Epic Games Store, along with many other platforms, offers free games frequently, but sometimes fans wonder if this is harmful to developers. In a recent press conference, Tim Sweeney, the founder of Epic Games, explains how free giveaways like the ones on his platform are actually helpful to developers.
This week the Epic Games Store is giving away Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, and last week it offered Civilization 6, but Sweeney stands fast that these sorts of offerings are a good thing. Sweeney claims that players don't fully know whether they're interested in something until they try it, and getting the games for free is a great way to do that.
This seems particularly true for certain games. For example, players that end up liking Borderlands: The Handsome Collection are very likely to go on and buy Borderlands 3 if they haven't. Likewise, Civilization 6 was free, and players that enjoy it are apt to purchase its DLC.
Sweeney concludes that not only have the free offerings from the Epic Games Store been positive for developers, but that it has helped its own community grow as well. It can't be denied that free games are alluring, and many have likely made Epic Games accounts for the sole purpose of acquiring them.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is currently free on the Epic Games Store.
Source: Game Debate