In the competitive world of PC gaming, there has long been one dominant player: Steam. Valve’s digital distribution platform has been the go-to destination for gamers looking to purchase and play games on their computers for years. However, a new challenger has emerged in the form of the Epic Games Store, and it’s shaking up the industry landscape in a big way.
Epic Games, the studio behind the wildly popular battle royale game Fortnite, launched its own digital storefront in December 2018. Since then, the Epic Games Store has quickly made a name for itself by offering exclusive deals and partnerships with game developers that often result in lower prices for consumers. This aggressive strategy has paid off, with the Epic Games Store quickly gaining a significant share of the PC gaming market.
One of the key ways in which the Epic Games Store is challenging Steam’s dominance is through its revenue-sharing model. While Steam typically takes a 30% cut of all sales made on its platform, Epic only takes a 12% cut. This means that developers can earn more money from their games on the Epic Games Store, making it a more attractive option for many smaller studios.
In addition to its developer-friendly revenue-sharing model, the Epic Games Store has also been able to attract customers through its exclusive deals and partnerships. Some of the biggest games in recent years, such as Hades and Control, have been released exclusively on the Epic Games Store for a period of time before making their way to other platforms. This strategy has drawn in a large number of players who are willing to switch storefronts in order to play these highly anticipated titles.
Of course, Steam still remains the dominant player in the PC gaming market, with a massive library of games and a loyal user base. However, the Epic Games Store’s success has forced Valve to rethink its own strategies and make changes to stay competitive. In recent years, Steam has introduced features such as a more generous revenue-sharing model for developers and a revamped user interface in an attempt to retain its market share.
The competition between the Epic Games Store and Steam has been beneficial for gamers, as it has led to lower prices, exclusive deals, and more options for where to purchase and play games. It has also forced both platforms to innovate and improve their services in order to attract and retain customers.
Overall, the rise of the Epic Games Store as a major player in the PC gaming market is a positive development for both developers and players. With two strong contenders vying for dominance, the future of digital distribution in the world of PC gaming looks bright and full of exciting possibilities.
