Epic Games vs Samsung: Founders, CEOs and History
Epic Games was founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney and is led by Tim Sweeney. Samsung was founded in 1969 by Lee Byung-chul and is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon.
Company facts
Epic Games
- Founded
- 1991
- Headquarters
- Cary, North Carolina
- Current CEO
- Tim Sweeney
- Employees
- 4,000
Samsung
- Founded
- 1969
- Headquarters
- Suwon, South Korea
- Current CEO
- Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon
- Employees
- 259,149
Founders
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.
Samsung
Lee Byung-chul
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung Sanghoe in Daegu in 1938, trading dried fish, produce and noodles.
CEOs and their tenures
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
Samsung
- Jong-Hee Han2022–2025
Vice Chairman and CEO
A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand. He died suddenly in March 2025 while in office.
Source - Jay Y. Lee2022–present
Executive Chairman
Grandson of the founder and son of Lee Kun-hee. He was convicted in the 2017 bribery case and pardoned in 2022, and became Executive Chairman in October 2022. In 2025 the Supreme Court upheld his acquittal in the separate merger and accounting fraud case.
Source - Jun Young-hyun2024–present
Vice Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device Solutions
He implemented a complete overhaul of the semiconductor division's engineering processes, issuing a rare public apology in 2024 for the company's technological delays.
Source - Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh)2025–present
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device eXperience
As head of the MX (Mobile eXperience) division, he heavily integrated AI features (Galaxy AI) into the S-series flagship phones to combat Apple's dominance in the premium tier.
Source
Timeline: Epic Games and Samsung side by side
1938Samsung
Samsung Group begins
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung as a trading company before later generations expanded the group into electronics and industry.
1969Samsung
Samsung Electronics established
Samsung Electronics Industry Co. Ltd. was established as the group entered electronics manufacturing.
1977Samsung
Korea Semiconductor acquired
Samsung acquired Korea Semiconductor, a key step toward memory and component manufacturing leadership.
1991Epic Games
Epic Founded
Tim Sweeney founds the company as Potomac Computer Systems.
1993Samsung
New Management initiative
Lee Kun-hee launched the New Management push to raise quality, design, and global competitiveness.
1998Epic Games
Unreal Released
Epic releases Unreal, establishing the technology base that becomes Unreal Engine.
2006Epic Games
Gears of War Launches
Epic's Gears of War becomes a major console franchise.
2010Samsung
Galaxy S Launched
Samsung launched the Galaxy S smartphone in June 2010.
2012Epic Games
Tencent Investment
Tencent buys a roughly 40% stake for about $330 million, backing Epic's shift to live-service games.
2014Epic Games
Unreal Engine 4 Released
Epic released Unreal Engine 4 to all developers under a subscription model in March 2014.
2016Samsung
Galaxy Note 7 Recall
Samsung recalled and then discontinued the Galaxy Note 7 in 2016 after battery fires.
2017Epic Games
Fortnite Battle Royale Breaks Out
Fortnite Battle Royale becomes a global live-service phenomenon.
2017Samsung
Harman acquisition closes
Samsung completed the Harman acquisition, expanding into connected car systems and premium audio.
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.
2022Samsung
Jong-Hee Han becomes CEO
Jong-Hee Han became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2022. A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand.
2024Epic Games
Disney Announces $1.5B Epic Investment
Disney announces a $1.5B equity investment and Fortnite-connected entertainment universe.
2024Samsung
Jun Young-hyun becomes CEO
Jun Young-hyun became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2024. Head of the semiconductor (Device Solutions) division and memory business; sole CEO for part of 2025 after Han Jong-hee's death, then co-CEO with TM Roh from November 2025.
2025Epic Games
Epic Games Store PC Spend Reaches $1.16B
Epic reports $1.16B in PC player spend and 317M+ PC customers for 2025.
2025Samsung
TM Roh joins Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO
Samsung named TM Roh Head of Device eXperience and CEO, joining Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO.
2025Samsung
Annual revenue reaches ~$237B (KRW 333.6T)
Samsung Electronics reported ~$237 billion (KRW 333.6 trillion) in 2025 annual revenue and ~$31 billion (KRW 43.6 trillion) in operating profit.
2025Samsung
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) becomes CEO
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2025. Longtime head of the mobile business.
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
Epic Games
- Bandcamp2022Undisclosed
- Tonic Games Group2021Undisclosed
- Psyonix2019Undisclosed
Samsung
- FlaktGroup2025$1.7B
- Xealth2025Undisclosed
- Harman International2017$8B
- SmartThings2014$200M
Questions about Epic Games vs Samsung
Who is the CEO of Epic Games, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Epic Games, Inc. is led by Tim Sweeney and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Epic Games, Inc. founded vs Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded in 1969 — 22 years before Epic Games, Inc., which was founded in 1991. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'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 Epic Games, Inc. have compared to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Epic Games, Inc. employs approximately 4,000 people, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. employs approximately 259,149. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has the larger workforce at 259,149 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 Epic Games, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. headquartered?
Epic Games, Inc. is headquartered in United States and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is headquartered in South Korea. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Epic Games, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Epic Games, Inc. was founded by Tim Sweeney. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded by Lee Byung-chul.
Which company has a longer operating history — Epic Games, Inc. or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has been operating for approximately 57 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 Epic Games vs Samsung overview