While Epic’s financial backing provided a vital lifeline for the studio, it was Steam that ultimately propelled the game to mainstream success.
Adrian Chmielarz, the visionary behind classics like Painkiller and Bulletstorm, recently shared insights into the contrasting ecosystems of Steam and the Epic Games Store. In a candid interview, he detailed how the timed exclusivity deal with EGS was instrumental in the survival of his studio, The Astronauts, and allowed for the substantial evolution of their latest project, Witchfire.
The capital infusion from Epic Games granted the developers the necessary resources to meticulously refine and enhance the Witchfire experience before its wider release.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement: Epic secured a year of exclusivity, while the Steam community eventually gained access to a far more polished version, complete with new features and critical updates.
Upon its 2024 arrival on Steam, Witchfire witnessed a dramatic surge in visibility and sales. The game has already crossed the 500,000 copies sold milestone, with internal data suggesting wishlist additions have reached a staggering 1.7 million.
While Chmielarz maintains his gratitude toward Epic, he openly acknowledges why the broader gaming audience gravitates toward Steam. Valve’s platform offers more than just transactional convenience; for many, it has become a digital “home.”
Players don’t view EGS as a sanctuary. It lacks reviews, discussion boards—everything except for the storefront. EGS will always struggle against a platform where users can actually engage and build emotional connections.
According to the developer, Steam functions as a genuine community hub for every title, providing integrated discussion boards, player guides, fan art, Workshop support, and an active comment ecosystem that EGS currently lacks.
Source: iXBT.games