Epic Cites Its Creators; TikTok Rival Preps Relaunch; YouTube in the Living Room

In one of the most high-profile antitrust trials in recent memory, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney is pointing to Apple’s power over Fortnite creators as additional evidence the iPhone maker is engaging in anti-competitive behavior in how it operates the App Store. 

According to courtroom pool reporters, Sweeney on Tuesday said the multi-player game Fortnite is increasingly driven by creators. Epic has a program for these streamers, musicians and video makers that allows them to earn money by creating content for Fortnite and its other games. Epic is trying to show how Apple’s App Store fees are harmful not just to Epic and other game makers, but to a variety of businesses, including individual creators. 

“Epic is trying to build a metaverse where the majority of the profit should go to the creators themselves,” Sweeney said. “With Apple taking 30% off the top, it makes it very, very difficult for Epic and creators to exist in this world.”  

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