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Epic Games: The Past, Present, and Future of a Gaming Giant

If you are a gamer, chances are you have heard of or played one of the games made by Epic Games. Whether it is Fortnite, one of the most popular games in the world, or Unreal Tournament, one of the pioneers of online shooters, or Gears of War, one of the best-selling franchises on Xbox, Epic Games has been making waves in the gaming industry for decades. But Epic Games is not just a game developer. It is also a game engine provider, a game publisher, a game store operator, and a game innovator. In this article, we will explore the past, present, and future of this gaming giant, and see how it has shaped and will continue to shape the gaming landscape.

Introduction

Epic Games is an American video game and software company based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded by Tim Sweeney in 1991 as Potomac Computer Systems. Today, it has more than 40 offices worldwide and employs over 2,200 people.

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Epic Games is best known for developing Unreal Engine, a commercially available game engine that powers many of the world's leading games. It also develops its own games, such as Fortnite, Unreal, Gears of War, and Infinity Blade. In addition, it operates its own digital storefront, the Epic Games Store, which offers exclusive games and free games to its users.

Epic Games is one of the most important and influential companies in the gaming industry. It has won numerous awards for its games and technology. It has also been involved in several lawsuits and controversies over its business practices and policies. It has also been investing in new technologies and partnerships to advance its vision for the future of gaming and entertainment.

In this article, we will cover the following topics:

• The history of Epic Games: How did it start as a small company and grow into a gaming giant?

• The current state of Epic Games: How is it doing today with its flagship game Fortnite and its own digital storefront?

• The future of Epic Games: What are its goals and visions for the future of gaming and entertainment?

The History of Epic Games

Epic Games has a long and rich history that spans over three decades. Here are some of the highlights:

1991-1999: The Early Years

Epic Games was founded by Tim Sweeney in 1991 as Potomac Computer Systems. He was studying mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland at the time. He released his first commercial game, ZZT, in 1991. ZZT was a text-based game that allowed users to create their own worlds and scenarios. It was a success, and Sweeney decided to focus on game development full-time.

In 1992, Sweeney renamed his company to Epic MegaGames, to make it sound more impressive. He hired Mark Rein, who became the vice president and spokesperson of the company. He also hired other programmers and artists, such as Cliff Bleszinski, James Schmalz, and Jill of the Jungle. Epic MegaGames released several games in the 1990s, such as Jill of the Jungle, Jazz Jackrabbit, One Must Fall: 2097, and Tyrian.

In 1998, Epic MegaGames released Unreal, a first-person shooter game that featured stunning graphics and a powerful game engine. Unreal was a critical and commercial success, and spawned a series of sequels and spin-offs, such as Unreal Tournament, Unreal Championship, and Unreal II: The Awakening. Unreal also marked the debut of the Unreal Engine, a game engine that could be licensed by other developers to create their own games. The Unreal Engine became one of the most widely used and acclaimed game engines in the industry.

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2000-2009: The Rise of Epic Games

In 2000, Epic MegaGames shortened its name to Epic Games, to reflect its growth and maturity. It also moved its headquarters from Rockville, Maryland to Cary, North Carolina. It continued to develop and improve the Unreal Engine, releasing Unreal Engine 2 in 2002 and Unreal Engine 3 in 2006. The Unreal Engine powered many popular games from various genres and platforms, such as Splinter Cell, BioShock, Mass Effect, Gears of War, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and Borderlands.

In 2006, Epic Games acquired Chair Entertainment, a game developer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Chair Entertainment developed games such as Shadow Complex, Infinity Blade, and Spyjinx.

In 2007, Epic Games released Gears of War, a third-person shooter game that featured a gritty and cinematic style. Gears of War was a huge hit, selling over six million copies and winning several awards. It also became one of the flagship franchises of the Xbox console. Gears of War was followed by three more sequels: Gears of War 2 in 2008, Gears of War 3 in 2011, and Gears of War: Judgment in 2013.

2010-2019: The Expansion of Epic Games

In 2010, Epic Games launched the Unreal Development Kit (UDK), a free version of the Unreal Engine 3 that allowed anyone to create their own games using the engine. UDK was used by many indie developers and students to create games such as Antichamber, The Stanley Parable, and Dungeon Defenders.

In 2012, Epic Games released Unreal Engine 4, the latest version of its game engine that featured advanced graphics and physics capabilities. Unreal Engine 4 was also made available to anyone for a monthly subscription fee, giving them access to the full source code and tools of the engine. Unreal Engine 4 powered many games such as Fortnite, Sea of Thieves, PUBG, and Kingdom Hearts III.

In 2014, Epic Games sold the Gears of War franchise to Microsoft, ending its involvement with the series. It also sold a 40% stake of its company to Tencent, a Chinese technology conglomerate, for $330 million. Tencent became the largest shareholder of Epic Games, but did not have any control over its operations.

In 2015, Epic Games launched the Epic Games Store, a digital distribution platform that competes with Steam, the dominant platform in the PC gaming market. The Epic Games Store offers exclusive games and free games to its users, as well as a more favorable revenue split for developers. The Epic Games Store has attracted many developers and publishers to partner with Epic Games, such as Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Take-Two Interactive. However, it has also faced criticism and backlash from some gamers and developers who prefer Steam or other platforms.

In 2017, Epic Games released Fortnite, a multiplayer online game that combines survival, building, and shooting elements. Fortnite was initially a paid game that featured a cooperative mode called Save the World, where players had to fight against zombies and defend their bases. However, in September 2017, Epic Games released a free-to-play mode called Battle Royale, where 100 players had to compete against each other in a shrinking map until one player or team remained. Fortnite Battle Royale became a global phenomenon, attracting millions of players and viewers across various platforms and devices. Fortnite also became a cultural icon, featuring collaborations with celebrities, brands, and media franchises such as Marvel, Star Wars, Stranger Things, and John Wick. Fortnite has generated billions of dollars in revenue for Epic Games, making it one of the most profitable games of all time. The Future of Epic Games

Epic Games is not resting on its laurels. It has ambitious plans and visions for the future of gaming and entertainment. Here are some of them:

Unreal Engine 5

In 2020, Epic Games announced Unreal Engine 5, the next generation of its game engine that will power the games of the future. Unreal Engine 5 promises to deliver unprecedented levels of realism and performance, with features such as Nanite, a virtualized geometry system that allows for millions of polygons to be rendered on screen, and Lumen, a dynamic global illumination system that simulates realistic lighting and shadows. Unreal Engine 5 will also support cross-platform development, allowing developers to create games for PC, consoles, mobile devices, and even the web. Unreal Engine 5 is expected to be released in 2022.

MetaHuman Creator

In 2021, Epic Games unveiled MetaHuman Creator, a cloud-based app that allows users to create realistic digital humans in minutes. MetaHuman Creator uses a library of presets and sliders to customize the appearance, skin, hair, clothing, and facial expressions of the digital humans. Users can also animate and control the digital humans using motion capture devices or webcam facial tracking. MetaHuman Creator is designed to make the creation of digital humans easier and faster for game developers, filmmakers, and artists. MetaHuman Creator is currently in early access.

Blockchain

Epic Games is also exploring the potential of blockchain technology for gaming and entertainment. Blockchain is a decentralized system that records and verifies transactions using cryptography and distributed networks. Blockchain can enable new ways of creating, owning, and exchanging digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and smart contracts. Epic Games has expressed interest in integrating blockchain into its games and platforms, such as Fortnite and the Epic Games Store. For example, it could allow players to own and trade their in-game items and skins using blockchain-based tokens. It could also allow developers to create and sell their games using blockchain-based platforms and currencies. Epic Games has also invested in several blockchain-related companies and projects, such as The Sandbox, Immutable X, and Animoca Brands. Partnerships

Epic Games is also collaborating with other companies and industries to expand its reach and influence. Here are some examples:

• In 2019, Epic Games partnered with Sony, the maker of the PlayStation console, to showcase the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 on the PlayStation 5. Sony also invested $250 million in Epic Games in 2020, acquiring a 1.4% stake in the company. The two companies said they will work together to create "unique experiences for consumers and creators".

• In 2020, Epic Games partnered with KIRKBI, the parent company of The LEGO Group, to acquire a controlling stake in Tonic Games Group, the maker of Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, a popular online game that features colorful and wacky characters competing in various mini-games. The deal was valued at $1.2 billion. Epic Games said it will support Tonic Games Group in its future projects and help it reach more players and platforms.

• In 2021, Epic Games partnered with various artists and musicians to create virtual concerts and events in Fortnite. Some of the artists who performed in Fortnite include Travis Scott, Marshmello, Ariana Grande, and Balenciaga. These events attracted millions of viewers and participants, creating a new form of entertainment and engagement. Epic Games said it will continue to explore new ways of bringing culture and creativity into Fortnite.

Conclusion

Epic Games is a gaming giant that has a long and rich history, a strong and diverse present, and a bright and ambitious future. It has developed and provided some of the most popular and influential games and technologies in the industry. It has also faced and overcome some of the most challenging and controversial issues in the industry. It has also invested and partnered with some of the most innovative and creative companies and industries in the industry.

Epic Games is not just a game company. It is a game changer. It is constantly pushing the boundaries of gaming and entertainment, creating new experiences and opportunities for gamers, developers, creators, and consumers. It is also shaping the future of gaming and entertainment, with its vision of creating a metaverse, a shared virtual world where people can play, create, socialize, and collaborate.

What do you think of Epic Games? Do you play or use any of its games or technologies? What are your expectations and hopes for its future? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Epic Games:

How much is Epic Games worth?

Epic Games is estimated to be worth around $28.7 billion as of April 2021, according to Forbes. This makes it one of the most valuable private companies in the world.

Who owns Epic Games?

Epic Games is privately owned by its founder Tim Sweeney, who holds a 50% stake in the company. The other major shareholders are Tencent (40%), Sony (1.4%), KIRKBI (3.75%), Disney (1%), Endeavor (0.7%), BlackRock (0.5%), Fidelity (0.5%), Lightspeed Venture Partners (0.5%), Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (0.5%), Baillie Gifford (0.36%), Franklin Templeton (0.3%), T Rowe Price Associates (0.3%), Altimeter Capital Management (0.25%), Coatue Management (0.25%), Dragoneer Investment Group (0.25%), Sequoia Capital Global Equities (0.25%), Silver Lake Partners (0.25%), Vulcan Capital (0.25%), DFJ Growth Fund III (0.2%), Park West Asset Management LLC (0.2%), Sands Capital Management LLC (0.2%), Wellington Management Company LLP (0.2%).

How does Epic Games make money?

Epic Games makes money from various sources, such as:

• Selling its own games, such as Fortnite, Unreal Tournament, Gears of War, etc.

• Licensing its game engine, Unreal Engine, to other developers for a royalty fee.

• Operating its digital storefront, Epic Games Store, which takes a 12% cut from every sale.

• Selling in-game items, such as skins, emotes, weapons, etc., in its games.

• Hosting virtual events, such as concerts, festivals, etc., in its games.

What are some of the games made by Epic Games?

Some of the games made by Epic Games are:

• Fortnite: A multiplayer online game that combines survival, building, and shooting elements. It has two modes: Save the World, where players cooperate to fight against zombies and defend their bases, and Battle Royale, where 100 players compete against each other in a shrinking map.

• Unreal: A series of first-person shooter games that feature stunning graphics and a powerful game engine. The series includes Unreal, Unreal Tournament, Unreal Championship, and Unreal II: The Awakening.

• Gears of War: A series of third-person shooter games that feature a gritty and cinematic style. The series follows the conflict between humanity and a subterranean race of creatures called the Locust Horde. The series includes Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, Gears of War: Judgment, and Gears of War 4.

• Infinity Blade: A series of action role-playing games that feature impressive graphics and touchscreen controls. The series follows the story of a warrior who seeks to defeat the God King, a tyrannical ruler who possesses the Infinity Blade, a powerful weapon that grants immortality. The series includes Infinity Blade, Infinity Blade II, and Infinity Blade III.

• Shadow Complex: A side-scrolling action-adventure game that features a 2.5D perspective and a Metroidvania-style gameplay. The game follows the story of Jason Fleming, who stumbles upon a secret military complex while exploring a cave with his girlfriend.

What are some of the controversies involving Epic Games?

Epic Games has been involved in several controversies over its business practices and policies. Some of them are:

• The lawsuits with Apple and Google: In 2020, Epic Games sued Apple and Google for removing Fortnite from their app stores, after Epic Games introduced a direct payment option that bypassed their 30% commission fee. Epic Games accused Apple and Google of violating antitrust laws and engaging in anti-competitive behavior. Apple and Google countersued Epic Games for breaching their contracts and policies. The lawsuits are still ongoing and have attracted attention from regulators, lawmakers, and other companies.

• The backlash from some gamers and developers: Some gamers and developers have criticized Epic Games for its exclusive deals and free games on the Epic Games Store, arguing that they are unfair, anti-consumer, and anti-developer. They claim that Epic Games is using its money and influence to buy out games and force users to use its platform, instead of competing on quality and features. They also claim that Epic Games is hurting the gaming industry by fragmenting the market and undermining the value of games.

• The cheating allegations: In 2018, Epic Games sued several individuals for creating and selling cheats for Fortnite, alleging that they were infringing on its intellectual property rights and causing harm to its reputation and revenue. Some of the defendants were minors, which raised ethical and legal questions about Epic Games' actions. Some of the cases were settled out of court, while others are still pending.

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