The Epic Video games Retailer gave away over 765 million free video games in 2021—much more than it handed out in 2020—and in its new year-in-review roundup, Epic confirmed that it’s going to proceed with the freebies by way of 2022.
2021 was an enormous 12 months for Epic. The variety of video games obtainable on the Epic Retailer almost doubled because the finish of 2020 and now stands at 917, and the variety of customers has grown to 194 million, a rise of 34 million over the 2020 whole. Spending on the shop in 2021 went as much as $840 million, a rise of 20% over 2020, however apparently the share of that whole spent on third-party video games—that’s, stuff not printed by Epic, which I take to imply primarily Fortnite V-bucks—held roughly regular at 36%, versus 37% in 2020.
Epic additionally trumpeted the addition of a buying cart to its retailer in 2021, which is unquestionably a plus (if considerably overdue), in addition to achievement help (at present provided in 25 video games on the Epic Retailer) and quite a lot of different enhancements revamped the 12 months. 2022 will see persevering with upgrades for each builders and clients, together with a full launch of self-publishing instruments in 2022 “which is able to make the method of launching a recreation on the shop extra environment friendly and seamless,” and participant profiles that “will give gamers a spot to see all of their achievements in a single place, observe their playtime throughout their library, and extra.”
“We’ve heard quite a lot of suggestions from gamers relating to Library and Obtain administration, and we’re going to be actively addressing these within the coming 12 months,” Epic mentioned. “That features the power to prioritize and queue chosen video games for downloads, extra choices that will help you filter and arrange your library, letting you see extra of your video games within the library view, and the performance to view your library exterior the launcher.”
Different enhancements within the works embody:
- Continued iteration on social options together with voice on platform with recreation agnostic events
- Group options beginning with person pushed Rankings and Polls
- Recreation Hubs to remain updated on recreation updates and information from publishers on the video games you personal or comply with
- Increasing Epic Pockets to the remainder of the world
- Continued enhancements to launcher pace and efficiency
And, the massive information amidst all of it, the free video games will proceed to move. I used to be half-wondering if Epic may resolve to tug the plug on this system—after two years of giveaways, it is feeling a bit mundane—nevertheless it’s not performed but: “We’re excited to verify that weekly Free Video games will proceed in 2022,” Epic mentioned.
(To be clear, I am comfortable the giveaways will proceed: Routine it might be, however I do like me some free video games.)
At this time additionally noticed the kickoff of the Epic Retailer’s Lunar New Year Sale, with reductions of as much as 75% and a coupon for an additional $10 off any buy over $14.99. The sale runs till February 10.
And this is an helpful infographic:
