Company Directory - Epic Games, Inc.
Company Details - Epic Games, Inc.
Epic Games, Inc.
WebsiteCary, United States
Epic Games is an American video game and software developer renowned for creating Fortnite, the Unreal Engine, and other innovative digital entertainment products and software solutions.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Epic Games, Inc.
-17.63
0.01%
Latest Event
Epic Games CEO Criticizes Tech Giants for Political Opportunism
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney publicly accused major tech companies of shifting their political loyalties to court the Trump administration. His remarks highlight concerns over political opportunism and the potential erosion of principled leadership in Big Tech, marking a stand against authoritarian-aligned practices.
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ENABLER
Epic Games, Inc. is currently rated as an Enabler.
Latest Events
- JAN132025
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney publicly accused major tech companies of shifting their political loyalties to court the Trump administration. His remarks highlight concerns over political opportunism and the potential erosion of principled leadership in Big Tech, marking a stand against authoritarian-aligned practices.
+80
Executive Political Engagement
January 13
Tim Sweeney, as founder and CEO of Epic Games, used his executive platform to criticize major tech companies for altering their political stances in favor of the Trump administration. This public denunciation demonstrates strong executive political engagement against aligning with authoritarian tendencies. By openly challenging Big Tech’s opportunistic behaviors, Epic Games positions itself in opposition to practices that may undermine democratic processes.
Epic Games CEO Accuses Tech Giants of Shifting Loyalties to Court Trump Administration
- DEC312024
An OpenSecrets profile reveals that during the 2024 cycle, Epic Games made $147,247 in political contributions and spent $1,050,000 on lobbying, with 4 out of 6 lobbyists having previously held government positions. This revolving door phenomenon raises concerns about undue influence and potential conflicts of interest in policymaking.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 7
Epic Games' significant lobbying spending combined with relatively modest campaign contributions, along with the fact that a majority of its lobbyists have government experience, suggests a strong engagement in political activities that can undermine democratic accountability. This pattern of influence is concerning from an anti-authoritarian perspective.
-40
Executive Political Engagement
April 7
The revolving door effect is evident as 4 out of 6 lobbyists at Epic Games have prior government experience. This executive political engagement raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential for excessive corporate influence over public policy.
- JUL182024
After a report by GPAHE and WIRED highlighted extremist user-created games—including renditions of politically charged violence and hate symbols—on its Fortnite platform, Epic Games removed some problematic content such as the 'Donald Trump vs Assassin' game and a map replicating a concentration camp. However, other hate-fueled games (including one promoting Germany’s AfD and politically skewed 'Trump vs Biden') remained, exposing inconsistencies in their content moderation policies.
+10
Public and Political Behavior
April 7
Epic Games demonstrated some responsiveness to extremist content by removing certain games upon notification, reflecting a willingness to engage with political extremism issues. However, leaving multiple politically violent and hate-driven games online indicates a mixed approach, limiting the overall positive impact on curbing fascist propaganda on the platform.
-15
Technology and Services Impact
April 7
The design of Fortnite's creative tools and the platform’s lax and vague moderation policies inadvertently provide fertile ground for extremist and hateful content to proliferate. The continued availability of politically charged and extremist games undermines efforts to counter fascist narratives, reflecting negatively on the technological impact of their services.
- MAY032024
An investigation by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism reveals that Epic Games’ Fortnite is hosting user-generated content that promotes insurrection, including an island called 'Storm the Capitol', and has a history of problematic moderation of hate and extremist political content.
-50
Public and Political Behavior
April 7
Epic Games has permitted extremist political content on Fortnite, such as the insurrection-themed 'Storm the Capitol' island. This lack of decisive action to moderate hate speech and extremist messaging undermines democratic norms and promotes political violence, reflecting poorly on the company's public political behavior.
Fortnite’s Political Content Encourages Violence and Allows Players to Stage a Capitol Insurrection
-40
Media Influence and Propaganda
April 7
By allowing politically charged user-generated content that includes insurrection simulations and extremist political games such as 'Election Box PvP', Epic Games contributes to the proliferation of hate and extremist political propaganda on its platform, thereby amplifying harmful societal divisions.
Fortnite’s Political Content Encourages Violence and Allows Players to Stage a Capitol Insurrection
- NOV092023
Epic Games filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google and has been actively lobbying Congress, spending $450,000 in early 2023, to support the Open App Markets Act and address anticompetitive practices in the tech sector.
+80
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 7
Epic Games is engaging in proactive political behavior by suing Google for antitrust violations and consistently lobbying on the Open App Markets Act, measures which promote competition and protect consumer rights against monopolistic practices. This action contrasts with authoritarian tendencies by challenging dominant tech power structures.
- OCT312023
Bandcamp United, the union representing Bandcamp employees, filed a claim with the NLRB alleging that Epic Games, alongside Songtradr, violated the National Labor Relations Act by engaging in unfair labor practices following mass layoffs triggered by the sale of Bandcamp.
-80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
October 31
Epic Games is implicated in an unfair labor practices claim filed by Bandcamp United, highlighting potential violations of labor rights under the NLRA. The allegations suggest that the company’s actions during the acquisition and subsequent layoffs may undermine fair labor practices and worker protections.
Bandcamp United files Unfair Labor Practice violation claim against Songtradr and Epic Games
- OCT292023
Bandcamp United filed an unfair labour practices claim with the NLRB against Songtradr and Epic Games following mass layoffs triggered by Songtradr’s acquisition of Bandcamp.
-70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 7
Epic Games is implicated in triggering mass layoffs after the sale of Bandcamp, leading to an unfair labour practices claim by Bandcamp United. This raises significant concerns over the company's labour relations and treatment of workers, reflecting negatively on its ethical business practices.
Bandcamp United files unfair labour practices claim against Songtradr and Epic Games
- OCT012023
Epic Games reached a $520 million settlement with the FTC to resolve allegations of COPPA violations and unfair billing practices related to its Fortnite game. The settlement addresses claims that Epic engaged in unethical business practices by failing to obtain parental consent, using dark patterns, and imposing unfair billing procedures.
-70
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
April 7
Epic Games settled with the FTC following allegations that it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by using default settings that collected personal data from children without proper parental consent, and by employing dark patterns that led to unfair billing practices. This unethical conduct undermines consumer trust, particularly affecting minors, and reflects poorly on the company’s business practices and ethical responsibilities.
Epic Games $520 Million Settlement with FTC for Unfair Practices and COPPA Violations
- MAR162023
Bandcamp employees, part of the Epic Games portfolio after the acquisition last year, have organized a union to demand fair treatment, better wages, and more equitable communication with management. They are urging Epic Games to facilitate a fair election process via the National Labor Relations Board, reflecting a strong push towards safeguarding worker rights.
+90
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 7
The union formation at Bandcamp demonstrates proactive advocacy for improved labor rights and conditions, aligning with progressive and anti-fascist values. Such developments empower workers and ensure that marginalized voices get a seat at the table, reinforcing ethical labor practices.
- MAR142023
The Federal Trade Commission finalized an order requiring Epic Games to pay $245 million to consumers, settling charges that the company used dark patterns in Fortnite to trick players into making unwanted purchases and enabled children to make unauthorized charges without parental consent.
-70
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
April 7
Epic Games employed deceptive dark pattern design in Fortnite that misled consumers into unauthorized transactions, exploited children by bypassing parental consent, and even penalized users by locking their accounts when disputes arose. These practices violate ethical business standards and contribute to authoritarian control over consumer behavior, leading to a strongly negative rating in Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility.
- JAN012023
A National Labor Relations Board docket outlines the formation of a union voting unit (Unit A) at Bandcamp LLC, a subsidiary of Epic Games Inc., detailing the inclusion of a broad range of full‑time and part‑time employees. This filing emphasizes the company's labor relations practices and worker representation.
+75
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 7
The NLRB docket indicates proactive labor union organization at Bandcamp LLC, a subsidiary of Epic Games. The detailed inclusion of diverse employee roles in the voting unit is a robust affirmation of workers' rights and fair labor practices, aligning with progressive, anti‑authoritarian values.
- JAN012023
Epic Games spent $600,000 on lobbying efforts in 2023, as reported by OpenSecrets. This level of corporate political expenditure raises concerns regarding the company’s role in influencing policy and potentially undermining democratic accountability.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 7
Epic Games’ allocation of $600,000 towards lobbying in 2023 demonstrates a marked involvement in corporate political behavior. Such an investment in influencing policymaking can facilitate the entrenchment of special interests and may subvert progressive and democratic reforms, thereby contributing negatively to political accountability and workers’ rights.
- DEC192022
Epic Games reached a settlement with the FTC, agreeing to pay $520 million in penalties over deceptive design practices and COPPA violations in Fortnite. The settlement mandates the implementation of stronger privacy protocols for minors and the removal of manipulative dark patterns that trick users into unwanted purchases.
-80
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
April 7
Epic Games violated ethical business practices by deploying dark patterns and ignoring over a million user complaints, which led to unauthorized purchases and compromised the privacy of children by collecting personal data under COPPA. This behavior undermines consumer rights and reflects a disregard for ethical standards in its business practices.
-70
Technology and Services Impact
April 7
By employing dark patterns in its Fortnite interface, Epic Games manipulated users—especially minors—into making unintended purchases and obscured straightforward cancellation and refund mechanisms. This misuse of technology to exploit vulnerable users reflects poorly on the company’s commitment to safeguarding its digital services.
- APR292022
A labour complaint was filed with the NLRB, accusing Epic Games of refusing to hire a candidate who was an active union supporter, allegedly due to her labor advocacy activities. This event highlights potential discriminatory labor practices that undermine fair worker treatment.
-80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 18
The complaint against Epic Games suggests that the company may have discriminated against a candidate based on her union-support and labor advocacy, which directly undermines worker rights and fair labor practices. Such practices are aligned with authoritarian management trends that discourage collective bargaining and grassroots worker organization. The negative score reflects serious concerns from an anti-fascist perspective regarding the treatment of labor and potential complicity in broader oppressive economic structures.
Epic Games faces labour complaint over allegedly refusing to hire union supporter
- APR292022
A former job applicant, known for her union organizing and advocacy work, has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that Epic Games refused to hire her because of her pro-union activities. The complaint raises concerns about the company’s commitment to fair labor practices and workers' rights.
-70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 7
The complaint alleges that Epic Games declined to hire a candidate due to her union advocacy, which undermines workers' rights and fair labor practices. Such actions are concerning from a labor relations standpoint and align with behaviors that could support authoritarian workplace control.
Epic Games faces labour complaint over allegedly refusing to hire union supporter
- APR282022
A former job applicant alleges that Epic Games discriminated against her due to her labor activism, calling into question the company’s commitment to fair labor practices. The complaint is currently under review by the NLRB, highlighting concerns about the company's treatment of workers and its potential complicity in undermining labor rights.
-40
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 18
The NLRB discrimination complaint against Epic Games raises serious concerns regarding the company's labor relations and human rights practices. The allegation that a candidate was sidelined due to her labor activism suggests that the company may be compromising fair hiring practices and undermining worker protections—an issue that aligns with broader concerns about corporate complicity in systems that facilitate authoritarian dynamics.
Epic Games hit by NLRB discrimination complaint by former job applicant
- JAN202021
Epic Games, the maker behind Fortnite, has brought on its first lobbyists to monitor antitrust issues in Washington. This move highlights the company’s growing reliance on political channels to protect its commercial interests, raising concerns about corporate influence on government policy from an anti-fascist perspective.
-30
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 18
Epic Games' decision to hire lobbyists from firms connected to both sides of the political aisle demonstrates a clear intent to leverage political channels for advancing corporate interests. From an anti-fascist, left-leaning perspective, such political influence tactics can undermine democratic accountability and transparency, thereby contributing indirectly to authoritarian practices.
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