In plenty of cases this exclusivity also shut down cross platform support of the games. Fundraisers planned macOS and Linux versions of the games, but when Epic purchased exclusive rights they were effectively made Windows exclusives as well (Epic's store is only available on Windows).
We have so many options on PC that the few exclusives can be entirely ignored.
they're complaining about monopolies, while attempting to create them
I do not find it surprising that a store asks for payment details when I purchase an item.
Steam has been taking huge cuts from developers. Steam also killed discoverability.
Game devs almost gave up on PC because steam killed the platform. Check out GDC talks on the "indiepocalypse".
Yes, Steam has a lot of nice QoL features on their 20 year old platform that 2 year old platforms don't have. But new platforms force them to, you know, compete instead of extract value from the ecosystem.
The consumer benefit is in terms of games that wouldn't have existed otherwise because they're economically viable now.
In 2009, 343 games were published on Steam.
In 2010, 308 games.
In 2011, 300 games.
In 2012, 377 games. Valve introduced Greenlight, allowing developers to create a page for their game and selling those that gathered the most interest.
In 2013, 511 games. Valve expanded Greenlight, lowering the threshold to enter the platform
In 2014, 1641 games.
In 2015, 2732 games.
In 2016, 4489 games.
In 2017, 6508 games. Valve introduced Steam Direct, allowing anyone to sell their game once they complete the paperwork.
In 2018, 8237 games.
In 2019, 7950 games.
When Valve was the gatekeeper, only a lucky few indie developers made it onto the platform. However, with less than 1 game being released per day, there was plenty of space for these new games on the front page. With over 21 games released per day, being available on Steam is no longer a competitive advantage.
Valve "killed discoverability" in favor of availability. Epic's store has advantages such as a lower cut, subsidized by Fortnite money. It also has disadvantages (not available in many countries, missing features, reviews, and social functionality). There is definitely a place for a smaller, curated store, where only one or two games are put out per day, which is what Epic is aiming for.
This is sarcasm, right? How can you buy stuff without payment details?
>collects all kinds of private information
Like what? Moreover, does steam (or other digital storefronts) not collect the same information?
> doesn't let you do anything unless it's up to date and connected to the internet. (DRM hello?)
You clearly missed all the "steam updating" memes from the early/mid 2000s.
The "Epic Client" asks you for payment details, collects all kinds of private information and doesn't let you do anything unless it's up to date and connected to the internet. (DRM hello?)
Then you go to the Windows Store to buy that candy crush ad that's been sitting in your Start Menu for no reason and oh surprise, they are asking for payment details again!
Doesn't sound like a win for consumers to me.