Epic Games is one of the most recognized names in the video game industry. Known for Fortnite, Unreal Engine, and the Epic Games Store, it’s a major force in game development and publishing. But who owns Epic Games? That’s a question many curious investors and gamers alike are asking. Let’s break down the company’s ownership, structure, history, and key financial data.
History of Epic Games
Epic Games was founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney under the name Potomac Computer Systems. Initially operating from Sweeney’s parents’ house in Maryland, the company released its first game, ZZT, in the same year. In 1992, the company rebranded as Epic MegaGames. This was later shortened to Epic Games in 1999 when the company moved to Cary, North Carolina.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Epic developed several popular titles including Unreal and Gears of War. The launch of the Unreal Engine revolutionized game development, giving Epic a dual identity as both a game creator and an engine provider.
Fortnite, released in 2017, became a cultural phenomenon. Its success catapulted Epic Games into the global spotlight. The company also launched the Epic Games Store in 2018 to challenge existing digital storefronts, primarily Steam.
Who Owns Epic Games: Shareholder List
Epic Games is a privately held company. Its largest shareholder is its founder, Tim Sweeney. He retains a controlling interest in the company. The second-largest stakeholder is Tencent Holdings, a Chinese tech giant that invested in Epic Games in 2012.
Other significant stakeholders include Sony Group Corporation, KIRKBI, and The Walt Disney Company.
Here’s a list of the major shareholders of Epic Games:
| Shareholder | Stake (%) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Sweeney | 41.4% | Founder and CEO of Epic Games. Holds controlling interest and leads the company’s strategic vision and direction. |
| Tencent Holdings | 35% | Chinese tech giant. Invested $330 million in 2012. Recently gave up board observation rights due to U.S. antitrust concerns. |
| The Walt Disney Company | 9% | Invested $1.5 billion in 2024. Strategic partnership focused on digital experiences and storytelling. |
| Sony Group Corporation | 5.4% | Invested incrementally from 2020 to 2022. Strengthens collaboration between Unreal Engine and PlayStation platforms. |
| KIRKBI (LEGO Group owner) | 3.2% | Invested $1 billion in 2022. Focus on family-friendly digital content and safe metaverse development. |
| Baillie Gifford | ~1% (est.) | Long-term institutional investor. Participated in previous funding rounds. |
| Fidelity Management | ~1% (est.) | Asset manager involved in prior private equity investments in Epic. |
| T. Rowe Price Associates | ~1% (est.) | Participated in earlier funding rounds. Minority holder. |
| BlackRock | <1% (est.) | Holds a small equity interest. Typical for diversified portfolios. |
| KKR | <1% (est.) | Private equity firm with minor investment. |
| Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) | Undisclosed | Internal ownership plan for employees. Encourages loyalty and alignment with company performance. |
Tim Sweeney – 41.4%
Tim Sweeney, the founder and CEO of Epic Games, holds a 41.4% stake in the company. His controlling interest allows him to steer the company’s strategic direction, maintain its independence, and uphold its creative vision. Sweeney’s leadership has been pivotal in Epic’s growth and its ventures into new areas like the metaverse.
Tencent Holdings – 35%
In 2012, Tencent, a Chinese tech conglomerate, invested $330 million to acquire a 40% stake in Epic Games. Over time, this stake has adjusted to 35%. Tencent’s involvement provided Epic with significant capital and access to the Asian market. However, due to antitrust concerns, Tencent agreed in 2024 to relinquish its right to appoint directors or observers to Epic’s board, ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations.
The Walt Disney Company – 9%
In 2024, The Walt Disney Company invested $1.5 billion to acquire a 9% stake in Epic Games. This investment aligns with Disney’s strategy to expand its presence in interactive entertainment and digital experiences. The partnership leverages Epic’s technological capabilities to enhance Disney’s storytelling and content delivery.
Sony Group Corporation – 5.4%
Sony has progressively increased its investment in Epic Games. Starting with a $250 million investment in 2020 for a 1.4% stake, Sony added another $200 million in 2021. In 2022, Sony invested an additional $1 billion, bringing its total stake to approximately 5.4%. This partnership strengthens the collaboration between Epic’s Unreal Engine and Sony’s entertainment platforms, including PlayStation.
KIRKBI – 3.2%
KIRKBI, the family-owned holding company behind The LEGO Group, invested $1 billion in Epic Games in 2022, acquiring a 3.2% stake. This investment supports the development of family-friendly digital experiences and the creation of a safe metaverse for children, combining LEGO’s expertise in play with Epic’s technological prowess.
Institutional Investors and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Epic Games has also received investments from various institutional investors, including KKR, Baillie Gifford, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, T. Rowe Price Associates, and BlackRock. These investors hold smaller, minority stakes and generally do not participate in daily operations.
Additionally, Epic Games has an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that allocates shares to employees, fostering a sense of ownership and aligning employee interests with the company’s success.
Who is the CEO of Epic Games?
Tim Sweeney serves as the CEO of Epic Games, a position he has held since founding the company in 1991. Under his leadership, Epic has grown from a small game developer into a major player in the gaming industry, known for titles like Fortnite and the Unreal Engine.
Sweeney is recognized for his advocacy of open platforms and fair digital marketplaces. In 2025, he played a pivotal role in a legal victory against Apple, leading to Fortnite‘s return to the U.S. iOS App Store after a prolonged absence.
Beyond his executive role, Sweeney is deeply involved in the technical aspects of the company, contributing to the development of the Unreal Engine and other core technologies.
Leadership Team and Governance
Epic Games’ leadership team includes:
- Adam Sussman, President
- Randy Gelber, Chief Financial Officer
- Daniel Vogel, Chief Operating Officer
- Kim Libreri, Chief Technology Officer
- Mark Rein, Vice President and Co-Founder
- Monika Fahlbusch, Chief People Officer
- Saxs Persson, Executive Vice President
- Tera Randall, Executive Vice President, Global Affairs
This team supports the company’s strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations.
Control and Decision-Making Structure
Tim Sweeney holds a 41.4% stake in Epic Games, giving him significant influence over the company’s direction. Despite Tencent’s 35% ownership, Sweeney’s controlling interest ensures that he remains the primary decision-maker.
In 2024, Tencent-appointed directors resigned from Epic’s board following U.S. antitrust concerns, further consolidating control within the company’s internal leadership.
Annual Revenue and Net Worth of Epic Games
As of 2025, Epic Games continues to demonstrate robust financial performance, solidifying its position as a leading entity in the gaming industry.
Revenue
In 2024, Epic Games achieved a gross revenue of approximately $5.8 billion, marking a significant increase from previous years. This growth was propelled by the sustained popularity of flagship titles like Fortnite and Rocket League, as well as the widespread adoption of the Unreal Engine across various gaming platforms.
A notable contributor to this revenue was the Epic Games Store (EGS), which reported $1.09 billion in sales for 2024, reflecting a 15% year-over-year increase. The EGS user base expanded to 295 million PC users, with total cross-platform accounts reaching 898 million.
Net Worth
Epic Games’ net worth in 2025 is estimated to be around $32 billion, maintaining its valuation from April 2022. This valuation reflects the company’s sustained growth, strategic investments, and its influential role in the gaming and digital entertainment sectors.
The company’s financial trajectory indicates a promising future, with projected revenues expected to reach $7.67 billion by 2025. This projection underscores Epic Games’ commitment to innovation and its expanding footprint in the global gaming market.
Here’s a breakdown of the historical revenue and net worth of Epic Games from 2015 to 2025:
| Year | Estimated Revenue (USD) | Estimated Net Worth (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7.67 billion (projected) | $32 billion | Growth fueled by Epic Games Store, Unreal Engine 5, and Fortnite. |
| 2024 | $5.8 billion | $32 billion | Increased EGS and metaverse initiatives; Disney invests $1.5B. |
| 2023 | $5.1 billion | $31.5 billion | Continued Unreal Engine 5 adoption; major in-game events in Fortnite. |
| 2022 | $4.6 billion | $31.5 billion | Final round of $2B funding from Sony and KIRKBI. |
| 2021 | $5.7 billion | $28.7 billion | Surge in online gaming during pandemic; legal battles with Apple begin. |
| 2020 | $4.2 billion | $17.3 billion | Epic Store expands; Fortnite peaks in global popularity. |
| 2019 | $1.8 billion | $15 billion | Tencent’s influence grows; Unreal Engine becomes standard in gaming. |
| 2018 | $3.8 billion | $15 billion | Fortnite dominates; Epic raises funding at a $15B valuation. |
| 2017 | $0.4 billion | $4.5 billion (est.) | Fortnite: Battle Royale launches and gains rapid popularity. |
| 2016 | $0.2 billion | $1.1 billion (est.) | Continued development of Unreal Engine 4. |
| 2015 | $0.1 billion | $0.9 billion (est.) | Early growth phase; focused on engine licensing and small titles. |
Brands and Companies Owned by Epic Games
Epic Games has strategically expanded its portfolio through acquisitions and partnerships, enhancing its capabilities across game development, digital marketplaces, and creative tools.
Below is an overview of key subsidiaries, brands, and companies owned and operated by Epic Games as of 2025:
| Company/Brand | Acquisition Year | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Psyonix | 2019 | Developer of Rocket League; integrated Rocket Racing into Fortnite in 2023. |
| Mediatonic (Tonic Games Group) | 2021 | Creator of Fall Guys; part of Epic’s push into social and casual gaming. |
| Harmonix | 2021 | Known for Rock Band; powers Fortnite Festival mode since 2023. |
| AQUIRIS (Epic Games Brasil) | 2023 | Developer of Horizon Chase; became Epic Games Brasil to develop Fortnite content. |
| Quixel | 2019 | Photogrammetry asset library used in Unreal Engine; enhances visual realism. |
| Cubic Motion | 2020 | Specializes in facial animation for lifelike characters in games and virtual experiences. |
| 3Lateral | 2019 | Serbian company behind MetaHuman Creator tech; digital human technology leader. |
| Capturing Reality | 2021 | Creator of RealityCapture software for high-quality 3D model creation via photogrammetry. |
| ArtStation | 2021 | Platform for digital artists; integrated with Unreal Engine and marketplace. |
| Sketchfab | 2021 | Web-based platform for publishing and selling 3D assets; supports creator economy. |
| RAD Game Tools | 2021 | Provides core development tools like Bink Video; integrated into Unreal Engine. |
| Cloudgine | 2018 | Cloud computing tech provider; powers scalable real-time experiences in Unreal Engine. |
| SuperAwesome | 2020 | Builds child-safe digital environments; used to protect younger audiences on Epic platforms. |
| Epic Games Store | 2018 (Launched) | Epic’s proprietary game distribution platform; offers 88/12 revenue split to developers. |
| Unreal Engine | Ongoing (since 1998) | Epic’s flagship game engine used across gaming, film, architecture, and virtual production industries. |
Psyonix
Psyonix, based in San Diego, is renowned for developing Rocket League, a game that combines soccer with vehicular acrobatics. Acquired by Epic Games in May 2019, Psyonix has continued to innovate, introducing Rocket League Sideswipe for mobile platforms in 2021 and integrating the Rocket Racing mode into Fortnite in December 2023.
Mediatonic (Tonic Games Group)
Mediatonic, the developer behind the popular game Fall Guys, became part of Epic Games through the acquisition of its parent company, Tonic Games Group, in March 2021. This move aimed to enhance Epic’s presence in the casual gaming market and support its broader metaverse ambitions.
Harmonix
Harmonix, a Boston-based studio known for music games like Rock Band and Fuser, was acquired by Epic Games in November 2021. Post-acquisition, Harmonix has contributed to Epic’s metaverse strategy by developing musical experiences within Fortnite, including the Fortnite Festival mode launched in December 2023.
AQUIRIS (Epic Games Brasil)
In April 2023, Epic Games acquired Brazilian developer AQUIRIS, known for titles like Horizon Chase. The acquisition led to the formation of Epic Games Brasil, marking Epic’s first studio in Latin America. The team focuses on developing content and social experiences for Fortnite.
Quixel
Quixel, acquired in November 2019, is a Swedish company specializing in photogrammetry assets. Its extensive library of high-quality 3D assets has been integrated into Unreal Engine, facilitating realistic environment creation for developers.
Cubic Motion
Cubic Motion, a UK-based firm acquired in March 2020, specializes in facial animation technology. Its expertise enhances the realism of digital characters, supporting Epic’s development of lifelike avatars in games and virtual experiences.
3Lateral
Serbian company 3Lateral, acquired in January 2019, is known for its work in digital human technology. Its innovations contribute to Epic’s MetaHuman Creator, enabling the creation of highly realistic human characters for games and virtual productions.
Capturing Reality
Capturing Reality, acquired in March 2021, developed RealityCapture, a photogrammetry software that creates 3D models from photographs. This technology has been integrated into Unreal Engine, streamlining the creation of detailed 3D environments.
ArtStation
ArtStation, acquired in April 2021, is a platform for artists to showcase their portfolios and sell digital assets. Post-acquisition, Epic reduced ArtStation’s marketplace fees and integrated it with Unreal Engine, supporting the creative community.
Sketchfab
Sketchfab, a platform for publishing and discovering 3D content, was acquired in July 2021. Epic’s acquisition aimed to make 3D content more accessible and integrated with Unreal Engine, benefiting creators and developers.
RAD Game Tools
RAD Game Tools, acquired in January 2021, is known for developing game development tools like Bink Video. Epic integrated RAD’s technologies into Unreal Engine to enhance performance and efficiency in game development.
Cloudgine
Cloudgine, a UK-based company acquired in January 2018, specialized in cloud computing technology for games. Its technology has been integrated into Unreal Engine to support complex, real-time simulations.
SuperAwesome
SuperAwesome, acquired in September 2020, focuses on creating safe digital experiences for children. Its technologies have been utilized to ensure child-friendly environments within Epic’s platforms.
Epic Games Store
Launched in December 2018, the Epic Games Store is a digital distribution platform for PC and Mac games. It offers developers a favorable revenue share and has become a significant competitor in the digital game storefront market.
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is Epic’s flagship game engine, widely used across the gaming industry and beyond. Its latest iteration, Unreal Engine 5, offers advanced features like Nanite and Lumen, facilitating the creation of highly detailed and dynamic environments.
Final Words
Understanding who owns Epic Games reveals how the company balances innovation with strategic investments. Tim Sweeney’s leadership and vision keep the company independent. Tencent and other minority shareholders provide financial backing without compromising control. As a result, Epic can push boundaries in gaming, software, and digital distribution.
From its humble beginnings to a $30 billion empire, Epic continues to grow. Whether through new technology, games, or platforms, the company remains a key player in shaping the future of entertainment.
FAQs
How rich is Tim Sweeney?
Tim Sweeney, the founder and CEO of Epic Games, has an estimated net worth of approximately $9 billion as of 2025. This wealth primarily comes from his ownership stake in Epic Games, which has significantly grown in value due to the success of Fortnite, Unreal Engine, and various acquisitions made by the company.
Did Disney buy Epic Games?
No, Disney has not bought Epic Games. However, Disney has made investments in Epic Games. In 2023, Disney invested $1.5 billion into Epic, further solidifying its connection to Epic’s metaverse and virtual production technologies.
How much is Epic’s CEO worth?
As of 2025, Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, is worth around $9 billion. His wealth is mainly tied to his majority ownership in Epic Games, which has grown in value due to the success of Fortnite and Unreal Engine, as well as various acquisitions.
Who runs Fortnite?
Fortnite is managed by Epic Games, with Tim Sweeney as the CEO. While Sweeney is ultimately in charge of Epic Games, the game’s development and live operations are overseen by a large team of developers, designers, and project managers working at Epic Games, including various senior leads within the company.
Who sold Fortnite?
Fortnite has not been sold. It was developed and is owned by Epic Games. There have been no sales of the Fortnite brand; however, it has been a major contributor to Epic Games’ valuation and success.
Who founded Epic Games?
Epic Games was founded by Tim Sweeney in 1991. Sweeney initially started the company under the name “Potomac Computer Systems,” and later renamed it to Epic Games. He was later joined by Mark Rein, who played a key role in the company’s growth.
What is Tim Sweeney’s net worth?
Tim Sweeney’s estimated net worth is approximately $9 billion as of 2025. His wealth primarily stems from his large ownership stake in Epic Games, which has become one of the most valuable gaming companies in the world due to the success of titles like Fortnite and the widespread use of Unreal Engine.
Where is Epic Games located?
Epic Games is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, United States. The company also has several offices and studios worldwide, including in major cities like Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, and Seoul, contributing to its global presence.
Is Epic Games publicly traded?
No, Epic Games is not publicly traded. It remains a privately held company. However, it has raised substantial funds through private investments and has made partnerships with large companies like Tencent, Sony, and Disney.
Who created Epic Games?
Epic Games was created by Tim Sweeney in 1991. Initially a solo venture, Sweeney later expanded the company with the help of Mark Rein, who played a significant role in its growth and direction.
Which company owns Epic Games?
Epic Games is primarily owned by Tim Sweeney, who holds the majority of the company’s shares. Additionally, significant investments come from companies like Tencent, which owns a 40% stake, and Sony, which has also invested heavily in the company.
Is Epic Games owned by Tencent?
Yes, Tencent owns a 40% stake in Epic Games, making it a significant minority shareholder. Tencent, a major Chinese tech conglomerate, has been a key partner in Epic Games’ growth, especially in its international expansion.
Does Sony own Epic Games?
Sony owns a minority stake in Epic Games, having invested approximately $1 billion into the company over the years. While it holds significant influence, Tim Sweeney and Tencent remain the largest stakeholders.
Does Disney own Epic Games?
No, Disney does not own Epic Games. However, Disney has made investments in the company, particularly to leverage Epic’s technology for its own digital initiatives and metaverse projects. Disney’s 2023 investment of $1.5 billion strengthened its ties to Epic Games, but it does not mean full ownership.
Who owns Epic Games?
Epic Games is owned primarily by its founder, Tim Sweeney, who holds a controlling stake. Tencent owns around 40%, while other private investors hold smaller shares.
How much did Tencent invest in Epic Games?
Tencent invested $330 million in 2012 to acquire a 40% stake in the company.