Epic has announced a massive new publishing deal with three acclaimed developing studios. With Remedy Entertainment, genDesign and Playdead, some of the most high-profile talents in the gaming industry will receive funding for multiple game projects.
It looks like Tim Sweeney is just getting started with establishing his company as a gaming powerhouse unlike very few before it. With the Epic Games Launcher, PC gamers are experiencing the first true competitor to Valve’s Steam. Now, to further expand its influence on the gaming scene, Epic has shared a large publishing deal with three studios.
Remedy Entertainment today also released a press statement that they secured funding for two yet untitled next-gen games. They will be powered by the in-house Northlight Engine seen in Control and Quantum Break, so be prepared for more eye-melting goodness.
The Epic Games approach to publishing fundamentally changes the developer/publisher model, and aims to have the most developer-friendly terms in the industry, so that creators can focus on making great games.
Full creative freedom and ownership. Developers retain 100% of all intellectual property and full creative control of their work.
Fully-funded projects. Epic Games Publishing will cover up to 100% of development costs, from developer salaries to go-to-market expenses such as QA, localization, marketing, and all publishing costs.
50/50 profit sharing. Developers earn a fair share for their work — once costs are recouped, developers earn at least 50% of all profits.
GenDesign might not ring a bell but once you remember that these are the talented creators behind landmark titles such as the PS4 exclusive The Last Guardian, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, you know it’s a big deal.
Last but not least, with Playdead the creators of cult indie hits Limbo and Inside are also joining the Epic Games Publishing partnership. So, it sure looks like Epic has a wide range of game types and genres covered with just today’s deal alone. There’s little doubt that Epic Games will not stop just here and future similar publishing deals will happen.
There’s no information whether the games created under the Epic Games Publishing umbrella will be PC exclusive but chances are, they will come to next-gen consoles but only be available via the Epic Games Store on PC.
