Steve Allison, who spent the last eight years as the vice president and general manager of the Epic Games Store, has left Epic Games. He is moving to the role of chief business officer at Saber Interactive.

In a statement provided to Games Industry, Allison expressed his admiration for the company, specifically citing the studio's ability to produce high-quality titles at 30-50% of the cost typically seen in the industry. Looking ahead, he highlighted a robust development schedule, which includes Space Marine 3, Jurassic Park, Turok, Hellraiser, and an upcoming John Wick game, plus additional projects yet to be revealed.

Quick Facts

  • Steve Allison served as VP and GM of the Epic Games Store from 2018 until his departure in 2026.
  • Allison previously held executive roles at Telltale Games, Midway, Atari, and Accolade.
  • Saber Interactive was acquired by a company owned by CEO Matthew Karch in 2024 for $247 million following its split from Embracer.
  • The Epic Games Store currently reports 78 million monthly active users (MAU).

Leadership and Legacy at Epic

Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch praised Allison's impact on the industry, stating that he has done more to modernize the gaming sector than anyone else he knows. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, also addressed the departure on X, thanking Allison for his role in launching the Epic Games Store in 2018 and growing its monthly active user base to 78 million.

However, the transition comes at a time when the Epic Games Store continues to face criticism regarding its user experience. Allison himself acknowledged these technical shortcomings earlier this year, stating in February that “the launcher sucks.” At that time, he announced that the company was planning a major technical overhaul to address these issues by “ripping out the guts” of the platform.

Saber Interactive's Path Forward

Founded in 2001, Saber Interactive has evolved significantly since its first release, Will Rock, in 2003. After years of development work, including collaborations on Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, the studio became a major subsidiary of Embracer in 2020. Following the recent implosion of the Embracer Group, Karch purchased the studio, effectively turning the company into an independent entity that retains most of the studios previously under its division.

While the Epic Games Store continues to use a strategy of distributing free games to maintain its 78 million MAU, it remains behind the market leader, Steam. While Valve does not officially release its user numbers, industry analysts estimate Steam’s reach to be significantly higher, with some independent estimates placing them at roughly 200 million monthly active users.