Google looked into buying Epic Games according to court documents

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Google weighed up buying out Epic Games through one of two methods

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(Image credit: Epic Games)

Google discussed approaching Tencent with a view to buy Epic Games, court documents have revealed.

As first reported by Protocol yesterday on August 19, newly-released court documents in the ongoing Epic Games vs Google antitrust case have revealed internal conversations at Google surrounding the former company. According to these documents, a senior Google executive suggested that the company approach Chinese gaming conglomerate Tencent to completely take over Epic Games, buying out the company with a 100% majority stake.

Alternatively, another idea suggested by this senior Google executive was that Google could acquire Tencent's shares in Epic Games to gain more control over the latter company. Currently, Tencent holds a 40% minority stake in Epic Games, which it purchased all the way back in 2012, while Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney still controls the company through a majority stake.

Obviously, neither of these options presented by the Google executive ever materialized into solid plans. In fact, as Protocol reported yesterday, these documents were actually filed back in July, but became available to the public yesterday when Judge James Donato denied Google's attempts to keep the documents sealed.

You can head over to our Epic vs Apple lawsuit explainer for everything you need to know about the ongoing case between the two tech giants.

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.