Epic Games has long tried to challenge Steam with its Epic Games Store, offering free weekly games since 2018. The company recently promised a major overhaul with faster launch speeds, a refined UI, better discovery, and Linux support to attract more publishers and players.

In a recent PC Gamer interview, Newzoo analyst [PERSON_NAME] argued that this redesign may be too little too late, noting players often use Epic only for free games and return to Steam for paid purchases. The analyst claims Steam is "inevitable" due to its massive size and entrenched user base.

Epic Games VP and GM [PERSON_NAME] responded that "the data tells a different story," citing $400 million in third-party sales and 2.78 billion collective gaming hours on the Epic Games Store in 2025. He expects the upcoming Launcher update to boost momentum.

Despite strong metrics, [PERSON_NAME] warned Epic is spreading too thin by pursuing PC, mobile (iOS and Android), Unreal Engine, and Fortnite simultaneously, risking focus and resources. Steam's private ownership may give it more flexibility to take risks.

Key highlights: Epic's free games strategy draws users but not sustained engagement; Steam remains dominant due to scale and loyalty; Epic's growth metrics show record spending and hours in 2025; leadership believes redesign will accelerate growth.