Friday, April 26th 2019
Epic's Tim Sweeney Says They'd Stop Hunting for Exclusives if Steam Matched Epic Games Store in Comission Rates
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has come out with an interesting commitment: that EPIC would stop hunting for exclusives in the PC platform is Steam were to match them in their 88% return to developers for each game sold. Being a developer themselves, Epic games have certainly looked into creating their own storefront as a way to escape the clutches of Steam's cut in the digital, PC distribution market (a move that had already been done by the likes of EA and Ubisoft, if you'll remember). A commitment to stop hunting for exclusives (and thus segregating the PC games offering across different platforms) is a clear indicator of Epic's mission with the Epic Games Store: to bring back power and returns to developers such as them (while taking a cut from the profits for themselves, obviously).
Check out after the break for the full content of Sweeney's remarks regarding their Games Store and the problem with Steam. I, for one, don't see much of a problem with virtual segregation of games across multiple PC-bound platforms - one of the strengths of PC gaming is actually the ability to install multiple applications that increase functionality, after all. But if the end game of all of this is simply to give more back to developers and Epic's move facilitates that by forcing Valve's hand in matching them for fear of drying profits - then so be it.
Source:
DSO Gaming
Check out after the break for the full content of Sweeney's remarks regarding their Games Store and the problem with Steam. I, for one, don't see much of a problem with virtual segregation of games across multiple PC-bound platforms - one of the strengths of PC gaming is actually the ability to install multiple applications that increase functionality, after all. But if the end game of all of this is simply to give more back to developers and Epic's move facilitates that by forcing Valve's hand in matching them for fear of drying profits - then so be it.
If Steam committed to a permanent 88% revenue share for all developers and publishers without major strings attached, Epic would hastily organize a retreat from exclusives (while honoring our partner commitments) and consider putting our own games on Steam.30% store dominance is the #1 problem for PC developers, publishers, and everyone who relies on those businesses for their livelihood. We're determined to fix it and this is the one approach that will effect major change.
Such a move would be a glorious moment in the history of PC gaming, and would have a sweeping impact on other platforms for generations to come.
Then stores could go back to just being nice places to buy stuff, rather than the Game Developer IRS.
The key "no major strings attached" points are: games can use any online systems like friends and accounts they choose, games are free to interoperate across platforms and stores, the store doesn't tax revenue on other stores or platforms (e.g. if you play Fortnite on iOS+PC)…
More "no major strings attached": if you play the game on multiple platforms, stuff you've bought can be available everywhere; no onerous certification requirements. Essentially, the spirit of an open platform where the store is just a place to find games and pay for stuff.
Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) April 25, 2019
224 Comments on Epic's Tim Sweeney Says They'd Stop Hunting for Exclusives if Steam Matched Epic Games Store in Comission Rates
I think people forget there are two parties involved in a deal and Epic/Steam is just one half of that.
- No one is prohibited from acquiring the games, they are available to all
- Games don't cost more and some actually cost less for those of us in the US
- Some console exclusives have actually made it to PC instead of not at all
So, take it from here...I’m not gonna bother with the rest of it, this has ALL been answered ad nauseam many times now just like you keep repeating it ad nauseam like it’s somehow “right”
Edit: Own all those console games on console(Big Quantic Dream fan)
The reason you haven't answered is because you can't find any real damage that it has caused consumers. Oh wait, that's right, Epic is only doing it so they can pay their employees, enhance EGS, enhance UE4, and make games. Shame on them.
When Epic runs out of bait money and Fortnite money dries up and people like me and many others wait out this exclusivity nonsense, sales are bad and EGS goes the way of Bethesda, enjoy trying to play the 2-3 games you bought there when Tim’s failed attempt fails.
Edit: Google Phoenix Point and the way it ended up on EGS and the fact that it doesn’t even have to sell well because Epic has already paid for 91% of its costs with the bait money it got from Epic. Oh and screwing over it’s Kickstarter backers with the platform switch/exclusivity.
My suspicion is you are overstating your hand, and mistake vocal protest for numbers. Most people just want to play, and will buy a game from wherever they need to, just like Im sure you in real life have products you buy from stores you can’t get elsewhere.
Until anybody has any actual sales numbers to prove “no one” is buying games on EGS then you don’t have that argument. If they are as closemouthed about sales figures as Steam has always been, then it will remain a great mystery.
Sales numbers don’t even matter in that case. But the press coverage in general hasn’t been positive.
Press coverage on any topic rarely covers the people happy or satisfied with anything, though. It doesn’t make for good income. Just something to keep in the back of your mind for the future.
www.pcgamesn.com/metro-exodus/sales
The joke is that the vocal minority really thought they were leading a massive boycott. :roll: