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Epic Games, Inc.

Also Known As +

  • Epic MegaGames, Inc. (from 1991 to 1999)
  • Potomac Computer Systems (from 1991 to 1991)

Overview edit · view history

Epic Games is a company started as Potomac Computer Systems in 1991 by Tim Sweeney in Rockville, Maryland (US). The same year the name was changed to Epic MegaGames, Inc. and the company became a world leader in developing and publishing shareware games. Epic's best-known creations include Epic Pinball, Jazz Jackrabbit, One Must Fall 2097 and Jill of the Jungle.

The biggest change for the company came in 1998 when the first-person shooter Unreal was released. It was the start of a broad franchise of shooters that still runs today. At the same time, the company started licensing the engine powering the games, various iterations of the UnrealEngine, used in a large range of titles. It put the company on the map next to id Software, Inc. as one of the most prominent engine development studios. In 1999 the studio received its current name Epic Games, Inc.

Acquired studios: Safari Software Ltd. (1997) * Chair Entertainment Group (2008) * Titan Studios (2008, formerly Darkstar Industries*) * People Can Fly (2012) * Pitbull Studio Limited (2014)

In September 2006 the establishment of Epic Games China, Ltd. was announced. Based in Shanghai, it was set up to provide low-cost game asset outsourcing to both Epic and third parties. The studio currently goes by the name Yingpei Games.

In June 2012 the China-based Tencent Holdings Limited announced to have acquired a minority stake of 10% in the company. In September 2012 the establishment of a new Epic studio in Seattle was announced to work on the fourth version of the Unreal Engine.

Also in June 2012 the studio formed Epic Baltimore, later renamed Impossible Studios. The division was closed in February 2013.

2,939 Games Released (1991 - 2023)

Displaying most recent · View all

Gripper (2023 on Windows, Nintendo Switch)
Smalland: Survive the Wilds (2023 on Windows)
Grappin (2023 on Windows)
Deceive Inc. (2023 on Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series)
Bleak Faith: Forsaken (2023 on Windows)
Caverns of Mars: Recharged (2023 on PlayStation 5, Windows, Linux...)
Hotel Renovator (2023 on Windows)
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - The Last Sarkorians (2023 on Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch...)
The Obscura Experiment (2023 on Windows)
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania (2023 on Linux, Windows, Nintendo Switch...)
Project: Waterfall (2023 on Windows)
Scars Above (2023 on Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One...)
Kerbal Space Program 2 (2023 on Windows)
Octopath Traveler II (2023 on Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch...)
The Pale Beyond (2023 on Macintosh, Windows)
Blood Bowl III (2023 on Windows, Xbox Series, PlayStation 5...)
Horizon: Call of the Mountain (2023 on PlayStation 5)
Redemption Reapers (2023 on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4)
Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023 on Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One...)
Atomic Heart (2023 on Windows, Windows Apps, PlayStation 4...)

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History +

1991

Company founded by Tim Sweeney in Rockville, Maryland.

1997

The company acquires Safari Software.

1999

The company changes its name from Epic MegaGames, Inc. to Epic Games, Inc. and moves its offices to Raleigh.

March 18th, 2004

Epic and Scion Studios merge. Scion's Michael Capps assumes the role of Epic Games president while Tim Sweeney remains Chairman and CEO.

May 12th, 2005

The company purchases the Reality Engine from competitor Artificial Studios and hires the lead programmer Tim Johnson. Epic does not intend to continue sales, development, or support, but will review its technologies for inclusion into Unreal Engine 3 and offers licensees upgrades to Unreal Engine 3 at discounted prices.

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Trivia +

Company location and contact information (2008):

Epic Games Inc.

620 Crossroads Blvd.

Cary, North Carolina 27518

Company email: [email protected]

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