Tools
Search
Import
Library
Explore
Videos
Channels
Figures
Atmrix
About
Tools
Search
Import
Library
Explore
Videos
Channels
Figures
Atmrix
About
Go Back
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Licensing the Unreal Engine to other developers became a critical revenue stream for Epic Games, allowing them to fund further development of the engine.
Video
LF
Tim Sweeney: Fortnite, Unreal Engine, and the Future of Gaming | Lex Fridman Podcast #467
@ Lex Fridman
04/30/25
Related Takeaways
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Epic Games has invested heavily in developing the future of technology, spending more than they earn to build a robust ecosystem around Unreal Engine and Fortnite.
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Epic Games competes with Steam by signing exclusive deals with developers, offering them financial incentives. This strategy aims to provide a better selection of games on the Epic Games Store, even if some developers may initially struggle with exclusivity.
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
The development of Unreal Engine involved a collaborative effort from a diverse team, where constant iteration and improvement were key to success.
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Fortnite generates billions of dollars in revenue annually, primarily from in-game purchases, which constitutes the majority of Epic Games' income.
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Unreal Engine transformed the gaming industry by focusing on creating a powerful game engine rather than just individual games, which was a significant bet in 1995.
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Unreal Engine was initially developed in C, later transitioning to C++ for better performance and maintainability, which was crucial for the game's success.
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Epic's approach to the gaming market, including the lower revenue cut of 12% compared to Steam's 30%, aims to create a more competitive and fair environment for developers. They offer incentives to developers to choose their store, allowing them to decide how to distribute their games, rather than forcing exclusivity.
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Unreal Engine is a comprehensive software package that provides all the necessary functions to build any 3D graphics application, used not only in gaming but also in film, television, and industrial design.
TS
Tim Sweeney
04/30/25
@ Lex Fridman
Indie developers can thrive by using Unreal Engine, as it provides tools that enable them to create games efficiently, even as solo developers.