Epic Games Store vs. Steam

Attribute	Epic Games Store	Steam
Launch Date	December 6, 2018	September 12, 2003
Exclusive Games	Yes	Yes
Revenue Share with Developers	88/12 split (88% to developers)	70/30 split (70% to developers)
Community Features	Basic	Extensive
Library Size	Smaller	Larger

Overview

Epic Games Store and Steam are two of the most popular digital distribution platforms for PC gaming. Both platforms offer a wide range of games for purchase and download, as well as features such as social networking, game streaming, and community forums. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms that may influence a gamer's choice of which one to use.

Game Selection

One of the most important factors for gamers when choosing a digital distribution platform is the selection of games available. Steam has been around for much longer than Epic Games Store and has a larger library of games to choose from. Steam offers a wide variety of indie games, AAA titles, and everything in between. On the other hand, Epic Games Store has a smaller library of games, but it has been making strides in securing exclusive titles that are not available on Steam.

Exclusive Titles

One of the biggest draws of the Epic Games Store is its exclusive titles. Epic has been aggressive in securing exclusive deals with game developers, which means that some highly anticipated games are only available on their platform. This has been a point of contention for some gamers who prefer to have all their games in one place on Steam. However, for those who are interested in playing the latest and greatest games, the Epic Games Store may be the better choice.

Revenue Sharing

Another key difference between Epic Games Store and Steam is their revenue sharing models. Steam takes a 30% cut of all game sales, while Epic only takes a 12% cut. This means that developers can potentially make more money by selling their games on the Epic Games Store. Some developers have praised Epic for this more developer-friendly approach, while others argue that Steam's larger user base makes up for the higher revenue cut.

Features

Both Epic Games Store and Steam offer a variety of features to enhance the gaming experience. Steam has features such as Steam Workshop, which allows players to create and share mods for their favorite games, and Steam Cloud, which allows players to save their game progress to the cloud. Epic Games Store, on the other hand, has features such as Epic Games Launcher, which allows players to easily access their games and friends list, and Epic Games Store exclusives, which are games that are only available on their platform.

Community

Community is an important aspect of any digital distribution platform, as it allows gamers to connect with each other, share tips and tricks, and find new friends to play with. Steam has a large and active community with forums, groups, and chat features that allow players to interact with each other. Epic Games Store, while newer, is also building a strong community with features such as Epic Games Store exclusives and social networking tools.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Epic Games Store and Steam have their own strengths and weaknesses. Steam has a larger library of games and a more established community, while Epic Games Store offers exclusive titles and a more developer-friendly revenue sharing model. Ultimately, the choice of which platform to use will depend on the individual preferences of each gamer. Some may prefer the wide selection of games on Steam, while others may be drawn to the exclusive titles on the Epic Games Store. Whichever platform you choose, both offer a great way to discover and play new games.