Epic Store will stop exclusivity if Steam changes its profit sharing method

Epic games CEO Tim Sweeney has just made some drastic statements on Twitter. This time, the topic continues to relate to the strategy of monopolizing games on the Epic Games Store – the company has continuously removed many outstanding titles from Steam. Sweeney said this war would end if Steam split 88% of the profits to developers.

In a series of tweets that began with a 12% profit argument, Sweeney repeatedly repeated his main issue with Steam: “Eating 30% is the number 1 issue for developers, released on PC, as well as the number one issue. who rely on this business model for a living.”

Epic is determined to fix this, by winning exclusive titles. If Valve reduces its share, on par with Epic, it will withdraw from the monopoly battle.

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.

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) April 25, 2019

Valve can hardly change because of a tweet, or because of Epic’s exclusive strategy. It seems that this is something Sweeney doesn’t really fear it will happen anytime soon and such a return policy change is much more difficult.

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

And yet, Sweeney also wants “games that can be played on any online system and don’t require confirmation.” Sweeney’s goal is to be an open platform that allows you to visit Steam, find games and buy them, and then play them anywhere without needing Steam.

After being criticized for the Metro Exodus exclusivity that made the game disappear from Steam and only appear on the Epic Games Store, Epic’s Steve Allison said he would not do this again. But then it happened again. At least Anno 1800 is still available for pre-purchase on Steam until the game comes out. After comments from Allison, Epic spoke up and left the decision up to the game developer and publisher.

According to PCgamer