Epic vs. Steam

Attribute	Epic	Steam
Ownership	Owned by Epic Games	Owned by Valve Corporation
Launch Date	Launched in 2018	Launched in 2003
Game Library	Exclusive titles	Wide range of games
Revenue Share	12% for developers	30% for developers
Community Features	Basic community features	Robust community features

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, from indie titles to AAA releases, and provide users with a convenient way to purchase and download games. 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. Steam offers thousands of titles across various genres, including popular franchises like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and Half-Life.

On the other hand, Epic Games Store has a smaller library of games compared to Steam. However, Epic has been able to secure exclusive deals with some developers, resulting in highly anticipated titles like Fortnite and Borderlands 3 being available only on the Epic Games Store.

Features

Both Epic Games Store and Steam offer a range of features to enhance the gaming experience. Steam has a robust community features, including forums, user reviews, and Steam Workshop for user-generated content. Steam also has a built-in chat system and the ability to stream games to other devices.

Epic Games Store, on the other hand, has a simpler interface with fewer features compared to Steam. However, Epic does offer a free game every week, which has been a popular promotion among gamers. Epic also has a more streamlined checkout process, making it easier for users to purchase games.

Pricing and Sales

When it comes to pricing and sales, both Epic Games Store and Steam regularly offer discounts on games. Steam is known for its seasonal sales, such as the Steam Summer Sale and Steam Winter Sale, where gamers can find games at heavily discounted prices. Steam also has a robust system for trading and selling in-game items.

Epic Games Store, on the other hand, has focused on offering exclusive deals and free games to attract users. Epic has given away popular titles like Grand Theft Auto V and Civilization VI for free, which has helped to grow its user base. However, some users have criticized Epic for its lack of regional pricing options.

Performance and Stability

Another important factor to consider when choosing a digital distribution platform is performance and stability. Steam has been around for over a decade and has a proven track record of reliability. Steam has servers located around the world to ensure fast download speeds and minimal downtime.

Epic Games Store, on the other hand, has faced criticism for its performance issues since its launch. Users have reported slow download speeds, crashes, and other technical issues with the Epic launcher. However, Epic has been working to improve the stability of its platform with regular updates and patches.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Epic Games Store and Steam have their own strengths and weaknesses. Steam offers a larger selection of games, more features, and a proven track record of reliability. On the other hand, Epic Games Store has exclusive deals, free games, and a more streamlined checkout process. Ultimately, the choice between Epic and Steam will depend on the individual preferences of the gamer, whether they prioritize game selection, features, pricing, or performance.