Epic Games, the company behind the popular Epic Games Store (EGS) and the gaming phenomenon Fortnite, has acknowledged that its social features are lacking. In a recent interview, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney admitted that aspects of the platform’s social functionality “suck” and outlined plans for improvement. This comes after years of criticism from gamers who have lamented the absence of features considered standard on competing platforms like Steam.
The Epic Games Store has been a major player in the PC gaming market since its launch in 2018, primarily due to its aggressive strategy of securing exclusive game releases and offering free games to users.
However, it has consistently faced criticism for its limited social features. A robust social ecosystem is crucial for online gaming, allowing players to connect with friends, join communities, and easily share their gaming experiences. Epic’s admission signals a potential shift in its approach, which could significantly impact the platform’s future and its competitive standing against Steam.
These statements were made in an interview with PC Gamer published on October 3, 2024. While no specific timeline was given for these updates, Sweeney’s candid acknowledgment suggests that Epic is actively working to address these concerns.
This news directly involves Epic Games, led by CEO Tim Sweeney, and impacts millions of PC gamers who use the Epic Games Store. It also has implications for game developers who release their titles on the platform.
Now, let’s dive deeper.
For years, the Epic Games Store has been a source of both excitement and frustration for PC gamers. While enticing users with free games and exclusive titles, it has also been a minimalist platform, lacking many quality-of-life features that gamers have come to expect.
One of the most glaring omissions has been in the realm of social interaction. Compared to its main competitor, Steam, the EGS has felt like a digital ghost town. Features like a comprehensive friends list, group chat, community forums, and activity feeds have been noticeably absent or rudimentary in their implementation.
This lack of social integration has hindered the platform’s ability to foster a sense of community and has made it difficult for friends to connect and play together. Imagine trying to coordinate a game night with friends when you can’t even see if they are online or what games they are playing. This is the reality that EGS users have faced.
“It Sucks” – A Frank Admission
In a refreshing display of candor, Tim Sweeney didn’t mince words when describing the state of the EGS social features. He acknowledged the shortcomings, stating that “it sucks” and admitting that these features were “never really built out.”
This acknowledgment is significant because it shows that Epic is not only aware of the community’s concerns but is also willing to take responsibility for its shortcomings. This is a crucial first step towards meaningful change.
A Glimpse into the Future
Sweeney didn’t just offer apologies; he also provided some insights into Epic’s plans to rectify the situation. He highlighted several key areas of focus:
- Improved Friends List: This is a fundamental feature of any online gaming platform, and Epic is looking to enhance its functionality. This could include features like detailed friend profiles, richer presence information (showing what game a friend is playing), and easier ways to connect with and manage friends.
- Voice Chat: Integrated voice chat is essential for coordinating gameplay and building camaraderie among players. While EGS currently offers basic voice chat, improvements could include better audio quality, more robust group chat features, and tighter integration with games.
- Community Features: Building a sense of community is crucial for any gaming platform. Epic could introduce features like forums, groups, and activity feeds to facilitate interaction and engagement among players.
- Game Invites: Easily inviting friends to join your game is a basic expectation for online gaming. EGS needs to streamline this process and make it more intuitive.
- Party System: A robust party system allows players to easily group up with friends and join games together. This is a core feature that EGS currently lacks.
Why Did it Take So Long?
One might wonder why it took Epic so long to address these concerns. After all, the EGS has been around for several years. There are a few possible explanations:
- Focus on Exclusives: Epic’s initial strategy heavily relied on securing exclusive game releases to attract users. This may have diverted resources away from developing social features.
- Building the Foundation: Epic may have prioritized building the core infrastructure of the store before focusing on social features. This includes things like payment systems, download management, and game launcher functionality.
- Underestimating the Importance: It’s possible that Epic underestimated the importance of social features in the PC gaming market. The success of Steam, with its strong emphasis on community, may have highlighted this oversight.
- Technical Challenges: Developing robust social features that can handle millions of users is a complex undertaking. Epic may have faced technical challenges in implementing these features.
What This Means for Gamers
If Epic delivers on its promises, this could be a game-changer for the Epic Games Store. Enhanced social features would make the platform more appealing to gamers who value community and interaction. It could also lead to increased user engagement and a more vibrant ecosystem.
Imagine being able to seamlessly join your friends in a game of Fortnite, share your latest gaming achievements, or participate in lively discussions about your favorite titles – all within the EGS. This is the potential that these updates hold.
The Competitive Landscape
The improvements to EGS’s social features could intensify the competition with Steam. While Steam has long been the dominant player in the PC gaming market, Epic has been steadily chipping away at its user base with its aggressive strategies.
By offering a more compelling social experience, Epic could attract even more users to its platform and challenge Steam’s dominance. This would ultimately benefit gamers by fostering innovation and competition in the PC gaming market.
It’s important to remember that these are still just promises. Epic needs to deliver on its commitments to truly transform the EGS social experience. The gaming community will be watching closely to see how these updates unfold.
If Epic can successfully implement these improvements, it could mark a significant turning point for the platform. The EGS could evolve from a transactional storefront into a thriving social hub for PC gamers. This would not only benefit users but also strengthen Epic’s position in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.
Epic Games’ acknowledgment of its social shortcomings and its commitment to improvement is a welcome development. This could significantly enhance the EGS user experience and foster a more vibrant gaming community. It will be interesting to see how these changes unfold and how they impact the competitive landscape of PC gaming.
