News Epic Games Store

[bobnowhere]

13 sales in Australia!

Though to be fair, Epic seems to be doing well in "blank." Maybe a source to target for future growth?

 

[Wok]

Edit: Actually, old news.
[HIDEPOSTS]

[/HIDEPOSTS]

13 sales in Australia!

13 fraudulent activations in Australia!

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

bobnowhere It's difficult to play a heavy game like Anno when you need all your concentration for fighting Drop Bears and the spiders in your dunny.

 

[Mor]

Is it me or that nformation was already leaked in March-April?

 

[Wok]

[HIDEPOSTS]

[/HIDEPOSTS]

Is it me or that nformation was already leaked in March-April?

I am not sure it went that far into 2020.

 

[curi0usBystander]

Why is there new information (if it's new) now ?

 

[Arc]

Is it me or that nformation was already leaked in March-April?

Yeah the >200 page document was leaked the first week of the Apple trial.

I am not sure it went that far into 2020.

Some of the information was already posted earlier when it was first leaked. Heck you even posted some of it at that time.

Why is there new information (if it's new) now ?

I think the documents showing their wave 1 exclusive performances and the emails regarding Ooblets are new.

 

[Wok]

Some of the information was already posted earlier when it was first leaked. Heck you even posted some of it at that time.

The slide for the most played games is the same, true, but it appears in a different document (and it was redacted differently).

However, the plots are different imo. See what the old ones were:

vs.

Maybe it was leaked after that tweet early May, but I could not find it easily.

Edit: Madjoki posted these mid-May. News - Epic Games Store

[HIDEPOSTS]Maybe MG is estimated as 50% of the revenue which would be earned on Steam:

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[/HIDEPOSTS]

 

[Joe Spangle]

The Ooblets dev stuff just highlighted to me how little some developers actually regard their customers and just expect us to consume their products. It was incredibly thoughtless and condescending and im not surprised they got a lot of stick for it. Ill never buy a game of theirs thats for sure.

Also after that incident it gave people a brush to paint any anti-epic people as these hostile death threat-ers and so legitimate criticism got swept up with all the arseholes who were doing the threats. Just a shit show all round really.

 

[Alexandros]

Also after that incident it gave people a brush to paint any anti-epic people as these hostile death threat-ers and so legitimate criticism got swept up with all the arseholes who were doing the threats. Just a shit show all round really.

It seems increasingly possible that this was the actual goal.

 

[Wok]

Actually, the DX-3399 document was updated, but not necessarily in a meaningful way.

Before:

After:

Same with the other documents. Hence why I thought something might have been added to them.

 

[Yoshi]

Epic's strategy of banking on their young Fortnite playerbase to use their store doesn't seem to be paying off.

 

[prudis]

so from what i understood the "new-ish" stuff is from July 2021 updated 3 pdfs here

DX-4638 -> Ooblets related mails
DX-3955 -> EGS board of directors presentation (August 2019)
DX-3399 -> Weekly Store Strategy meeting agenda 9/24/2020

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love how they admited the play with numbers in the DX-3955 one

 

[Wok]

DX-3955 -> EGS board of directors presentation (August 2019)

I missed that one somehow.

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[curi0usBystander]

How could I forget when T2/2K forced them to remove their biggest exclusive to date (Borderlands 3) from sale because they came up with the cuopon.

The "marketing is very important and indies are struggling" is something you could read people in certain forums for the last, what? 5-6 years.

 

[Nabs]

The minimum guarantee sounds worse and worse.

 

[Routa]

Reading those e-mails and seeing that the whole ooblets drama was design by Epic to fuck with people ia some next level sociopath, question now is, ooblets devs agreed to be the punching bags in Sweeney's fetich for money, or they didn't saw the backlash coming? Epic people cleary knew the post wasn't go well with the public.

 

[Yoshi]

Techraptor just made an article about it. I wonder if other news sites will follow:

$130m Loss Expected for Epic Games Store Exclusives in First Wave | TechRaptor

The first wave of 23 Epic Games Store exclusives are expected to result in a $130 million loss according to documents from the Epic vs. Apple legal battle.

techraptor.net

The first wave of Epic Games Store exclusive is proving to be pretty pricey. According to documents sourced from the Epic vs. Apple legal battle, it looks like the first 23 games it gave away are going to lose Epic Games a cool $130 million.
...
GameDiscoverCo newsletter founder Simon Carless shared an image from the Epic vs. Apple court case on Twitter, highlighting the true cost of the Epic Games Store exclusives strategy. While it spent $210 million in minimum guarantees to get these developers on board, it only expects to recoup around $80 million of that initial investment.
...
Take Metro Exodus as an example. It launched on the Epic Games Store on February 15, 2019, and the court documents say that Epic Games paid out $37 million in minimum guarantees. However, the expected shortfall is 22.2 million, meaning that Metro Exodus made less than half of the revenue Epic Games expected it to.

 

[ISee]

Let's not forget that many people panic bought Metro (me included) when the news about the epic deal started circulating.
Without that, Epics first deal could have been a success story and who knows how that would have effected other deals...

 

[Joe Spangle]

Let's not forget that many people panic bought Metro (me included) when the news about the epic deal started circulating.
Without that, Epics first deal could have been a success story and who knows how that would have effected other deals...

I was going to get Metro on release day until the epic switcheroo, i did panic buy it on Steam but refunded it as i didnt want to reward the publisher for going eggs. . I then waited until it was in a big sale on Steam and picked it up. Played it fairly recently, its alright but glad i waited to be honest.

 

[Ge0force]

Techraptor just made an article about it. I wonder if other news sites will follow:

$130m Loss Expected for Epic Games Store Exclusives in First Wave | TechRaptor

The first wave of 23 Epic Games Store exclusives are expected to result in a $130 million loss according to documents from the Epic vs. Apple legal battle.

techraptor.net

This is so funny to read now, since the vague PR about Metro Exodus sales was/is used as proof that games are doing well on EGS.

I'm even pretty sure that Sweeney said that most EGS exclusives were selling as good or even better than expected.

It's also clear now that Epic is using EOS as the first step to get people into their Metaverse, and that they are planning a mandatory Epic account in the (near) future.

The more facts about Epic are being released, the more pleased I am that this company failed to become a major player in pc games distribution. And I hope more media will spread these facts, so that more people think twice before supporting Epic.

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

Unfortunately, there's still time for that. I'm sure i'll be walking away from more and more games as they start to require EOS and later on a full-blown Epic Account to play them. Kind of like EA & Ubisoft but with more data-grabbing and telemetry.

Luckily, i suspect i'm not the audience for most of the games that will happily run down this route so i can stick with Steam, GoG and itch for a long time ahead and watch from the sidelines with my popcorn. Epic are worming their way into everything Games, Movies and Tools and they will become the very monster they are supposedly fighting against. I can't see anything stopping them anytime soon. People love those free games and coupons.

 

[RionaaM]

I often jokingly claimed that Tim's way to develop strategies is hilariously simple and similar to that of a kindergarden kid.
.
.
.
Now I know it is true.

This is exactly why I call him Tweeney. Well, that and because I came up with the pun so it's my baby. The guy doesn't behave like a proper, well-adjusted adult should.

 

[lashman]

This is so funny to read now, since the vague PR about Metro Exodus sales was/is used as proof that games are doing well on EGS.

I'm even pretty sure that Sweeney said that most EGS exclusives were selling as good or even better than expected.

you mean ... a billionaire ... lied?!

 

[Ge0force]

People love those free games and coupons.

Both are temporary perks for EGS, and it seems that without these perks, people aren't spending money on EGS.

The fact that revenue from 3rd party games was about the same in 2020 than it was in 2019, indicates that most wave 2 exclusives also heavily underperformed on EGS. I see no reason why 2021 would be any different, especially with KH bombing.

 

[RionaaM]

Unfortunately, there's still time for that. I'm sure i'll be walking away from more and more games as they start to require EOS and later on a full-blown Epic Account to play them. Kind of like EA & Ubisoft but with more data-grabbing and telemetry.

Luckily, i suspect i'm not the audience for most of the games that will happily run down this route so i can stick with Steam, GoG and itch for a long time ahead and watch from the sidelines with my popcorn. Epic are worming their way into everything Games, Movies and Tools and they will become the very monster they are supposedly fighting against. I can't see anything stopping them anytime soon. People love those free games and coupons.

I'm still worried about Tetris Effect. I need that game so bad, but if the Steam version requires an Epic account I'm out.

 

[Arulan]

I'm delighted to see this terrible store fail. And more so that it seems the PC player-base can effectively tell a company dropping bags of money to fuck right off.

Just imagine what could be accomplished if the majority of hardware-platforms out there were open. And yet most people seem completely oblivious to what they're really giving up.

 

[Spookyfriend]

Let's not forget that many people panic bought Metro (me included) when the news about the epic deal started circulating.
Without that, Epics first deal could have been a success story and who knows how that would have effected other deals...

For Me, any games that is EGS exclusive , I will just wait for it to be a in bundle. My backlogs in steam is more than a thousand
I got Metro in the end from May 2021 have not even play it yet.

After all most developer will put the games back on steam after the 1 year agreement is up to earn more money.

 

[Kyougar]

The Ooblets stuff was wild. The initial negativity could have easily been brushed aside. Just say you're a small, two person dev team, who can now self-publish and release the best version of their game with the extra funding. Let folks know that the 1.0 will hit Steam eventually, and everyone will be able to play it eventually. Instead, they went hard at anyone who may have an issue with it, fueling the fire for no reason. I'm still surprised by how terrible it was handled.



I'm just waiting for the page dedicated to me and Wok.

Artists having thin skin or overreacting to critique is a constant in the universe.
I read a LOT of amateur writing/Web novels. And Authors throwing a temper tantrum is not as rare as one would think. Either they rant about low scores or "mean" comments on an edgelord character they think is cool but is universally hated.
Some really have a problem with their response to critique, but some others just do it to boost their review score or get new Patreon subscribers. Threatening to stop writing because they are attacked with low scores and mean comments.
What happens is, that the hyper fans will pour out their support and others throwing 5-star reviews at the story or subscribe to their Patreon.
At one Forum, the hyper fans even reported "mean" comments to the moderation team in mass so that an Admin had to close the thread and explain that normal criticism is not a ban reason and that an Author doesn't deserve only positive posts, also massreporting will be getting bans in the future.

 

[Dandy]

I remember being really interested in Ooblets when it was shown at the Day of the Devs(I think?)... but I will never give those guys money, even when it shows up on Steam. Of course, I would never harass or even communicate with them. But seriously, fuck them. They courted internet drama, and got it.

 

[thekeats1999]

Artists having thin skin or overreacting to critique is a constant in the universe.
I read a LOT of amateur writing/Web novels. And Authors throwing a temper tantrum is not as rare as one would think. Either they rant about low scores or "mean" comments on an edgelord character they think is cool but is universally hated.
Some really have a problem with their response to critique, but some others just do it to boost their review score or get new Patreon subscribers. Threatening to stop writing because they are attacked with low scores and mean comments.
What happens is, that the hyper fans will pour out their support and others throwing 5-star reviews at the story or subscribe to their Patreon.
At one Forum, the hyper fans even reported "mean" comments to the moderation team in mass so that an Admin had to close the thread and explain that normal criticism is not a ban reason and that an Author doesn't deserve only positive posts, also massreporting will be getting bans in the future.

Hell this isn't even exclusive to fan/amateurs works.

How many times have we seen Rockstars or movie stars spit there dummy out over reviews or comments made about them.

Criticism is as old as the arts, sometimes it's a heckle, sometimes it's a bad review in the local paper, or in olden times a rotten tomatoe.

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

Yep, people are people it's just amplified and easier to see thanks to modern communication being readily available.
People take criticism badly and people also make bad criticism. There's nothing new under the sun and it will never change because ... people.

99% of "Debate" yesterday, today, tomorrow.

 

[Tomasety]

PCGamesN - Steam News Hub

Everything you need to know about PC gaming, hardware, and Half-Life 3.

store.steampowered.com

Another obviously example of how lack of features on Epic Games Store is just another big problem not only for customers but also for devs.

Also the article mentions something I'm not totally sure. I don't think you get extra gift copies so often on Steam bundles but the article implies like its a norm.

 

[beep boop]

Also the article mentions something I'm not totally sure. I don't think you get extra gift copies so often on Steam bundles but the article implies like its a norm.

Haven't seen those in years outside of special promos like Hades's recently.

 

[crimsonheadGCN]

 

[lashman]

just another launcher

(seriously, though - this fucking sucks)

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

That seems to happen pretty regularly if i remember correctly.
EA and Epic seem to always be the first to start blocking Iran, Syria etc according to what sanctions the US have in place. There were stories back in February this year about it.

 

[ExistentialThought]

That seems to happen pretty regularly if i remember correctly.
EA and Epic seem to always be the first to start blocking Iran, Syria etc according to what sanctions the US have in place. There were stories back in February this year about it.

Holy, I had no idea that occurred. That is some absolute bullshit.

Here are some older articles:

Locked Out: US sanctions are ruining online gaming in Iran

Barriers Iran's gaming community face are next-level thanks to Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign.

www.aljazeera.com

League of Legends blocked in Iran and Syria

"Such restrictions are subject to change by the US government."

www.pcgamer.com

Does Steam block, I cannot find any information to indicate from a quick search? There appear to be limits on selling games, but not just logging in and buying them?

 

[m_dorian]

I really do not want EGS to fail. More stores (and launchers) are good for the consumer as long as they compete through features and pricing and not by imprisoning 3rd party products to their marketplace.

What i want (and what it seems to happen so far) is that Tim's and Sergey's store is going downhill and i hope this will continue at an accelerated pace.

In the meantime, noone should interrupt them while they are going from blunder to blunder.

 

[Ge0force]

I really do not want EGS to fail. More stores (and launchers) are good for the consumer as long as they compete through features and pricing and not by imprisoning 3rd party products to their marketplace.

Sadly there's no indication that Epic is planning to do so. Sergey litterally tweeted last week that exclusivity is a sign of healthy competition.

Epic has been proven to be a anti-competitive and anti-consumer company for so many times that I'll throw a little party if they fail. Let another company try to compete with Steam that isn't run by capitalistic dickheads.

 

[Swenhir]

just another launcher

(seriously, though - this fucking sucks)

If Valve ever did something even remotely approaching this, you can bet half the media would be crucifying them.

I don't expect to hear a peep about this from pcgamer though.

 

[lashman]

If Valve ever did something even remotely approaching this, you can bet half the media would be crucifying them.

as they should ... i would too

 

[ISee]

Sergey litterally tweeted last week that exclusivity is a sign of healthy competition.

So Apple having exclusivity is a sign of healthy competition in the smartphone market?
I'd be so confused now as the judge handling the apple v epic case.

 

[Swenhir]

as they should ... i would too

Absolutely, I just don't expect them to be treating both stores with the same approach. Maybe I'm just grumpy but the spin the media has put on the EGS has gotten really old with me. I could see them for instance trying to get to the root of the problem if this is about Epic, trying to explain sanctions and all that while were this valve, the headline would just write itself for maximum clicks.

 

[lashman]

So Apple having exclusivity is a sign of healthy competition in the smartphone market?
I'd be so confused now as the judge handling the apple v epic case.

no, no ... epic having exclusivity is the best thing ever ... anyone else having exclusivity - the absolute worst thing ever

it's simple really

Absolutely, I just don't expect them to be treating both stores with the same approach. Maybe I'm just grumpy but the spin the media has put on the EGS has gotten really old with me. I could see them for instance trying to get to the root of the problem if this is about Epic, trying to explain sanctions and all that while were this valve, the headline would just write itself for maximum clicks.

you're probably not wrong

 

[Deku]

I really do not want EGS to fail. More stores (and launchers) are good for the consumer as long as they compete through features and pricing and not by imprisoning 3rd party products to their marketplace.

What i want (and what it seems to happen so far) is that Tim's and Sergey's store is going downhill and i hope this will continue at an accelerated pace.

In the meantime, noone should interrupt them while they are going from blunder to blunder.

Sadly EGS is not a store made for consumers, it's made for developers. But also, the store also kills potential linux/mac ports, something that we have seen multiple times

 

[Joe Spangle]

I feel like EGS is a store made not for customers or for developers but for one company - Epic. They aren't 'for the devs' as they don't let 99% of devs games on there and they also are quite happy to strike deals with publishers without the devs even knowing. The dev cut is bollocks too, It'd be insulting if they took more than a 12% cut as they offer a bare bones very limited service.

 

[Deku]

I feel like EGS is a store made not for customers or for developers but for one company - Epic. They aren't 'for the devs' as they don't let 99% of devs games on there and they also are quite happy to strike deals with publishers without the devs even knowing. The dev cut is bollocks too, It'd be insulting if they took more than a 12% cut as they offer a bare bones very limited service.

Should have used publisher and not developer. Because as you said, it's not even for devs but for money hungry publishers who look for secure investment and fast guaranteed money

 

[Arulan]

I feel like throughout the past few years of the EGS I've heard a lot of competition is good -- like some phrase that has been ingrained into our minds from capitalism that we assume to be true.

It's the why that is missing from these blanket statements. Why is it good? Well, it can lead to innovation, competitive pricing, better features, and a number of other pro-consumer benefits. I think EGS has pretty clearly demonstrated that their success wouldn't lead to any of that. Steam on the other hand throughout their supposed monopoly has continued to push out incredible features, allowed for competitive pricing through third-party markets, and has a consistent history of supporting pro-consumer strategies (open-platform, modding, fully supporting hardware competitors, etc.).

This isn't to say Steam shouldn't have competitors, but not all competition is going to lead to a positive change. And Steam has arguably pushed these positive changes with or without this supposed strong competition.

Console manufacturers on the other hand flip flop between this is how you share your games -- we care about you to we're protecting the sanctity of your online experience arrogance depending on if they're leading the market or not.

 

[thekeats1999]

The funny thing is that the competition seems to be only one way when any of these store fronts pop up. Steam apparently has to compete with them (and constantly does).

Yet these stores never seem to be expected to compete back. Or not in any way that matters. Especially to the game buying public.