In recent years, the video game industry has seen a major shift in the way games are distributed and sold to consumers. While platforms like Steam and Origin have long been the go-to places for PC gamers to purchase and access their favorite titles, a new player has entered the scene and is shaking things up in a big way. The Epic Games Store, owned and operated by the creators of Fortnite, has quickly become a major player in the digital distribution market, offering exclusive deals and free games to entice consumers.
One of the biggest draws of the Epic Games Store is its exclusive deals with developers and publishers. In an effort to compete with more established platforms like Steam, Epic has secured exclusive rights to sell certain highly anticipated titles, such as Metro Exodus, Borderlands 3, and The Outer Worlds. This means that these games are only available for purchase on the Epic Games Store, forcing players to switch platforms if they want to play them. While this move has been met with some controversy among gamers who prefer to have all their games in one place, it has undeniably been successful in driving traffic to the store and boosting its popularity.
In addition to exclusive deals, the Epic Games Store has also been offering free games on a regular basis. Every week, Epic gives away a new game for players to download and keep forever, no strings attached. This has proven to be a huge hit with gamers, who have been flocking to the store in droves to take advantage of these freebies. Not only does this help to build goodwill among players, but it also exposes them to new titles that they may not have otherwise tried. This strategy has been so successful that many players now check the store weekly to see what new free game is available.
The rise of the Epic Games Store and its exclusive deals and free games have forced other digital distribution platforms to up their game in order to compete. Steam, in particular, has responded by offering more sales and discounts, as well as introducing new features like the Steam Points system. The competition between these platforms benefits consumers, as they now have more options and opportunities to score great deals on games.
Overall, the rise of the Epic Games Store has been a game-changer in the video game industry. By offering exclusive deals and free games, Epic has managed to carve out a significant niche for itself in a crowded market. While it remains to be seen how the store will continue to evolve and compete with other platforms, one thing is for sure: players are the ones who ultimately benefit from this fierce competition.
