Guidelines for the cross-platform multiplayer requirement.
“Products with online multiplayer functionality must support crossplay across all PC storefronts in order to be distributed on the Epic Games Store. This requirement ensures users who purchase a multiplayer product on the Epic Games Store can easily connect with friends and other players, regardless of where purchases were made.”
Is the ‘First Run’ is also available for Multiplayer Games as Epic suggest to release at the same time a cross-platform game on the different platforms.
Concerning my game I want to release it on Epic and Steam.
Thank you.
Jean-Francois
I created a multiplayer game and, in order to comply with Unreal’s policies, I also developed a cross-platform version for Steam. The recommended approach for a cross-platform game is to release it simultaneously on both Epic Games Store and Steam. So, my question is whether doing this would be compliant with the ‘First Run’ requirements?
This is the prerequisites to release a multiplayer game in Epic Store.
Now to do the testing…it can only be done if a build was also uploaded on Steam. Crossplay Test Cases
Alright so here is my take on it: If you decide you want to launch on Epic and Steam, crossplay needs to work. If you decide to just launch on one of the platforms, crossplay doesn’t have to work (because it won’t be used).
Here, I believe there is no option for multiplayer games. That’s why I implemented crossplay across all PC stores and tested it on both platforms, as recommended. So my question is, for multiplayer games that must support crossplay, are they eligible for the ‘First Run’?
I just want to know if I can release my multiplayer/cross-platform game at the same time in Epic and Steam and be eligible of Epic First Run Program " Epic First Run is an opt-in exclusivity program that offers third-party developers 100% net revenue of user spending on eligible products in their first six months of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store. When the exclusivity period ends, the revenue share captured from user spending will revert to 88%/12%."
To my understanding, the First Run is only eligible for people who only launch their game on Epic Games. So you can’t publish your game on steam for as long as the First Run is in place.
To clarify the two items. Epic First Run you would release your game exclusive on Epic for the first six months, after that period, should you decide to release on Steam, you would be expected to support crossplay per the requirements (shared matchmaking pool and cross store invites when the game supports same store invites).
