Epic Games Services is releasing a free software development kit that allows developers to combine community features from the Epic Games Store and Steam. In the future, Epic plans to release support for other virtual stores as well.
The SDK will allow developers to merge the friends systems of the Epic Games Store and Steam so that gamers, regardless of the platform they play on, can see each other and get together in games. The two friend lists are merged into one interface by the software, so promises Epic Games† Later, the company plans to “support more PC platforms, including macOS and Linux.” Also, the new crossplay feature will eventually come to consoles and mobile platforms.
According to Epic Games, the crossplay function is easy to add to a game and does not need to be updated separately. Steam users also do not need to log in separately for this function; ‘with a few clicks’, Steam users can use the service, after which an alternative Epic Games account is created for them in the background, enabling the cross-play feature. According to the company, the software is plug-and-play, so developers can choose which functionalities they add to their game.
Update, 18.55: Based on the information available from Epic Games, more explanation has been added about the possible opt-in system for Steam users.