Introduction
More game developers are ditching traditional storefronts like Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Marketplace in favor of direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales. Studios like Battlestate Games (Escape from Tarkov) are proving that selling games through proprietary platforms can be more profitable—avoiding Steam’s infamous 30% revenue cut.
As digital distribution evolves, is this the beginning of the end for third-party stores?
Why Developers Are Moving to Direct Sales
For years, platforms like Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Marketplace have taken a 30% cut from every game sale. Now, developers are looking for alternatives:
💰 Higher Profit Margins – Selling directly means studios keep 100% of the revenue (minus transaction fees).
🛠 More Control Over Updates & Pricing – No need to wait for third-party approvals for patches, discounts, or content updates.
📊 Better Data & Customer Insights – Direct sales give developers full access to player data, feedback, and purchasing behavior.
Escape from Tarkov & the Success of Proprietary Platforms
Battlestate Games has led the charge by selling Escape from Tarkov exclusively through its own website, avoiding Steam entirely. The result?
✔ No revenue cuts to Steam
✔ More control over pricing, updates, and distribution
✔ A thriving community that stays engaged through the developer’s own ecosystem
Other developers are following suit:
🎮 Epic Games Store – Offers 88% revenue share, compared to Steam’s 70%.
🎮 Activision Blizzard – Call of Duty now sells via Battle.net instead of Steam.
🎮 Ubisoft – Moved its games to Ubisoft Connect, avoiding third-party stores.
The Future of Game Distribution
With direct sales on the rise, we could see:
✅ More studios launching their own storefronts
✅ Increased competition between Steam, Epic, and proprietary platforms
✅ Subscription-based models & exclusive content to drive players to direct platforms
Conclusion
The direct-to-consumer model is gaining momentum, with developers bypassing traditional storefronts to maximize profits and retain control. While Steam remains dominant, the shift towards self-publishing and proprietary platforms signals a major change in game distribution.
Would you buy games directly from developers instead of Steam? Let us know in the comments! 🚀🎮