Epic Games Store Finally Adds Gifting Feature After Seven Years

Share the Joy: Epic Games Store Unlocks Gifting

Epic Games Store Embraces Gifting Seven Years On

After a seven-year wait since its inception, the Epic Games Store has finally unveiled a gifting option. This new function allows players to purchase and send games directly to their friends who are on their Epic friends list. This enhancement is set to improve the social aspect of the platform, enabling users to more easily share their favorite titles.

Unlocking Rewards Through Gifting on Epic

Customers utilizing Epic's payment system for gift purchases will be eligible for Epic Rewards. This program offers a return of 5% to 20% on all Epic transactions. Initially, there was some confusion regarding how recipients would redeem gifts using Epic Rewards, but the company clarified that these reward balances can be applied towards future gift purchases, making the process more straightforward for users.

Gifting Guidelines and Limitations

While the new gifting feature covers most items available on the Epic Games Store, certain exclusions apply. Free games are naturally not eligible for gifting, nor are pre-purchase offers, subscription services, or in-game currencies and consumable items. Friends who receive a gift must claim it within a 14-day window, a shorter period compared to the 30 days offered by platforms like Steam.

Reflecting on the Pace of Feature Adoption

This long-awaited addition to the Epic Games Store invites a comparison with older platforms like Steam, which introduced a similar gifting feature back in 2007. Despite its younger age, the seven-year gap highlights the differing development priorities between Epic and Valve. While Epic has made considerable strides in challenging Steam's dominance, it continues to evolve its core functionalities to match player expectations and industry standards.

The Competitive Landscape of PC Gaming Digital Stores

The introduction of gifting on the Epic Games Store underscores the intense competition within the PC gaming digital distribution space. Epic has emerged as a formidable challenger to Valve's long-standing stronghold, yet it still faces the task of catching up on foundational features. The article also touches upon other platforms, such as Microsoft's storefront and Amazon's less successful attempts, reinforcing Steam's continued leadership due to its comprehensive and user-friendly experience.