Epic Games Tried to Get First-Party Support from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo

The Epic Vs Apple lawsuit continues, and while we havent learned much about the actual content of the lawsuit specifically, if Apples 30% share in the app store is unfair we continue to learn a lot about Epic Games inner workings, specifically with the Epic Game Store. Weve learned, for example, that theyve spent a lot of money securing exclusives and handing out free games, and that Fortnite is a multi-billion dollar franchise thats basically single-handedly funding all their ambitions.

The latest interesting tidbit to emerge from the lawsuit regards Epic Games relationship with the three big console developers: Sony, Xbox, and Nintendo.

Epic Games relationship with Sony is well-known and fairly strong Sony has Invested a grand total of 450 million dollars into Epic, after all but its not as strong as Epic Games would like. While they apparently floated a 200 million dollar offer to bring 4-6 PlayStation exclusives to the Epic Game store, Sony never got around to replying. Sony did launch Horizon Zero Dawn on the Epic Game Store, however it also launched on Steam at the same time. And the only other two Sony games on the Epic Game Store, ReadySet Heroes and Predator: Hunting Grounds, are absolutely not worth 200 million. So ultimately, the state of their relationship is a bit muddied.

As for Microsoft, Epic failed to impress. While they did try to get Microsoft exclusive titles on their storefront, Microsoft saw their service as competition for the Game Pass, and thus, refused. Worse still, they seem to have teamed up with Valve instead, judging on how The Master Chief collection, among other Microsoft-owned titles, have wound up on Steam.

And Nintendo it seemed they didnt even bother to try, calling a collaboration a moon-shot. Probably the correct move.

One thing is clear: Epic Games has obviously been fairly ambitious with their efforts to make the Epic Game Store a success. But will those ambitions survive this lawsuit? I guess well find out.