Baldur’s Gate 3 publishing lead questions Tim Sweeney’s pro-developer stance amid Epic’s financial struggles with Alan Wake 2.

Tim Sweeney has been emphasizing the competitive edge of the Epic Games Store against Steam, highlighting its benefits for both gamers and developers. However, his remarks have drawn criticism from Michael Douse, the publishing director at Larian Studios, known for titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and the Divinity series, who feels some important context is missing.

Douse pointed out on Twitter, “I understand Epic entirely funded Alan Wake 2, but this altruistic pro-developer talk doesn’t sit well when Remedy seemingly went into financial crisis because they couldn’t tap Steam for AW2 sales, suffering potentially hundreds of millions in lost revenue.” He was responding to Sweeney’s tweet referencing statistics from a publisher indicating that participation in Epic’s giveaways boosted Steam sales. Sweeney stated, “On some transactions, Epic wins. On more, Steam wins. But one thing is constant on every transaction: gamers and developers win by having more options and better deals.”

Douse expressed skepticism about the validity of Sweeney’s comments, noting that some games have struggled due to exclusivity. He questioned whether the Epic Games Store is effectively attracting customers and generating substantial revenue for developers.

“Ultimately, the viability of the store rests on their ability to convert hundreds of millions of Fortnite players into mid-hardcore premium gamers,” he remarked, “and I don’t see the Fortnite brand attempting to do that.”

Regarding Alan Wake 2, while Epic helped cover the costs through a publishing deal, it took nearly two years for the sequel to become profitable for Remedy. The game was not released on Steam or the Nintendo Switch, both of which could have simplified the financial aspects of the project.

Having options is always beneficial, especially in an industry as volatile as gaming. However, it’s essential for development teams to fully understand the implications of their choices, as sales are what ultimately sustain their operations.