Timothy Dean Sweeney is born in Potomac, Maryland. Even from a young age, he showed a keen interest in electronics and programming, foreshadowing his future career path.

As a teenager, Sweeney began experimenting with programming on his Apple II computer. He spent countless hours learning different programming languages and creating simple games, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in game development.

While studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, Sweeney founded Potomac Computer Systems, initially a shareware game company. He later renamed it Epic MegaGames and began developing and publishing his own games, marking the official beginning of Epic Games.

Sweeney released ZZT, a text-based adventure game he created entirely by himself. ZZT quickly gained popularity for its accessibility and its built-in level editor, allowing players to create and share their own adventures. This success provided early revenue and established Epic MegaGames' presence in the gaming market.

Epic MegaGames released Unreal, a first-person shooter that showcased groundbreaking graphics and a sophisticated game engine. Unreal was a critical and commercial success, solidifying Epic's reputation as a leader in game development and marking the arrival of the Unreal Engine as a major force in the industry. It also led to the name change to Epic Games.

Epic Games released Unreal Tournament, a multiplayer-focused spin-off of Unreal. Unreal Tournament quickly became a dominant force in the competitive FPS scene. Solidifying Epic's impact not just in the gaming industry but also in eSports.

Epic Games released Gears of War for the Xbox 360. This title was another huge success, pushing the boundaries of console graphics and introducing the cover-based shooter mechanic to a wide audience, further cementing Epic's position as a top-tier game developer. It solidified Epic's reputation for pushing graphical fidelity and unique gameplay mechanics.

Epic Games released Fortnite. Initially a co-op shooter, the game gained massive popularity with the introduction of the free-to-play battle royale mode. Fortnite became a global phenomenon, generating billions of dollars in revenue and establishing Epic Games as a powerhouse in the video game industry, as well as driving growth of the Unreal Engine development tool.

Epic Games launched the Epic Games Store, a digital storefront designed to compete with Steam. The store offered a more favorable revenue split for developers and attracted users with free games and exclusive titles. It became a major player in the PC game distribution market, challenging Valve's dominance and impacting the industry's revenue models.

Tim Sweeney continues to serve as the CEO of Epic Games, overseeing the development of Fortnite, the Unreal Engine, and the Epic Games Store. He is a vocal advocate for a more open and fair video game ecosystem, often speaking out against platform monopolies and advocating for developer rights. Sweeney has also been involved in land conservation efforts, donating significant amounts of money to preserve natural areas.