Epic Games Store Expands, Yet Gamers Shy Away from Purchases
The Epic Games Store has seen substantial growth, increasing its user base from 108 million in 2019 to 295 million by 2024. Despite this impressive surge in numbers, a significant problem looms: third-party revenue has only modestly increased by 1.6% during the same period. This discrepancy raises questions about the platform’s economic viability, particularly as many users appear to utilize the store solely for its free game offerings.
Epic Games Store Growth Overview
From 2019 to 2024, the Epic Games Store experienced a 173% growth in user accounts. However, the growth in revenue has not kept pace. Third-party developers are reportedly enjoying only a slight increase in earnings, indicating that the influx of users is not translating into actual purchases.
Reasons Behind User Behavior
Epic Games adopted an aggressive strategy centered on free game giveaways, aiming to attract users. While this tactic has succeeded in boosting user sign-ups, it fostered a culture where many log in to claim freebies and do not engage in purchasing. This behavior has severely impacted the platform’s financial performance.
Comparison with Competitors
In the landscape of digital game sales, the Epic Games Store competes closely with Steam, the industry leader. Steam offers a reliable user experience and a comprehensive feature set, contributing to its longstanding dominance. In contrast, the Epic Games Store was criticized for lacking essential features upon its launch in 2018.
- Epic Games Store Features Added Over Time:
- Reviews (2022)
- Wishlists (2021)
- Achievements (2021)
- Gifting (2025)
- Messaging (2025)
- Ongoing Feature Gaps:
- Family Sharing
- Mod Support
Engagement Metrics and Market Impact
Apart from user growth, the industry has observed differing engagement strategies. For instance, the Xbox platform, which seamlessly integrates subscription services like Game Pass, has noted a significant 45% year-over-year growth. This suggests that users are more willing to spend money when they feel their experience justifies it.
Financial Performance
In 2024, Epic Games generated over $1.09 billion in revenue. This pales in comparison to Steam’s $1.6 billion earned in December 2024 alone. Such figures highlight the disparity between user count and actual spending behavior on the Epic Games Store.
Conclusion: The Future of Epic Games Store
While the Epic Games Store continues to attract new users, it risks becoming perceived merely as a “free game launcher.” The challenge moving forward will be transforming this vast user base into a community willing to invest in games. As Steam remains the preferred platform for purchasing and playing, Epic must adapt its strategies to foster spending and enhance its engagement with users.
As the industry evolves, the landscape for gaming platforms will likely shift. Whether Epic can successfully pivot and instill a more robust purchasing culture remains an open question.
