Epic Games Store - the console war comes to PC

[Infinitron]

The "flaw" is that it's DRM-free. I wonder how GOG handles this. I guess the games might not appear in your list, but since there's no DRM you'll obviously be able to run them. Piracy within the same computer.

 

[rusty_shackleford]

help I'm able to run a program that's installed on my pc please fix this

 

[Unkillable Cat]

Epic Lulz Store.

 

[Multi-headed Cow]

The "flaw" is that it's DRM-free. I wonder how GOG handles this. I guess the games might not appear in your list, but since there's no DRM you'll obviously be able to run them. Piracy within the same computer.

The games show up in your list on GoG Galaxy, but it says "NOT CONNECTED" when it comes to online features like achievements and shit. The games do still run though.

 

[LESS T_T]

Epic does what Steamdon't... by doing nothing: https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news...e_expands_ingame_payment_options_for_devs.php

Epic Games Store policy change expands in-game payment options for devs

Epic has tweaked its Epic Games Store policy to let developers and publishers choose their own purchase and payment services for in-game purchases.

Until now, it was only possible to use an Epic-provided payment service, but the company said it wanted to give developers more freedom.

"We support developers’ right to choose among the best stores, in-app payment processors, online services, and engines, and to mix and match these components as they wish," commented Epic Games co-founder and CEO, Tim Sweeney.

Epic also noted that developers who take their business elsewhere won’t have to share any revenue on those transactions, allowing them to keep more of what they earn "so they can continue to invest in making bigger, better games."

Eh, setting aside the blasphemousness of microtransactions, what's the point of using a centralized platform when customers have to use other third-party payment methods.

 

[ultimanecat]

It’s not for you. The people buying games aren’t the ones Epic cares about.

EGS is a restaurant with a luxurious delivery area in the back, but serves you by throwing food at you out of a window as you walk by.

 

[JarlFrank]

The "flaw" is that it's DRM-free. I wonder how GOG handles this. I guess the games might not appear in your list, but since there's no DRM you'll obviously be able to run them. Piracy within the same computer.

GoG handles this by their store and accounts being fucking functional and it not being super easy to log into other users' accounts unless you know the password.

This isn't an issue in functional stores.

Piracy is easy with GoG installers, yes, you can upload a GoG installer anywhere and it will run for anyone who downloads it, but I never read a single thing about a GoG user waking up and suddenly having a game in his account he never bought, or a GoG user logging into someone else's account to download all the games. This only happens with stores that have security issues - such as Epic Store, which is pretty much just a gigantic bag of issues piled together.

 

[DalekFlay]

Eh, setting aside the blasphemousness of microtransactions, what's the point of using a centralized platform when customers have to use other third-party payment methods.

How different is this really, since I know if I want the Rage 2 DLC (a game I bought on Steam) I have to buy it from Bethesda directly in the game itself, which is bullshit.

 

[Modron]

How different is this really, since I know if I want the Rage 2 DLC (a game I bought on Steam) I have to buy it from Bethesda directly in the game itself, which is bullshit.

Surprised you can do that, the whole reason EA pulled everything from steam going forward was because valve wouldn't let them do that in Dragon Age 2.

 

[LESS T_T]

Eh, setting aside the blasphemousness of microtransactions, what's the point of using a centralized platform when customers have to use other third-party payment methods.

How different is this really, since I know if I want the Rage 2 DLC (a game I bought on Steam) I have to buy it from Bethesda directly in the game itself, which is bullshit.

It looks like actual payment (buying RAGE 2 Coins to buy the DLC) still has to go through Steam's system?

 

[DalekFlay]

It looks like actual payment (buying RAGE 2 Coins to buy the DLC) still has to go through Steam's system?

It doesn't have to, you can buy "Rage coins" in-game directly from Bethesda. I am surprised since I thought Steam required a percentage. Also either way you have to go through Bethesda's servers and only own the DLC on their system, and also you have to be online to use the DLC. It's pretty ridiculous. If Epic's move allows the same kind of shit or worse, it's pure decline.

 

[Steamboat Willie]

All in-game purchases are decline. The amount of hoops required to jump through is immaterial.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

All in-game purchases are decline. The amount of hoops required to jump through is immaterial.

I honestly can't think of a single game where they have added anything positive to the experience.

I guess you could make the case that the free to play model at least gives you the option to play for free, but even paid games have them nowadays.

 

[Valky]

GoG handles this by their store and accounts being fucking functional and it not being super easy to log into other users' accounts unless you know the password.

This isn't an issue in functional stores.

Piracy is easy with GoG installers, yes, you can upload a GoG installer anywhere and it will run for anyone who downloads it, but I never read a single thing about a GoG user waking up and suddenly having a game in his account he never bought, or a GoG user logging into someone else's account to download all the games. This only happens with stores that have security issues - such as Epic Store, which is pretty much just a gigantic bag of issues piled together.

With how quickly every game released on steam gets cracked, you can distribute steam games just as easily, so this shouldn't be a consideration for GoG. I'm pretty sure anyone pirating DRM free games torrents them just the same you would torrent games with DRM. People who buy DRM free place a higher value on customer service and practices that aren't designed to treat you like shit, so the average person buying DRM free would be less likely to spit in the face of good service and reupload those purchases.

 

[DalekFlay]

All in-game purchases are decline. The amount of hoops required to jump through is immaterial.

Well in Rage 2's case it's a real expansion. Like the game or not, that's not just bullshit microtransactions. The fact it's only available in-game, for "Rage coins," and requires a constant internet connection is pretty batshit.

 

[samuraigaiden]

Epic is cancer

 

[DalekFlay]

With Ashen out on Steam and GOG today it will be interesting to see player numbers and if there are any comments about how it's doing. I wonder what message great success would give developers though... either "Steam is still the king, releasing there is important" or "releasing on Steam later won't impact your sales there." I'm really hoping we get a comment one way or the other from someone.

 

[cvv]

With Ashen out on Steam and GOG today it will be interesting to see player numbers and if there are any comments about how it's doing. I wonder what message great success would give developers though... either "Steam is still the king, releasing there is important" or "releasing on Steam later won't impact your sales there." I'm really hoping we get a comment one way or the other from someone.

Yeah but this isn't an ideal case. Game is good but it's very indie, very niche and very cell shaded. There wouldn't be much buzz about something like that, even if it released on Steam straight away.

An interesting tidbit - the game is 6 euro cheaper on Steam (comparing regular prices, not promos).

 

[DalekFlay]

Yeah but this isn't an ideal case. Game is good but it's very indie, very niche and very cell shaded. There wouldn't be much buzz about something like that, even if it released on Steam straight away.

Sure, I think stuff like Borderlands 3 is a better gauge. Still, indies make up a big part of the platform now so it will be interesting to see how it impacts them.

 

[Metro]

With Ashen out on Steam and GOG today it will be interesting to see player numbers and if there are any comments about how it's doing. I wonder what message great success would give developers though... either "Steam is still the king, releasing there is important" or "releasing on Steam later won't impact your sales there." I'm really hoping we get a comment one way or the other from someone.

Or... by not releasing on Steam immediately the game lost a huge amount of momentum/buzz and is basically DOA when it finally does launch on Steam.

 

[J_C]

With Ashen out on Steam and GOG today it will be interesting to see player numbers and if there are any comments about how it's doing. I wonder what message great success would give developers though... either "Steam is still the king, releasing there is important" or "releasing on Steam later won't impact your sales there." I'm really hoping we get a comment one way or the other from someone.

Or... by not releasing on Steam immediately the game lost a huge amount of momentum/buzz and is basically DOA when it finally does launch on Steam.

Didn't the same thing happened with Read Dead Redemption 2? I recall reading something about the game not doing very good on Steam after already launching on Epic. It has an all time player peak of 41K, compared to 360K of GTA5 for example.

 

[Belegarsson]

I think 40k is still pretty good, only a few thousands below Jedi Fallen Order. It's quite difficult to measure how successful the launch is since there's no way to know peak number on R* and Epic though.

 

[DalekFlay]

Or... by not releasing on Steam immediately the game lost a huge amount of momentum/buzz and is basically DOA when it finally does launch on Steam.

Sure, it's possible. My whole motivation to get more quotes and numbers is to find out just how many people are willing to wait a year to play a game they're interested in in order to have it on their preferred client. Much to your annoyance I've always expected the number to be small, but I'm willing to be shown it's not. I just want more facts.

 

[cvv]

Didn't the same thing happened with Read Dead Redemption 2? I recall reading something about the game not doing very good on Steam after already launching on Epic.

First, you have no idea how the game did on Steam, let alone on Epic. Noone has. And second, the game was a console exclusive long before it landed on Epic. Everyone and their parrot already bought it.

 

[J_C]

Didn't the same thing happened with Read Dead Redemption 2? I recall reading something about the game not doing very good on Steam after already launching on Epic.

First, you have no idea how the game did on Steam, let alone on Epic. Noone has. And second, the game was a console exclusive long before it landed on Epic. Everyone and their parrot already bought it.

First, that's why I was just asking, and not stating as a fact. Second, I cited the player numbers, which might give some indication. 2K were boasting about the good sales on Epic, so we know that it sold a lot on Epic. But after that, the Steam sales seem just mediocre (based on player numbers).