Epic Games

Game engine as platform, platform as content engine.

Historical and episode-reported figures

Tencent investment: $330M; As of 2012; Acquired: Epic Games (September 2020)Source
Fortnite registrations: 350M; As of 2020-09; Acquired: Epic Games (September 2020)Source
Epic Games Store take: 12%; As of 2020-09; Acquired: Epic Games (September 2020)Source

Overview

Business model and origins

Use direct software distribution to build games, then turn the hard-won internal technology into a platform for every developer.

1 episode2020-09 case file as of

Origin

Sweeney began by selling PC software through shareware. Epic's durable engine business grew beneath a volatile hits business, eventually becoming the strategic center of the company and the foundation for Fortnite, online services, and the Epic Games Store.