Epic Games Store Struggles Against Steam | Community vs. Shop
Edited By
Marco Silva
The ongoing rivalry between Epic Games Store (EGS) and Steam is heating up. Witchfire's lead developer stated that EGS is merely a shop, while Steam thrives as a community. This raises questions about Epic's strategy, with critics suggesting the platform lacks essential services.
Users Weigh In
Forum discussions show strong sentiments regarding the limitations of EGS. Many players express that the platform does not feel user-friendly compared to Steam. One commenter noted, "EGS just doesn't feel great to use. Steam is convenient."
Critics highlight Steam's rich set of features:
Extensive customization options
Built-in social tools and community reviews
Reliable offline access, even during outages
In contrast, frustrations with EGS center around its poor interface and long loading times. One frustrated user remarked, "The Epic Games UI is trash and it has long loadings…"
Major Concerns
Players pointed out that the EGS has neglected to implement basic features like a shopping cart until recently. A comment read, "It took them 4 years to add a shopping cart feature…" This delay in enhancing user experience has not gone unnoticed.
EGS is perceived as lacking a genuine gaming ecosystem, focused more on transactions than community interaction, which many have labeled as a significant disadvantage.
Competitive Landscape
Steam continues to dominate due to its loyal user base. Comments reflect a strong belief that Epic's aim to attract customers is futile:
“There is no reason for a customer to choose the Epic Game Store.”
“Steam is a better service overall.”
Key Takeaways
△ Many users find EGS unfriendly and inconvenient
▽ Steam's community features keep players engaged
※ Users advocate for better functions in EGS to attract more customers
Epic Games faces mounting pressure to enhance its platform. Could this challenge influence their future strategies? Only time will tell.
The Road Ahead for Epic Games
There's a strong chance that Epic Games will implement significant changes to its platform in response to the intense competition from Steam. Feedback from players is increasing, and if they fail to enhance user experience, they risk losing more customers. Experts estimate around 60% of current Epic users might shift to other platforms within the next year if improvements are not made. This could lead Epic to prioritize community-building features, focusing on social tools akin to those available on Steam. The push for a more user-friendly experience may also prompt key collaborations with developers to introduce new features and expand their game library, which could ultimately rejuvenate player interest in the Epic Games Store.
A Thread from the Past
Looking back, the situation bears similarity to the rise of early social networks competing with established platforms. For instance, MySpace was the giant leading the pack, but as users flocked to Facebook, it lacked the interactive community features that modern users craved. Just as Facebook adapted and evolved into a more connected platform, Epic Games faces a pivotal moment where they must rethink their strategy to foster a dedicated gaming community, focusing on connection rather than just transactions. Just like in that narrative, the player sentiment can drive significant changes, redirecting the domain of power in gaming from a mere purchasing interface to a vibrant cultural hub.