In the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Google, the battlefield has witnessed another explosive revelation from Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney. This time, the spotlight is on what Sweeney dubs a "crooked deal" offered by Google, unraveling a secret attempt to cut-off competition.

Epic Games CEO Reveals a 'Crooked' Deal Put Forth by Google

To grasp the intensity of this legal drama swiftly, Epic Games found itself at odds with Google's demand for a hefty 30% commission on all in-app purchases. Unwilling to comply, Epic devised its own payment system, blatantly violating Google's policies. In response, Google promptly removed Fortnite from the Play Store, setting the stage for the ongoing legal tussle.

As reported by AP, Tim Sweeney recently took center stage during the trial, providing insights into a behind-the-scenes conversation with Google. The aim? Facilitating Fortnite's return to the Play Store. However, Sweeney expressed profound dissatisfaction with Google's tactics.

Describing the situation as a "crooked arrangement," Sweeney unveiled Google's attempt to lure Epic into non-competitive agreements. The specifics of these alleged side deals remain shrouded in mystery, as Epic opted to reject the proposal. In a bold move, Epic circumvented Google's domain, allowing players to download Fortnite directly from their website, circumventing the Play Store.

This independent endeavor, however, proved to be a bitter experience, characterized by Sweeney as a "depressing process." Faced with the challenges of going solo, Epic eventually returned to the Play Store but not without a counter strategy. Enter Project Liberty, an alternative payment avenue for Fortnite that led to the game's removal from the Play Store in 2020, triggering Epic's subsequent anti-trust lawsuits against Google.

The Epic Games vs Google legal saga, marked by twists and turns, now exposes a covert episode—a 'crooked deal' attempting to orchestrate Epic's compliance. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the repercussions of this revelation add another layer to the complex narrative, shaping the future contours of this high-stakes battle between gaming giant and tech titan.