Why More Gamers Are Switching to Epic Games Store for Their Digital Library

25 September 2025

Gaming has come a long way over the years. From cartridges and disks to full-blown digital libraries, we've entered an era where gamers don’t even need to leave their couch to access their favorite titles. But here's the kicker—while Steam has dominated the PC gaming space for what feels like forever, more and more gamers are packing their virtual bags and heading over to the Epic Games Store.

Why? Well, that’s exactly what we’re diving into today. Whether you're a gaming pro or just someone who dabbles on weekends, the reasons behind the shift are worth knowing. So grab your headset, fire up your RGB setup, and settle in. This one’s going to be as thrilling as a last-minute victory in a battle royale game.

A Breath of Fresh Air in a Dominated Marketplace

Let’s face it—before the Epic Games Store launched in December 2018, Steam had a monopoly on the PC gaming world. It was like that one player who’s hoarded all the loot in a squad match. Sure, Steam’s massive library and robust features make it a powerhouse, but for years it lacked any real competition. Then along came the Epic Games Store, and suddenly, gamers had options.

Epic didn’t just quietly walk into the room, either. They showed up like a boss, shaking up the status quo by offering things Steam wouldn’t dare—like free games every week. (Yep, free games!) And who doesn’t love free stuff?

Free Games That Actually Matter

Speaking of free games, let’s dig into this, because this is one of Epic’s biggest flexes. The Epic Games Store doesn’t just toss out no-name indie games you’ve never heard of (though indie gems do appear). Oh no, they’re out here giving away AAA titles—big-name games that cost a pretty penny on other platforms.

Remember when they gave out GTA V? For free?! The internet basically broke that day. And it wasn’t a one-time deal. The store keeps updating its roster of freebies, so gamers can keep building their libraries without spending a dime. It’s like having a cheat code for your wallet.

Steam has sales, sure, but free is a whole different beast. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to snag a few coveted titles without dropping cash?

Developer-Friendly Policies = More Games for Us

You know how some gaming platforms act like the controlling captain of a pirate ship, snatching up all the loot (or in this case, revenue)? Steam takes a 30% cut from developers on every game sold. Epic, on the other hand, only takes 12%.

Why should you care about this as a gamer? Well, better revenue splits attract more developers to Epic’s platform. More developers bring more games. More games mean a bigger variety for your digital library. It’s a win-win.

Plus, developers getting fair pay means they’re more likely to continue creating amazing content. If Epic’s store is like a cozy coffee shop for devs, Steam can seem like a mega-corporate chain. And let’s be real—we’d all rather chill at the coffee shop, right?

Exclusive Titles That Make FOMO Real

Another way Epic has managed to pull gamers to their side is through exclusivity deals. If you want to play certain big releases, you simply have to go to the Epic Games Store. No exceptions.

For example, games like Fortnite, Borderlands 3, and Hitman 3 have been exclusively available on Epic’s platform (at least at launch). Sure, exclusives can be annoying sometimes, but it works. Gamers flock to Epic simply because it’s the only way to play the hottest titles.

Plus, let’s talk about FOMO (fear of missing out). Nobody wants to be the one on Discord who hasn’t played the game everyone else is raving about. Epic’s got this figured out, and they’re using it to their advantage.

A User Interface That Keeps It Simple

Before you roll your eyes and say “Oh great, another launcher,” let’s give credit where credit’s due. The Epic Games Store’s UI is clean, simple, and easy to use.

Steam is great but can sometimes feel like the cluttered desk of a stressed college student—game categories over here, friend requests over there, random recommendations everywhere. Epic keeps things minimalist.

Buying, installing, and launching games is streamlined, and you don’t have to spend ages figuring out where stuff is. It’s like hopping into a game and skipping the tutorial because everything just makes sense.

Deals That Tickle Your Inner Bargain Hunter

Steam sales are legendary, sure. But Epic has its own tricks up its sleeve when it comes to saving you money. Along with regular discounts, they offer Epic Coupons during major sales events. Remember when they gave a $10 coupon that could be applied to pretty much any game? Yeah, that was a game-changer—no pun intended.

And unlike some other platforms, Epic doesn’t just discount obscure titles. They bring their A-game with markdowns on big releases. At this point, you might as well start preparing your wallet for their next sale.

Cross-Platform Play and Cloud Saves

As gaming evolves, so do our expectations. Epic Games Store hasn’t just focused on games; they’ve also stepped up in terms of features that make life easier for us gamers.

Cross-platform play is a biggie. For instance, titles like Fortnite allow you to play with friends regardless of whether they’re on console, PC, or even mobile. Plus, cloud saves mean your progress is safe even if you switch devices or reinstall your OS.

These aren’t groundbreaking innovations, but they’re features gamers notice and appreciate—a little icing on the cake, if you will.

Supporting Indie Developers

While we’ve talked a lot about AAA titles, let’s not forget about the smaller gems—indie games. The Epic Games Store has been an absolute gem for indie developers. By giving them better revenue splits and even funding some projects (Epic MegaGrants, anyone?), the platform has become a haven for creative, unique indie titles.

This means more variety for gamers like us. Looking for something fresh, quirky, or out-of-the-box? Chances are, you’ll find it on Epic.

The Fortnite Boost

It would be impossible to talk about Epic Games Store without mentioning its golden child, Fortnite. With millions of active players worldwide, Fortnite gave Epic a platform to promote their store like no other.

The game itself is free-to-play, but it funnels a huge player base directly to Epic’s ecosystem. And while you’re there, why not browse the store? It’s a clever marketing move and one of the reasons Epic Games Store has grown so quickly.

Giving Established Giants a Run for Their Money

Steam still boasts the lion’s share of the market, no doubt. But the Epic Games Store has proven one thing—it’s here to stay. By offering free games, exclusive titles, better deals for developers, and a user-friendly platform, Epic is slowly but surely carving out a significant piece of the gaming pie.

Is it perfect? No. Some gamers still grumble about the lack of certain features, like a robust review system or a proper community forum. But nobody said dethroning the king would be easy.

So, Why Are Gamers Making the Switch?

To sum it up, the Epic Games Store isn’t just another launcher—it’s an entirely new approach to digital gaming libraries. By focusing on what gamers actually want (free games, better deals, exclusivity, and indie support), they’ve managed to stand out in an industry dominated by a heavyweight like Steam.

At the end of the day, gamers are voting with their clicks. And as more of us start transferring our digital libraries over to Epic, it’s hard to ignore the momentum they’re building. Will they ever fully replace Steam? Who knows? But one thing’s for sure—they’ve already proven they’re a force to be reckoned with.