Randy Pitchford, the boss behind Borderlands 4 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, recently revisited his previous claim that Steam would be a ‘dying’ store by now due to Epic’s investment in technology. While he acknowledges that his long-term hope for the Epic Game Store may have been ‘misplaced or overly optimistic’, he still believes that Valve rivals with more developer-friendly models are not taking advantage of the opportunity to disrupt the PC gaming retail space.
Pitchford emphasizes that games like Borderlands 3 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands demonstrate that customers are more interested in the games themselves rather than the storefront. He criticizes the industry for choosing to maintain Steam’s monopoly instead of supporting more developer and publisher-friendly stores. He argues that there is a significant opportunity for retail disruption in the PC gaming space, but no one seems to be able to make it happen.
While Pitchford’s initial claims may have resurfaced due to Borderlands 4’s Steam release, he admits that his personal bias for convenience as a Steam Deck customer conflicts with his wish for a more developer-friendly alternative on PC. He reiterates that while Borderlands 3 and Wonderlands initially supported his hopes for Epic’s Storefront, the long-term success of these platforms has not met his expectations.
Pitchford concludes by stating that Gearbox will continue to support Steam, as they have for every PC game they’ve launched since Steam’s inception. However, he expresses his hope that Epic will continue to compete and make progress in challenging Steam’s dominance in the PC gaming market.
In essence, Pitchford’s reflections shed light on the ongoing battle between Epic and Steam, emphasizing the need for more developer-friendly models and greater competition in the PC gaming retail space. The industry’s reluctance to embrace change and support alternative storefronts ultimately limits innovation and leaves room for improvement. As players and developers alike navigate the evolving landscape of digital distribution, it is crucial to recognize the importance of fostering creativity, competition, and consumer choice in the gaming industry.
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