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Epic detail plans for Epic Games Store improvements - and how they’re going to tempt more devs from SteamIt’s all about the third parties
It’s all about the third parties
Image credit:Epic Games
Image credit:Epic Games
Epic have dropped a bunch of details as to planned improvements for the Epic Games Store in the on-going race to out-Steam Steam - the Coca-Cola to Epic’s Pepsi Max. Amongst other things, we can expect more robust search features, support for third-party subscriptions, better EGS launcher performance, a download manager with improved controls, and a new “for you” personalisation tab - all of that rolling out across 2024 and 2025.
Naturally, Epic will be continuing with their free games program through “2023 and beyond”, and they’ve also put together a couple of special publishing offers for developers, Epic First Run and Now on Epic, which are designed to lure more studios from the amoeba-like embrace of Valve’s gaming empire.
Image credit:Epic
Originally announced at Gamescom, andlive as of last night, the Epic First Run program allows developers who release their games exclusively on the Epic Games Store to receive 100% of their revenue from sales for the first six months. After that, Epic will take its 12% cut of revenues.
“Currently 67% of our player base is playing third party games,” he said. “And 50% of them are exclusively playing third party games. These numbers, for me, highlight the significance of the third party games ecosystem and the importance of fostering that growth.”
You can watch the full videohere- 48 minutes of graphs, bullet points and magical phrases like “expanded merchandising surfaces”. Don’t say I never treat you to anything.
All of this follows in the wake of Epiclaying off around 800-900 people, totalling 16 per cent of their workforce, after a period of heavy investment. Announcing the job losses, Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney (who hasn’t been laid off) noted that Fortnite isn’t quite the cash cow it used to be, which I guess is why Epic are especially keen at present to get more people playing a wider selection of games on the Epic Games Store.
