Best Steam Competitor: Evaluating Alternatives for PC Gaming
- India Today Gaming
- September 10, 2024 (UPDATED: September 10, 2024 10:25 IST)
Explore the leading Steam competitors like Epic Games Store, GOG, Origin, and more. Discover their unique strengths, exclusive games, and benefits for gamers and developers alike.
In terms of the PC gaming space, Steam is the lone giant and sets the level of digital game distribution very high. However, there are many competitors and alternative options that have continued to emerge as well, each with unique features and benefits that help to attract different segments of the gaming community. The article takes a look at some of the leading Steam competitors and alternative platforms and their unique strengths.
1. Epic games store: A major contender
Launched in December 2018, Epic Games Store has quickly emerged as one of the fiercest rivals to Steam. The company has made headlines with bold business strategies such as exclusive game deals and monthly promotions of free video games.
- Exclusive Titles: Popular titles that can only be found on EDG include “Control”, “The Outer Worlds” and “Death Stranding” which are a magnet to passionate gamers.
- Revenue Sharing: Epic offers developers’ better revenue split rates due to its 12% sales retention compared to Steam’s 30%. This is one reason why many independent game developers have chosen this platform over others.
2. GOG (Good Old Games): The DRM-free alternative
GOG.com operated by CD Project stands out in providing DRM-free games for customers. The platform tends to appeal more towards individuals who would rather own their games entirely than having them subjected to digital rights management limitations.
- DRM-Free Model: Gates of Games’ commitment to titles that are not restricted through DRM ensures that every purchased game belongs entirely to the consumer allowing offline play and independence from licensing constraints.
- Classic Games and Bundles: GOG also features an ample number of classical games and bundles, appealing to retro gamers as well as collectors who relish them.
3. Origin: EA’s hub for digital distribution
Origin which was developed by Electronic Arts is aimed at lovers of the EA vast gaming library with additional features for its subscribers.
- EA Play Integration: Origin is linked to EA Play, EA’s subscription service which brings new releases closer according to their arrival time and holds a collection of past classics through Origin Access and EA Play Pro enhancing the platform’s attractiveness.
- Exclusive Content: Generally, Origin offers unique contents relating it to EA games thereby acting like a go-to place for publishers’ titles’ fans
4. Ubisoft Connect: A hub for Ubisoft fans
Ubisoft Connect previously referred to as Uplay is a digital distribution mechanism specifically designed for video gaming products published by Ubisoft; it comprises several features aimed at such products from this publisher.
- Cross-Platform Integration: Sometimes referred to as cross-platform rewards and progression, the Ubisoft Connect integrates with the mobile and console titles offered by Ubisoft.
- Unique Gains: Only the staunchest fans are able to enjoy exclusive rewards, bonuses in-game and other challenges as provided by this platform for Ubisoft games.
5. Itch.io: The Platform for Indie Games
A true gem for independent game developers, itch.io provides an outstanding marketplace filled with their exceptional creations which are rarely available on bigger platforms.
- Freedom of Developers: Complete autonomy over pricing and revenues is what is guaranteed by itch.io so that people may come up with diversified and bizarre kinds of games.
- Community-Oriented: Game jams and user-driven promotions serve as some of its mechanisms through which players can engage on the platforms thereby making it a creative hub for innovations by indie artists.
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Despite Steam being on top when it comes to PC gaming options, it has got many competitors that have their own advantages. There are Exclusive titles found in the Epic Games store as well as good revenue sharing schemes which attract gamers while GOG offers a model supported by no DRM; besides, Origin caters to particular types of gaming requirements, while Ubisoft Connect meets those who prefer its services among others such as Itch.io. Hence these rivals offer gaming fans alternatives that ensure they can use different digital libraries with multiple items they like most and other unique features as the world of online video games transforms.