Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, the vibrant, physics-based battle royale that took the gaming world by storm in 2020, underwent a significant shift in its distribution model. While initially a runaway success on Steam and PlayStation, the game eventually vanished from the Steam storefront for new players. This transition sparked considerable discussion and confusion among the game’s dedicated community and casual observers alike. This article delves deep into the reasons behind Fall Guys’ departure from Steam, exploring the key factors that influenced this strategic decision and its implications for the game’s future.
The Initial Success and the Seeds of Change
Fall Guys exploded onto the scene during the summer of 2020, offering a refreshing and accessible take on the battle royale genre. Its simple controls, colorful aesthetic, and chaotic gameplay resonated with a wide audience, quickly catapulting it to the top of streaming charts and sales figures. The game’s availability on both Steam and PlayStation Plus at launch significantly contributed to its widespread popularity, giving millions of players immediate access to the bean-shaped madness.
The game’s success attracted considerable attention, including that of Epic Games. Epic, known for its popular Fortnite and the Epic Games Store, saw the potential in Fall Guys and its developer, Mediatonic. This interest ultimately culminated in a major acquisition that would reshape the game’s distribution strategy.
Epic Games Acquisition: A New Era for Fall Guys
In March 2021, Epic Games officially acquired Tonic Games Group, the parent company of Mediatonic. This acquisition marked a pivotal moment for Fall Guys, signaling a shift in direction and raising questions about its future on Steam. Epic Games’ acquisition strategy has often involved bringing successful games and studios under its umbrella, sometimes leading to exclusivity deals that favor the Epic Games Store.
The acquisition meant significant changes were coming, especially regarding the game’s platform availability. While existing players who owned Fall Guys on Steam could continue to play and receive updates through that platform, the purchase suggested a potential exclusivity move down the line.
The Free-to-Play Transition and Epic Games Store Exclusivity
On June 21, 2022, Fall Guys underwent a major transformation, transitioning to a free-to-play model. Simultaneously, the game was released on new platforms, including Nintendo Switch, Xbox consoles, and the Epic Games Store. This release was accompanied by the removal of Fall Guys from the Steam store for new purchases.
Why the Shift to Free-to-Play?
The decision to go free-to-play was driven by a desire to broaden the game’s reach and attract a larger player base. Free-to-play models have proven successful in the battle royale genre, as seen with Fortnite and Apex Legends, allowing players to try the game without any upfront cost. This can lead to increased player engagement and revenue generation through cosmetic items and battle passes.
The business model shift also aligned with Epic’s wider strategy for Fortnite. By offering Fall Guys for free, Epic aimed to replicate the success of Fortnite, where in-game purchases drive revenue.
The Rationale Behind Epic Games Store Exclusivity
The removal of Fall Guys from the Steam store for new users was a strategic move by Epic Games to consolidate its user base and promote the Epic Games Store. By making Fall Guys exclusively available on its platform, Epic hoped to attract new users to its ecosystem and compete more directly with Steam.
Epic Games Store has been actively vying for market share in the PC gaming distribution space. Offering popular games exclusively on its platform is one way for Epic to attract users.
The Impact of the Decision
The decision to remove Fall Guys from Steam for new players had several consequences, both positive and negative.
Benefits for Epic Games and Mediatonic
For Epic Games, the move solidified its position as a major player in the PC gaming market and bolstered the Epic Games Store’s appeal. For Mediatonic, the acquisition provided access to Epic’s resources and expertise, enabling further development and expansion of the game. The free-to-play model, coupled with the Epic Games Store exclusivity, likely increased the game’s player base and revenue stream.
Challenges and Community Reaction
While the transition brought benefits, it also presented challenges. Some players who preferred Steam expressed frustration with the exclusivity, as they were forced to use the Epic Games Store to access the game.
Existing players on Steam were allowed to continue playing, but new players had to navigate the Epic Games launcher.
The Long-Term Implications
The long-term implications of Fall Guys’ departure from Steam remain to be seen. The game’s success on the Epic Games Store and other platforms will ultimately determine whether the decision was a success. However, the shift underscores the growing competition in the PC gaming distribution landscape and the increasing importance of platform exclusivity.
The future of Fall Guys will rely on its ability to continue evolving and innovating.
Why did Fall Guys transition to being free-to-play?
Fall Guys went free-to-play primarily to broaden its player base and revitalize interest in the game. Making the game accessible without an initial purchase removes a significant barrier for new players, allowing more people to experience the chaotic fun and potentially leading to a larger and more active community. This strategy often works well for games seeking long-term sustainability and allows for alternative monetization methods, such as cosmetic item sales.
The shift to free-to-play also aligned with the game’s release on new platforms, including the Nintendo Switch and Xbox consoles. This expansion to new platforms, coupled with the free-to-play model, aimed to create a unified and cross-platform player base, further boosting the game’s visibility and popularity. Existing players were compensated with in-game rewards and legacy packs to acknowledge their prior investment.
Why was Fall Guys removed from Steam for new players?
The removal of Fall Guys from Steam for new purchases was a strategic decision made by Epic Games after they acquired Mediatonic, the game’s developer. This exclusivity move was intended to drive users to the Epic Games Store, which acts as a direct competitor to Steam. By making Fall Guys exclusively available on their own platform, Epic Games aimed to increase the Epic Games Store’s user base and market share.
This strategy is a common practice in the gaming industry, particularly for games published or acquired by companies with their own distribution platforms. By controlling the distribution of Fall Guys, Epic Games can retain a larger portion of the revenue generated from the game and promote their ecosystem to a wider audience. This decision, while controversial among some Steam users, was a calculated move to bolster the Epic Games Store’s position in the PC gaming market.
What happened to players who purchased Fall Guys on Steam before it was removed?
Players who purchased Fall Guys on Steam before its removal from the store were able to continue playing the game through Steam without any interruption. Their existing game libraries remained unaffected, and they could still download, install, and play Fall Guys as usual. This was a crucial aspect of the transition to maintain goodwill with the existing player base and avoid backlash.
Furthermore, these players were often granted exclusive in-game rewards and items as a thank you for their early support. This compensation, typically including cosmetic items and premium currency, aimed to acknowledge their prior purchase and provide additional value for their continued engagement with the game. These efforts helped to smooth the transition and retain a significant portion of the Steam player base.
What benefits does the Epic Games Store offer compared to Steam?
The Epic Games Store offers a few key advantages, primarily focused on developer revenue splits and free game giveaways. Epic Games takes a smaller cut of game sales revenue compared to Steam, which can be more appealing for developers and publishers. This more favorable revenue split can encourage developers to choose the Epic Games Store over Steam.
Additionally, the Epic Games Store is known for giving away free games on a weekly basis, attracting users to the platform and exposing them to a wider variety of titles. This strategy helps build a loyal user base and increases the likelihood of users purchasing other games on the store. While Steam offers a larger library and more features, the Epic Games Store’s focus on developer-friendly terms and free games has made it a competitive alternative.
Did the player base of Fall Guys increase after the Epic Games Store shift and going free-to-play?
Yes, the player base of Fall Guys saw a significant increase after the transition to free-to-play and its launch on the Epic Games Store. The combination of removing the initial purchase barrier and making the game available on more platforms (including consoles) led to a surge in new players. This influx of players revitalized the game and created a larger and more active community.
This growth was also fueled by cross-platform play, which allowed players on different platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) to play together. This unified player base further enhanced the game’s appeal and contributed to its renewed popularity. The free-to-play model and platform expansion proved to be a successful strategy for attracting new players and retaining existing ones.
Are there any disadvantages to playing Fall Guys on the Epic Games Store?
While the Epic Games Store offers some benefits, there can be some disadvantages for players accustomed to Steam. The Epic Games Store has historically lacked some of the features and community aspects that Steam offers, such as extensive user reviews, detailed game forums, and a more robust social networking system. This can impact the overall user experience for some players.
Another potential disadvantage is the fragmentation of game libraries. Players who have built up a large library of games on Steam may be hesitant to use another platform, as it means managing multiple game launchers and friend lists. This can be a minor inconvenience, but it is a factor to consider when deciding where to play Fall Guys and other games.
What is the future of Fall Guys after the Epic Games Store acquisition?
The future of Fall Guys seems focused on continued content updates, cross-platform play, and expansion of the game’s universe. Epic Games has demonstrated a commitment to supporting the game with new seasons, levels, and cosmetic items, ensuring that players have a constant stream of fresh content to enjoy. This ongoing support is crucial for maintaining player engagement and extending the game’s lifespan.
Furthermore, Epic Games’ resources and expertise in game development and distribution are likely to play a significant role in shaping the game’s future. They may explore new gameplay modes, collaborations with other franchises, and innovative monetization strategies to further enhance the Fall Guys experience. The acquisition by Epic Games has provided the game with a stable foundation and a clear path for continued growth and evolution.