Acquired · Epic Games · Overview
Epic Games
Game engine as platform, platform as content engine.
Major events · 1991–2018
- 1991Founding
Epic begins as Potomac Computer Systems
Tim Sweeney sells software directly into the growing PC market.
Acquired: Epic Games (September 2020)
- 1998Product
Unreal and Unreal Engine launch
The game ships alongside a licensable engine, creating a steadier platform business beneath game releases.
Acquired: Epic Games (September 2020)
- 2012Financing
Tencent funds the platform pivot
Epic sells a 40% stake and redirects the company toward games-as-a-service infrastructure.
Acquired: Epic Games (September 2020)
- 2017Product
Fortnite Battle Royale breaks out
A long-running internal project becomes a global, cross-platform social and entertainment network.
Acquired: Epic Games (September 2020)
- 2018Strategic shift
Epic Games Store launches
Epic uses Fortnite distribution and a 12% take rate to challenge the incumbent PC storefront model.
Acquired: Epic Games (September 2020)
Origin
Use direct software distribution to build games, then turn the hard-won internal technology into a platform for every developer.
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.
Key facts
Tencent investment
$330M
Fortnite registrations
350M
Epic Games Store take
12%
Episodes · 1 covering this company