Epic Games Store is a bit of a hot button in gaming, often derided for its lack of basic features — like introducing a shopping cart years after its digital doors opened — and exclusivity deals, but the team remains undeterred in trying to get out from under Steam's shadow.
According to reputable leaker Hypex, Fortnite now aims to launch 100 gaming collabs each year as part of the EGS gift-with-purchase program, i.e. if you buy a game on the store, you'll get a free cosmetic. Presumably, the idea is to get people who only use EGS for Fortnite to remain within its ecosystem by rewarding them for buying games on the platform.
Larian Studios head of publishing Michael 'Very AFK' Douse recently spoke out against EGS and its supposed altruistic goals, noting how the exclusivity deal undoubtedly hurt Alan Wake 2's sales among other titles. In that same thread, he also touched on his doubts about Fortnite being a useful vehicle to bolster the platform.
"Ultimately, the viability of the store sits on their ability to convert hundreds of millions of Fortnite players into mid-hardcore premium gamers, and I don't see the Fortnite brand attempting to do that,"...
