News Epic Games Store

[prudis]

Anyone else felt like the new EGS stuff was...underwhelming?

been feeling like that last few scloosie announmcnet ... nothing really big ... mostly artsy stuf,B-tier indies and few outliers , nothing really mindblowing

from this selection
• Godfall - not sure what to expect from this one , could be fun meele Booberlands, looks ok, but potentially online only gaas which would be big nope
•The Wolf Among Us 2 - not sure , TWAU was the best telltale imo , but gonna be episodic , so would wait anyway
•Surgeon Simulator 2 - fun silly thing , good bundle pick
•The Red Lantern - never though this is getting PC release
•Before We Leave - looks intruiging but , this sounds like aother of those that will require few months to get good
•Bloodroots - had a blast on beta , but not day-1 good enough anyway
•Totally Reliable Delivery Service - fun silly thing , good bundle pick
•Foregone - looks pretty nice , but Early Access .. thats onna wait
•Predator - 4b1 MP, was meh back then is meh now, license wont save it
•Overpass - Spintires clone by Bigben , meh

 

[fantomena]

in case anyone needed a list:

That's it? Lol. TWAU2 is the only one that hurts, but is it timed or full exclusive?

 

[Joe Spangle]

Do you think the lacklustre list of eggsclusives is a sign that devs/publishers are being a tad more cautious about taking the moneyhats?

 

[Ge0force]

Do you think the lacklustre list of eggsclusives is a sign that devs/publishers are being a tad more cautious about taking the moneyhats?

I definitely hope so. The GI.biz article is a nice summary of what devs can expect if they do so. Big publishers like EA, Bethesda, Namco and Microsoft talking about the importance of consumers choice may also have an impact.

This said, no doubt we will see dozens of other EGS exclusives in 2020. I'm afraid lots of the devs involved in Epic's giveaway will go exclusive for their next game, and Epic will keep snatching the most wishlisted games on Steam right before release.

 

[C-Dub]

The Wolf Amount Us 2 is disappointing, as my partner and I both loved the first one. But we will just grab it on console or wait for Steam.

 

[fantomena]

Any word on TWAU2 being releases in episodes or as a full game day 1?

 

[beep boop]

Zzzzz

While Steam and GOG maintain their disgusting duopoly on quality end-user services, I will not be moved.

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

I can't see how TWAU2 would be a big single release. I'd be amazed if it isn't episodic. EGS will want that monthly engagement and to draw it out as long as possible so an episodic narrative game like TWAU is ideal for that.

 

[beep boop]

I can't see how TWAU2 would be a big single release. I'd be amazed if it isn't episodic. EGS will want that monthly engagement and to draw it out as long as possible so an episodic narrative game like TWAU is ideal for that.

You think potential buyers will be wary of another TWD S3 scenario? Or the full package going on sale again before it’s out proper. I certainly would be.

 

[m_dorian]

As always i have to express to Tim how grateful me and my wallet are. He saves me good money from getting the free games and avoid their exclusives and, also, helping me be a better person just by observing him being an asshole.

Merry Christmas EGS.

 

[Eferis]

•Bloodroots - had a blast on beta , but not day-1 good enough anyway

The beta was amazing and I was really looking forward to the full game. This (and TWAU2, but if that's episodic and the exclusive is for a year, I would have waited anyway) is the only one that hurts, from that list.

 

[Stone Ocean]

Daily reminder that Teltale died and current "Teltale" is a sock puppet that may or may not have the people that made their games interesting, so I'd keep that in mind when getting hyped for TWAU2.

 

[texhnolyze]

been feeling like that last few scloosie announmcnet ... nothing really big ... mostly artsy stuf,B-tier indies and few outliers , nothing really mindblowing

Yup. And they missed some of the notable ones, including Cyberpunk, Bloodlines 2, Death Stranding, and Microsoft stuff. RDR2 was only 2 months too. They also still can't get a hold of games Japanese publishers.

They're definitely running out of money for major exclusive deals.

 

[lazerfox]

I can't see how TWAU2 would be a big single release. I'd be amazed if it isn't episodic. EGS will want that monthly engagement and to draw it out as long as possible so an episodic narrative game like TWAU is ideal for that.

Episodic exclusivity makes it even easier to wait for the full Steam release though. This way I'm not even tempted to play the first episode no matter how good it looks.

 

[Kyougar]

Episodic exclusivity makes it even easier to wait for the full Steam release though. This way I'm not even tempted to play the first episode no matter how good it looks.

Wait for it being 12-month exclusive per episode :>

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

Episodic exclusivity makes it even easier to wait for the full Steam release though. This way I'm not even tempted to play the first episode no matter how good it looks.

Of course, especially as i haven't played TWAU or some of the later TellTale games due to the shitshow some of their releases were with regards to save game issues, not giving a damn about choices in previous episodes and just general technical and attitude jank from them.

So yeah, i can wait as long as i need to to start playing their stuff again but i can see EGS wanting to keep it exclusive as it would keep people checking back for a good few months. As Kyougar said we don't know if it is episodic and whether it will launch delayed and piecemeal on other stores or in a big dump.

I can wait either way. I've tons of great games in my library to play in the meantime.

 

[Ruvon]

The beta was amazing and I was really looking forward to the full game. This (and TWAU2, but if that's episodic and the exclusive is for a year, I would have waited anyway) is the only one that hurts, from that list.

The beta was fun, I wouldn't go up to amazing though. But yeah, in the list, that's the one I'm the most disappointed about.

Especially because they used Steam for the beta. Some people have no shame. I'll drop a line about this on their twitter account.

 

[Ge0force]

They're definitely running out of money for major exclusive deals.

I think you really underestimate how much money Epic makes with Fortnite and UE4. Epic has enough money to buy every AAA game being released in 2020 if they have to.

 

[lazerfox]

Wait for it being 12-month exclusive per episode :>

Oh man I haven't even considered that possibility

 

[Trisolarian]

I'm taking those 12 free games and running peeps. I'm sorry.


(not sorry)

 

[Phoenix RISING]

I'm taking those 12 free games and running peeps. I'm sorry.


(not sorry)

I mean, free games.

Disappointed about Predator, but this makes it easier for me to not care.

 

[texhnolyze]

I think you really underestimate how much money Epic makes with Fortnite and UE4. Epic has enough money to buy every AAA game being released in 2020 if they have to.

Fortnite has been declining, slowly but steadily. They can't keep relying on Fortnite forever.

Yes, they can, but will it be worth it? We all know that the exclusivity deals are not for making money. It's their form of investment for EGS.

 

[prudis]

"sometime later" in a year
Before We leave

Godfall

 

[Ge0force]

We all know that the exclusivity deals are not for making money. It's their form of investment for EGS.

Correct. That's why I believe they will keep doing it.

 

[Alexandros]

Correct. That's why I believe they will keep doing it.

They're welcome to keep throwing away money if they want. EA tried and failed to pull people away from Steam and it had the benefit of multiple permanent (as far as we knew back then) AAA exclusives every year. If Epic thinks that they will be able to make a dent by locking down a few mostly indie games for a period of time then I think that they are grossly mistaken.

 

[Swenhir]

I think you really underestimate how much money Epic makes with Fortnite and UE4. Epic has enough money to buy every AAA game being released in 2020 if they have to.

I understand the point you are making is that they have fuck you money, but let me point out that studios have to sign away their games first for that to happen. The gaming industry isn't a supermarket for Epic to fill their shopping cart with.

Hey, that reminds me of something.

 

[Tizoc]

I'm taking those 12 free games and running peeps. I'm sorry.


(not sorry)

But what if the 12 games on offer are games you already own?

 

[Ge0force]

They're welcome to keep throwing away money if they want. EA tried and failed to pull people away from Steam and it had the benefit of multiple permanent (as far as we knew back then) AAA exclusives every year. If Epic thinks that they will be able to make a dent by locking down a few mostly indie games for a period of time then I think that they are grossly mistaken.

I believe the only way their money hatting will work if is they keep doing it for many years. This way, an entire generation of new pc gamers will have a significant amount of their games on EGS. Just like many veteran pc gamers want their games on Steam because that's where their games collection and friends are, Epic may achieve the same on EGS for the younger generation if they keep buying the most wishlisted games for a long time.

Not sure this is Epic's current strategy, but I believe this is the only way money hatting will lead to a loyal customer base. Of course, big publishers speaking out against exclusivity deals makes this strategy extremely difficult.

 

[Alexandros]

I believe the only way their money hatting will work if is they keep doing it for many years. This way, an entire generation of new pc gamers will have a significant amount of their games on EGS. Just like many veteran pc gamers want their games on Steam because that's where their games collection and friends are, Epic may achieve the same on EGS for the younger generation if they keep buying the most wishlisted games for a long time.

Not sure this is Epic's current strategy, but I believe this is the only way money hatting will lead to a loyal customer base. Of course, big publishers speaking out against exclusivity deals makes this strategy extremely difficult.

That is indeed their strategy but I don't see how they could possibly succeed when companies with much stronger games libraries failed.

 

[Kyougar]

You have to take many more things into account, than just the availability of money and the desire to spend (throw away) that money.

Like believability/faith in winning against Steam. I think the return of Microsoft and EA was a gut-punch for Epics Propaganda war. There is a good chance that Tim has now more opposition within his company in regards to spending big money on Exclusives. And more and more devs/pubs are unwilling to go exclusive or want much more money and better conditions (like a multi-game-deal, marketing deals, or exit-clauses if the game or the visibility of the game tanks on EGS). He now also has the issue with having real sales data at hand from games that are exclusive on his Launcher and devs/pubs who are getting the exclusive shtick would want to see how good or bad the other games performed (if they are competent). Tim can't sell his Exclusivity deals on dreamed up fantasy numbers anymore.

When Ubisoft looked like to be abandoning Steam, Tim was at the height of his Propaganda war, he could point to all his successes, he could spout that Steams days are numbered, with MS and EA coming back, this whole narrative house of cards crumbled.

 

[Wok]

The second character has been added to Griftlands.

 

[Ge0force]

The second character has been added to Griftlands.

This is the only EGS exclusive I won't boycott, because it's hilarious that Epic is paying klei to do their alpha on EGS.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I believe the only way their money hatting will work if is they keep doing it for many years. This way, an entire generation of new pc gamers will have a significant amount of their games on EGS. Just like many veteran pc gamers want their games on Steam because that's where their games collection and friends are, Epic may achieve the same on EGS for the younger generation if they keep buying the most wishlisted games for a long time.

Not sure this is Epic's current strategy, but I believe this is the only way money hatting will lead to a loyal customer base. Of course, big publishers speaking out against exclusivity deals makes this strategy extremely difficult.

...which then falls back to what does EGS actually offer as a storefront to make people actively use it when given free choice other then 'not steam' for the people who for whatever reasons find that a compelling selling point.
Its never going to offer the feature set Steam has. Its always going to be playing catchup even if they were actively working continuosly to add store features at a lightning rate. Which, you know. They clearly aren't.
Its 'smaller, curated' library claims dwindle with every new release.
It might give devs a bigger cut, but if those savings don;t get passed onto the consumer, thats not going to get customers. even just price matching won't be attractive when trading cards offer effectively a rebate system on every game you play.

 

[Ruvon]

About Bloodroots becoming egsclusive after using Steam for the beta, why is there always people to "defend" devs by claiming other people don't know shit about indie devs ?


Reality is : they announced something (release on Steam summer 2020) then took it back and now saying it will be 2021. Of course that needs justification.

But hey, let's see how good it turns out for a small indie studio like them to release on EGS. Maybe they're making the right call. Maybe not.

 

[Ge0force]

...which then falls back to what does EGS actually offer as a storefront to make people actively use it when given free choice other then 'not steam' for the people who for whatever reasons find that a compelling selling point.
Its never going to offer the feature set Steam has. Its always going to be playing catchup even if they were actively working continuosly to add store features at a lightning rate. Which, you know. They clearly aren't.
Its 'smaller, curated' library claims dwindle with every new release.
It might give devs a bigger cut, but if those savings don;t get passed onto the consumer, thats not going to get customers. even just price matching won't be attractive when trading cards offer effectively a rebate system on every game you play.

Remember how Sweeney said that the storefront wars will be decided by devs and publishers, and not the consumers? Epic must assume that devs will skip Steam for the better cut on EGS, as soon as EGS has enough active users (that's what the free games are for). Let's hope it doesn't work out like that.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Remember how Sweeney said that the storefront wars will be decided by devs and publishers, and not the consumers? Epic must assume that devs will skip Steam for the better cut on EGS, as soon as EGS has enough active users (that's what the free games are for). Let's hope it doesn't work out like that.

Which is just a crazy assumption to make; making a game is a huge sunk cost, and to attempt to recoup that cost (and ideally be profitable) any publisher not trying to pursue a secondary agenda is going to want to put that product into as many retail channels as they can, to maximise their potential audience.

I'm sure every publisher would rather take 85% revenue share than a 70% revenue share.
But by the same token, every publisher is also going to prefer 70% of sales to a potential userbase of 10 million over 85% of sales to a potential 2 million userbase.
(arbitrary numbers to illustrate the point we all understand)

Its why EA are heading back to Steam; because that revenue is now strategically more important than having full control over their own retail and distribution. Same deal with MS who have now given up their secondary agenda. Same deal way back when with Stardock.
Very, very, very likely to be the same deal with Ubi in the next 2 years, as the expense of generational transition starts biting them.

 

[Knurek]

Yes, but Epic is banking on indie devs and AA pubs, both of which are (generalizing) shitty businessmen.

 

[Futaleufu]

This is the only EGS exclusive I won't boycott, because it's hilarious that Epic is paying klei to do their alpha on EGS.

I remember Klei as the kind of people who would censor/cut a game way after release and not tell anyone about it (Shank)

 

[Arsene]

The fortnite star wars event crashed Epic’s servers so people cant even open EGS. Let alone play any games on it.

10/10 just another launcher

 

[sanhora]

2GD says there won't be a Steam release of his upcoming arena fps.
Who knows if things will change in a year or two, but at least he's giving refunds to backers.
More info

 

[Arsene]

2GD says there won't be a Steam release of his upcoming arena fps.
Who knows if things will change in a year or two, but at least he's giving refunds to backers.
More info

Yikes. Arena shooters already have enough trouble gaining a playerbase. Good fucking luck lol

Add it to the list of broken kickstarter promises I guess.

 

[Wok]

2GD says there won't be a Steam release of his upcoming arena fps.
Who knows if things will change in a year or two, but at least he's giving refunds to backers.
More info

Surprised that Tim snatched the game.

Not surprised that James and Gabe do not get along after what happened in China.

 

[Kyougar]

Tim would have been stupid to buy the exclusivity for this game, from a dev who already has a hateboner for Valve.
Good luck with an arena shooter from an unproven dev on EGS

 

[Cordelia]

Ahh another broken Kickstarter promises. Is this the third one?

 

[bobnowhere]

Ahh another broken Kickstarter promises. Is this the third one?

Phoenix Point, Shenmue III and this broke their kickstarter promises. What the Golf broke their Fig promises. Ooblets broke their patreon promises and I'm sure their are more.

 

[TheTrain]

Surprised that Tim snatched the game.

Not surprised that James and Gabe do not get along after what happened in China.

What happened between them?

 

[lashman]

What happened between them?

'James Is An Ass': Gabe Newell Explains Why Valve Fired Dota 2 Commentator [Update]

This week’s $3 million DOTA 2 Shanghai major has been a bit of a disaster. Streams dropping, cameras getting stuck, awkward or non-existent commentary, dead air—it’s been a comedy of errors. On the back of it all, Valve let go of one commentator, James Harding, to a storm of backlash.

kotaku.com

 

[NarohDethan]

'James Is An Ass': Gabe Newell Explains Why Valve Fired Dota 2 Commentator [Update]

This week’s $3 million DOTA 2 Shanghai major has been a bit of a disaster. Streams dropping, cameras getting stuck, awkward or non-existent commentary, dead air—it’s been a comedy of errors. On the back of it all, Valve let go of one commentator, James Harding, to a storm of backlash.

kotaku.com

Man how sad it must be to find out that nobody liked you at the office

 

[Arsene]

Ahh another broken Kickstarter promises. Is this the third one?

Phoenix Point, Shenmue 3, Outer Wilds, What the Golf?, Ooblets (sort of, Patreon), Rune II, and MechWarrior 5 were all community funded in one way or another.

 

[Ruvon]

Tim would have been stupid to buy the exclusivity for this game, from a dev who already has a hateboner for Valve.
Good luck with an arena shooter from an unproven dev on EGS

It will be F2P, all paid by Epic. That could attrack players, but I don't think Fortnite players will be interested. They're saying they will focus on esport... I don't believe it will work, but we'll see.