How much of a cut does Epic take?

How Much of a Cut Does Epic Take?

Epic Games, the developer of the popular game Fortnite, has become a household name in the gaming industry. With the success of their flagship game, they have also expanded their business into other areas, including the Epic Games Store, which allows developers to sell their games on the platform. One question that many developers and gamers have is how much of a cut does Epic take from game sales.

Typical Cut

According to Epic’s terms, they take a 12% cut from game sales on their platform. This is a relatively low percentage compared to other game stores, such as Steam, which takes a 30% cut from game sales. Source: How much of a cut does Epic take from game sales?

Unreal Engine Cut

For developers who use Unreal Engine to create their games, the cut is slightly different. Unreal Engine is a game engine developed by Epic Games, and it is used by many developers to create their games. According to the Unreal Engine EULA, Epic takes a 5% cut from gross revenue generated worldwide once the game generates $1 million in revenue. [Source: Unreal Engine EULA](https://www.unrealengine.com/ legal/uea)

Comparison to Other Game Stores

Here is a comparison of the cut taken by Epic Games, Steam, and other game stores:

What Does the Cut Cover?

The cut taken by Epic Games and other game stores covers the costs of operating the platform, including marketing, customer support, and infrastructure costs. It also provides a revenue stream for the platform to invest in new features, improvements, and other initiatives.

How Can Developers Mitigate the Cut?

While the cut taken by Epic Games and other game stores can be significant, there are ways for developers to mitigate the impact of the cut. Here are a few strategies:

• Offer in-game purchases: Developers can offer in-game purchases, such as DLC (downloadable content) or cosmetic items, which can increase revenue without increasing the cut taken by the platform.
• Use subscription-based models: Subscription-based models, such as battle passes or premium memberships, can provide a steady revenue stream for developers without increasing the cut taken by the platform.
• Partner with other platforms: Developers can partner with other platforms, such as Steam, to sell their games on multiple platforms and reduce the reliance on a single platform.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Epic Games takes a 12% cut from game sales on their platform, which is a relatively low percentage compared to other game stores. For developers who use Unreal Engine, the cut is 5% once the game generates $1 million in revenue. While the cut taken by Epic Games and other game stores can be significant, there are ways for developers to mitigate the impact of the cut by offering in-game purchases, using subscription-based models, and partnering with other platforms.

References

• How much of a cut does Epic take from game sales? (2022). Retrieved from https://www.vintageisthenewold.com/faq/takedown
• Unreal Engine EULA (2022). Retrieved from https://www.unrealengine.com/legal/uea
• Gaming Industry Statistics (2022). Retrieved from https://www.gamingindustry.com/statistics

Note: The percentages mentioned in this article are subject to change and may not reflect the current percentages taken by Epic Games or other game stores.