The main attraction of the Epic Games Store lies in its free games, a strategy that has won over many players. However, the American company has just shared information which could sow doubt as to the viability of this approach.
Epic Games Store enjoys undeniable notoriety thanks to its weekly, or even daily, distribution of games at no cost during festive periods. However, an unexpected element was revealed. Especially in 2023, after an identical announcement some time ago.
Epic Games Store makes a statement
In the legal conflict between it and Google concerning application fees, Epic Games, known for Fortnite, admitted that the Epic Games Store is not yet a source of profit. During the first day of the trial, already perceived as a major confrontation, the debates began with revelations from both sides. At the heart of the discussions, the unprofitability of the EGS platform was exposed. A height?
Launched at the end of 2018 to compete with Steam, the Epic Games Store highlighted monthly free games and a distribution of profits more favorable to publishers and developers. Despite the continuous addition of new features and games, some as temporary exclusives, the platform does not generate profits for Epic, also creator of the Unreal Engine.
Change of course on the horizon?
According to The Verge, Steve Allison, head of the Epic Games Store, confessed during his audience that profitability was not there, growth remaining the company’s priority. This speech was already that of Epic Games in 2021 during the widely followed trial against Apple for the same questions of application fees.
Two years later, it turns out that Epic still hasn’t reached its profitability goals. This represents a worrying signal for both investors and users. Faced with the need to increase profits, it is conceivable that Epic will reduce the extent of its distribution of free games. Or even reexamine its strategy. Such a decision would be deplorable for the players.
Although a complete cessation of free game distribution seems unlikely, it is possible that Epic Games will moderate this practice or reconsider its expensive exclusives which, thus far, have produced limited returns. It is well established that free games do not guarantee long-term user loyalty. Despite the passing years, Valve’s Steam platform undoubtedly remains more user-friendly, and PC gamers have well-established habits that are difficult to change. While offering free games has a definite impact on increasing Epic’s users, it’s not always enough to retain them sustainably.