10-04-2020 , 08:50 AM
Why is the Epic Games Store giving away games for free? The subtleties of marketing
I decided to write a little about games.
Many gamers are constantly amazed at the generosity of Epics in terms of giveaways, updated weekly. What's the point of this? Why is the Epic Games Store giving away games for free when you can sell them for money? Are these promotions beneficial for developers and publishers? Let's figure it out.
After the sudden success of Fortnite, the publisher had free money that needed to be invested somewhere. Opening a full-fledged Digital store instead of the previously existing modest platform for distributing your own video games is a great decision. However, difficulties arose immediately.
![[Image: d372db5c5a97.png]](https://b.radikal.ru/b15/2010/8a/d372db5c5a97.png)
The store had modest functionality that was inferior to Steam on all fronts. How to change the situation and attract an audience? There were two ways out: buying up exclusives (which caused negative feedback from gamers) and distributing freebies. It was the bet on it that played positively.
According to analysts and the EGS platform itself, each free game provided a dramatic increase in audience. Moreover, a significant percentage of people who received buns from the service subsequently actively participated in sales, spent discount coupons and periodically replenished the library with paid projects.
Initially, the action was planned to be phased out by the beginning of 2020, but then it was extended for at least a year. According to my forecasts, supported by direct communication with developers, even in 2021 we will get a similar freebie.
![[Image: 7d3979ac0f55.png]](https://d.radikal.ru/d41/2010/8f/7d3979ac0f55.png)
Who benefits from free games on the Epic Games Store?
The benefit to creators and publishers is that Epics compensates them for these video games being handed out. They remain free for gamers, and the copyright owners themselves do not incur losses. Discounts on sales are compensated in the same way.
The company's next source of income is the licensing of the Unreal Engine. Income from licensing fees is high enough in order not to set the goal of earning the maximum amount of money from the store. On the contrary, user friendliness has come to the fore.
![[Image: 9db27389ae88.png]](https://c.radikal.ru/c42/2010/3d/9db27389ae88.png)
Will the policy change in the future? While there are many competitors on the market, hardly. The platform is taking adequate steps, constantly improving the functionality and user interface.
Sasha, specially for Promo2day.
I decided to write a little about games.
Many gamers are constantly amazed at the generosity of Epics in terms of giveaways, updated weekly. What's the point of this? Why is the Epic Games Store giving away games for free when you can sell them for money? Are these promotions beneficial for developers and publishers? Let's figure it out.
After the sudden success of Fortnite, the publisher had free money that needed to be invested somewhere. Opening a full-fledged Digital store instead of the previously existing modest platform for distributing your own video games is a great decision. However, difficulties arose immediately.
The store had modest functionality that was inferior to Steam on all fronts. How to change the situation and attract an audience? There were two ways out: buying up exclusives (which caused negative feedback from gamers) and distributing freebies. It was the bet on it that played positively.
According to analysts and the EGS platform itself, each free game provided a dramatic increase in audience. Moreover, a significant percentage of people who received buns from the service subsequently actively participated in sales, spent discount coupons and periodically replenished the library with paid projects.
Initially, the action was planned to be phased out by the beginning of 2020, but then it was extended for at least a year. According to my forecasts, supported by direct communication with developers, even in 2021 we will get a similar freebie.
Who benefits from free games on the Epic Games Store?
The benefit to creators and publishers is that Epics compensates them for these video games being handed out. They remain free for gamers, and the copyright owners themselves do not incur losses. Discounts on sales are compensated in the same way.
The company's next source of income is the licensing of the Unreal Engine. Income from licensing fees is high enough in order not to set the goal of earning the maximum amount of money from the store. On the contrary, user friendliness has come to the fore.
Will the policy change in the future? While there are many competitors on the market, hardly. The platform is taking adequate steps, constantly improving the functionality and user interface.
Sasha, specially for Promo2day.