Since the launch of the Epic Game Store in 2018, Epic Games has announced a number of incentives to attract developers to its platform. This includes offering free use of the Unreal Engine and a very developer-friendly 88/12 revenue sharing model. Today they announced an even better developer split… 100/0! It’s part of the Epic First Run program, a 6-month exclusive deal where developers get 100% of the revenue.
Details from the announcement:
Today we’re introducing the Epic First Run program: an exclusive participation program on the Epic Games Store for third-party developers. The new Epic First Run program gives members the opportunity to increase their net revenue from user spend on eligible products from 88% to 100% in the first six months on the Epic Games Store. After the six-month launch, members will continue to benefit from Epic’s 88%/12% revenue share.
The Epic Games Store is home to a huge, fast-growing global audience with more than 230 million players and 68 million monthly active users. Products that participate in the Epic First Run program will be presented to these users in the store with new exclusive icons, placement on the homepage and special collections. In addition, products will be featured in relevant store campaigns, including sales, events and editorials when applicable. Once a product joins the program, it will benefit from sustained exposure throughout the Epic First Run.
One of the more interesting aspects of this program is that while you can’t launch your game on Steam or GOG, if an app store offers key redemptions like the Humble Store or Green Man Gaming, or if you open your own store, you can sell your game there.
Can I release the product in my own store or website?
yes. Products in the Epic First Run program can also be launched simultaneously in their own stores or in publisher and developer launch programs with direct sales, the sale of an Epic digital redemption code, or integration with our keyless redemption program. Please note that keyless distribution requires technical work to implement the launcher and/or developer or publisher store.
Developers and publishers can also use the Epic Games Store keyless redemption program to sell on other stores, including Green Man Gaming, the Humble Store, and a number of others. After the six-month exclusivity period ends, developers can release their products on other third-party stores while continuing to benefit from Epic’s 88%12% revenue share.
Key links
Epic first launch announcement
First launch home page
You can learn more about the Epic First Run program in the video below.