Q&A with Tim Sweeney and Saxs Persson: The Evolution of Fortnite
Could Fortnite be the next YouTube? It’s a possibility — but Epic Games has even grander ambitions.
As Fortnite transitions from a beloved video game into a vibrant ecosystem of creators, brands, and virtual realms, some analysts are drawing parallels to other creator platforms like YouTube. These comparisons have intensified as Epic Games enhances its creator tools, which now include expanded data analytics and AI-powered coding assistants introduced at last week’s Unreal Fest conference in Orlando, Florida.
While Epic Games’ leadership recognizes these similarities, CEO Tim Sweeney has mixed feelings about the comparison. He sees Fortnite’s ongoing effort to onboard creators as just one stage in the platform’s evolution, not a final goal. According to Sweeney, Epic Games aims to build the metaverse, rather than merely creating a venue for creators to entertain audiences and earn revenue.
At Unreal Fest 2025, Digiday had a detailed discussion with Sweeney and Epic Games EVP of the Fortnite ecosystem, Saxs Persson, about Fortnite’s transformation, the platform’s strategy for creator monetization — and how Epic’s legal challenges with Apple have paved the way for Fortnite’s future as a creator hub.
(Editor’s note: Epic Games sponsored this reporter’s travel and accommodations at Unreal Fest 2025, but did not influence the coverage. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.)
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