Game developer Adrian Chmielarz, co-founder of the Polish studio The Astronauts, offers insights on Steam’s enduring dominance in the PC gaming market, particularly in comparison to competitors like the Epic Games Store.
Chmielarz, known for his work on the game Witchfire, acknowledges that the title’s initial release as an Epic Games Store timed exclusive contributed to its success. However, he expressed critical views on Epic’s platform during an interview with FRVR. He notably highlighted Steam’s community aspects as a key advantage over the Epic Games Store.
He stated, “There’s actually so much happening in that community hub for every single game, much more than I ever imagined,” emphasizing how users become emotionally invested in Steam. This sense of belonging makes transitions to platforms like Epic challenging for users, as it involves leaving behind their established libraries.
The Epic Games Store, according to Chmielarz, lacks the social features found on Steam, making it feel more transactional than community-oriented. This deficiency may explain why developers, such as those behind the indie horror game Horses, reacted more strongly to being banned from Steam compared to the Epic Games Store.
Chmielarz remarked, “People are not using EGS as their home, it’s not home to them.” He attributed this to the absence of written reviews and forums on Epic, which limits user engagement. Consequently, a platform that fosters emotional connections and community interaction will naturally attract more users than a straightforward shopping site.
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