Epic Games Store Xbox launch planned for day one, threatening the 30% console platform tax
Summary
Epic Games Store head Steve Allison confirmed day-one launch plans on the next Xbox console.
His commitment hinges on Microsoft maintaining its current open-store policy.
A multi-store Xbox would let publishers bypass the 30% platform fee via Epic's 12% split.
This marks the first direct competitive pressure on console revenue sharing.
"We definitely plan to be on the new hardware for Xbox, because, unless their policy or stance on it changes, they are telling us they're going to welcome that"
01
Allison commits to day one, but Epic's app isn't built yet
Allison told Game File that Epic plans to be on next Xbox "on day one."
The commitment is conditional: Microsoft must not reverse its open-store stance.
Epic lacks a controller-native app today; Allison said "we haven't built the apps for those that we need to build."
Current priority: improve the core store first, then build handheld and console apps.
02
Microsoft's hybrid hardware makes rival storefronts native, not invited
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally already hosts Steam, GOG, Epic, Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net, and the EA App.
Xbox president Sarah Bond told Mashable the next console shares "some of the thinking" behind that handheld.
Moore's Law is Dead reported in October 2025 that next Xbox uses PC-class architecture.
A PC-layer design means storefronts run natively without console-specific porting overhead.
03
An 18-point margin swing publishers should model now
Traditional closed consoles charge publishers roughly 30% per transaction.
Epic's 88/12 split would cut that to 12% on any sale routed through EGS.
Live-service titles with high transaction frequency gain the most from per-unit margin compounding.
Investors should watch for console revenue margin revisions in publisher forward guidance.
Events
Companies
Games
—
Locations
—
COMPILED BY GAMES ATLAS EDITORIAL
RELATED ARTICLES
EXPLORE MORE
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!