Players Use Epic For Freebies But Then Just Go Back To Steam

Key Points:

• The Epic Games Store is popular mainly for its free games, but many users return to Steam afterward, limiting its ability to compete effectively with Valve's platform.
• Epic reported 78 million monthly active users last year and $400 million in revenue from non-Epic games in 2025, figures that fell short of the company's initial growth expectations.
• Epic is attempting to unify its PC storefront and mobile gaming app into a single platform, but this effort has faced criticism for being rushed, with the mobile app developed in just seven months using expensive contractors.
• The company is also collaborating with Disney on a new extraction shooter as part of a $1.5 billion partnership, though it remains uncertain if this project will replicate the success of Fortnite or become another unsuccessful side venture.
• Epic's history includes several ambitious but mixed ventures, such as acquiring and later selling Bandcamp and purchasing ArtStation, reflecting a pattern of scattered strategic efforts.