PC gaming enthusiasts frequently compare digital storefronts, often weighing the advantages of Steam’s large seasonal discounts against Epic Games Store’s regular free offerings. As these two major platforms compete for player attention, developers and publishers closely monitor the effects on sales and exposure. A recent surge in Blood West sales on Steam following its free distribution on the Epic Games Store has sparked new discussions about how players navigate between these storefronts, and why they might continue to prefer Steam, even when free options are available elsewhere. Consumer habits in this space suggest that loyalty and user experience may outweigh the allure of costless games.
Reports from previous Epic Games Store giveaways have indicated modest increases in player base and short-term attention for featured titles. However, measurable impacts on sales within competing platforms like Steam had not consistently emerged as clearly as in the Blood West case. Publishers have sometimes expressed uncertainty about long-term benefits to revenue from Epic’s promotional model, while concerns about user interface and ecosystem fragmentation persist. The latest development offers a more concrete example of how Epic’s strategy can indirectly benefit competitors.
How Did the Epic Games Store Freebie Affect Steam Sales?
After Blood West was featured as a free game on the Epic Games Store, its sales on Steam experienced a significant increase. Dave Oshry, CEO of New Blood Interactive, shared on social media that sales of Blood West on Steam rose by 200% on the same day as the Epic promotion.
“Turns out having your game be free on Epic is great advertising for Steam sales!”
This suggests that free game campaigns on one platform can serve as effective publicity, encouraging purchases on rival stores where customers may already feel more comfortable.
Why Do Gamers Still Prefer Steam Over the Epic Games Store?
Several factors contribute to Steam’s ongoing dominance. Despite Epic Games Store’s free offerings, users often cite Steam’s mature features, user interface, and established community as reasons for their preference. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic, himself acknowledged the limitations of his own launcher, stating:
“The reason people characterize the Epic Games launcher as clunky is—wait for it—because the Epic Games launcher is clunky.”
Gamers seem willing to pay a small amount for added convenience, familiarity, and a centralized library, rather than fragmenting their collection across platforms with fewer features.
Will Free Games Alone Ever Win Over Players?
The impact of Blood West’s free campaign on Epic versus its surge in Steam sales suggests that free access is not the only decisive factor for PC gamers. Many prefer to own games within their most-used and trusted ecosystem, particularly when the price difference is minimal. This behavior reflects a broader trend—while cost is an important consideration, user experience and perceived value within a platform can drive purchasing choices.
This pattern highlights the unique dynamics of digital game distribution and consumer decision-making. Players demonstrate a clear preference for continuity, service reliability, and a robust feature set, even in a market saturated with promotional offers. For developers and publishers, leveraging free distribution for visibility may deliver unexpected gains, as seen with Blood West. Understanding these patterns allows both players and industry professionals to anticipate the potential outcomes of similar campaigns in the future, maximizing their strategy for exposure and revenue. While brand loyalty and entrenched platform preferences play a large role, there remains room for experimentation with promotional tactics—if combined with attention to user experience and service quality.
