Summary
- Ubisoft is shifting away from Steam and making new releases exclusive to its own storefront, Ubisoft Connect, and the Epic Games Store, such as the upcoming Assassin's Creed Mirage and The Crew Motorfest.
- Alan Wake 2 will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC, which may be controversial for some fans who were hoping for a physical release or availability on other platforms.
- The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria and Witchfire will also be exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC, leaving Steam users out of luck in accessing these titles.
As Steam celebrates its 20th anniversary, its evident that Valve's digital storefront has become synonymous with PC gaming. However, Steam has faced some stiff competition from other storefronts such as the Epic Game Store, which has been enticing users to check out its offerings with weekly free game giveaways. With the competition between digital storefronts on PC heating up, there are several major titles releasing this Fall that are skipping a Steam release in favor of a competing digital game storefront on PC.
Although there was a time when it was expected that every new PC game would launch on Steam, the rise of competing platforms means players will have to keep an eye on when and where new titles are launching in order ensure they can access an anticipated game on day-one. Companies like Epic Games, Ubisoft, and EA have developed their own storefronts and launchers to try and pull PC gamers away from Steam and into their own ecosystems using launch exclusivity as means to attract players. Due to this new competition, more PC games are beginning to release on storefronts outside of Steam.
Assassin's Creed Mirage
The latest entry in the Assassin's Creed franchise seems to be a return to the series' roots after the sprawling open worlds of Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Assassin's Creed Valhalla. However, PC players interested in grabbing Assassin's Creed Mirage at launch won't find the game for sale on Steam and will instead have to head over to the Epic Games Store or Ubisoft Connect in order to purchase it. This release strategy continues a trend for Ubisoft, as the company has shifted away from Steam in favor of pushing users to its own storefront, Ubisoft Connect, along with working with Epic Games to make new releases exclusive to its storefront as well.
The Crew Motorfest
Following the same trend as Assassin's Creed Mirage, Ubisoft's upcoming entry in their racing sim franchise The Crew Motorfest will also be skipping a Steam release on PC. This title will take drivers to the beautiful Hawaiian island of O'ahu where they will be able to tackle a variety of races, events, and challenges behind the wheel of everything from vintage classics to modern supercars. Unfortunately for Steam users, The Crew Motorfest will only be available for purchase through the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect.
Alan Wake 2
Despite being a sequel to Remedy's cult classic title Alan Wake, Alan Wake 2 drew some controversy earlier this year when it was announced that game wouldn't receive a physical release on consoles. While PC players are already used to digital-only releases, some may not be too happy to hear that Alan Wake 2 will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC. This exclusivity is not surprising considering Remedy's publishing contract with Epic Games, but it may be somewhat controversial all the same.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
Fans of The Lord of the Rings franchise might be in for some redemption after the disappointment of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum earlier this year since The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria will bring the franchise into the survival-crafting genre as the dwarves of Middle-Earth look to reclaim and rebuild the lost city of Moria. While this title may have flown under the radar for some fans, others will be excited to see how these Tolkien characters adapt to survival-crafting gameplay. Once again, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store.
Witchfire
FPS fans are set to receive a unique new entry in the genre this Fall when the dark fantasy shooter Witchfire launches later this month. This game has been in development for some time, with developer The Astronauts noting the numerous changes the game underwent during that time including a shift to an open world. Witchfire is now set to launch exclusively for PC players on the Epic Game Store on September 20, 2023, leaving Steam fans out of luck.