Epic Games Store would "retreat" from exclusives if Steam offered developers an 88% revenue share

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has said the Epic Games Store would stop signing exclusivity deals if Steam offered developers a 88% revenue share.

Sweeney made this statement in a Twitter thread during and ongoing conversation discussing Epic Games Store exclusives.

According to Sweeney, Epic Games would “hastily organize a retreat from exclusives” if Steam would offer developers an 88% revenue share in lieu of the current 70/30 split.

He said Epic would also put its own games back on Steam should that ever come to pass (thanks, RPS).

"If Steam committed to a permanent 88% revenue share for all developers and publishers without major strings attached, Epic would hastily organize a retreat from exclusives (while honoring our partner commitments) and consider putting our own games on Steam," said Sweeney.

"Such a move would be a glorious moment in the history of PC gaming, and would have a sweeping impact on other platforms for generations to come. Then stores could go back to just being nice places to buy stuff, rather than the Game Developer IRS.

"30% store dominance is the #1 problem for PC developers, publishers, and everyone who relies on those businesses for their livelihood. We’re determined to fix it and this is the one approach that will effect major change."

He went on to say developers should be able to use any online systems "like friends and accounts they choose," and free to "interoperate across platforms and stores" with no strings attached.

"If you play the game on multiple platforms, stuff you’ve bought can be available everywhere; no onerous certification requirements," he said. "Essentially, the spirit of an open platform where the store is just a place to find games and pay for stuff."

Epic Games is just one company pushing for a more open platform model when it comes to games. Microsoft has previously said it would like to see Xbox Games Pass on every system, and Google's streaming service Stadia will allow users to play on multiple platforms. EA, Ubisoft, and Activision are also on board for open platforms allowing customers to play "whatever they want wherever they want."