In an antitrust trial in San Francisco, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney accused Google of being a ruthless bully that utilizes shady tactics to protect its predatory payment system. Sweeney's testimony came as part of Epic Games' attempt to disrupt Google's Play Store for Android apps. This trial is one of two antitrust cases against Google, as legal attacks seek to dismantle its $1.7 trillion tech empire. Testimony in the Android phone app case is set to conclude before Christmas, while the other case, focused on Google's dominant search engine, will be decided next year.

During his testimony, Sweeney tried to portray Google as a greedy monopolist, while Google attorney Jonathan Kravis aimed to present Sweeney as primarily interested in bypassing the commission system to boost Epic's profits. Epic, the creator of the popular Fortnite game, alleges that Google engages in illegal price-gouging by collecting commissions ranging from 15% to 30% on in-app digital transactions. This is similar to a payment system that Epic previously challenged in a lawsuit against Apple's iPhone app store, which is now being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Unlike Apple's iPhone app store, Google already allows competition on its Play Store. In 2018, Epic attempted to release Fortnite for Android phones on its own website instead of the Play Store. Sweeney testified that Google called him to its headquarters in Mountain View, California, in an attempt to convince Epic to release the game on the Play Store instead. Google offered financial incentives, which Sweeney rejected, describing the proposed deals as a "crooked arrangement" designed to discourage competition.

Epic's lawyers had previously presented Google documents that revealed the company had offered video game maker Activision Blizzard a package worth $360 million to abandon plans to compete against the Play Store. Google's lawyers countered with documents outlining the benefits that Activision would receive from the deal, valued at over $315 million. After rejecting Google's offers, Epic faced difficulties distributing Fortnite for Android through its website due to Google's obstruction and the use of pop-up "scare screens" warning of potential software issues.

Ultimately, Epic released Fortnite on the Play Store in 2020 while secretly planning to bypass the commission system. In August of that year, Epic introduced an alternate payment option in revised Fortnite apps for the Play Store and the iPhone app store. Apple and Google promptly blocked the alternative payment option, leading Epic to file antitrust lawsuits. Sweeney framed these lawsuits as a crusade on behalf of all game makers, as mobile gaming becomes increasingly popular.

During cross-examination, Kravis highlighted that Epic pays 30% commissions to Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo for transactions on PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch consoles without complaint, while still earning billions of dollars in profit from those platforms. Sweeney disclosed that more than 90% of Epic's revenue from in-app purchases came from video game consoles and personal computers, not smartphones. He did not explain why Epic has not challenged the 30% commissions on other gaming devices, but stated that their goal is for the jury to find Google in violation of the law and force the company to cease these practices.