Electronic Arts vs Epic Games: Founders, CEOs and History
Electronic Arts was founded in 1982 by Trip Hawkins and is led by Andrew Wilson. Epic Games was founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney and is led by Tim Sweeney.
Company facts
Electronic Arts
- Founded
- 1982
- Headquarters
- Redwood City, California
- Current CEO
- Andrew Wilson
- Employees
- 14,600
Epic Games
- Founded
- 1991
- Headquarters
- Cary, North Carolina
- Current CEO
- Tim Sweeney
- Employees
- 4,000
Founders
Electronic Arts
Trip Hawkins
Electronic Arts possesses a historic, founding story, rooted in the genesis of the personal computer revolution and driven by a foundational respect for software developers as genuine artists.
Epic Games
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.
CEOs and their tenures
Electronic Arts
- Trip Hawkins1982–1991
Founder and Former CEO
He set the creative and commercial template that became EA SPORTS and took EA public in 1989 before leaving to found 3DO.
Source - Larry Probst1991–2007
Chief Executive Officer
He scaled EA into one of the largest independent publishers.
Source - John Riccitiello2007–2013
Chief Executive Officer
He started EA's digital transition before Wilson took over.
Source - Andrew Wilson2013–present
Chief Executive Officer
Live services grew to 71% of net revenue by fiscal 2026, and Wilson remained CEO after EA went private in August 2026.
Source
Epic Games
- Tim Sweeney1991–present
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Sweeney's technical leadership and steadfast commitment to long-term strategic goals have built Epic Games into a dominant force in the global entertainment industry.
Source - Mark Rein1992–present
Vice President and Co-Founder
Rein joined Sweeney in 1992 and is credited as co-founder. He built the publisher and licensee relationships that turned Unreal Engine into a commercial product used across the industry.
Source - Kim Libreri2014–present
Chief Technology Officer
As CTO, he positioned Epic Games as a foundational technology provider for the broader 3D internet and metaverse, deeply diversifying its influence beyond the success of Fortnite.
Source
Timeline: Electronic Arts and Epic Games side by side
1982Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Founded
Trip Hawkins founds Amazin' Software in San Mateo, soon renamed Electronic Arts.
1988Electronic Arts
John Madden Football
EA releases John Madden Football, the start of its longest-running sports franchise.
1991Electronic Arts
Larry Probst Becomes CEO
Larry Probst succeeds Hawkins and leads EA through its console and sports expansion.
1991Epic Games
Epic Founded
Tim Sweeney founds the company as Potomac Computer Systems.
1993Electronic Arts
FIFA International Soccer
Electronic Arts released FIFA International Soccer in 1993, the start of its football series.
1998Epic Games
Unreal Released
Epic releases Unreal, establishing the technology base that becomes Unreal Engine.
2000Electronic Arts
The Sims Released
Electronic Arts published The Sims in February 2000.
2006Epic Games
Gears of War Launches
Epic's Gears of War becomes a major console franchise.
2012Epic Games
Tencent Investment
Tencent buys a roughly 40% stake for about $330 million, backing Epic's shift to live-service games.
2013Electronic Arts
Andrew Wilson Becomes CEO
Wilson becomes CEO and accelerates the digital and live-service shift.
2014Epic Games
Unreal Engine 4 Released
Epic released Unreal Engine 4 to all developers under a subscription model in March 2014.
2017Electronic Arts
Respawn Acquisition
EA acquires Respawn Entertainment, later behind Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi.
2017Epic Games
Fortnite Battle Royale Breaks Out
Fortnite Battle Royale becomes a global live-service phenomenon.
2018Epic Games
Epic Games Store Launches
Epic launches its PC digital storefront with a lower store commission model.
2020Epic Games
Apple and Google Disputes Begin
Epic challenges major app-store payment rules and begins a long legal and platform-access fight.
2021Electronic Arts
Codemasters and Glu Mobile
EA buys Codemasters (about $1.2B) and Glu Mobile (about $2.1B) to expand racing and mobile.
2023Electronic Arts
EA SPORTS FC Rebrand
EA moves its football franchise from FIFA branding to EA SPORTS FC.
2024Epic Games
Disney Announces $1.5B Epic Investment
Disney announces a $1.5B equity investment and Fortnite-connected entertainment universe.
2025Electronic Arts
Merger Agreement
EA agrees to a $55B all-cash acquisition by PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners at $210 per share.
2025Epic Games
Epic Games Store PC Spend Reaches $1.16B
Epic reports $1.16B in PC player spend and 317M+ PC customers for 2025.
2026Electronic Arts
Fiscal 2026 Results
EA reports $7.531B revenue, $887M net income and $8.026B net bookings.
2026Electronic Arts
Take-Private Completed
On August 4, 2026 the buyout closes and EA is delisted from Nasdaq.
2026Epic Games
Epic Announces Over 1,000 Layoffs
Epic announces over 1,000 layoffs after a Fortnite engagement downturn and cost-pressure period.
2026Epic Games
Fortnite 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.
Acquisitions
Electronic Arts
- Glu Mobile2021$2.1B
- Codemasters2021$1.2B
- Respawn Entertainment2017$455M
- Westwood Studios1998Undisclosed
- Bullfrog Productions1995Undisclosed
Epic Games
- Bandcamp2022Undisclosed
- Tonic Games Group2021Undisclosed
- Sketchfab2021Undisclosed
- Psyonix2019Undisclosed
Questions about Electronic Arts vs Epic Games
Who is the CEO of Electronic Arts Inc. and Epic Games, Inc.?
Electronic Arts Inc. is led by Andrew Wilson and Epic Games, Inc. is led by Tim Sweeney. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Electronic Arts Inc. founded vs Epic Games, Inc.?
Electronic Arts Inc. was founded in 1982 — 9 years before Epic Games, Inc., which was founded in 1991. Electronic Arts Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Epic Games, Inc..
How many employees does Electronic Arts Inc. have compared to Epic Games, Inc.?
Electronic Arts Inc. employs approximately 14,600 people, while Epic Games, Inc. employs approximately 4,000. Electronic Arts Inc. has the larger workforce at 14,600 employees, compared to Epic Games, Inc.'s 4,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Electronic Arts Inc. and Epic Games, Inc. headquartered?
Both Electronic Arts Inc. and Epic Games, Inc. are headquartered in United States. Their local rules and tax obligations may still differ.
Who founded Electronic Arts Inc. and Epic Games, Inc.?
Electronic Arts Inc. was founded by Trip Hawkins. Epic Games, Inc. was founded by Tim Sweeney.
Which company has a longer operating history — Electronic Arts Inc. or Epic Games, Inc.?
Electronic Arts Inc. has been operating for approximately 44 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Epic Games, Inc. has been in operation for around 35 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Electronic Arts vs Epic Games overview