I don't know of any write up on how Epic is handling this huge push for their own online distribution platform, or how they're locking in these exclusivity deals, but honestly it's probably as...
I don't know of any write up on how Epic is handling this huge push for their own online distribution platform, or how they're locking in these exclusivity deals, but honestly it's probably as simple as the following:
The online videogame distribution market is still very much dominated by Steam. Some companies have made a little headway, sure, but the VAST majority of desktop distribution goes through Steam. This creates a problem for developers and publishers because Steam takes a CRAZY fucking cut (something like 30%? Maybe. I don't know, I'm remembering that number from somewhere), but if they release on another platform they risk it hurting their sales (because, again, Steam still has the market by the short and curlies).
Epic, meanwhile, is coming off multiple years of RESOUNDING success with Fortnite (read: CASH CASH MONEY GO'N MAKE IT RAIN). They have all of this new revenue for a game that, for awhile now, has required little upkeep cost. They have a couple options, but knowing Epic they've probably been toying with distribution for a not-insignificant amount of time, so they take this opportunity and dump ALL OF THAT MONEY (maybe not literally, but a significant portion of it) into making their new platform work. Not only do they fund the SHIT out of development, but they are dropping HELLA bills to get these exclusives. The timed-exclusivity is likely a failsafe for the developers in case Epic's store crashes and burns.
I'd love to see the actual dollar amounts they paid for them, though. Seriously, there's no way this has been a reasonably priced venture.
From what I've read... Steam takes 30% at the start, and it can go down (to 18%?) depending on how well the game sells. Epic owns the Unreal Engine, which normally takes 5% (not sure if this is...
From what I've read...
Steam takes 30% at the start, and it can go down (to 18%?) depending on how well the game sells.
Epic owns the Unreal Engine, which normally takes 5% (not sure if this is the same % of the sale price, or what). I believe this fee is being waived if the game is sold on the Epic Games Store
Epic is taking 12% as their cut, which is significantly lower than steam, even at its best.
I'm not sure what the incentive is for a 6 month exclusive period - but I imagine its pretty good. Even without the exclusive period (which is very anti-consumer), developers have a pretty good reason to sell their games with Epic. If Epic had a bit more success on the consumer side (basic features, account security, less shady information gathering, etc) - then there would probably be way less outrate.
Well that's curtains for any hopes of Linux support like 2 and TPS (and even 1 through proton) had. The epic launcher doesn't even host Linux builds of games that already have them. Much as I...
Well that's curtains for any hopes of Linux support like 2 and TPS (and even 1 through proton) had. The epic launcher doesn't even host Linux builds of games that already have them. Much as I dislike steam having a near monopoly on PC game distribution, at least they don't act monopolistic. These shitty exclusivity deals are already bad, but they're also throwing up some red flags about what an epic games dominated future could look like. Eroding the fragile but significant progress Linux gaming's had over the past few years is just a shit cherry on the shit cake.
I don't know of any write up on how Epic is handling this huge push for their own online distribution platform, or how they're locking in these exclusivity deals, but honestly it's probably as simple as the following:
The online videogame distribution market is still very much dominated by Steam. Some companies have made a little headway, sure, but the VAST majority of desktop distribution goes through Steam. This creates a problem for developers and publishers because Steam takes a CRAZY fucking cut (something like 30%? Maybe. I don't know, I'm remembering that number from somewhere), but if they release on another platform they risk it hurting their sales (because, again, Steam still has the market by the short and curlies).
Epic, meanwhile, is coming off multiple years of RESOUNDING success with Fortnite (read: CASH CASH MONEY GO'N MAKE IT RAIN). They have all of this new revenue for a game that, for awhile now, has required little upkeep cost. They have a couple options, but knowing Epic they've probably been toying with distribution for a not-insignificant amount of time, so they take this opportunity and dump ALL OF THAT MONEY (maybe not literally, but a significant portion of it) into making their new platform work. Not only do they fund the SHIT out of development, but they are dropping HELLA bills to get these exclusives. The timed-exclusivity is likely a failsafe for the developers in case Epic's store crashes and burns.
I'd love to see the actual dollar amounts they paid for them, though. Seriously, there's no way this has been a reasonably priced venture.
From what I've read...
I'm not sure what the incentive is for a 6 month exclusive period - but I imagine its pretty good. Even without the exclusive period (which is very anti-consumer), developers have a pretty good reason to sell their games with Epic. If Epic had a bit more success on the consumer side (basic features, account security, less shady information gathering, etc) - then there would probably be way less outrate.
Honestly, waiting 6 months will be a piece of cake given how many other great looking shooters are coming out this year.
Agreed. Their utter lack of account security will have me never again using them.
Well that's curtains for any hopes of Linux support like 2 and TPS (and even 1 through proton) had. The epic launcher doesn't even host Linux builds of games that already have them. Much as I dislike steam having a near monopoly on PC game distribution, at least they don't act monopolistic. These shitty exclusivity deals are already bad, but they're also throwing up some red flags about what an epic games dominated future could look like. Eroding the fragile but significant progress Linux gaming's had over the past few years is just a shit cherry on the shit cake.
Yarr harr fiddle dee-dee