Gearbox founder Randy Pitchford has acknowledged that his long-term expectations for Epic were overly optimistic, as he once believed Steam could decline as a store. This sentiment arose in 2019 when Pitchford discussed Gearbox’s decision to make Borderlands 3 a timed Epic exclusive on PC. At that time, he expressed confidence in Epic’s technological advancements surpassing Valve’s and hinted at Steam’s potential downfall.
Recently, Gearbox unveiled Borderlands 4, slated for a 2025 release on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via both Epic and Steam. This revelation has brought Pitchford’s previous comments back into focus.
Looking Back
Responding to a social media post comparing his 2019 predictions with the current inclusion of Borderlands 4 on Steam, Pitchford admitted to having high hopes for the Epic Games Store. However, he noted that Epic had not capitalized on its advantages in the time since.
Pitchford emphasized that although he personally uses Steam, he advocates for healthy competition in the industry. He highlighted that customers care more about the games themselves rather than the storefront, pointing to the success of Borderlands 3 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands on Epic.
Evaluating the Market
Expressing disappointment in the lack of developer-friendly alternatives to Steam, Pitchford reflected on the current state of PC gaming stores. While acknowledging his misplaced optimism in Epic’s long-term prospects, he described the situation as a valuable learning experience for himself and others.
Stating that Steam’s dominant position is mainly due to publishers’ reluctance to support alternative platforms, Pitchford stressed the need for industry disruption and urged for more developer-friendly options.
“Looking Ahead”
Pitchford affirmed Gearbox’s commitment to supporting Steam while expressing hope for Epic’s continuous improvement and success. He called for innovative initiatives from Epic, emphasizing the importance of exclusive content to compete with Steam’s stronghold in the market.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for additional competitors in the industry and pledged to remain present on various platforms as both a developer and game player.
Image credit: Gearbox
Industry Landscape
In 2018, Epic challenged Steam with its own PC games store, offering a developer-friendly revenue split of 88/12. The platform continues to attract users by providing free games to its community, including titles like The Callisto Protocol and Gigantic: Rampage Edition.
Borderlands Buzz
On a different note, the Cate Blanchett-led Borderlands film adaptation is set to premiere digitally soon. Initial reception of the movie has been lukewarm, with critics labeling it as a “huge misfire.” The film’s lackluster performance on its opening day raises concerns about its commercial success.
FAQs
Q: Why did Gearbox make Borderlands 3 an Epic exclusive initially?
A: Gearbox aimed to leverage Epic’s technological advancements and believed in healthy competition in the digital storefront landscape.
Q: How did Pitchford’s views on Steam and Epic evolve over time?
A: Pitchford initially had high hopes for Epic surpassing Steam but later realized that the market dynamics were more complex than anticipated.
Credit: www.eurogamer.net
