How to fight Apple and (maybe) win, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney
06 May 2025

How to fight Apple and (maybe) win, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney

Channels with Peter Kafka

About
Today's podcast is an in-depth discussion of Apple's App Store rules and how they... wait! Don't leave!



I could try to tell you why Apple's App Store rules are important to both Apple and the digital economy (sadly, I just realized I've been covering them for nearly 15 years, so they better be important). But a better messenger for that task is Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games - the company behind Fortnite.



Sweeney has spent 5 years fighting Apple in court - and by his estimation has sacrificed $1 billion in revenue - over the way Apple runs its App Store. For most of that time it seemed like a futile effort.



But last week a federal judge handed Epic what could be a huge victory, and could potentially cost Apple a meaningful amount of revenue. Apple is going to appeal that ruling, but for now, Sweeney sees this a win for his own company, and many other developers who've chafed at the fees they have to pay Apple every time a consumer wants to give them money.



And if you think none of that matters to you, a normal person, Sweeney is happy to explain why (he thinks) you're wrong.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices