Key Takeaways
1. Tim Sweeney believes competition between Steam and the Epic Games Store benefits gamers and developers by providing more options and better deals.
2. Michael Douse disagrees, arguing that exclusivity can harm developers, citing Remedy Entertainment’s struggles after Alan Wake 2’s launch.
3. Douse suggests that sales on Steam could have helped Remedy recoup costs faster, questioning the value of exclusivity agreements.
4. He raises concerns about Epic’s long-term strategy, noting a lack of evidence that Fortnite players are transitioning to purchasing premium games.
5. Alan Wake 2 took nearly two years for Remedy to become profitable, and its absence on Steam likely limited its sales potential and financial recovery.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney recently shared his thoughts on the rivalry between Steam and the Epic Games Store, stating that it is advantageous for both gamers and developers. He remarked, “On some transactions, Epic wins. On more, Steam wins.” Sweeney emphasized, “But one thing is constant on every transaction: gamers and developers win by having more options and better deals.”
Douse’s Concerns
This perspective did not resonate well with Michael Douse, Larian’s publishing director, who expressed his disagreement publicly. While he recognized that Epic Games fully financed Alan Wake 2, he argued that the “pro-developer” narrative seems out of touch when considering the reality faced by Remedy Entertainment. He believes that Remedy’s financial difficulties after the game’s launch illustrate the negatives of being excluded from Steam, a platform that could have offered a larger audience for the game.
The Impact of Exclusivity
Douse elaborated that had Epic taken a cut from Steam sales, it’s possible that Remedy could have recouped development costs more quickly and made extra profit. Although he acknowledges that competition among storefronts is beneficial, he finds it challenging to justify exclusivity agreements when there are evident instances of games struggling because of them.
Epic’s Strategy in Question
He also raised doubts about Epic’s long-term strategy for its store, suggesting that its success hinges on transforming Fortnite’s vast player base into purchasers of premium, single-player titles. As of now, he doesn’t observe any strong indicators that the Fortnite audience is moving in that direction. He likened this scenario to mobile app stores, where years of free-to-play success have made it very hard to market premium games without devaluing them.
In the case of Alan Wake 2, while Epic’s publishing arrangement did facilitate the game’s creation, it reportedly took nearly two years for Remedy to achieve profitability. The game was not available on Steam or Nintendo Switch, and many believe that a Steam release could have significantly increased sales and alleviated the studio’s financial burden.
Michael Douse via X
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