Author Topic: Begun the online store margins wars have  (Read 5689 times)

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benjipwns

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #60 on: January 30, 2019, 12:33:09 PM »
stolen from a podcast via ResetERA.com via 213372bu in the dumpster thread because it's interesting information:
Quote
Exclusivity

There will be (PC) games that have timed exclusivity to the EGS. Galyonkin says that Epic pays for this. They mainly pay developers to finish financing ports or to assuage fears of the game not doing well on this new platform. The latter works like a minimum guarantee of sales. Currently (or at the time of the podcast's release anyway), Epic's focus is on getting games that have not yet been released. If a developer wants to put it exclusively on their store, Epic is currently also offering to do off-site marketing, including ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google. They don't advertise the store but the games. Galyonkin explains that if a game is only available through the EGS, that is of course in Epic's own interests, and it's in a developer's interest to get marketing through them. I don't believe Galyonkin said anything about if or how that would change once the store goes open for self-publishing. One big question that’s been on my mind at least is how in the world Epic got Journey. The answer is apparently that Epic cut a deal with Sony, and, to me, it sounded like Epic paid to get it ported over.

This wasn't addressed in this episode of the podcast, but here is some additional insight regarding Journey:

NoTime said:
The thing is that Annapurna guys are the people that were working at SSM external development before its closing/winding down. They are the guys who originally helped to create and publish Journey. So they have a very close relationship with Sony. I guess that was some kind of 3 way deal to make it happen because as far as I'm aware Epic is not publishing any exclusives on their store, so they needed some company to do publishing. According to their wording, they are already spread thin and don't really want to manage publishing side of things on top of what they are already doing. At least that's what their rhetoric makes me believe.

Upcoming consumer-facing features

Responding to complaints about the EGS being focused on developers to the detriment of consumers, Galyonkin says that their initial focus was indeed on developers and that consumer-focused features are being worked on. Evidently, even certain things on the backend for developers aren’t fully finalized yet. Epic will be giving out free games every two weeks for the entirety of 2019 -- 28 games in total, including those that was given out late 2018. New (client) features for consumers will be introduced gradually.

Cloud saves will be coming around February. Achievements will be there by the end of 2019. Reviews will also come eventually – I don’t recall a date being given at any point. As stated before, there will not be per-game forums, and Galyonkin also added that there wouldn’t be guides like on Steam. Developer pages on the store will also be implemented at a later date. Social features will be introduced, but it'll be somewhat different from Steam's, and he couldn't give details yet. Limiting download speeds will also be an option. User profiles are planned for the beginning of "next year,” but I'm unsure whether he meant early 2019 or 2020.

The equivalent of Steam cards isn’t planned. Galyonkin says that they have an undesirable effect on purchasing decisions in the sense that people buy games that they don't really want just for the cards. Unlocking (in-game) items like skins and things like that will be possible but not necessarily tradeable.

You’ll be able to launch non-Epic games through the launcher, like on Steam. You can already pull in friends lists from Steam, Galyonkin said. However, importing games directly from other platforms – like on GOG -- will not be done. He doesn't see the advantage of it.

As for mod support, Epic wants to apply their Support-A-Creator program to mods as well. They don’t know yet how it’ll work exactly. What is clear is that they don’t want to sell mods but would like mod creators to somehow get some amount of money. A mod manager was discussed briefly, but nothing concrete was said.

More social media integration is being looked at. Currently, it’s already possible to connect Facebook, VK, Steam, Twitch, PS, Switch, Xbox, and Google accounts.

Finally, they're happy with the look of the store as it is now with its big tiles. Eventually things like categories will be introduced, but it sounds like this is basically the design they’ll be sticking with.

On the developer’s end of things

The most important of these is probably that by the end of 2019 the EGS is expected to open to self-publishing.

benjipwns

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #61 on: January 30, 2019, 03:33:59 PM »

neat

Akala

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #62 on: January 30, 2019, 03:41:09 PM »
 :lol

naff

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #63 on: January 30, 2019, 04:00:54 PM »
◕‿◕

chronovore

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #64 on: February 06, 2019, 10:24:52 AM »
(Image removed from quote.)
neat

Which "guy" was this? Dave Grenowetski? Jim Barnett?


thisismyusername

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #66 on: February 06, 2019, 10:45:34 AM »
Which "guy" was this? Dave Grenowetski? Jim Barnett?
had to look it up myself
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/steve-allison-appointment-former-midway-and-atari-man-joins-episodic-adventure-folks-telltale-as-senior-vp-of-marketing

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveallison

https://twitter.com/halfbakedsteve

Since his Twitter is protected:

Quote from: LinkedIn
Over 20 years experience in executive level operational management, publishing and business development in interactive entertainment.

Oversaw publishing for several critically and commercially successful interactive software brands - incl.: Unreal/Unreal Tournament, Driver, Stuntman, Enter The Matrix, the re-launch of Test Drive in 1997, Godzilla, Hardball, Neverwinter Nights, Lord Of The Rings Online (MMORPG for PC), Stranglehold, Blitz: The League, NBA Ballers, Game Party, Psi Ops, and several Mortal Kombat games (5) including Mortal Kombat v DC Universe.

Worked closely with some of the best software development teams including Epic Games, Bioware, Turbine, Angel Studios/Rockstar San Diego, Midway Chicago & UK, Shiny, Irrational Games, Rainbow Studios, Reflections, A2M, Gearbox, Mojang and Telltale Games.

Experienced in implementing well thought out corporate publishing strategy, negotiating content/partnership deals, sourcing, securing and closing publishing/licensing deals and handling those relationships as primary senior contact after close. Partners include: MLB, NBA, NFL, DC Entertainment (Superman, Mortal Kombat v DC Universe, Fables, Batman), Warner Brothers (Enter The Matrix, Looney Tunes, Superman), Sony Pictures (Men In Black), Tigon Studios (Vin Diesel/Wheelman), Tiger Hill (John Woo/Stranglehold), Wizards Of The Coast (Dungeons & Dragons, Magic The Gathering), Paramount (Mission Impossible), C2/Cinergi (The Terminator), Hasbro, Toho (Godzilla), Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Universal (Back To The Future, Jurassic Park), Gearbox (Tales From The Borderlands), HBO (Game of Thrones), Mojang (Minecraft:Story Mode), Marvel(Guardians of the Galaxy) & Netflix (Stranger Things).

Established Telltale's Third Party Publishing group utilizing our uniquely capable team and processes. First title: 7 Days to Die (PS4, XONE Summer 2016) additional signed titles TBA.

Hmm... Seems he's fluttered about everywhere.

kingv

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #67 on: February 06, 2019, 02:38:24 PM »
He lists 5 MK games but the standout one is MK vs DC universe.


He must have been overseeing all of the really shitty ones, like deadly alliance through Armageddon

nachobro

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #68 on: February 06, 2019, 03:07:33 PM »
Probably cause MKvDC was the best selling of the 3D MKs. Also Deception was great :maf

BisMarckie

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #69 on: February 07, 2019, 01:05:08 PM »
Axiom Verge now free on the Epic Game Store.

Next up: Thimbleweed Park :gladbron

Mr Gilhaney

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #70 on: February 07, 2019, 04:25:04 PM »
Axiom Verge now free on the Epic Game Store.

Next up: Thimbleweed Park :gladbron

Crashes at this stage though



Due to them removing all references to Steam.... Including Steam sound/effect




 :gaben

Joe Molotov

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #71 on: February 07, 2019, 05:33:44 PM »
lol
©@©™

chronovore

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #72 on: February 15, 2019, 10:57:05 PM »

Akala

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Re: Begun the online store margins wars have
« Reply #73 on: February 23, 2019, 10:27:26 AM »
Slime Rancher next! :hyper