Epic Games is doing well. In 2022, it was valued at $22 billion thanks to the incredible success of Fortnite, consistent sales across all games, and the famous Unreal Engine that powers many of today’s AAA games. Despite what social media users periodically claim, Epic seems to have a lot of momentum. But Tim Sweeney’s brainchild can’t afford to rest on its laurels, especially with several major players expanding their mobile gaming offerings.
Why Epic Games Needs to Make Big Moves
Nothing stays the same, especially in technology
A difficult 2023 led to more than 800 layoffs before Epic returned to financial stability in October 2024. Despite Fortnite’s record number of active users until the end of 2024, nothing lasts forever, and voices of disgruntled players pop up every now and then. While Unreal Engine is a significant asset, Unreal Engine’s license fees are around $300 million per year, which is a small drop in the bucket for such a large company.
The FTC’s $245 million fine for deceptive business practices and violating children’s privacy laws became official in December 2024. Aside from Fortnite being a money printer, the Epic Games Store is a money guzzler. The company has been criticized for its partial sale to Chinese firm Tencent and its growing adoption of a games-as-a-service model since 2012. Avid gamers do not take kindly to Mr. Sweeney’s public dealings and business practices.
With the huge potential for gaming growth, Epic has a chance to expand its position and ensure long-term security. In particular, the approach to the revival of mobile gaming can bring immeasurable profits to the risk-taker. With the right moves, Epic can position itself as the go-to mobile provider worldwide, mimicking Steam’s glory as the leading PC gaming platform. In addition to absorbing smartphones and tablets, several other big moves could keep Epic at the top of its game.
Fix Epic Games Store
Six years is a long time to wait for a feature update
Rocket League Sideswipe is one of three games in Epic’s nearly defunct Android store.
No other step between the PC desktop and the game’s loading screen is as frustrating as the ugly software portal encoded in Epic’s spaghetti. This is the slogan. Multiple windows and dialogs shouldn’t bring 16GB of RAM to its knees. This is the work of the game. Annoyingly, the “Remember my login” switch often doesn’t work, which prolific gamers have noticed. Flicking through the interface feels like you’re executing a captcha of nightmarish complexity. Everything takes too many clicks. The silver lining? We all know the interface well because it barely sees any updates.
It’s not just a maze of bugs and slowdowns
Capable content delivery, complemented by competent social features, can build a fan base. Look at Gabe Newell and Valve’s Steam. This is a gaming platform for gamers. EGS needs a redesigned navigation, a well thought out library and access to developers or at least support staff. How can gamers explore new worlds without effective search, preview, and community discussion tools?
Relatives
All I want from Epic is a great Android game store
Google is clearly not up to the task
Epic is a software company. Strengthening the software must be the first to ensure its role in the future of gaming. Giving the interface some much-needed TLC will reduce friction and promote gamer friendliness.
Stop wasting money on limited exclusives
A company must survive for only one fiscal year
Bribing studios to get long-awaited titles as Epic exclusives isn’t just anti-consumer. It is also anti-developer, anti-reviewer and anti-industry. Release cycles consist of years of hype, palpable build-up, and explosion as entire communities experience the new Extreme Sewing Championship 3 together.
Artificially compartmentalizing this cycle devalues ​​collective pleasure. We gamers have been waiting impatiently for 42 years for games like Cyberpunk 2077. Please don’t make us wait another year. We’ll get upset, forget about the game, or both.
We love Epic’s free-to-play games campaign, which allows us to enjoy many indie games that we wouldn’t have otherwise. However, poor infrastructure and years of prison time for many AAA certifications undermine money spent on free stuff. Don’t blame the studios for making the contracts. Epic has a lot of money. Forced exclusives represent counterproductive costs. Epic has admitted that many EGS exclusives are not profitable.
They can do no real good
Crypto-backed features never existed provides real utility, and games are the last place we need more manipulative tricks. The low-poly concept of a game-within-a-game metauniverse didn’t work for Zuckerberg, and it won’t work for Sweeney. Users will refuse to take Epic seriously when it reminds them of JPG scams with monkeys smoking cigars.
Relatives
Warner Bros. wrestles with cause and effect by doubling the number of shovels to service
Because why do what works?
The free-to-play model effectively drives subscriptions to quality games. The “play to earn” label may also read “don’t play this game”. Microtransactions, celebrity cameos, and similar novelties often get in the way of serious engagement. Games-as-a-Service content delivery keeps users locked in and makes it easy for publishers to renege on promises of continued production after launch. Epic needs to cut the crap if it wants to take the next step, the biggest, to make a proper splash.
Own mobile games like no other
Risk it all, storm the market and build on a significant legal victory
The legal ruling allowing Epic to launch a standalone store to compete with Google has paved the way for big moves, and Epic has made some. Notably, its deal to pre-install EGS on smartphones under the Telefonica umbrella worldwide will bring a ready-to-play platform to millions. But the mobile sector is still in a state of capture.
No single major player dominates mobile gaming anywhere in the world. North American and European users agree that the Google Play Store stinks for games (although it’s trying to change). Emerging markets such as Southeast Asia have potential, but do not guarantee that the company can quickly make a profitable path. Only a well-resourced corporation could withstand the early drop in liquidity that might result from invading a new region as the sole market controller.
The North American market doesn’t produce many high-spending mobile players. However, it produces some of the most extensive media coverage and key opinion leaders. Let them work in Epic’s favor by driving the hype through growth markets like India and South Korea.
Act now before the opportunity is gone
The Epic Games Store technically exists on Android and iOS, but offers three games.
Epic should not waste this chance to salvage lost goodwill and bring back appreciation to games. Maybe America doesn’t really need a fourth platform to buy, install, and download titles (although it wouldn’t hurt). Millions of people everywhere also need new games, which requires work on infrastructure and interfaces.
Epic has the resources. He will find developers. This can absorb a significant hit coming to the first mega-receiver of eco-friendly gamers in underserved regions. Most companies would refuse such an obstacle. Epic has a fight and so does Mr. Sweeney. Speaking of the CEO, there’s another unique way he can help steer Epic in the right direction.
If you must participate, do so positively
Please, Tim, we’re begging you
Source: Wikipedia
Sweeney (right, next to John Carmack) is by no means a bad guy, but has donated more than $30 million to wilderness conservation.
Unlike most executives, Mr. Sweeney is willing to engage with the community. That’s mostly commendable, but these interactions aren’t always the most PR-friendly. The once greedy coder seems to be hiding under a layer of snappy responses that look like a bitter Reddit agenda post rather than a comment from one of gaming’s most storied houses. Epic’s most vocal fans sometimes distance themselves from his public statements.
An overt defense of gimmicks, aggression, or idleness won’t help solidify Epic’s place in gamers’ hearts. Snark won’t add much to what should be a labor of love. Mocking your competitors doesn’t affect the software, but it can make potential fans less likely to engage with or buy from the platform.
Epic CEO slams ‘one-store-launched PC-only games’ isn’t looking good.
Tim, I know you will read this eventually. I certainly don’t hate you. I’ve been playing your games since I can remember. A little less edge in your mentions would encourage more friendly feedback from hardcore gamers. Neither will hurt. Gamers love GabeN and a lot of what Valve does. Don’t react to his rare public appearances as a bully. We fear that this will slow down the development of Half-Life 3.
Can Epic Get Its Groove Back?
The answer is yes, but the clock is ticking
Lawn mowing simulators and railroad builders may not quite capture the market in the way that Epic needs.
We want Sweeney to succeed after his company supported our childhood. Epic owns the Unreal Engine. We shouldn’t waste energy on annoying interfaces, marketing, or executive rhetoric.
Epic’s return to profitability is worth talking about. We have to commend Sweeney and company for bringing the world together through 3D graphics. We want to celebrate the diverse product offerings, including fresh Fortnite content for the youth (and rappers) and diverse titles for the rest of us.
Relatives
Developers just don’t give Android games the attention they deserve
Mobile gaming is still considered an afterthought
Epic has the resources to make the leap. If it moves decisively to capture the growing global mobile market, take advantage of today’s powerful handheld consoles, and rethink its software and distribution, it could become as much a leader in the mobile space as Steam is in the Windows and Linux realms. That would be a win for Epic, gamers, and Mr. Sweeney.
