Epic Games Store offers developers 100 percent of sales for 6 months of exclusivity

Epic Games has announced a program for the Store gaming platform where developers can receive one hundred percent of the revenue from a game in exchange for exclusivity. The program is opt-in and applies for six months of exclusivity.

Developers normally have to give twelve percent of their net turnover to Epic Games to be allowed to use the platform, but under the Epic First Run Program this committee is temporarily not applicable. A developer may claim the program if the new game or app in question has not previously been released via another platform, including other virtual stores and streaming and subscription services. The program will be made available for new games and apps from October 16. Epic also promises to do extra advertising for these exclusive games.

The publisher explains opposite Engadget explains that the temporary exclusivity is in exchange for net turnover, but that certain income must be given up. For example, Epic defines net sales as all sales minus taxes, while refunds must of course be paid by the developer or publisher. The payment commission, content delivery network costs and ‘other marginal costs’ are paid by Epic.

Epic does allow developers and publishers to release games and apps via their own platform or launcher under the First Run program. In theory, for example, Blizzard could close the exclusivity deal and release games via Battle.net. The same game, on the other hand, may not be offered via Steam or Xbox Game Pass during this period. The Green Man Gaming and Humble Store platforms are also not covered by the conditions; companies may offer their games here simultaneously with Epic Games Store exclusivity, provided they use a game keyless system. The publisher explains that further from here.

Epic Games started accepting games from independent developers who wanted to release their games on the platform earlier this year. The company has had its own gaming platform since the end of 2018, on which a twelve percent commission is charged on game sales and purchases. Competitor Steam charges a thirty percent commission.