Epic and Google have a secret $800 million Unreal Engine and services deal

A judge is questioning whether Epic Games and Google are settling their long-running antitrust fight partly because of a previously unannounced partnership involving the Unreal Engine, Fortnite, and Android. In a hearing in San Francisco today, the court revealed that Epic and Google have struck a new deal that apparently includes “joint product development, joint marketing commitment, joint partnerships.” California District Judge James Donato expressed concerns that the agreement — which he indicated would involve Epic “helping Google market Android” and Google newly “using Epic’s core technology” — could have led Epic to soften its demands for changes to the overall Android ecosystem.

Donato allowed Epic and Google to keep most of the details of the plan under wraps. But during the hearing, he quizzed witnesses, including Epic CEO Tim Sweeney and economics expert Doug Bernheim, on how it might impact settlement talks — revealing some hints in the process….