Epic Games vs. Steam

Attribute	Epic Games	Steam
Owner	Epic Games	Valve Corporation
Launch Year	2012	2003
Popular Games	Fortnite, Rocket League	Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2
Revenue Model	Commission on game sales	Commission on game sales, microtransactions
Exclusive Titles	Yes	Yes

Overview

Epic Games and Steam are two of the biggest digital distribution platforms for video games. Both platforms offer a wide range of games for purchase and download, as well as additional 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 platform is the selection of games available. Steam has been around for much longer than Epic Games and has a larger library of games to choose from. Steam offers a wide variety of games across all genres, including indie titles, AAA games, and classic titles. On the other hand, Epic Games has a smaller library of games, but they have been focusing on securing exclusive titles to attract more users to their platform.

Exclusive Titles

As mentioned earlier, Epic Games has been making a push to secure exclusive titles for their platform. This has been a controversial move, as some gamers feel that it limits their choices and forces them to use the Epic Games Store if they want to play certain games. On the other hand, Steam does not have as many exclusive titles, but they do offer a wider selection of games overall.

Revenue Sharing

One of the biggest differences between Epic Games and Steam is their revenue sharing model for developers. Epic Games takes a smaller cut of the revenue from game sales compared to Steam, which has made them more attractive to developers. This has led to some developers choosing to release their games exclusively on the Epic Games Store in order to take advantage of the more favorable revenue split. Steam, on the other hand, has faced criticism for taking a larger cut of the revenue from developers.

Community Features

Both Epic Games and Steam offer a range of community features to help gamers connect with each other. Steam has a robust community forum where users can discuss games, share tips and tricks, and connect with other gamers. They also offer features such as game streaming and user reviews. Epic Games, on the other hand, has been focusing on building a social network within their platform, with features such as friend lists, chat, and game invites.

User Interface

The user interface of a digital distribution platform can greatly impact the user experience. Steam has a more traditional interface that is familiar to many gamers, with a library of games, store, and community features easily accessible. Epic Games, on the other hand, has a more streamlined interface that focuses on showcasing games and promotions. Some users prefer the simplicity of the Epic Games Store, while others prefer the more feature-rich interface of Steam.

Customer Support

Customer support is another important factor to consider when choosing a digital distribution platform. Steam has a reputation for having good customer support, with a dedicated support team that can help users with any issues they may encounter. Epic Games, on the other hand, has faced criticism for their customer support, with some users reporting long wait times and unhelpful responses. This can be a major drawback for some users who value good customer service.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Epic Games and Steam offer a range of features and benefits for gamers. Steam has a larger library of games and a more established user base, while Epic Games has been making waves with their exclusive titles and more favorable revenue sharing model for developers. Ultimately, the choice between the two platforms will depend on the individual preferences of the gamer, whether they prioritize game selection, exclusive titles, revenue sharing, community features, user interface, or customer support.