The Epic Games Store is still somewhat in its infancy, but has been improving steadily since its launch in December 2018. However, there are still many ways that the Epic Games Store can improve, especially when compared to its main competitor, Steam.
Although the incentive of getting free games every week is nice, the Epic Games Store still lacks important functionality that Steam has had for years.
Here are five ways that the Epic Game Store can improve:
Better Game Management
The Epic Games Store library is one of the weakest parts of the client. While Steam is constantly revamping and updating the way they feature games to their audience, Epic seems to fall short when it comes to its game management.
For starters, the Epic Games Store has minimal organization when it comes to its library. Steam allows its users to make individual categories or folders to better organize your games.
You can list games by their type such as VR or applications, or even make custom categories such as “Shooters” to put all of your FPS games in.
Currently, there is no such feature in the Epic Games Store, minimizing users’ ability to properly categorize their games.
The Epic Games Store currently only allows for list view, or grid view. Steam allows for the same type of categorization but also allows users to zoom in and out to change the size of the grid view, an option that is sorely lacking in the Epic Games Store.
In order for the Epic Games Store to improve, they need to add more options to help users list their games and provide them with a way to build sub-folders to keep things nice and neat.
Improved Store Front
Steam has been a pioneer when it comes to individual store pages. They offer a community hub where people can discuss the game they purchased, there is a way for users to give review scores to games they have played, and there is even a news section that provides updates from the game developers for patches and other useful information.
Unfortunately, the Epic Games Store does not have any sort of functionality that is similar to what Steam currently offers. The store pages on the EGS are pretty bare-bones, and only offer a way to purchase or pre-purchase the game, as well as a few photos and system requirements.
Another frustrating aspect of the storefront is the lack of a shopping cart. In order to purchase multiple games at once, you have to buy them one at a time. Unlike Steam where you are able to add in as many games as you want into your cart, then purchase them all at once.
This is especially frustrating during sales, as you may want to buy multiple games at a discounted price without the hassle of going back and forth to purchase them.
Adding something as simple as a shopping cart, something synonymous with online shopping, is just one of the many ways that the Epic Games Store can improve.
Improved Community Interaction
The Epic Games store has been able to bring a ton of users to its platform by putting some of the biggest games in the industry such as Fortnite and Borderlands on its platform.
However, without a way to allow these users to interact, the client feels disconnected and isolated.
The community hub or forums on Steam not only provide a great way for users to discuss certain strategies, tips, or guides for when the player is stuck, but it also allows for users to help troubleshoot certain issues they have when playing games.
Let’s face it, although PC gaming can be one of the best ways to play certain games, it also can come with unforeseen technical issues that aren’t always solved by typical troubleshooting maneuvers.
A great example of this is when Subnautica was given out free to users on the Epic Games Store. When users experienced technical issues, they were forced to head to the Steam community forums in order to get their technical issues solved.
By being able to share your experience with others, users are able to try solutions that may not be mentioned by the Epic Games Store support or other internet searches.
The EGS needs to add in individual forums for each game that allows its users to connect and interact without the need of going outside of the client.
Universal Cloud Saves
Cloud Saves have become a must for anyone that plays games. Unfortunately, the Epic Games Store only offers cloud saves for a small number of titles.
Although that list is constantly improving, the fact that it isn’t universally implemented into every game is a head-scratching and frustrating experience for its users.
Considering this is a feature that was introduced on Steam back in 2008, the fact that we are in 2019 and the Epic Games Store doesn’t universally support cloud saves for every game makes it a tough sell for anyone who plans on using the feature.
Implementing clouds saves in all games is one of the most important ways the Epic Games Store can improve.
More Innovation
Although the Epic Games Store is relatively new, Steam remains a leader when it comes to innovation and improving its client.
Most recently, Steam added a revolutionary feature called Remote Play Together, which allows users to let their friends play games with them over the internet, without the need for another purchase.
This is a huge innovation that Steam is being congratulated for across the board. This feature breathes new life into co-op and other multiplayer games that once collected dust in user’s libraries.
While it is not expected that the Epic Games Store is going to announce their version of Remote Play Together any time soon, what Steam has done however is made the difference in clients that much more apparent.
The EGS feels light years behind Steam. Rather than implementing groundbreaking features and new innovations that will improve the attitude towards the Epic Games Store, it instead feels like Epic is always in a constant game of catch up.
Even though the EGS has made some strides since its launch in December 2018, the remaining lack of basic features and complete lack of innovation makes it feel like nothing more than a DRM wrapper holding your games hostage.
Until the Epic Games Store improves on its most basic of features, it isn’t going to be able to implement any groundbreaking tech into the system. Unfortunately, because they are so behind on the basics, it may be years before we finally see the magic that the Epic team can develop for its client.
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