History of Epic Games Store in Timeline

The Epic Games Store is a digital video game storefront and distribution platform created by Epic Games. Launched in December 2018 for Windows and macOS, and later for Android and iOS (limited to Europe), it offers game purchasing, friends list management, and matchmaking. Unlike some competitors, Epic focuses on a streamlined feature set, leveraging existing social media for community interaction rather than building extensive in-store features like user reviews. Epic Games continues to develop the platform, expanding its functionalities over time.

2013: Steam's market dominance in 2013

In 2013, Steam was the dominant digital distribution channel for personal computer games, holding an estimated 75% of the market.

August 2017: Tim Sweeney suggests lower revenue cut

In August 2017, Epic's Tim Sweeney suggested that a 30% revenue cut for digital game distribution was no longer reasonable and that Valve could still profit with an 8% cut.

August 2017: Tim Sweeney criticizes Steam's revenue cut

In August 2017, Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Steam's 30% revenue cut as unreasonably high, suggesting that Epic could run a profitable store with an 8% cut.

December 6, 2018: Epic Games Store officially opens

On December 6, 2018, the Epic Games Store officially opened as part of The Game Awards, featuring a handful of games and upcoming titles for macOS and Windows.

December 2018: Epic Games Store launch

In December 2018, Epic Games Store was launched as a software client for Microsoft Windows and macOS, and as an online storefront. It provided features such as friends list management and game matchmaking.

January 2019: Ubisoft and Deep Silver partner with Epic Games Store

In January 2019, Ubisoft announced that "Tom Clancy's The Division 2" would be sold on the Epic Games Store (and Uplay) instead of Steam. Deep Silver also announced that "Metro Exodus" would be an Epic Games Store exclusive for one year.

March 2019: Phoenix Point Epic Games Store Exclusivity Announcement

In March 2019, Julian Gollop announced that 'Phoenix Point' would be exclusive to the Epic Games Store for a year, offering backers redemption keys for the Epic Games Store and Steam or GOG a year later, along with free DLC. This decision angered some backers who believed their funds were used to secure external investment, though Gollop offered refunds and stated the exclusivity deal did not alter the game's direction.

May 2019: First store-wide sale

In May 2019, Epic Games Store held its first store-wide sale, offering a US$10 discount on any game valued at US$15 or more.

June 2019: Free game offerings increased to weekly

In June 2019, the frequency of free game offerings on the Epic Games Store was increased from bi-weekly to weekly. A second free game was offered on weeks when the primary free game had a mature content rating.

July 2019: Limited cloud saving introduction

In July 2019, cloud saving was introduced on a limited, game-by-game basis on the Epic Games Store.

July 2019: Ooblets Epic Games Store Exclusivity Announcement and Backlash

In late July 2019, Glumberland announced that 'Ooblets' would be exclusive to the Epic Games Store, citing Epic's financial support. Glumberland's Ben Wasser's comments about criticisms of Epic Games Store exclusivity led to thousands of hostile messages and threats. Sweeney stated that the campaign against 'Ooblets' represents a growing trend in the community.

August 2019: Cloud saving added

In August 2019, cloud saving functionality was added to the Epic Games Store.

December 2019: In-game storefront option for developers

In December 2019, Epic gave developers and publishers the option to implement their own in-game storefronts for microtransactions and other purchases.

2019: Epic Games Store Losses 2019

According to Apple's claim in April 2021, Epic had lost around $400 million on the store from 2019 to 2020, primarily due to the minimum guarantees it provides to developers for bringing their game to the store and from its storefront exclusivity deals.

2019: Epic Games Addresses Exclusivity Concerns

Following complaints about time-exclusive releases on the Epic Games Store in 2019, Steve Allison admitted that they did not want to cause disruption. Epic stated that they would try to avoid large-scale exclusivity deals close to a game's release. Epic also announced it would cover refund requests for backers of crowdfunded games like 'Shenmue III' that become Epic Games Store exclusives.

2019: Darq and Epic Games Store Exclusivity

In 2019, Unfold Games reported interactions with Epic Games regarding exclusivity for their game, 'Darq'. Epic Games wanted 'Darq' to be sold on the Epic Games Store exclusively, withdrawing the game from Steam for one year, but Unfold Games rejected the offer due to marketing and Steam wishlist considerations. As a result, Unfold released 'Darq' on Steam and GOG.com.

2019: Epic Games Store First Year Performance

In 2019, the Epic Games Store reported 108 million customers, generating over US$680 million in sales, with US$251 million spent on third-party games. 90% of third-party game sales came from time-limited exclusives. Overall sales were 60% higher than anticipated.

January 2020: OpenCritic reviews added to product pages

In January 2020, information from OpenCritic was added to product store pages to provide users with critical review information.

May 2020: "Grand Theft Auto V" giveaway crashes Epic's servers

In May 2020, the giveaway of "Grand Theft Auto V" led to over seven million new users claiming the game, which temporarily crashed Epic's servers.

July 2020: Preliminary support for achievements and user modifications added

In July 2020, the Epic Games Store added preliminary support for achievements and user modifications.

December 2020: Non-game applications introduced

In December 2020, the Epic Games Store began offering non-game applications, starting with Spotify, with Epic forgoing any revenue cut from Spotify subscriptions.

2020: Epic Games Store Losses 2020

2020: Epic Games Store 2020 Performance

In 2020, the Epic Games Store reached 160 million players, with 31 million daily active players, and annual sales exceeding US$700 million, of which US$265 million was for third-party titles.

January 2021: "Star Wars Battlefront II" giveaway crashes the game servers

In January 2021, over 19 million users obtained a free copy of "Star Wars Battlefront II", briefly crashing the game's servers due to the influx of new players.

March 2021: Epic Games Store Battery Life Impact on Laptops

In March 2021, PC Gamer reported that the Epic Games Store can shorten laptop battery lifespan by up to 20% on select configurations, even when minimized. The impact is milder, around 5%, on most devices.

April 2021: Epic Games v. Apple Lawsuit: Epic Games Store Profitability Claims

In April 2021, during the Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit, Apple claimed that the Epic Games Store was operating at a significant loss and was unlikely to be profitable until 2027, estimating losses of around $400 million from 2019 to 2020. Epic responded, stating they expected the store to become profitable by 2023.

August 2021: Self-publishing beta launched

In August 2021, Epic Games Store launched a beta for self-publishing features, allowing developers to directly list their games after approval.

October 2021: Full support for achievements rolled out

In October 2021, full support for achievements was rolled out on the Epic Games Store.

2021: Epic Storefront-Exclusive Games Performance

According to data collected by Simon Carless in 2021, only 'Satisfactory' had surpassed what Epic paid for its exclusivity among the first wave of Epic storefront-exclusive games in 2019. 'Satisfactory' and 'Dauntless' were the only two games expected to make a profit for Epic.

June 2022: User Review System added

In June 2022, a randomized polling user review system was added to the Epic Games Store to combat review bombing.

December 2022: Cabined accounts introduced

In December 2022, Epic Games introduced cabined accounts for children, providing access to certain free games like "Fortnite", "Fall Guys", and "Rocket League" with limited features and parental controls.

2022: Free game program continued through 2022

Epic affirmed that they planned to continue the free game program through 2022.

March 2023: Self-publishing options added

In March 2023, Epic Games added self-publishing options to the store, similar to Steam Direct, where developers pay $100 to list their game, with minimum oversight by Epic.

August 23, 2023: First Run Program announced

On August 23, 2023, the First Run Program was announced, offering developers the option to waive Epic's revenue share during 6 months store exclusivity.

October 16, 2023: Now on Epic program announced

On October 16, 2023, the Now on Epic program was announced, offering developers the same conditions as the First Run program for previously released games.

2023: Epic Games Store Revenue and User Base in 2023

By 2023, the Epic Games Store's total revenue reached $950 million, with a user base of 270 million.

2023: Free game program continued through 2023 and beyond

Epic affirmed that they planned to continue the free game program through 2023 and beyond.

2023: Expected Profitability of Epic Games Store

In April 2021, Epic stated it expected the Epic Games Store to become profitable by 2023 and that it was not yet profitable "because it has front-loaded its marketing and user-acquisition costs to gain market share".

August 2024: Epic Games Store expands to Android and iOS

In August 2024, Android and iOS versions of the Epic Games Store were released. The iOS version was initially exclusive to European users.

August 16, 2024: Epic Games Store launches on Android and iOS

On August 16, 2024, Epic launched the storefront for Android devices worldwide and for iOS-based devices for European users, following the EU's Digital Markets Act.

January 2025: Third-party games on mobile devices

Starting in January 2025, Epic began offering third-party games on its mobile storefront, with free games offered for limited times. Epic offered to cover penalties for developers offering free or discounted iOS games due to Apple's restrictions.

April 2025: Ruling against Apple's restrictions

In April 2025, the judge in the Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit ruled that Apple was violating the prior injunction and could no longer restrict third-party storefronts or collect fees. Epic planned to bring the Epic Games Store to iOS in the U.S. in early May.

June 2025: Epic's new revenue policy

Starting in June 2025, Epic Games will not take any revenue cut for games with under $1 million in sales. After this threshold, the standard 12% cut will apply on further sales.

2027: Projected Profitability of Epic Games Store

According to Apple's court filing in April 2021, the Epic Games Store was projected to not be profitable until 2027, based on deposition from Epic's financial management.