Epic Games has invested thousands of dollars trying to persuade Sony, Microsoft, and other publishers to offer their games to the Epic Games Store.
A 222-page confidential document submitted as part of the Epic v. Apple trial outlines a major attempt to compete with Steam in 2020, involving free games, Fortnite promos, and other initiatives. The paper was created in September 2020, then published before being quickly withdrawn last week.
The documents also show that Epic offered Sony $200 million for at least four first-party PlayStation games last year, ahead of a bigger push by Sony to bring more of its PlayStation games to PC. PC Gamer first reported on parts of this document last week, after a ResetEra forum thread detailed one of the slides. We have confirmed the document is real, and it contains lots of details around Epic’s efforts to improve its game store and compete with Steam.
The Clarity of the situation
It’s unclear if the Sony deal for access fell through, given Horizon Zero Dawn was released on both the Epic Game Store and Steam last year, and Days Gone will be released on both platforms next week. Epic Games has also tried to persuade Microsoft to make its first-party content available on the Epic Games Store. According to the paper, “their PC Game Pass leader is against what we’re doing,” and Microsoft is “effectively bidding against us for content.”
The Horizon New Dawn Gameplay
Microsoft entering the scene with Steam
In 2019, Microsoft began distributing more of its games on Steam. Again this Epic document indicates that the Xbox manufacturer has been in discussions with Valve. It is about launching Xbox Game Pass on Steam. Valve has been said to be interested in bringing Game Pass to Steam, although no official announcement is made. In the same part of the document that covers Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass activities. Epic notes that Xbox CEO Phil Spencer “meets with Gabe at Valve occasionally.”
Epic faces a difficult task in persuading publishers and developers to offer games to its PC store. Free games have proven to be the most appealing feature. Epic spent at least $11.6 million on free games and attracted 5 million new users, according to other records filed in Epic v. Apple earlier this month.
Epic has also taken use of Fortnite’s popularity to drive more people to its shop. Giving free cosmetics and efforts to promote new titles and improve awareness of the Epic Games Store. When Rocket League turned free-to-play in September, it also raised the Epic Games Shop’s numbers. With Epic workers celebrating higher numbers on their own store than on Steam on launch day.
Sources:- The Verge
