The Ultimate PC Game Marketplace Comparison Chart
Wonder which PC game marketplace is better? Don't even know what options are out there or which factors should be considered? This is what you need.
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PC Game Marketplace Comparison
A comparison of major PC game marketplaces reveals a diverse landscape of offerings and features across various platforms. Steam leads the pack with an impressive 69,000 games available, while Itch.io boasts a staggering 570,000 titles, though many of these may be user-generated content. Epic Games Store and GOG follow with 1,200 and 6,600 games respectively, while GameJolt offers a unique niche with 135,000 games focused on indie titles. Other platforms such as Origin, Microsoft Store, and Humble Bundle provide a more limited selection, with 330, 2,000, and 12,000 games respectively.
In terms of average game quality, Epic Games Store and GOG are rated as high, while Steam and Origin maintain a medium quality level. Itch.io and GameJolt, however, are categorized as low quality, reflecting the nature of their offerings. The marketplace cut taken by these platforms varies significantly; Epic Games Store has a notably low cut of just 12%, whereas Steam and GOG take 30%. Itch.io's cut can range from 0% to 100%, depending on the developer's choice, while GameJolt operates on a model that can take between 0% to 10%.
Client availability is another critical factor. Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and GameJolt are accessible on Windows, Mac, and Linux, while Discord Store is limited to Windows only. The Microsoft Store is exclusive to Windows 10 and 11, and Origin is available on Windows and Mac. Humble Bundle allows downloads on Android only, while uPlay and Bethesda Client are restricted to Windows. Blizzard Battle.net supports Windows and Mac, but Paradox Launcher is available on Windows and Linux.
Open-source clients are rare among these platforms. Itch.io and GameJolt are the exceptions, both offering open-source clients, while the others do not. When it comes to website downloads, GOG, Itch.io, and GameJolt allow users to download games directly from their websites, while Steam, Epic Games Store, Discord Store, and others do not.
The debate over DRM is significant in this space. Most platforms, including Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, offer optional DRM, while Itch.io and GameJolt lean towards being mostly DRM-free. In contrast, platforms like Origin, Microsoft Store, and uPlay enforce DRM policies. Offline support varies, with Steam, Epic Games Store, and GameJolt providing offline play options, while Discord Store does not support offline play at all.
Cloud saves are a feature present on Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, GameJolt, and Origin, allowing players to save their progress across devices. Multiplayer capabilities are generally robust, with Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG supporting multiplayer APIs, while Itch.io and GameJolt offer limited multiplayer functionality.
Marketplace Features and User Experience
The platforms also differ in user experience features. Steam and Epic Games Store both support a friends system, enabling users to connect and play with friends. GOG and GameJolt have similar features, but others like Discord Store and Origin do not. User reviews are facilitated on Steam, GOG, and Itch.io, while Epic Games Store allows sellers to opt-in for reviews. GameJolt encourages comments, but platforms like Discord Store and Origin lack user review options.
Third-party curation is another area of distinction, with Steam, GOG, and Itch.io offering curated content. Platforms like Epic Games Store and GameJolt do not engage in third-party curation. Developers face varying barriers to entry, with most platforms requiring a fee or an approval process. Steam and Epic Games Store both charge a $100 fee, while Itch.io and GameJolt have no fees, making them more accessible for indie developers.
Microtransaction APIs are supported on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, while platforms like Itch.io and GameJolt do not support them. Subscription services are available on Discord (through Discord Nitro) and Origin (through Origin Access), while platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store do not offer subscription models.
Refund policies differ significantly among the platforms. Steam and Epic Games Store allow refunds within two hours of play, while GOG offers a more generous 30-day refund policy. Other platforms, like GameJolt and Discord Store, require users to contact support for refunds, which can be a barrier for some users.
Regional pricing is implemented on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, with most platforms offering some form of regional pricing to accommodate users in different countries. Shopping cart features are available on Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle, while others like Itch.io and GameJolt do not support shopping carts.
Game wishlists are supported on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, allowing users to save titles for future purchase. However, platforms like Discord Store and GameJolt do not offer this feature. Steam and Epic Games Store have robust community features, while platforms like Discord Store and Origin offer limited community engagement.
Profile customization is available on Steam, Itch.io, and GOG, while platforms like Epic Games Store and Discord Store lack customization options. Achievements are a common feature across most platforms, with Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG offering achievement systems to encourage user engagement.
In-game overlays for seamless gaming experiences are supported by Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, while others like Itch.io and GameJolt do not provide this functionality. Controller support is available on Steam, while most other platforms do not offer extensive controller compatibility.
VR support is limited, with Steam being the primary platform to support VR games. Other platforms like Epic Games Store and GOG do not currently support VR experiences. Multiple versions of games are available on Steam and GOG, while others like Epic Games Store and Discord Store do not provide this feature.
Name changing policies vary, with Steam allowing changes at no cost, while Epic Games Store requires support contact. First-party anti-cheat systems are implemented on Steam with VAC and on Epic Games Store with EAC, while platforms like GOG and Itch.io do not enforce anti-cheat measures.
Custom install locations are permitted on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, allowing users to choose where to install their games. License key support is available on Steam, GOG, and Humble Bundle, while platforms like Itch.io and GameJolt do not support license keys.
Lastly, rewards programs vary across platforms, with Steam offering a points shop and Epic Games Store providing 5% cash back. Other platforms do not have rewards programs in place.