Epic Games recently unveiled a new initiative called “Launch Everywhere with Epic,” designed to provide better terms for game developers using Unreal Engine and the Epic Games Store. The program aims to make the platform more appealing by offering lower royalty fees, starting on January 1, 2025.
Reduced Royalties for Unreal Engine
As part of this new initiative, Epic is lowering the Unreal Engine royalty rate from 5% to 3.5%, provided that developers release their games on the Epic Games Store the same day as other platforms. This offer is available for all Unreal Engine-built games launching on the Epic Games Store from the start of 2025. The program applies not only to PC games but also extends to Epic’s Android and iOS stores.
Impact Across Platforms
The reduced royalties apply to all platforms where developers release their games, including consoles. According to Epic, this can increase developer profits, particularly for games that succeed across multiple platforms. If a game is released on other platforms but does not appear on the Epic Games Store at the same time, the royalty rate will revert to the previous 5%. Although iOS games are currently excluded from this requirement due to Apple’s Core Technology Fee, Epic warns it may reconsider this in the future with a four-month notice period, notes NIX Solutions.
Additional Perks for Developers
Epic is also offering developers an added bonus by waiving royalties on sales through the Epic Games Store when using Epic’s own payment system. Additionally, Unreal Engine royalties will only apply once a game’s revenue exceeds $1 million. These terms may be particularly appealing to developers, especially those who lost confidence in Unity after the controversy surrounding its new payment model. We’ll keep you updated on any further developments in this space.