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Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has directed strong criticism at Apple and Google.

He likens their business practices to those of “gangster-style enterprises.”

Sweeney stated: “The unfortunate reality is that Apple and Google no longer operate as good-faith, law-abiding organizations.”

In a recent discussion at a Y Combinator event, Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, voiced his discontent regarding Apple and Google, branding them as “gangster-style businesses” involved in unlawful activities. Sweeney, who heads the development of popular titles such as Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, elaborated on how the actions of these tech giants complicate users’ ability to download and run Epic’s software.

According to a report by TechCrunch, Sweeney expressed, “The unfortunate reality is that Apple and Google are no longer good-faith, law-abiding organizations. They operate, in many respects, like gangster-style businesses that will engage in any activity they believe they can evade consequences for. If they calculate that the cost of a fine is lower than the revenue they can acquire through an illegal operation, they proceed with the illegal practice, fully prepared to shoulder the penalty.”

In addition to his criticism of these companies, Sweeney pointed out a specific issue on Android devices, where users are greeted with a warning message when trying to install the Epic Games Store. This alarming notification discourages approximately 50-60 percent of users from completing the installation. A similar problem exists on iOS devices, with substantial drop-off rates also reported. In regions like Europe, where regulatory changes allow the Epic Games Store, Apple still chooses to display warnings to users who attempt to install it, resulting in a comparable 50-60 percent abandonment rate, Sweeney noted.

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Sweeney has described the practice of using these warning screens as a form of “textbook self-preferencing.” He remarked, “In the realm of big tech, wrongdoing pays off. Clearly, we cannot anticipate any change in this behavior until regulatory enforcement is significantly more robust.”

Furthermore, he criticized Apple for enforcing a “core technology fee” of 50 cents for each app installation for applications that generate more than 1 million downloads annually. Such fees, according to Sweeney, further exemplify the monopolistic tendencies of these tech companies.

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In addition, Sweeney urged for heightened scrutiny from authorities on these ongoing practices, conveying that the existing oversight mechanisms are insufficient to curb the anti-competitive behaviors exhibited by companies like Apple and Google. This sentiment underscores the broader concerns about monopolistic practices in the tech industry and the implications for users and developers alike.

In conclusion, Tim Sweeney’s vocal criticism reflects a growing unrest in the tech space regarding the operations of major players like Apple and Google. Through his pointed remarks, he has galvanised not only the game development community but also opened the floor for discussions about fair competition, transparency, and the need for regulatory reform in the tech sphere.

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