Latest news with #TimSweeney
CNET
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Epic Games Settles With Samsung. That's a Big Deal for Fortnite Players and Gamers More Broadly
Epic Games says it's reached a settlement with Samsung after suing both Samsung and Google last year over antitrust issues. The action is likely a turning point for players of Fortnite and other games. Epic didn't disclose the terms of the settlement, but the original suit focused on Samsung blocking the installation of apps on its mobile devices, making it more difficult for users to install Epic Games titles, such as the popular Fortnite. At the time, Epic said it took 21 steps to install a game because of Samsung's Auto Blocker feature. In an email to CNET, Epic Games pointed to CEO and founder Tim Sweeney's post on X, which says: "We're dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties' discussions. We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic's concerns." Even though the terms weren't disclosed, consider it another win for Epic in its ongoing legal challenges, says one game industry expert. "This settlement and the broader momentum around developer rights signal a monumental shift in mobile game monetization, one that's long overdue," says Chris Hewish, chief strategy officer at Xsolla, a finance company for game developers. "For over a decade, developers have been confined to restrictive ecosystems that limit their ability to build relationships with players, offer value, and retain revenue. Now, that era is ending." Samsung didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Epic's legal battles against Apple and Google are ongoing. The Federal Trade Commission recently extended a deadline for players to claim money in a $245 million settlement involving Fortnite. That deadline is now July 9. What it means for Fortnite fans and other Epic Games players In its suits against Apple, Google and Samsung, Epic Games has repeatedly claimed that restrictions from those companies have been anticompetitive because they have required the company to adhere to rules for the Apple App Store and Google Play storefronts. In addition to having to give a cut of sales from app purchases to Apple and Google, Epic has been restricted from giving users access to its own storefront, Epic Games Store. The company argues that consumers should be able to access games like Fortnite and Fall Guys without having to download them from the App Store or Google Play. In response, Epic Games made Fortnite unavailable to play on iOS devices, but has since relented. Those companies, meanwhile, argue that their app stores are more secure and protect consumers from security or privacy threats from third-party app ecosystems. Hewish, a veteran of game companies including Activision, says the changes to app stores and to the way platforms are managed mark a significant shift, making the landscape "more open and equitable" for those in the business of making mobile games. "The ability to drive players from in-game experiences to branded web shops means higher revenue margins, stronger customer relationships and more predictable monetization strategies."
CNET
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Fortnite Maker Epic Games Settles With Samsung Following App-Blocking Lawsuit
Epic Games says it's reached a settlement after taking legal action against Samsung, which it sued last year along with Google over antitrust issues. In a motion filed in a California district court, Epic requested a dismissal of its claims against Samsung, saying Epic, "has reached a settlement agreement with Defendants Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc." Epic did not disclose terms of the settlement, but the original suit focused around Samsung blocking the installation of apps on its mobile devices, making it more difficult for users to install Epic Games titles such as Fortnite on them. At the time, Epic claimed it took 21 steps to get a game installed because of Samsung's Auto Blocker feature. In an email to CNET, Epic Games pointed to CEO and founder Tim Sweeney's post on X, which says: "We're dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties' discussions. We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic's concerns." A representative for Samsung did not immediately return a request for comment. Epic's legal battles against Apple and Google are ongoing. The Federal Trade Commission recently extended a deadline for players to claim money in a $245 million settlement involving Fortnite. That deadline is now July 9.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Epic Games drops app store-related antitrust lawsuit against Samsung
Seoul: The head of US gaming giant Epic Games said on Tuesday the company has dropped an antitrust lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co. involving the blocking of software originating from sources outside of app stores of Google and Samsung on the South Korean tech company's mobile devices. "We're dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties' discussions. We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic's concerns," Tim Sweeney, chief executive officer (CEO) and founder of Epic Games, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Epic Games, best known for popular online shooter Fortnite, had filed the lawsuit last year in the U.S. over a feature on Samsung devices that automatically blocks the installation of apps from sources outside the Google Play Store and Samsung's own Galaxy Store, reports Yonhap news agency. Epic had argued that this mechanism constituted an unfair barrier to competition. Epic users had to download the company's apps from its official website after manually disabling the feature. With the case against Samsung now dropped, Epic is expected to continue its legal dispute against Google alone. The two U.S. tech giants have been engaged in a broader legal fight over app store policies and market dominance. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday it has acquired U.S.-based digital health technology company Xealth in a bid to expand its health care information technology (IT) ecosystem. The acquisition agreement was signed on the previous day, and the acquisition process is expected to be completed by the end of this year, according to Samsung Electronics. Xealth, a digital health care startup spun off from Providence Health System in 2026, provides a platform that integrates a wide range of digital health tools and care programs for health care providers. It currently has a network of more than 500 U.S. hospitals, including Advocate Health and Banner Health, and more than 70 digital health solution partners.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Hans India
Samsung Settles Epic Games Dispute Ahead of Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7 Launch
Just days before Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, the tech giant has discreetly settled a major legal dispute with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. This move removes a looming legal distraction as Samsung prepares to launch its next-generation foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. The lawsuit, originally filed in a U.S. federal court in San Francisco in 2024, accused both Samsung and Google of collaborating to stifle competition within the Android app marketplace. At the heart of the complaint was Samsung's "Auto Blocker" feature, which Epic argued discouraged users from installing third-party apps outside of Google Play or Samsung's Galaxy Store. On Monday, Epic Games confirmed it had reached an agreement with Samsung. While terms of the settlement remain confidential, Epic announced the voluntary dismissal of its claims against Samsung and even dropped related allegations against Google. 'We're dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties' discussions. We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic's concerns,' — Tim Sweeney, CEO, Epic Games, via X Although the case against Samsung is now closed, Epic's narrower battle with Google continues, with ongoing allegations that the Android ecosystem still limits third-party app distribution. This legal resolution arrives at a pivotal moment for Samsung, as leaks and teasers of its upcoming foldables build excitement. Tipster Ice Universe recently showcased the Galaxy Z Fold 7, revealing its refined design, fluid animations, and remarkably slim profile—measuring just 3.9mm to 4.5mm when unfolded, making it one of the thinnest foldables to date. Meanwhile, another brief leak by Mincu Andrei highlighted the Galaxy Z Flip 7's upgraded design, which features a 4-inch wraparound cover screen that curves around the camera module. This extended display offers more room for widgets like time, date, and notifications. In addition to the flagship foldables, Samsung is also rumoured to unveil the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE—its first budget-friendly Fan Edition foldable—and the Galaxy Watch 8 series. There's even speculation of a sneak peek at a revolutionary tri-fold device, potentially named the Galaxy G Fold. With the legal hurdle behind it and a slate of cutting-edge products ahead, Samsung appears poised to steal the spotlight at Unpacked 2025.
Mint
08-07-2025
- Mint
Epic Games and Samsung settle lawsuit before the Galaxy Unpacked event
Epic Games and Samsung have reached a confidential agreement regarding a high-profile antitrust lawsuit that was about Samsung's Auto Blocker security feature. The dispute began in 2024 about Samsung's controversial 'Auto Blocker' security feature. Epic Games accused Samsung of restricting the installation of third-party app stores like Epic Games Store on Galaxy devices. The Auto Blocker feature was introduced with Samsung's One UI 6.0 to enhance the security of the device. It blocks messages containing malicious code, checks app security and prevents unauthorised commands via USB. However, Epic Games argued that this feature makes it harder for users to sideload apps on their devices and alternative app stores like Epic Games Store are not whitelisted by Samsung. Epic claimed that it is done to remove competition for their app stores, the Play Store and Galaxy Store. This lawsuit was filed in US federal court in San Francisco and named both Samsung and Google as defendants, alleging a coordinated effort to reduce competition in app distribution. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney shared a post on social media that the case against Samsung has been dismissed after a discussion between the two companies. Sweeny stated, 'We're dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties' discussions. We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic's concerns.' Epic didn't elaborate on what discussions were made to reach this settlement. Or how Samsung is going to address these issues. The only hints are that Samsung could make a few changes in the OS like whitelisting the Epic Games Store on Galaxy devices. The settlement comes days before Samsung's major Galaxy Unpacked event, where the brand is going to launch its latest foldable devices. While Epic dropped its lawsuit against Samsung and withdrew related allegations against Google, a narrow case against Google will continue, focusing on Epic describes as ongoing efforts to discourage users from installing apps outside of Google Play.
