The Great PC Game War: Why Epic Games Store Shakes Up the Market

29 August 2025

In the ever-evolving world of PC gaming, a battle unlike any other has unfolded in recent years: the fight for digital storefront supremacy. For the longest time, Steam ruled the kingdom like an unchallenged monarch, a beacon for game developers and players alike. But then came a disruptor—a challenger willing to shake the very foundations of this monopoly. Yep, I’m talking about the Epic Games Store.

Chances are you’ve heard of this rivalry if you’ve dipped a toe into PC gaming over the past few years. Whether you love it, hate it, or fall somewhere in between, the Epic Games Store (EGS) has undeniably stirred the pot. But why? What makes Epic’s entry into the market such a big deal? And how exactly is it shaking things up? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this great PC game war.

1. The Rise of Epic Games Store: What’s the Big Deal?

Okay, so here’s the scoop: Epic Games Store burst onto the scene in December 2018. It was like that new kid in school who wasn’t content to just blend in but instead decided to challenge the reigning star athlete (aka Steam). What made Epic stand out from day one? Two words: aggressive strategy.

Epic Games didn’t just want to exist alongside Steam—they wanted to rewrite the rules of the game. The company offered developers a significantly more generous revenue split. Steam takes a hefty 30% cut from game sales, leaving developers with 70%. Epic flipped the script by charging only 12%, allowing developers to pocket a much larger 88%.

Now, let’s face it: If you’re a developer, that’s pretty tempting. More money in your pocket means more room to invest in your games, grow your studio, or, you know, just pay the bills. This bold revenue model was Epic’s first shot across the bow at Steam, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

2. Exclusive Deals: The Move We All Love to Hate

If there’s one thing that gets gamers fired up faster than a lag spike during a ranked match, it’s exclusive game deals. And boy, oh boy, did Epic embrace exclusivity like it was going out of style.

Epic Games Store began snatching up exclusive rights to some of the biggest titles. We’re talking games like Borderlands 3, Metro Exodus, and The Outer Worlds. These games were only available (at least for a timed period) on the Epic Games Store, meaning that die-hard fans couldn’t get them on Steam, no matter how much they begged.

Look, I get it—exclusive deals are frustrating. Nobody likes being told they can only shop in one store. But from Epic’s perspective, this was a genius move. By snagging exclusives, they guaranteed gamers would have no choice but to check out their platform. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it strategy, but there’s no denying it worked.

3. Free Games Galore: Who Doesn’t Love Free Stuff?

Let’s switch gears for a second. While exclusives might irritate some, there’s one thing Epic Games did that few can complain about: free games. Who doesn’t love free stuff, right?

Epic’s strategy of giving away high-quality games (did someone say GTA V?) every week has been a major win for players. The free games aren’t some random shovelware either. These are legit titles, often big-budget games that still hold a lot of value. The idea is simple—hook people with free games, and they’ll stick around.

This move has been a brilliant way to grow Epic’s user base. Even if you don’t particularly like the platform, you can’t argue with free. And once you’ve built up a library of free games, well... deleting the launcher becomes a much harder decision.

4. Steam vs. Epic: What’s the Real Difference?

Now, you might be wondering: “Okay, so Epic’s shaking things up, but is it actually better than Steam?” The short answer? It depends on who you ask.

Steam has been around since 2003, and it’s had years to fine-tune its platform. It boasts a massive library, robust community features (hello, forums and reviews), and regular sales that have become legendary among gamers. It’s like the cozy neighborhood cafe everyone goes to because it’s familiar, reliable, and has a lot of choices.

Epic Games Store, on the other hand, is more like the flashy newcomer. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles yet—no built-in forums, no workshop for mods, and not nearly the same library size as Steam. But what it lacks in features, it makes up for in its aggressive pricing, exclusive games, and user-friendly developer policies.

From a gamer’s perspective, the choice often boils down to convenience (Steam) versus cost and exclusivity (Epic). Some players love having all their games in one place, while others are happy to bounce between platforms if it means saving a few bucks.

5. The Criticism: Is Epic Too Aggressive?

Of course, not everyone’s thrilled about the way Epic has shaken up the market. One of the biggest criticisms leveled at the platform is its exclusivity strategy. Some gamers feel like it’s a strong-arm tactic, forcing people to abandon their preferred platform to play their favorite games.

Then there’s the question of competition. While it’s great to see someone finally challenge Steam, some gamers worry that Epic’s practices could harm the industry in the long run. If exclusives become the norm, will we end up with a fragmented market where everyone has to juggle five different launchers just to play the games they love? It’s a fair concern.

6. Why Competition Is Good (Even If It’s Annoying)

Here’s the thing, though: As much as Epic’s tactics might irritate us, competition is ultimately a good thing for the gaming industry. Think about it—when there’s only one big player (like Steam), they can get complacent. Why bother innovating when there’s no one pushing you to do better?

Epic’s entry into the market has forced Steam to up its game. We’ve already seen changes, like Steam lowering its revenue share for high-earning games and introducing new features to keep users happy. If nothing else, Epic’s presence ensures Steam can’t just sit back and coast on its success.

At the end of the day, competition benefits gamers. It means better deals, better platforms, and, hopefully, better games.

7. The Future of the Great PC Game War

So, where do we go from here? Will Epic Games Store eventually dethrone Steam? Honestly, it’s hard to say. Steam has a massive head start and a deeply loyal user base, but Epic’s willingness to play hardball has undeniably shifted the market.

What’s clear is that the war is far from over. As Epic continues to grow its library, refine its platform, and attract developers, Steam will have to keep adapting to stay ahead. And who knows? Maybe another competitor will rise up and throw their hat into the ring.

For us gamers, this rivalry is a good thing, even if it’s a little messy at times. Sure, it might mean juggling multiple launchers and wading through exclusivity deals, but the result is a more vibrant, competitive gaming landscape. And honestly, isn’t that what we all want?