Epic Games vs. Steam: Is the Usurper Closing in on the Titan of PC Gaming?

Launched by Valve in 2003, Steam has long been established as the go-to PC launcher platform – particularly since digital distribution essentially became the only way to offer computer games. Still, that didn’t stop Epic Games from trying to break what was essentially a monopoly in late 2018, pulling all of the tricks out of the bag.

The Epic Games Store’s headline attractions were a better revenue cut for developers and publishers, being the home of the infinitely-popular Fortnite, and offering regular free games. While it irritated some PC gamers who wanted to keep all of their games in one place, few could argue that a more competitive landscape was needed.

Towards the end of 2023, however, it was revealed during the company’s battle with Google in court that Epic's computer games launcher still isn’t profitable. Given that it’s been five years since its boisterous challenge to Steam was declared, is the Epic Games Store failing?

Decent numbers and consistent growth in users

It’s important to note that, not only has Steam got a firm and entrenched user base, but anyone can just create a Steam account and an Epic Games Store account and use both for their games. It’s really not difficult, with the only hindrance being if someone immerses themselves in the communities for several different games.

So, Epic likely didn’t think that it’d ever take too many players from Steam, but more take some of the sales and playing hours that Valve once boasted. As shown in their annual report from 2023, the Epic Games Store has amassed some impressive numbers.

In 2023, PC users increased by 40 million from 2022 to 270 million, while their daily and monthly active user counts also saw increases to peaks of 36.1 million and 75 million, respectively. That’s a lot of players, whichever way you look at it, but Steam still, as you’d expect, commands many more users.

Figures point to Steam as having some 120 million monthly active users and 62.6 million daily, and while the Epic Games Store library increased to over 2,900 titles in 2023, Steam’s catalog has over 50,000 – the quality of which, naturally, varies drastically with the store’s general openness to those who want to publish their games.

Power of accessibility and opening the door

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To amass over 270 million users in just five years is impressive, and it speaks volumes to the accessibility promotion that the Epic Games Store continues to run to this day: free games. Give players free ways to play and at least one barrier for entry is lifted, opening up to a much larger audience.

This can be seen at work all over the place in online casino promotions. New players get free BTC and free spins on a top game, and then get another bonus after a second deposit, and another after a third. Existing players also get free spins on a top game every week. It’s a very similar approach to Epic’s free games offering.

Anyone with an account can download whatever free games are on offer multiple times a month. Most of the time, a month will feature some superb indie games, well-loved major releases from the past, and sometimes even very recent triple-A games without charge. As libraries get filled with free games, more will buy new ones with Epic.

Of course, there are stacks of free-to-start games on Steam as well, but what they’re most famed for are their sales. The Summer Sale, Fighting Games Fest, Cooking Fest, Autumn Sale, Winter Sale, Open World Survival Crafting Fest, and FPS Fest all cut prices to major games significantly to offer something back to the gamers.

Still, it’s tough to compete with a regular stream of high-quality free games. Epic Games is making up ground on Steam, and while the growth is significant, it will take several more years of committed bonuses to bring Epic eye-level with Steam.