Epic Games Store - Concerns (Launchers, Prices, DRM, Monopoly, Exclusives)

[Tom]

i've implied hypothetical situation to give some accentuation, my bad haven't reflected that in my comment)
Yeah, that's what i meant, steam might not have the significant progress but atleast they are working on it unlike EG just avoiding linux completely for now and not even commenting on it.
monnef

[Dub-Z]

I don't see Epic adding things like user reviews, ratings and forums because publishers, developers and games media hate the power it gives consumers to be louder than marketing narratives and special interests. Better keep asking for it and don't buy until you like what you see.

[monnef]

Tom Steam supports native Linux versions of games (when developer releases it) for quite long time I think. Linux Steam client had some issues, but they are being slowly fixed (now it even supports HiDPI). Recently they poured a lot of money (well, for them pennies) into Proton (the "emulation" layer integrated to Steam, I think marketed like SteamPlay?, they are also significantly contributing to DXVK and many more related projects).

[monnef]

I agree with all of this, but I think the reviews and ratings could come later on (same would apply to the forum). The store doesn't even look like it's even close to its final incarnation, so I sincerely doubt we've seen all the features the store is going to have - that being said, at the moment, it's a valid complaint.

I am pretty sure I read that it is by design and they have no plans on adding any of it.

Also just want to add - Subnautica has been amazing, so the store is already worth it on my end given how much fun I've had with that game already.

Grabbed it as well. I saw some videos from older version and it looked quite good. Maybe I'll get to it on holidays .

Finally, if Epic Games wants to blow it by charging more (or equal) for the same games as Steam, they're going to lose because Steam has customer loyalty. They need more than few freebies to lure people away Steam being the go-to platform for all PC gamers. As it stands now, I have Steam installed, I have Epic Games installed, I even have GOG Galaxy installed... whatever platform offers the best deal for the game will get my business, I see no reason to ally myself with a corporation.

Yeah, Steam is for me a platform run by a company which contributed to Linux gaming like no other. It is incomparable to overly-limited anti-customer e-shop.

[Lennac]

Just to sum up Epic Games Store from a player perspective as I see it:

pros

• free games (as I understand it they are not of great value - often old or being commonly in sales for low price)

cons

• no user reviews (I would miss a lot)
• no user ratings (same)
• no forums (occasionally useful when looking for solutions to issues)
• affiliate links = YouTubers shilling (not liking this at all, because when I see such link under YT video now I will always wonder/suspect if the YouTuber is a shill; so it will effectively cut down number of currently trustworthy channels)
• curated (= biased, can be seen as a form of censorship, limits indies entry to the store, prone to bribery and allowing only indie games which support Epic's opinions)
• no Linux support (compared to Steam and Valve which did and does for Linux quite a lot)

Beyond downloading it for free games, I don't really see a reason to use the store, to support with money such an anti-consumer store.

I agree with all of this, but I think the reviews and ratings could come later on (same would apply to the forum). The store doesn't even look like it's even close to its final incarnation, so I sincerely doubt we've seen all the features the store is going to have - that being said, at the moment, it's a valid complaint.

As for the shill-links - the more YouTubers who willfully out themselves as shills, the better. Again, if YouTubers have that disclose in videos as a "paid promotion" and include the link, I don't see anything wrong with it. The key thing is disclosing your relationship with a developer when utilizing these links - and how a YouTuber acts will determine how I perceive them.

Also just want to add - Subnautica has been amazing, so the store is already worth it on my end given how much fun I've had with that game already.

Finally, if Epic Games wants to blow it by charging more (or equal) for the same games as Steam, they're going to lose because Steam has customer loyalty. They need more than few freebies to lure people away Steam being the go-to platform for all PC gamers. As it stands now, I have Steam installed, I have Epic Games installed, I even have GOG Galaxy installed... whatever platform offers the best deal for the game will get my business, I see no reason to ally myself with a corporation.

[Tom]

No linux is a big changer, even if steam just talks about it and epic doesn't

[monnef]

Just to sum up Epic Games Store from a player perspective as I see it:

pros

• free games (as I understand it they are not of great value - often old or being commonly in sales for low price)

cons

• no user reviews (I would miss a lot)
• no user ratings (same)
• no forums (occasionally useful when looking for solutions to issues)
• affiliate links = YouTubers shilling (not liking this at all, because when I see such link under YT video now I will always wonder/suspect if the YouTuber is a shill; so it will effectively cut down number of currently trustworthy channels)
• curated (= biased, can be seen as a form of censorship, limits indies entry to the store, prone to bribery and allowing only indie games which support Epic's opinions)
• no Linux support (compared to Steam and Valve which did and does for Linux quite a lot)

Beyond downloading it for free games, I don't really see a reason to use the store, to support with money such an anti-consumer store.

[Elmo]

Link to Maneater game forum on Steam. Originally promised to be on Steam, but has now jumped ship as an exclusive(people are not happy): https://steamcommunity.com/app/62982...7638133/?ctp=5

One could argue... So what, but I thought exclusivity was only on consoles. Also knowing Steam as a secure platform and my bias, I'll stick to Steam.

Epic games/store are bragging that they save the Dev and publishers money, but are the costs that are being saved going to reduce cost of the product. From the looks of it no they are not. Some games are actually more expensive on Epic Store. I'm sure you've all seen the video

also I'll iterate my past post, which may annoy the moderators immensely , sorry in advance.

Quote:
"
Another example current date:

e.g. Hello Neighbor on Steam is at present(14th dec 2018) £23.79 and on Epic Store it's currently(14th dec 2018) £26.99
"

I guess at the end of the day , what will be, will be..... And because i have nearly 500games on steam I'm going to be extremely bias.


Note: I'm doing a AAA thing. Post first then amend post later.... AAA, release game first patch later.

Competition is good as long as it's benefiting the customers and not JUST Benefiting the Devs/Publishers.
If everyone is a winner then I have no issue.