Epic Plans Major Overhaul to Game Store Social Features by 2025

Epic Games Store Expands to Mobile: What to Expect

In a significant move for gamers, the Epic Games Store has officially launched on mobile devices, promising to transform the gaming experience further by introducing new features aimed at enhancing user engagement on both mobile and PC. Following months of anticipation, this rollout is a key step for Epic Games, as they aim to create a more unified platform for all gamers.

The Vision for a Social Framework

One of the primary goals articulated by Steve Allison, the head of the Epic Games Store, is the introduction of a "social framework" akin to the social and chat features prevalent on consoles and Steam. Allison openly admitted to The Verge, "Our social features on PC suck. Let’s call it what it is.” He emphasized that social interactions are the vital component driving games like Fortnite, asserting that this proven social mechanism will be applied to the store itself.

With this new framework, players will be able to connect, chat, and party up with their friends across different devices — whether on Android, iOS, or PC. However, these exciting features are still some time away, with Allison indicating that they won’t be available until after summer 2025.

Mobile Free Games Program Set to Launch

Fans of free games will be pleased to know that Epic Games plans to bring its highly regarded free games program to mobile platforms within the fourth quarter of the year. Although this program may not initially offer weekly free games as seen on PC, it is expected to transition to a weekly offering as Epic introduces self-publishing tools for its mobile store, anticipated to launch in the first half of 2025.

Nevertheless, developers might face challenges, as some free games could be exclusive to Android due to the high fees imposed by Apple for its core technology, which could limit developers' financial capabilities.

Third-Party Games and New Titles Coming Soon

Adding to the excitement, the mobile Epic Games Store is set to feature third-party games alongside its original offerings, with a launch expected in December. Allison has set a broad target for having between 10 to 50 games available at launch, citing payments integration as a significant hurdle for many mobile developers. Most industry developers rely on Apple and Google’s established payment systems, making the evaluation of Epic’s options more critical.

One confirmed title making its way to the mobile store is ARK: Ultimate Mobile Edition, giving players something to look forward to.

Epic's Growth and Challenges Ahead

Despite the initial challenges inherent in launching a mobile store amidst strict regulations from Apple and Android, Epic Games has reported a noteworthy spike in user engagement. The company announced a record of 70 million monthly active users in September. However, this is set against the backdrop of a less than expected 10 million mobile installations since the store’s launch in August, far from the ambitious goal of 100 million installs by year-end.

Allison remains optimistic that the upcoming features in the fourth quarter will help alleviate some user reluctance and promote further downloads. Yet, he has candidly stated that reaching the 100 million mark by the end of the year “is likely impossible.”

Conclusion

The Epic Games Store is making strides towards establishing a robust mobile presence, yet challenges remain. With exciting updates and a focus on social connectivity, the future looks promising for both Epic Games and its vast user base. Stay tuned for more updates as these new features and games unfold.