Epic has appointed a seasoned industry leader to head the Epic Games Store as the digital storefront continues to compete with Valve's Steam on PC. Martin Keely, who spent seven years at Blizzard as senior vice president overseeing the Battle.net launcher, is taking over the role of vice president and general manager.
Quick Facts
- New Role: Martin Keely is the new Epic Games Store VP and GM.
- Previous Experience: Keely spent seven years at Blizzard overseeing the Battle.net launcher.
- Predecessor: Keely succeeds Steve Allison, who left Epic in July to join Saber Interactive.
- Platform Context: The appointment arrives as Epic works to challenge Steam's dominance in the PC games market.
Leadership Transition at Epic
Keely steps into a position previously held by Steve Allison. Earlier in the year, Allison discussed the storefront's free games program in an interview, noting that roughly 16 to 18 percent of players who claim free titles purchase games on the platform afterward. Allison departed Epic in July after eight years with the company and moved to a new role at Saber Interactive.
In a LinkedIn post addressing his new position, Keely stated he is eager to work with the team on delivering capabilities that improve experiences for players, creators, and developers. He expressed gratitude for the chance to help shape an open and sustainable gaming ecosystem.
Looking Ahead for PC Players
While exact details surrounding Keely's appointment remain unconfirmed, the leadership change suggests that PC gamers will likely see notable updates and new features roll out on the Epic Games Store in the coming months. Epic continues to search for ways to close the gap against Steam, where the platform's policies and market standing remain a frequent point of discussion among industry executives and developers.