Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has once again taken aim at Apple and Google, accusing them of anti-competitive and monopolistic practices. Speaking at a Y Combinator event on April 2, 2025, Sweeney described the two tech giants as “gangster-style businesses” that exploit their dominance while disregarding legal rulings.
Sweeney’s criticism stems from Epic’s ongoing legal battles with Apple and Google over their restrictive app store policies. While Epic Games won its lawsuit against Google, it lost against Apple—though the ruling did force Apple to allow developers to link to alternative payment methods. However, Epic continues to fight Apple over what it sees as a superficial compliance with the ruling.
Sweeney Blasts Apple and Google for ‘Malicious Compliance’
During his speech, Sweeney accused Apple and Google of deliberately discouraging users from downloading the Epic Games Store by displaying warnings that make it seem unsafe.
“When users on Android try to install the Epic Games Store, Google shows a ‘scare screen’ warning them that the software is from an unknown source and could harm their device,” Sweeney explained. “This leads to 50-60% of users abandoning the installation process.”
A similar issue exists on iOS, where Apple now allows third-party app stores in Europe due to new regulations, but displays warnings that also cause a 50-60% drop-off rate.
Apple’s ‘Core Technology Fee’ Hurts Developers
Sweeney also criticized Apple’s pricing model for third-party app stores, calling it a deterrent for developers. Apple imposes a “core technology fee” of 50 cents per install per year for any app exceeding 1 million downloads.
“Unless your app is hugely profitable per user, free-to-play games can’t afford it,” said Sweeney. “Apple would bankrupt them if they tried.”
This has resulted in major game developers avoiding Epic’s app store on iOS, though some back-catalog titles have made it onto the platform.
Future Plans for Epic Games Store on Mobile
Despite these setbacks, Epic Games Store for iOS and Android will open to developer submissions later this year. Sweeney is hopeful that this will expand its catalog and allow Epic to compete more effectively with Apple’s and Google’s app stores.
Sweeney wrapped up his speech by calling for stronger enforcement against Apple and Google, arguing that big tech continues to profit from anti-competitive practices because fines are often cheaper than lost revenue from illegal activities.
“Crime pays for big tech companies,” he said. “Until enforcement becomes much stronger, we shouldn’t expect things to change.”
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