Lex Fridman Podcast

#467 – Tim Sweeney: Fortnite, Unreal Engine, and the Future of Gaming

1214 snips
Apr 30, 2025
Tim Sweeney, the visionary founder and CEO of Epic Games and creator of Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, shares insights into the future of gaming. He discusses the revolutionary evolution of Epic Games and the impact of the Unreal Engine on game design. Sweeney highlights the rise of the metaverse through Fortnite, its cultural significance, and the challenges faced in online gaming infrastructure. Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of empowering indie developers and the innovations shaping the gaming landscape, including the new programming language Verse.
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ANECDOTE

Early Programming Journey

  • Tim Sweeney learned programming at age 11 on an IBM PC during a visit to his brother in California.
  • He spent 10,000 to 15,000 hours coding solo by age 20 before releasing any software commercially.
ADVICE

Advice on Learning Programming

  • Strive to continually learn and experiment with projects to deepen your knowledge.
  • Each project adds lessons that build a critical foundation for future success.
ANECDOTE

Creating ZZT from a Text Editor

  • Tim Sweeney built a text editor that evolved into the game ZZT by turning characters into gameplay elements.
  • He released it shareware-style, receiving orders and connecting with players worldwide by mail.
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