The launch window for the subsequent technology of consoles continues to be unknown, however when it occurs, Epic Games plans to have its retailer on one of many main methods on “day one.” In response to Epic’s Steve Allison, Microsoft has already conveyed that the Epic Games Store is welcome on the brand new Xbox console.
“We positively plan to be on the brand new {hardware} for Xbox,” Allison informed Game File. “As a result of, until their coverage or stance on it modifications, they’re telling us they’ll welcome that. And we’re going be there, like, on day one. That can in all probability require us to construct in no matter their necessities are, some form of software program to assist that.”
If that goes ahead, it may change the basic means that console gamers buy digital video games. PC players are in a position to make use of any digital market, however Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have their very own proprietary gaming retailers. It has been a closed ecosystem by means of the present console technology. Including Epic Games Store to the subsequent Xbox would primarily be inviting gamers to spend cash at a rival to the Xbox retailer that might have in any other case gone to Microsoft. It may additionally result in pricing wars, if video games obtainable on each storefronts are cheaper on the opposite outlet.
Would Microsoft actually permit Epic to undercut its digital gross sales? And would including Epic Games Store improve gross sales for Xbox? Sport File notes that 2025 was a document yr for Epic Games, with $400 million in sport gross sales from third-party video games.
Microsoft has already allowed Steam and the Ubisoft retailer on the ROG Xbox Ally X, which may very well be a glimpse of Xbox’s console future as effectively. Epic is at the moment absent from that handheld console, however Allison indicated that was as a result of firm’s concentrate on enhancing participant expertise on the shop and launcher.
“We have not constructed the apps for people who we have to construct,” mentioned Allison. “I might like to see us on the handhelds.”
Epic has beforehand famous that it plans to step up its live-service content material on Fortnite. Late final yr, Epic and Google settled their long-running authorized battle, paving the best way for Epic Games Store to return to Android and Google Play. Allison additionally not too long ago acknowledged that Epic needs to co-exist with Steam on PC whereas additionally attracting new clients.