Epic Games is on the verge of reaching a major milestone, with nearly 300 million players engaging with its platform, as revealed in its latest Year in Review report. After facing challenges in its early years, the Epic Games Store (EGS) has made remarkable progress, reaching 295 million users in 2024. This surge marks a significant achievement for the company, which launched the store in 2018 as a competitor to Steam.
Beyond the growing user base, Epic Games has reported strong financial performance. The company revealed that PC users spent over $1 billion on the platform last year, reflecting a 15% increase in revenue. However, not all areas saw growth—third-party spending dropped by 18%, indicating potential challenges in certain aspects of Epic’s business model.
With its user base expanding rapidly, Epic Games has big plans for 2025. From free games to new features and mobile expansions, the company aims to solidify its position in the gaming industry.
What’s Behind Epic Games’ Explosive Growth?
Several factors have contributed to Epic Games’ rising success. The company has leveraged key strategies to attract and retain players:
- The Growth of PC Gaming: The past two years have seen a significant rise in PC gaming. As more gamers invest in powerful setups, platforms like EGS have benefited from the increased player base.
- Fortnite’s Continued Popularity: Epic Games’ flagship title, Fortnite, remains one of the most-played games in the world, drawing millions of players to the platform.
- Free Game Giveaways: Epic’s free game strategy has been a major pull factor. In 2024 alone, the company gave away 89 games, many of which were highly popular titles. This trend is set to continue in 2025, offering players even more reasons to engage with the platform.
Epic Games Store to Introduce Gifting Option
One of the most requested features by users has been the ability to gift games to friends or other players. Unlike its competitor, Steam, Epic Games Store has lacked this functionality, limiting users who wanted to share games with others.
Recognizing this demand, Epic Games officially announced that a gifting feature will arrive in 2025.
“Sharing is caring, particularly when it comes to gaming, and so in 2025, we’ll be adding gifting to our list of purchase options!” the company wrote in its Year in Review update.
This move is expected to enhance user engagement and create a stronger community experience within the platform.
Upcoming Improvements and Features in 2025
Beyond the gifting feature, Epic Games has confirmed a series of upgrades and quality-of-life improvements coming in 2025.
1. New Download Manager
One of the common complaints among users has been issues with the download system. Epic has acknowledged these concerns and is introducing a revamped download manager, designed to:
- Improve download speeds and stability
- Provide better tracking of download progress
- Reduce installation errors
This improvement is expected to bring the Epic Games Store more in line with Steam’s robust system.
2. Pre-Loading Feature
Another exciting addition in 2025 is the ability to pre-load games before release. This has been a highly requested feature, especially for those purchasing large titles. Pre-loading allows players to download a game in advance, so they can start playing immediately upon release.
3. User Interface Enhancements
Epic Games has hinted at a series of UI improvements, making the Epic Games Store more user-friendly. These enhancements will streamline navigation, making it easier to discover new games and manage existing libraries.
Epic Games Expands Focus on Mobile
Ever since Epic Games won its legal battle against Apple, the company has been investing heavily in mobile gaming and applications.
2025 marks a significant shift in Epic’s roadmap, with a renewed focus on mobile platforms. The company has confirmed that its mobile store will receive major upgrades, including:
- A better app catalog
- An improved app library
- Enhanced performance and user experience
With Epic gaining the right to operate its store on iOS, this expansion could help the company capture a larger share of the mobile gaming market.
What’s Next for Epic Games?
As Epic Games nears the 300 million player mark, it is clear that the company is committed to innovation and growth. By introducing new features, expanding its mobile presence, and continuing free game giveaways, Epic is positioning itself as a strong competitor in the gaming industry.
With gifting, pre-loading, and app improvements on the way, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Epic Games Store users.
