Tim Sweeney

Tim Sweeney is the visionary founder and CEO of Epic Games, the company behind video games Gears of War, Unreal Tournament, Infinity Blade and Fortnite. A seminal figure in the gaming industry renowned for his technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, he developed a passion for coding at a young age.

In 1991, while still a student at the University of Maryland, Sweeney founded Potomac Computer Systems, which later evolved into Epic Games. His early ventures included creating ZZT, a groundbreaking shareware game that showcased his programming prowess and laid the foundation for the company’s future success.

Under Sweeney’s leadership, Epic Games revolutionized the gaming industry with the Unreal Engine, a powerful and versatile game development tool now used by developers worldwide. The Unreal Engine not only set new standards for graphics and gameplay but also became a cornerstone of the gaming and entertainment industries.

In addition to his technical achievements, Sweeney is known for his advocacy on behalf of developers and open platforms. He has been a vocal proponent of cross-platform play and has consistently pushed for more open ecosystems within the gaming industry.

Sweeney has also been a pioneer in virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, exploring new frontiers in interactive entertainment. His forward-thinking approach continues to shape the future of gaming and digital experiences.

Sweeney’s contributions to gaming and technology have earned him numerous accolades including being inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Game Developers Choice Awards. Forbes Media recognized Sweeney as their Person of the Year in 2020 for his role in building Fortnite into a global phenomenon. He is one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, and Epic Games has landed on the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2021 and 2024 lists.

Sweeney, who has purchased large tracts of land in North Carolina, has become one of the largest private landowners in the state, earning him the Land Conservationist of the Year award from the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in 2013, followed by the Stanback Volunteer Conservationist of the Year Award in 2014.