epic while gaining the benefits of Epic's backend services.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/2/22958416/epic-games-bandcamp-music-store-acquisition | title = Epic Games is acquiring music platform Bandcamp | first = Adi | last = Robertson | date = March 2, 2022 | access-date = March 2, 2022 | work = The Verge | archive-date = March 2, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220302174808/https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/2/22958416/epic-games-bandcamp-music-store-acquisition | url-status = live }}{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |title=Gaming Giant Behind Fortnite Buys Bandcamp, an Indie Music Haven |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/arts/music/epic-games-bandcamp.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2022-03-02 |access-date=2022-03-02 |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414063326/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/arts/music/epic-games-bandcamp.html |url-status=live }} In April 2023, Epic acquired Brazilian developer Aquiris Game Studio, developer of Horizon Chase, and changed its name to Epic Games Brasil, with the intention to be used in Fortnite.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/04/epic-games-acquires-horizon-chase-studio-aquiris|title=Epic Games acquires Horizon Chase studio AQUIRIS|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=April 19, 2023|access-date=April 19, 2023|archive-date=April 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419132529/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/04/epic-games-acquires-horizon-chase-studio-aquiris|url-status=live}} In September 2023, Epic sold Bandcamp to music licensing company Songtradr.{{Cite magazine |last=Harrington |first=Caitlin |title=Epic Games' Sale of Bandcamp Has Left the Artist-Friendly Music Platform in Limbo |url=https://www.wired.com/story/epic-games-sale-bandcamp-music-platform-limbo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008231930/https://www.wired.com/story/epic-games-sale-bandcamp-music-platform-limbo/ |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=2023-10-08 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}

{{main|List of games by Epic Games}}

Epic Games is known for games such as ZZT developed by founder Tim Sweeney, various shareware titles including Jazz Jackrabbit and Epic Pinball, the Unreal video game series, which is used as a showcase for its Unreal Engine, the Gears of War series which is now owned by The Coalition and Xbox Game Studios, Infinity Blade, Shadow Complex, Bulletstorm, and Fortnite.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

{{Main|Unreal Engine}}

Epic is the proprietor of the Unreal game engine. Originally developed for the Unreal and Unreal Tournament game series, Unreal Engine has a complete feature set of graphical rendering, sound processing, and physics. The engine is licensed to third party game developers who can modify the software to fit their needs.

Epic also provides support to the Unreal marketplace, a digital storefront for creators to sell Unreal assets to other developers. Further, since 2019, Epic has provided support for filmmakers which have utilized the Unreal Engine to create virtual sets for productions such as The Mandalorian,{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/tv/2020/2/20/21146152/the-mandalorian-making-of-video-unreal-engine-projection-screen |title=How Lucasfilm used Unreal Engine to make The Mandalorian |first=Owen |last=Good |date=February 20, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2020 |work=Polygon |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113105740/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2020/2/20/21146152/the-mandalorian-making-of-video-unreal-engine-projection-screen |url-status=live }} and will be backing major animated feature film production using Unreal, starting with Gilgamesh with studios Hook Up, DuermeVela and FilmSharks.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/fortnite-creator-epic-games-animated-movie-gilgamesh-1234676907/ |title='Fortnite' Creator Epic Games Makes Foray Into Movies With Animated Pic 'Gilgamesh' |first=Andreas |last=Wiseman |date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2021 |work=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121194519/https://deadline.com/2021/01/fortnite-creator-epic-games-animated-movie-gilgamesh-1234676907/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|Epic Games Store}}

Epic announced its own Epic Games Store, an open digital storefront for games on Windows, on December 4, 2018, which launched a few days later with The Game Awards 2018 presentation. Differing from Valve's Steam storefront, which takes 30% of revenues (30/70 revenue-sharing agreement) from the sale of a game, the Epic Game Store will take 12%, as well as foregoing the 5% for games developed in the Unreal Engine, anticipating that these lower revenue-sharing agreements will draw developers to it.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/12/04/fortnite-dev-launches-epic-games-store-that-takes-just-12-of-revenue/ |title=Fortnite dev launches Epic Games Store that takes just 12% of revenue |first=Jeff |last=Grubb |date=December 4, 2018 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204154615/https://venturebeat.com/2018/12/04/fortnite-dev-launches-epic-games-store-that-takes-just-12-of-revenue/ |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-games-launching-steam-competitor-with-88-revenue-share-for-devs |title=Epic Games launching Steam competitor with 88% revenue share for devs |first=Chris |last=Kerr |date=December 4, 2018 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205004209/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/332124/Epic_Games_launching_Steam_competitor_with_88_revenue_share_for_devs.php |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |url-status=live}} Epic opened a version of the store for Android devices worldwide and for iOS devices in Europe in January 2025 as a result of legal victories, one based on its suit against Google, and the second from the European Union's enforcement of remedies towards Apple under the Digital Markets Act.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/epic-plans-to-launch-second-free-games-program-this-time-for-mobile-devices/1100-6526869/ | title = Epic Plans To Launch Second Free Games Program, This Time For Mobile Devices | first = Darryn | last = Bonthuys | date = October 2, 2024 | accessdate = October 2, 2024 | work = GameSpot }}{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/news/513088/epic-games-store-20-third-party-games-apple-app-store-core-technology-fee | title = Epic Games Store will add monthly free games, 20 third-party titles to mobile app | first= Zoe | last = Hannah | date = January 23, 2025 | accessdate = January 24, 2025 | work = Polygon }}

Epic Online Services is a free SDK based on Epic's Fortnite code that allows developers to implement cross-platform play features in their games, including matchmaking, friends lists, leaderboards, and achievements, with support for Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android systems. It was first released for all in May 2020. Support for anti-cheat and voice chat was added in June 2021.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-online-services-expanded-with-free-anti-cheat-and-voice-chat-tools | title = Epic Online Services expanded with free anti-cheat and voice chat tools | first = Chris | last = Kerr | date = June 22, 2021 | access-date = June 22, 2021 | work = Gamasutra | archive-date = June 22, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210622141437/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/383914/Epic_Online_Services_expanded_with_free_anticheat_and_voice_chat_tools.php | url-status = live }}

Other productivity products include ArtStation, Sketchfab, Twinmotion, RealityCapture, RealityScan and Quixel. Epic and Autodesk partnered in September 2022, making Twinmotion available to Revit subscribers.{{Cite web |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=2022-09-29 |title=Autodesk and Epic Games are joining forces to bring immersion to architecture tools |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/29/23378913/epic-games-autodesk-unreal-engine-partnership-twinmotion-free-design-tool |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131032023/https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/29/23378913/epic-games-autodesk-unreal-engine-partnership-twinmotion-free-design-tool |url-status=live }}

The MetaHuman Creator is a project based on technology from three companies acquired by Epic—3Lateral, Cubic Motion, and Quixel—to allow developers to quickly create realistic human characters that can then be exported for use within Unreal.{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=February 10, 2021 |title=Epic Games' new MetaHuman Creator will let devs everywhere build high fidelity humans |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/epic-games-new-metahuman-creator-will-let-devs-build-hi-fi-humans |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222235117/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/epic-games-new-metahuman-creator-will-let-devs-build-hi-fi-humans |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |work=Game Developer}} Through partnership with Cesium, Epic plans to offer a free plugin to provide 3D geospatial data for Unreal users, allowing them to recreate any part of the mapped surface of Earth.{{cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=March 30, 2021 |title=Epic Games teams up with Cesium to bring 3D geospatial data to Unreal |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/30/epic-games-teams-up-with-cesium-to-bring-3d-geospatial-data-to-unreal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330150043/https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/30/epic-games-teams-up-with-cesium-to-bring-3d-geospatial-data-to-unreal/ |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |access-date=March 30, 2021 |work=Venture Beat}} Epic will include RealityCapture, a product it acquired with its acquisition of Capturing Reality that can generate 3D models of any object from a collection of photographs taken of it from multiple angles,{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=March 9, 2021 |title=Epic Games acquires photogrammetry software developer Capturing Reality |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-games-acquires-photogrammetry-software-developer-capturing-reality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222235123/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/epic-games-acquires-photogrammetry-software-developer-capturing-reality |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |work=Game Developer}} and the various middleware tools offered by Epic Game Tools.

{{See also|Fortnite Battle Royale#Past and ongoing concerns}}

{{anchor|Silicon Knights litigation}}

On July 19, 2007, Canadian game studio Silicon Knights sued Epic Games for failure to "provide a working game engine", causing the Ontario-based game developer to "experience considerable losses".{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/280491/silicon-knights-epic-sabotaged-us |title=Silicon Knights: Epic Sabotaged Us |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=July 19, 2007 |website=Kotaku |access-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916170528/http://kotaku.com/280491/silicon-knights-epic-sabotaged-us |archive-date=September 16, 2009 }} The suit alleged that Epic Games was "sabotaging" Unreal Engine 3 licensees. Epic's licensing document stated that a working version of the engine would be available within six months of the Xbox 360 developer kits being released. Silicon Knights claimed that Epic missed this deadline and that when a working version of the engine was eventually released, the documentation was insufficient. The game studio also claimed Epic had withheld vital improvements to the game engine, claiming they were game-specific, while also using licensing fees to fund the development of its own titles rather than the engine itself.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/breaking-silicon-knights-files-lawsuit-against-epic |title=Breaking: Silicon Knights Files Lawsuit Against Epic |last=Carless |first=Simon |date=July 19, 2007 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=August 24, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924053524/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/105711/Breaking_Silicon_Knights_Files_Lawsuit_Against_Epic.php |archive-date=September 24, 2016 }}

In August 2007, Epic Games counter-sued Silicon Knights, alleging the studio was aware when it signed on that certain features of Unreal Engine 3 were still in development and that components would continue to be developed and added as Epic completed work on Gears of War. Therefore, in a statement, Epic said that "SK knew when it committed to the licensing agreement that Unreal Engine 3 may not meet its requirements and may not be modified to meet them".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/mark-rein-epic-games-did-nothing-wrong-silicon-knights-is-stealing/70780/ |title=Mark Rein: Epic Games Did Nothing Wrong; Silicon Knights is Stealing |last=Brightman |first=James |date=August 9, 2007 |website=GameDaily |access-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122011316/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/mark-rein-epic-games-did-nothing-wrong-silicon-knights-is-stealing/70780/ |archive-date=November 22, 2007 }} Additionally, the counter-suit claimed that Silicon Knights had "made unauthorized use of Epic's Licensed Technology" and had "infringed and otherwise violated Epic's intellectual property rights, including Epic's copyrighted works, trade secrets, know how and confidential information" by incorporating Unreal Engine 3 code into its own engine, the Silicon Knights Engine. Furthermore, Epic asserted the Canadian developer broke the contract when it employed this derivative work in an internal title and a second game with Sega,{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/epic-games-countersues-silicon-knights/1100-6176435/ |title=Epic Games countersues Silicon Knights |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=August 9, 2007 |website=GameSpot |access-date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928180703/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/epic-games-countersues-silicon-knights/1100-6176435/ |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |url-status=live}} a partnership for which it never received a license fee.{{cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7750&Itemid=2 |title=Epic's Motion to Dismiss UE3 Case Denied |last=Graft |first=Kris |date=October 31, 2007 |website=Next Generation |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103033242/http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7750&Itemid=2 |archive-date=November 3, 2007 }}

On May 30, 2012, Epic Games defeated Silicon Knights' lawsuit and won its counter-suit for $4.45 million on grounds of copyright infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of contract,{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/epic-says-epic-has-won-lawsuit-battle-with-silicon-knig-5914326 |title=Epic Says Epic Has Won Lawsuit Battle With Silicon Knights [UPDATE: Epic Awarded $4.45 Million] |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=May 30, 2012 |website=Kotaku |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824092208/http://kotaku.com/5914326/epic-says-epic-wins-lawsuit-battle-with-silicon-knights |archive-date=August 24, 2016 |url-status=live}} an injury award that was later doubled due to prejudgment interest, attorneys' fees and costs. Consistent with Epic's counterclaims, the presiding judge, James C. Dever III, stated that Silicon Knights had "deliberately and repeatedly copied thousands of lines of Epic Games' copyrighted code, and then attempted to conceal its wrongdoing by removing Epic Games' copyright notices and by disguising Epic Games' copyrighted code as Silicon Knights' own".{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2012/11/09/epic-judgment-doubled-silicon-knights-ordered-to-pay-over-9-million/ |title=Epic judgment doubled, Silicon Knights ordered to pay over $9 million |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=November 9, 2012 |website=VG247 |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808040934/http://www.vg247.com/2012/11/09/epic-judgment-doubled-silicon-knights-ordered-to-pay-over-9-million/ |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |url-status=live}} Dever stated that evidence against Silicon Knights was "overwhelming", as it not only copied functional code but also "non-functional, internal comments Epic Games' programmers had left for themselves".

As a result, on November 7, 2012, Silicon Knights was directed by the court to destroy all game code derived from Unreal Engine 3, all information from licensee-restricted areas of Epic's Unreal Engine documentation website, and to permit Epic Games access to the company's servers and other devices to ensure these items have been removed. In addition, the studio was instructed to recall and destroy all unsold retail copies of games built with Unreal Engine 3 code, including Too Human, X-Men Destiny, The Sandman, The Box/Ritualyst, and Siren in the Maelstrom (the latter three titles were projects never released, or even officially announced).{{cite web |url=https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/north-carolina/ncedce/5:2007cv00275/89570/862 |title=Silicon Knights, Inc. v. Epic Games, Inc. |last=Sawyer |first=D. |date=November 7, 2012 |website=Justia |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904072807/https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/north-carolina/ncedce/5%3A2007cv00275/89570/862 |archive-date=September 4, 2016 |url-status=live}}

On May 16, 2014, Silicon Knights filed for bankruptcy and a Certificate of Appointment was issued by the office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, with Collins Barrow Toronto Limited being appointed as trustee in bankruptcy.{{cite web |url=http://www.collinsbarrow.com/en/toronto-ontario/silicon-knights-inc |title=Silicon Knights Inc. |date=May 16, 2014 |website=Collins Barrow |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410143740/http://www.collinsbarrow.com/en/toronto-ontario/silicon-knights-inc |archive-date=April 10, 2016 }}

{{main|Epic Games v. Apple|Epic Games v. Google}}

Since as early as 2017, Tim Sweeney had questioned the need for digital storefronts like Valve's Steam, Apple's iOS App Store, and Google Play, to take a 30% revenue sharing cut, and argued that when accounting for current rates of content distribution and other factors needed, a revenue cut of 8% should be sufficient to run any digital storefront profitably.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam-revenue-cut-tim-sweeney |title=Steam could be profitable with an 8% cut rather than 30%, says Tim Sweeney |first=Richard-Scott |last=Jones |date=August 23, 2017 |access-date=December 14, 2018 |work=PCGamesN |archive-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120080728/https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam-revenue-cut-tim-sweeney |url-status=live }} When Epic brought Fortnite Battle Royale to mobile devices, the company initially offered a sideloaded package for Android systems to bypass the Google Play store, but eventually also made it a store app.{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/3/17645982/epic-games-fortnite-android-version-bypass-google-play-store |title=Fortnite for Android will ditch Google Play Store for Epic's website |first=Nick |last=Statt |date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803150818/https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/3/17645982/epic-games-fortnite-android-version-bypass-google-play-store |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/21/21229943/epic-games-fortnite-google-play-store-available-third-party-software |title=Epic gives in to Google and releases Fortnite on the Play Store |first=Nick |last=Statt |date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=April 21, 2020 |work=The Verge |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421200936/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/21/21229943/epic-games-fortnite-google-play-store-available-third-party-software |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/18/17368348/fortnite-android-mobile-release-date-new-features-voice-chat |title=Fortnite is coming to Android this summer |first=Nick |last=Statt |date=May 18, 2018 |access-date=May 18, 2018 |website=The Verge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519032326/https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/18/17368348/fortnite-android-mobile-release-date-new-features-voice-chat |archive-date=May 19, 2018}}

On August 13, 2020, Epic Games updated Fortnite across all platforms, including the iOS and Android versions, to reduce the price of "V-Bucks" (the in-game currency) by 20% if they purchased directly from Epic. For iOS and Android users, if they purchased through the Apple or Google storefront, they were not given this discount, as Epic said they could not extend the discount due to the 30% revenue cut taken by Apple and Google.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/08/epic-gives-fortnite-players-discounts-for-skirting-apple-google-fees/ |title=Fortnite launches new payment system to cut Apple, Google out |first=Kate |last=Cox |date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |work=Ars Technica |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121194548/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/08/epic-gives-fortnite-players-discounts-for-skirting-apple-google-fees/ |url-status=live }} Within hours, both Apple and Google had removed Fortnite from their storefronts stating the means of bypassing their payment systems violated both storefronts guidelines.{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21366438/apple-fortnite-ios-app-store-violations-epic-payments |title=Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store |first=Nick |last=Statt |date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |work=The Verge |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813191440/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21366438/apple-fortnite-ios-app-store-violations-epic-payments |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21368079/fortnite-epic-android-banned-google-play-app-store-rule-violation |title=Fortnite for Android has also been kicked off the Google Play Store |first=Dieter |last=Bohn |date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |work=The Verge |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813234029/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21368079/fortnite-epic-android-banned-google-play-app-store-rule-violation |url-status=live }} Epic immediately filed separate lawsuits against Apple and Google for antitrust and anticompetitive behavior in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/technology/apple-fortnite-ban.html |title=Fortnite Creator Sues Apple and Google After Ban From App Stores |first1=Jack |last1=Nicas |first2=Kellen |last2=Browning |first3=Erin |last3=Griffith |date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813200127/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/technology/apple-fortnite-ban.html |url-status=live }} Epic did not seek monetary damages in either case but instead was "seeking injunctive relief to allow fair competition in these two key markets that directly affect hundreds of millions of consumers and tens of thousands, if not more, of third-party app developers."{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21367963/epic-fortnite-legal-complaint-apple-ios-app-store-removal-injunctive-relief |title=Epic Games is suing Apple |first=Nick |last=Statt |date=August 14, 2020 |access-date=August 14, 2020 |work=The Verge |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813212759/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21367963/epic-fortnite-legal-complaint-apple-ios-app-store-removal-injunctive-relief |url-status=live }} In comments on social media the next day, Sweeney said that they undertook the actions as "we're fighting for the freedom of people who bought smartphones to install apps from sources of their choosing, the freedom for creators of apps to distribute them as they choose, and the freedom of both groups to do business directly. The primary opposing argument is: 'Smartphone markers [sic] can do whatever they want.' This is an awful notion. We all have rights, and we need to fight to defend our rights against whoever would deny them."{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/14/21369622/epic-ceo-tim-sweeney-apple-fortnite-lawsuit-ban-basic-freedoms-developers |title=Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says Apple fight is about 'basic freedoms of all consumers and developers' |first=Nick |last=Statt |date=August 14, 2020 |access-date=August 14, 2020 |work=The Verge |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815071609/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/14/21369622/epic-ceo-tim-sweeney-apple-fortnite-lawsuit-ban-basic-freedoms-developers |url-status=live }}

Apple responded to the lawsuit that it would terminate Epic's developer accounts by August 28, 2020, leading Epic to file a motion for a preliminary injunction to force Apple to return Fortnite to the App Store and prevent them from terminating Epic's developer accounts, as the latter action would leave Epic unable to update the Unreal Engine for any changes to iOS or macOS and leave developers that relied on Unreal at risk.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-08-17-apple-terminating-epic-developer-accounts-tools-access |title=Apple terminating Epic developer accounts, tools access |first=Rebekah |last=Valentine |date=August 17, 2020 |access-date=August 17, 2020 |work=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818171017/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-08-17-apple-terminating-epic-developer-accounts-tools-access |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/17/21372502/fortnite-apple-pulling-epic-games-ios-mac-dev-tools |title=Apple threatens to cut off Epic Games from iOS, Mac dev tools |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=August 17, 2020 |access-date=August 17, 2020 |work=Polygon |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818165217/https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/17/21372502/fortnite-apple-pulling-epic-games-ios-mac-dev-tools |url-status=live }} The court granted the preliminary injunction against Apple from terminating the developer accounts as Epic had shown "potential significant damage to both the Unreal Engine platform itself, and to the gaming industry generally", but refused to grant the injunction related to Fortnite as "The current predicament appears of [Epic's] own making."{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/25/21400240/epic-apple-ruling-unreal-engine-fortnite-temporary-restraining-order |title=Epic judge will protect Unreal Engine — but not Fortnite |first1=Russell |last1=Brandom |first2=Sean |last2=Hollister |first3=Jay |last3=Peters |date=August 24, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2020 |work=The Verge |archive-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825051029/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/25/21400240/epic-apple-ruling-unreal-engine-fortnite-temporary-restraining-order |url-status=live }} In September 2020, Epic Games, together with thirteen other companies, launched the Coalition for App Fairness, which aimed for better conditions for the inclusion of apps into app stores.{{Cite web |last=Amadeo |first=Ron |date=2020-09-24 |title=Epic, Spotify, and others take on Apple with "Coalition for App Fairness" |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/epic-spotify-and-others-take-on-apple-with-coalition-for-app-fairness/ |access-date=2020-09-26 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924195429/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/epic-spotify-and-others-take-on-apple-with-coalition-for-app-fairness/ |url-status=live }}

U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued her first ruling on Epic Games v. Apple on September 10, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2021-09-10 |title=Epic Games wins injunction favoring alternative payments in antitrust lawsuit against Apple |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/epic-games-wins-injunction-favoring-alternative-payments-in-antitrust-lawsuit-against-apple/ |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215225130/https://venturebeat.com/games/epic-games-wins-injunction-favoring-alternative-payments-in-antitrust-lawsuit-against-apple/ |url-status=live }} Rogers found in favor of Apple on nine of ten counts brought up against them in the case, including Epic's charges related to Apple's 30% revenue cut and Apple's prohibition against third-party marketplaces on the iOS environment.{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/technology/epic-apple-app-developers.html | title = Judge Orders Apple to Ease Restrictions on App Developers | first1 = Jack | last1 = Nicas | first2 = Kellen | last2 = Browning | date = September 10, 2021 | access-date = September 10, 2021 | work = The New York Times | archive-date = September 12, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210912002720/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/technology/epic-apple-app-developers.html | url-status = live }} Rogers did rule against Apple on the final charge related to anti-steering provisions, and issued a permanent injunction that, in 90 days from the ruling, blocked Apple from preventing developers from linking app users to other storefronts from within apps to complete purchases or from collecting information within an app, such as an email, to notify users of these storefronts.{{cite web | url = https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/10/epic-games-v-apple-judge-reaches-decision-.html | title = Apple can no longer force developers to use in-app purchasing, judge rules in Epic Games case | first = Kif | last = Leswing | date = September 10, 2021 | access-date = September 10, 2021 | work = CNBC | archive-date = September 12, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210912001238/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/10/epic-games-v-apple-judge-reaches-decision-.html | url-status = live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/12/22667694/epic-v-apple-trial-fortnite-judge-yvonne-gonzalez-rogers-final-ruling-injunction-breakdown |title=A comprehensive breakdown of the Epic v. Apple ruling |date=September 12, 2021 |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912150835/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/12/22667694/epic-v-apple-trial-fortnite-judge-yvonne-gonzalez-rogers-final-ruling-injunction-breakdown |url-status=live }} Rogers' ruling was upheld at the Ninth Circuit on appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear the case, leaving Rogers' order against Apple in place.{{cite web | url = https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-supreme-court-snubs-epic-games-legal-battle-with-apple-2024-01-16/ | title = U.S. Supreme Court snubs Epic Games legal battle with Apple | first = Andrew | last = Chung | website = Reuters | date = Jan 16, 2024 | accessdate = January 16, 2024 | archive-date = January 21, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240121000044/https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-supreme-court-snubs-epic-games-legal-battle-with-apple-2024-01-16/ | url-status = live }} Though Apple did adjust its policies for third-party storefront, Epic argued these failed to achieve the goals set further. In April 2025, Rogers ruled in Epic's favor that Apple's changes were not sufficient. Rogers blocked Apple from taking fees from third-party stores or restrict how they are shown in apps, subsequently leading Epic to bring the Epic Games Store back to iOS within a week.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control | title = A judge just blew up Apple's control of the App Store | first = Jay | last = Peters | date = April 30, 2025 | accessdate = April 30, 2025 | work = The Verge }}{{cite news | url = https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/30/court-finds-apple-executive-lied-under-oath.html | title = Court finds Apple, executive lied under oath in Epic Games trial | first= Kif | last = Leswing | date = April 30, 2025 | accessdate = April 30, 2025 | work = CNBC }}

Google initially sought to negotiate with Epic but later filed their own countersuit against Epic for breach of contract. The Google case was set as a jury trial, held in November and December 2023. Prior to this, other groups had filed their own lawsuits against Google for similar reasons as Epic, including a coalition of states and the Match Group, but these were settled just ahead of the trial.{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/technology/google-app-payment-antitrust-settlement.html | title = Google Allows More App Payment Options in Antitrust Deal With States | first1 = Nico | last1 = Grant | first2 = David | last2 = McCabe | date = December 18, 2023 | accessdate = January 21, 2024 | work = The New York Times | archive-date = February 1, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240201014733/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/technology/google-app-payment-antitrust-settlement.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/01/tech/tinder-match-group-google-lawsuit/index.html | title = Tinder owner Match Group settles antitrust claims against Google's app store | first = Brian | last = Fung | date = November 1, 2023 | accessdate = January 21, 2024 | work = CNN | archive-date = December 8, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231208095645/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/01/tech/tinder-match-group-google-lawsuit/index.html | url-status = live }} The jury found for Epic on all claims made, determining that Google maintained a monopoly on the Android marketplace by how it managed the Play Store and used its leverage as a big tech firm to make deal with partners, including some deals made as a result of the earlier settlements. A second phase of this trial to determine remedies is scheduled to occur in January 2024.{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/technology/epic-games-google-antitrust-ruling.html | title = Google Loses Antitrust Court Battle With Makers of Fortnite Video Game | first = Nico | last = Grant | date = December 11, 2023 | accessdate = January 20, 2024 | work = The New York Times | archive-date = January 20, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120210747/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/technology/epic-games-google-antitrust-ruling.html | url-status = live }}

In December 2022, Epic Games was fined a combined $520 million after the Federal Trade Commission accused the company of separate accounts related to Fortnite, one for violating COPPA related to children's privacy by collecting personal data without parent or guardian consent, exposing children and teens to potential harassment, and a second related to misleading users into making unwanted purchases while playing the game.{{Cite web |last=Wile |first=Rob |date=2022-12-19 |title='Fortnite' maker Epic Games fined $520M after accusations it exposed young players to potential harm |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/fortnite-maker-epic-games-fined-520-million-accusations-exposed-child-rcna62369 |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219211645/https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/fortnite-maker-epic-games-fined-520-million-accusations-exposed-child-rcna62369 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Fung |first=Brian |date=2022-12-19 |title='Fortnite' maker Epic Games to pay $520 million in record-breaking FTC settlement {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/19/tech/fortnite-epic-ftc-settlement/index.html |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219211641/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/19/tech/fortnite-epic-ftc-settlement/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Needleman |first1=Sarah E. |last2=Tilley |first2=Aaron |last3=Kendall |first3=Brent |date=2022-12-19 |title=Epic Games, Maker of 'Fortnite,' to Pay $520 Million to Resolve FTC Allegations |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/epic-games-maker-of-fortnite-to-pay-520-million-to-resolve-ftc-allegations-11671456744 |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=WSJ |language=en-US |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219211645/https://www.wsj.com/articles/epic-games-maker-of-fortnite-to-pay-520-million-to-resolve-ftc-allegations-11671456744 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Goswami |first=Rohan |title=Fortnite maker Epic Games to pay $520 million in fines in FTC settlement |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/epic-games-to-pay-520-million-in-fines-to-ftc.html |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=CNBC |date=December 19, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219211645/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/epic-games-to-pay-520-million-in-fines-to-ftc.html |url-status=live }} Epic Games said "No developer creates a game with the intention of ending up here. The laws have not changed, but their application has evolved and long-standing industry practices are no longer enough. We accepted this agreement because we want Epic to be at the forefront of consumer protection and provide the best experience for our players. Over the past few years, we've been making changes to ensure our ecosystem meets the expectations of our players and regulators, which we hope will be a helpful guide for others in our industry."{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/fortnite/response-epic-games-settlement | title = Epic Games warns developers to "rethink" after Fortnite settlement | first = Ed | last = Smith | date = December 19, 2022 | access-date = December 19, 2022 | work = PCGamesN | archive-date = December 19, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221219162631/https://www.pcgamesn.com/fortnite/response-epic-games-settlement | url-status = live }} Epic ultimately settled with the FTC, agreeing to pay $245 million in December 2024 in relation to the use of dark patterns it used to drive users to buy V-bucks, with $72 million being issued as refunds by the FTC to more than 600,000 users that had filed claims in the case.{{cite news | url =https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epic-games-fortnite-ftc-refund/ | title = Fortnite and other Epic Games customers are about to get a $72 million refund. Here's why. |first = Megan | last = Cerullo |date = December 9, 2024 | accessdate = December 9, 2024 | work = CBS News }}

Since the partial investment by the Chinese company Tencent, some consumers have become wary of Epic Games' reliability and use of their data, particularly in relationship with the Epic Games Store. These concerns have been connected to broader issues of general distrust of the Chinese government and Chinese corporations among some Western video game players. Epic has stated that Tencent does not have access to any of this private data nor provides this to the Chinese government.{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-epic-games-store-is-spyware-how-a-toxic-accusation-was-started-by-anti-chinese-sentiment |title="The Epic Games Store is Spyware:" How a Toxic Accusation Was Started by Anti-Chinese Sentiment |first=Matt |last=Kim |date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=April 4, 2019 |work=USGamer |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405123344/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-epic-games-store-is-spyware-how-a-toxic-accusation-was-started-by-anti-chinese-sentiment |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/4/5/18295833/epic-games-store-controversy-explained |title=The fury over the Epic Games Store, explained |first=Charlie |last=Hall |date=April 5, 2019 |access-date=April 5, 2019 |work=Polygon |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405214433/https://www.polygon.com/2019/4/5/18295833/epic-games-store-controversy-explained |url-status=live }}

In late March 2020, accusations began circulating on social media that the Epic Games social networking app Houseparty led to other services such as Netflix and Spotify being hacked. However, both Epic and Life on Air claimed this was a smear campaign against its product and offered a {{USD|1 million|long=no}} bounty for anyone able to substantiate their claim.{{cite news |title=Houseparty offers $1m reward for proof of sabotage |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52101421 |access-date=March 31, 2020 |work=BBC News |date=March 31, 2020 |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331064223/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52101421 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Winder |first1=Davey |title=Has Houseparty Been Sabotaged? $1 Million Reward Offered As Hacking Claims Go Viral |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/03/31/has-houseparty-been-sabotaged-1-million-reward-offered-after-hacking-claims-go-viral/ |website=Forbes |access-date=March 31, 2020 |language=en |date=March 31, 2020 |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331073929/https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/03/31/has-houseparty-been-sabotaged-1-million-reward-offered-after-hacking-claims-go-viral/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Griffin |first1=Andrew |title=Lots of people are saying you should delete Houseparty right now. But should you? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/houseparty-app-hack-delete-login-password-messages-a9437206.html |access-date=March 31, 2020 |work=The Independent |date=March 31, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402140248/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/houseparty-app-hack-delete-login-password-messages-a9437206.html |url-status=live }}

On August 13, 2020, Epic released a version of Fortnite that included a permanent discount on V-bucks across all platforms (except iOS and Android devices) if they purchased directly through Epic, bypassing Apple and Google's storefronts. Both Apple and Google immediately delisted the game for violating the storefronts' terms of service by including their own storefront, which led Epic to file lawsuits against both companies the same day, accusing them of antitrust behavior in how they operate their app stores. While Apple was ultimately victorious in a bench trial in September 2021 and upheld through appeals, Google's actions were found to be monopolistic by a jury trial in December 2023.

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

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• {{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-epic-tradition/ |title=The Epic tradition |last=Porter |first=Will |date=October 26, 2007 |website=GamesRadar}}
• {{cite web |url=http://v1.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/issues/issue_149/4896-Epic-s-Rainmakers |title=Epic's Rainmakers |last=Blancato |first=Joe |date=May 13, 2008 |website=The Escapist |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603061329/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/issues/issue_149/4896-Epic-s-Rainmakers }}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/from-the-past-to-the-future-tim-sweeney-talks |title=From The Past To The Future: Tim Sweeney Talks |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=May 25, 2009 |website=Gamasutra}}
• {{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-quiet-tinkerer-who-makes-games-beautiful-finally-ge-5865951 |title=The Quiet Tinkerer Who Makes Games Beautiful Finally Gets His Due |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=December 7, 2011 |website=Kotaku}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/1/3438196/better-with-age-a-history-of-epic-games |title=Better with age: A history of Epic Games |last=Plante |first=Chris |date=April 2, 2012 |website=Polygon}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development-legends-an-unreal-tale/ |title=Development Legends: An Unreal tale |last=Freeman |first=Will |date=August 12, 2013 |website=MCV}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/a/epic-4-0 |title=Their future is Epic: The evolution of a gaming giant |author-link=Brian Crecente |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=May 1, 2016 |website=Polygon}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/12/epic-games-company-behind-fortnite-was-founded-by-a-college-kid.html |title='Fortnite' launched battle royale a year ago today – here's how the company behind the billion-dollar game was founded by a college kid |last=Huddleston |first=Tom Jr. |date=August 9, 2018 |website=CNBC}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/25/technology/fortnite-creator-tim-sweeney-apple-google.html |title=To Fight Apple and Google's Grip, Fortnite Creator Mounts a Crusade | last=Griffith |first=Erin |date=August 25, 2020 |website=The New York Times}}

{{Commons category|Epic Games}}

• {{Official website|https://www.epicgames.com/}}

{{Epic}}

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Category:1991 establishments in Maryland

Category:American companies established in 1991

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Category:Golden Joystick Award winners

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Category:Video game companies based in North Carolina

Category:Video game companies established in 1991

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Category:Video game publishers