Epic Games, Inc.
Company History
Epic Games History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1991 in Potomac, United States
When was Epic Games founded?
Epic Games was founded in 1991 in Potomac, United States by Tim Sweeney, making it 35 years old.
- Founded
- 1991
- Founding place
- Potomac, United States
- Founders
- Tim Sweeney
- Headquarters today
- Cary, North Carolina
- Milestones documented
- 12 (1991–2026)
- Current CEO
- Tim Sweeney
- Acquisitions
- 4
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Epic Founded |
| 1998 | Unreal Released |
| 2006 | Gears of War Launches |
| 2012 | Tencent Investment |
| 2014 | Unreal Engine 4 Released |
| 2017 | Fortnite Battle Royale Breaks Out |
| 2018 | Epic Games Store Launches |
| 2020 | Apple and Google Disputes Begin |
| 2024 | Disney Announces $1.5B Epic Investment |
| 2025 | Epic Games Store PC Spend Reaches $1.16B |
| 2026 | Epic Announces Over 1,000 Layoffs |
| 2026 | Fortnite Returns to Google Play Worldwide |
- Where was Epic Games founded?
- Epic Games was founded in Potomac, United States in 1991. wikidata.org
- Who founded Epic Games?
- Epic Games was founded by Tim Sweeney.
- When did Epic Games start?
- Epic Games was founded in 1991.
- How old is Epic Games?
- Epic Games is 35 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
In 1991 Tim Sweeney, then a mechanical engineering student at the University of Maryland, founded Potomac Computer Systems from his parents' home in Potomac, Maryland, and released the shareware game ZZT, which included a built-in level editor. The company became Epic MegaGames in 1992, released Jill of the Jungle, Jazz Jackrabbit and Epic Pinball, then moved to Cary, North Carolina and shortened its name to Epic Games in 1999 after Unreal's 1998 success.
Founders
Tim Sweeney
Tim Sweeney is an American video game programmer and the founder and CEO of Epic Games. He started the company in 1991 as Potomac Computer Systems, working from his parents' basement in Maryland. He wrote and released the shareware game ZZT, and its sales paid for the company's early growth. After the company moved to North Carolina and took the name Epic Games, Sweeney built the first version of the Unreal Engine, released in 1998, which became widely used for 3D game development. Epic's main sources of income today are Fortnite and licensing of the Unreal Engine. Tim Sweeney was born in 1970.
Key Milestones
Unreal Released
Epic releases Unreal, establishing the technology base that becomes Unreal Engine.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgTencent Investment
Tencent buys a roughly 40% stake for about $330 million, backing Epic's shift to live-service games.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgUnreal Engine 4 Released
Epic released Unreal Engine 4 to all developers under a subscription model in March 2014.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgFortnite Battle Royale Breaks Out
Fortnite Battle Royale becomes a global live-service phenomenon.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgEpic Games Store Launches
Epic launches its PC digital storefront with a lower store commission model.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgApple and Google Disputes Begin
Epic challenges major app-store payment rules and begins a long legal and platform-access fight.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgDisney Announces $1.5B Epic Investment
Disney announces a $1.5B equity investment and Fortnite-connected entertainment universe.
Source: thewaltdisneycompany.comEpic Games Store PC Spend Reaches $1.16B
Epic reports $1.16B in PC player spend and 317M+ PC customers for 2025.
Source: store.epicgames.comEpic Announces Over 1,000 Layoffs
Epic announces over 1,000 layoffs after a Fortnite engagement downturn and cost-pressure period.
Source: epicgames.comFortnite Returns to Google Play Worldwide
Google revamps Android billing and fees and Fortnite returns to Google Play worldwide in March 2026; Epic and Google withdraw their settlement in July 2026, leaving the 2024 injunction in force.
Source: tech.yahoo.comMajor Acquisitions
Psyonix
2019Epic Games acquired Psyonix, the developer of Rocket League, to add an established competitive gaming title with a large dedicated player base to its portfolio alongside Fortnite. Rocket League had over 50 million players and an active esports scene at the time of acquisition.
Tonic Games Group
2021Epic acquired Tonic Games Group, the developer of Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, to add the popular multiplayer party game to its portfolio. Fall Guys had sold 10 million copies within days of launch in 2020 and had a social media presence.
Bandcamp
2022Epic acquired Bandcamp, the music marketplace that allows independent artists to sell music directly to fans, as part of its broader strategy to build a creator economy platform that competed with platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud in the independent music space.
Sketchfab
2021Epic Games, Inc. acquired Sketchfab in 2021.
Keep researching Epic Games
Epic Games Company History FAQ
What is the chronological history of Epic Games from 1991 to the present day?
Founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney with ZZT, the studio launched Unreal in 1998, moved to North Carolina in 1999, created Gears of War in 2006, pivoted to live services via Tencent in 2012, launched Fortnite in 2017, opened the Epic Games Store in 2018, and partnered with Disney for $1.5B in 2024.
When was the original Unreal and Unreal Engine launched in 1998?
In May 1998, Epic MegaGames and Digital Extremes released 'Unreal', a landmark PC first-person shooter featuring groundbreaking 3D graphics, colored lighting, and dynamic music, kicking off 25+ years of Unreal Engine technological leadership.
When did Fortnite Battle Royale launch and transform pop culture?
Fortnite originally launched in July 2017 as a co-op building game ('Save the World'). On September 26, 2017, Epic released the free-to-play 'Fortnite Battle Royale' mode, which exploded into a global cultural phenomenon, attracting 125 million players in its first nine months.
When did Epic launch the Epic Games Store and disrupt PC game distribution?
On December 6, 2018, at The Game Awards, Epic launched the Epic Games Store, introducing its disruptive 88/12 developer revenue split, funding exclusive titles, and giving away hundreds of free games to millions of PC gamers.
What was the historic 'Project Liberty' and the 2020 legal battle with Apple and Google?
On August 13, 2020, Epic launched 'Project Liberty', introducing direct in-game payments in Fortnite to bypass Apple and Google's 30% app store fees. When Apple and Google removed Fortnite, Epic immediately filed historic antitrust lawsuits, leading to major global app store regulatory reforms.
When was Unreal Engine 5 officially released to the global developer community?
In April 2022, Epic officially launched Unreal Engine 5, showcasing groundbreaking real-time rendering capabilities (Nanite and Lumen) with 'The Matrix Awakens' interactive tech demo, transforming AAA video games and film production.
When was Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) launched?
In March 2023 at GDC, Epic launched UEFN and Creator Economy 2.0, allowing independent developers to build AAA-quality custom games inside Fortnite and earning hundreds of millions in engagement payouts.
What is Epic Games' long-term vision for the future of interactive entertainment?
Epic Games' vision is to build an open, decentralized, and joyful digital Metaverse, where billions of players can play, watch, create, and socialize smoothly across virtual worlds powered by Unreal Engine and high-quality creator ecosystems.
How did Epic Games start?
Epic Games was founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney in his parents' basement in Maryland. Originally called Potomac Computer Systems, Sweeney coded his first game, ZZT, entirely by himself. He later renamed the company Epic MegaGames to make it sound like a massive corporation.
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