Epic games store gets a massive overhaul – years of backlash finally addressed?
After years of frustrated gamers and a stubbornly underwhelming storefront, Epic Games is finally delivering on a long-promised overhaul of the Epic Games Store. A newly unveiled roadmap, gleaned from Unreal Fest presentations, details a significant redesign and a deluge of long-requested features, potentially reshaping the PC digital landscape.
A fivefold speed boost and a streamlined experience
The plan, outlined by Epic Games, promises a ‘ground-up rebuild’ of the launcher, aiming for a staggering five times faster cold start – a testament to the persistent criticisms surrounding the current interface. This isn’t just a cosmetic facelift; it's a fundamental shift intended to address the systemic issues that have alienated both developers and players since 2018.
Key features on the horizon
The roadmap – a sprawling list of planned improvements – includes immediate priorities like chunked Fortnite installations, third-party patch notes integration, and pre-registration options for free-to-play titles. But the deeper dives reveal ambitions extending far beyond, encompassing user profiles, avatars, and a long-overdue implementation of user-written reviews – a feature that has been repeatedly demanded by the community. Publishers will even be able to fund coupons directly within the platform, aiming to inject more incentive for purchases.
A difficult road to redemption
However, the path to this transformation hasn't been smooth. Epic has faced consistent challenges competing with Steam, evidenced by significant losses attributed to exclusivity deals, as revealed in court documents. The store’s failure to achieve profitability within five years of its launch underscored the need for substantial change – a need finally being addressed with this ambitious roadmap. Steve Allison, VP and GM of the Epic Games Store, acknowledged the current launcher’s shortcomings, stating, “Every developer in this room and every player we have has experienced challenges with the current launcher. It’s time for a change.”
Beyond the hype – a realistic timeline?
Despite the scale of the undertaking, Epic hasn’t provided specific dates for any of these updates. The rollout is expected to be phased, leaving users to speculate on when they’ll actually see these improvements. But the sheer scope of the changes suggests a sustained effort, potentially reshaping the way PC gamers discover and purchase their games. The question remains: will Epic finally deliver on its promises and earn the trust it has so desperately sought?