The distinction between having to make use of one launcher or one other in addition up a PC recreation may really feel like a trivial factor to some, however a recreation launching solely on one thing just like the Epic Video games Retailer versus the extra ubiquitous Steam can have an effect on its attain. Tim Sweeney, Epic CEO and man who posts an excessive amount of for as a lot cash as he has, appeared to neglect this as he preached the virtues of capitalism and competitors, saying that builders and players alike win after they have choices.
Epic and Steam compete for every buyer and every sale. On some transactions, Epic wins. On extra, Steam wins. However one factor is fixed on each transaction: players and builders win by having extra choices and higher offers. https://t.co/RzU0twrmbr
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) January 20, 2026
Michael Douse, Larian Studios’ publishing director, responded to Sweeney’s feedback by stating that a few of Epic’s publishing offers had appeared antithetical to Sweeney’s seeming perception within the worth of “choices” for builders and gamers. He particularly calledout the truth that Alan Wake 2, Treatment Leisure’s award-winning horror sequel, is barely obtainable on the Epic Video games Retailer, moderately than Steam. Treatment has stated in latest monetary reviews that it has been operating at a significant loss in recent times, primarily as a result of its co-op shooter FBC Firebreak flopping final yr, however usually, the studio appears to be coping with monetary troubles. Douse argues that the corporate is shedding out on “probably lots of of thousands and thousands in misplaced income” by sequestering Alan Wake 2 on a much less well-liked storefront.
“Not that they want the cash however a [percentage] take to Epic may’ve recouped dev prices [and] extra,” Douse wrote. “Competitors is nice, and essential, however it’s tough to purchase the message when there are demonstrable instances of video games underperforming on account of the tactic. In the end, the viability of the shop sits on their means to transform lots of of thousands and thousands of Fortnite gamers into mid-hardcore premium players, and I don’t see the Fortnite model trying to do this.”
Realistically I believe if you wish to be constant in dev optimistic messaging you simply take a straightforward PR W by amending the contract to permit them to drop the sport on Steam now everybody has made their cash and the drop-off in UA has made that angle negligible https://t.co/v5rAo6XUR3
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) January 21, 2026
For no matter it’s price, there may be some proof that means Alan Wake 2 may lastly be making its technique to Steam after virtually three years. Simply earlier this week, an Alan Wake “franchise” Steam bundle together with the unique recreation and the American Nightmare spin-off was renamed “Origins,” implying that this assortment of the early video games could now not embody everything of the “franchise” because it exists on Steam. In that case, perhaps Treatment will get a pleasant bump in Alan Wake 2 gross sales, however you will need to level out that for all Sweeney’s touting competitors and choices as one thing we should always all help, if the offers studios need to make to work with Epic go away studios at an obstacle with probably catastrophic penalties, it’s all simply posturing.
