Tim Sweeney is once again sharing his perspective on the state of PC storefronts, this time taking aim at Valve’s business model. In a recent discussion, the Epic Games CEO suggested that Steam is losing out on major titles because its fee structure is too high for developers who have already built massive, independent audiences.
Addressing why industry heavyweights like Epic, Riot, and MiHoYo choose to operate their own storefronts, Sweeney posted, "Here's what's happening economically: Steam charges such high fees that developers with strong brands and big enough audiences, like Epic, Riot, and MiHoYo find it more profitable to go it alone. Ironically, lower fees and more openness might increase Steam profit."
Sweeney’s comments followed a back-and-forth on X where he claimed Steam is missing out by not hosting titles such as Fortnite, Valorant, League of Legends, and Genshin Impact. When a user suggested it was Epic’s own choice to keep its games off the platform, Sweeney doubled down on the economic argument.
The Argument for Standalone Launchers
From a purely financial standpoint, Sweeney’s assessment isn't without merit. Titles with deep-rooted player bases, such as World of Warcraft and Minecraft, have long demonstrated that if a game is large enough, the cost of maintaining a standalone launcher is outweighed by the revenue kept by avoiding Valve’s cut. For these publishers, the platform itself is secondary to the ecosystem they have already cultivated.
The "Backyard" Problem
While the economic theory holds water, the messenger is facing heavy criticism. The Epic Games Store (EGS) has spent years struggling with significant feature gaps, including the long-term absence of basic necessities like a shopping cart, essential search functionality, and native controller support. Even Epic’s own general manager, Steven Allison, has openly admitted that the launcher has needed fixing for years.
Critics argue that until Epic addresses the structural and performance issues within its own store, Sweeney’s advice to Valve carries little weight. While some players appreciate the existence of alternatives to prevent a Steam monopoly, many users currently only utilize EGS to access Fortnite or to claim the service’s weekly free games, rather than for the platform experience itself.
Ultimately, while standalone launchers like GOG offer unique benefits—such as DRM-free titles or legacy support—or Ubisoft’s integrated point shop, EGS continues to be defined in the eyes of many by its reliance on gated exclusives rather than a polished, competitive user experience.