This story is part of a series on popular but unlisted companies. In the series, I’ve covered Hulu, SpaceX, Instagram, and Popeyes. Sadly for investors, investing in Epic Games stock is no different – the stock isn’t publicly listed
Founded in 1991, Epic Games is an American MNC with headquarters in Cary, North Carolina, and more than 40 offices worldwide. Epic is now a renowned interactive entertainment company and 3D engine technology provider.
Epic Games creates and markets Hitman and Fortnite, one of the world’s most popular and fastest-growing massive multiplayer online (MMO) games. Many players and investors want a share of Epic Games (MMOGs).
Epic Games reported that Fortnite has more than 350 million registered gamers. For those looking to acquire Epic Games stock and options in 2021, this makes it an interesting investment.
Parents would be keen to buy Epic Games's stock seeing how much money their children spend on Fortnite! Although Fortnite is free to play, Epic Games makes money by selling a $11.99 per month Fortnite Crew Experience membership that grants users access to more weapons and benefits.
Epic Games was set up in 1991 by Tim Sweeney as Potomac Computer Systems. It was initially set up in his parents’ house in Potomac, Maryland. The company was renamed Epic MegaGames, Inc. after launching its first commercial video game, ZZT (1991). In early 1992, they hired Mark Rein, currently the company’s vice president. The studio’s name was shortened to Epic Games once they relocated to Cary in 1999.
Epic Games owns and manages sub-studios in England, Seattle, Yokohama, Berlin, and Seoul; video game companies Chair Entertainment, Psyonix, Mediatonic, and Harmonix, and cloud-based software company Cloudgine.
While Sweeney remains the company’s principal shareholder, Tencent purchased a 48.4% outstanding position in the company in 2012, corresponding to 40% of total Epic. It was part of a deal to transition Epic to a games-as-a-service model.
The company received further funding following the popular Fortnite Battle Royale’s release in 2017. Thus, allowing it to extend its Unreal Engine products, create esport events centered on Fortnite, and launch the Epic Games Store. The company value is US$28.7 billion in equity as of April 2021.