Court Reveals Previously Hidden Epic And Google Partnership
The Verge reports that during a hearing tied to the Epic versus Google antitrust case, California District Judge James Donato revealed that Epic and Google have entered into a new business arrangement involving joint product development, joint marketing commitments, and shared partnerships. According to the court, the agreement would see Epic helping Google market Android, while Google gains broader access to Epic’s core technology, including Unreal Engine. Judge Donato questioned whether this new relationship could have led Epic to soften its stance during settlement negotiations. While most details remain sealed, the judge confirmed that the partnership represents new business between the two companies, something that did not exist before the legal battle began.
Tim Sweeney Hints At Metaverse And Unreal Engine Use
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney provided one of the clearest hints about the nature of the deal during his testimony. He suggested the partnership is connected to what he frequently describes as the metaverse, a term he often uses to refer to Fortnite’s broader ecosystem. Sweeney explained that Epic’s technology is already used by many companies in the same space Google operates in, particularly for training and development. He went on to suggest that Google would be able to use Unreal Engine more extensively, before abruptly stopping himself and joking that he was breaking confidentiality. That moment offered a rare glimpse into how deeply Unreal Engine may be involved in Google’s future product plans.
Judge Confirms 0 Million Six Year Commitment
While the finer points of the partnership remain secret, Judge Donato did confirm one major detail. The deal involves an 0 million commitment spread across six years, which he described as a healthy partnership by any standard. Reports indicate that Epic Games will be paying Google as part of the agreement, though it remains unclear how that money is structured or which specific services and technologies it covers. The judge allowed both companies to keep most details under wraps, but made it clear the court is carefully examining how the agreement intersects with the recently announced settlement.
Settlement Raises Questions About Epic And Google’s Feud
Epic and Google first announced a settlement in November, signalling the end of their lengthy legal dispute, pending final court approval. The sudden revelation of this partnership has raised questions about whether the deal helped smooth negotiations behind the scenes. Judge Donato openly questioned whether Epic’s demands for broader changes to the Android ecosystem were softened as a result of this new cooperation. While no wrongdoing has been established, the timing has drawn scrutiny. Epic has maintained that the agreement represents separate product lines being built by both companies, with plans to work together rather than merge efforts.
More Questions Than Answers For Now
Despite confirmation of the deal’s size and general scope, much remains unknown. Neither Epic nor Google has publicly explained what products or services are being developed, how Unreal Engine will be used, or how Fortnite fits into the long term strategy. What is clear is that this partnership marks a dramatic shift in the relationship between Epic Games and Google. After years of courtroom battles and public disputes, the two companies are now quietly collaborating on technology that could shape the future of gaming, Android, and beyond. For now, the industry is left with more questions than answers, and plenty of curiosity about what an 0 million Unreal Engine partnership might actually deliver.
