The Epic Game Store has snagged its fair share of exclusive releases, but its most recent addition is probably the most surprising. The popular indie game store, itch.io, is headed to the Epic Game Store too.
How Epic and Itch.io Will Work Together
As reported by Polygon, the Epic Games Store will take itch.io on board as its newest addition to the roster.
The news may be worrying for some, as itch.io had supported indie developer freedom for a long time. While other video game libraries take a pre-set cut of the profits, itch.io allows developers to adjust the percentage that goes to running the website. Developers can even give their game away for free if they want.
So, does this mean that Epic will now force itch.io developers to cough up what the company demands? Fortunately, no. In a statement to Polygon, Epic won't touch the profits made from itch-io developers.
In fact, Epic doesn't seem to want to touch much of itch.io at all. Even after you've bought a game from itch.io via the Epic Games Store, you can launch it independently without needing the latter open.
So, why on Earth does Epic want to host itch.io content when it's not going to take a cut? Well, as it turns out, the company is interested in busting out of its gaming-only niche and becoming an app store.
For instance, the Epic Games Store is now a host to Spotify and became the first non-game app to make its debut. More is on the way, such as an open-source browser called Brace.
As such, if you're a big fan of itch.io's indie-based model and you're terrified of Epic getting its corporate foot in the door, you have nothing to worry about. Itch.io developers will enjoy both the customizable cut of their home platform and the added exposure that comes with the Epic Games Store—a win-win situation.
As Epic said in an email to Polygon:
Itch.io is a collection of some of the most unique, interesting, and independent creations you’ll find on the web. Bringing the itch.io app to the Epic Games Store will give us an opportunity to widen the audience of people who can discover the diverse collection of indie works that we host.
You'll find a brand new library of itch.io games on the Epic Games Store starting today.
A Good Day for the Itch.io Community
While itch.io is now a part of the Epic Games Store, fans don't have to worry about it being absorbed into the company's model. Now you can buy itch.io games from the Epic Games Store, and the developer still gets all of the cut they would otherwise.
If you haven't been keeping up with Epic Games Store news, it's going to receive a plethora of useful features. For instance, it'll allow you to friend people cross-platform.
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