Oddworld: Soulstorm is Oddworld Inhabitants’ impending reimagining of Abe’s Exoddus. It’s coming to Pc and consoles in 2020, but when it does hit PC, it’ll only be available on Epic’s Game Store. Yes, it’s another in a long line of games that’s headed for Epic’s Store exclusively.
Oddworld Inhabitants’ Lorne Lanning has explained exactly why the company opted for Epic Game Store exclusivity. As you might imagine, it’s really about money. Lanning was pretty transparent about this, saying they needed the extra money just to make sure the game was made.
“What I would like to do is provide you with the reasoning that went into bringing the PC version of Soulstorm to the Epic Games store as an exclusive because you deserve to know,” Lanning wrote. “We’ve been financing Soulstorm 100% ourselves. Soulstorm is our most ambitious game ever and we are committed to creating a great game that meets the highest level of quality. But to create the version of Soulstorm we want, and you deserve, we needed additional financial assistance.
Ambition is important,” the statement goes on, “and it pushes me to try to overachieve. What pushes me even more is my commitment to you: you deserve great games. As an indie publisher we must evaluate partnerships that will help us achieve our goals while protecting our vision for Soulstorm and the quintology.
Epic supports our goal and commitment and is willing to help us achieve them by providing us with an advance on our PC sales, and we are incredible grateful.”
Here’s the statement in full.
Reception to this has been mixed. There are some players who are upset about the move, as they’re vehemently against the Epic Game Store. Other understand the decision as a necessary evil, praising Lanning for his transparency.
While the Epic Game Store does still kinda suck, I find much of the vitriol about exclusivity weird. It’s not like console exclusivity where you need to spend R6000 if you want to play the game; there’s no platform walling. Instead, there’s a free-to-download bit of software. Sure, it may not have the features that steam has, and people sure do want their games in one place, but if it’s about the game as it always should be, then it shouldn’t really matter. Still, if you really do hate the idea of another launcher (and that’s your choice!), you can always just wait a year for the exclusivity period to expire.
Last Updated: August 20, 2019
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 12:55
In related news, MUTANT YEAR ZERO is FREE on the EPIC game store.
What are you waiting for? GET IT NOW!
Original Heretic
August 20, 2019 at 12:55
Now I REALLY wish I had a PC…
Geoffrey Tim
August 20, 2019 at 12:55
It’s part of Xbox Game Pass too. 😛
Original Heretic
August 20, 2019 at 13:53
Yeah but I don’t want an Xbox.
I mean, I’m not a moron.
Dr Webster Flexington
August 20, 2019 at 16:41
But, my xbone keeps me warm in winter. It’s big enough for the whole family to sit around. It’s also fantastic for fondue nights.
Original Heretic
August 20, 2019 at 18:49
Jeez man, the PS ain’t much better. When I jam a game that requires the hardware to put some extra effort (Spider-Man is a huuuge culprit), it sounds like a jet taking off. And afterwards it’s pretty damn hot to the touch.
Dr Webster Flexington
August 21, 2019 at 21:28
You’re right, I’m pretty sure you can cook an egg on a PS4, or at least warm up your tea.
Dr Webster Flexington
August 20, 2019 at 13:28
I haven’t bought anything on the Epic game store (and never will), but I’ve certainly been collecting all their free games.
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:19
F..ck the Epic Store!!!!!
*downloads free version of MYZ*
Dr Webster Flexington
August 20, 2019 at 13:29
Hehehehe, hey, I’ll collect all their free games as long as they hand them out. It’s definitely not sustainable and eventually they’ll stop, but by then, I should have a sizeable library of free games.
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:29
…and if the store dies, so does your library…
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:43
Nah Gabe will just step in and buy Epic for 90% off
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:43
HAH
Mark Treloar
August 20, 2019 at 17:43
and then he will have the monopoly on exclusives again
Dr Webster Flexington
August 20, 2019 at 14:02
Giving out free games is unsustainable, but if the epic store died, that would make me sad.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 20, 2019 at 12:55
You’re right. We should only focus on the game, nothing else matters.
https://media.giphy.com/media/9PPwYVFxX8L4Y/giphy.gif
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:36
Did you see MW5 is an Epic Exclusive and pre-order special is $22
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:36
Yeah…..I saw….
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 20, 2019 at 13:36
Nope I hadn’t. But I’ll just do what I do with all Epic exclusives, ignore it until they release the game on PC.
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:53
but but but Mechwarrior
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 20, 2019 at 14:02
¯_(ツ)_/¯ I don’t make the rules, I just follow them. 😀
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 14:20
https://static.mw5mercs.com/img/media/47fae60505b90ff065fec2b780747aac.jpeg
Yahtzee
August 20, 2019 at 13:36
We’re already at Modern Warfare 5?
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:42
The original MW, Mechwarrior.
Damn millennials
Yahtzee
August 20, 2019 at 13:43
https://media.giphy.com/media/woeJPqf4Ily7BUurZI/giphy.gif
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:43
“that’s bait”
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:43
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/GiftedSophisticatedAoudad-size_restricted.gif
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:53
DENIED
Yahtzee
August 20, 2019 at 14:02
Trying to get a Bonito up in Mozambique and this will happen 99% of the time xD
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 14:02
Apparently happens a lot with kobs in the Breede.
Only ever caught a few small sharks. My brother once hooked a cow shark while he was on his kayak; was interesting experience especially since it was almost as big as the kayak
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 14:10
I’d kayak my pants
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:43
xD
WickedMONK3Y
August 20, 2019 at 12:55
This EGS exclusivity issue really has created a china wall between devs that will and devs that won’t and they are being quite vocal about it, over and above the various camps it has created among gamers. I use the EGS for the free stuff and nothing else. I will not buy a game from them because they seem to be against multi-store games other than the big titles that tell them to get shafted. I can wait for exclusivity periods to end so that all my games are in one place.
Yahtzee
August 20, 2019 at 13:04
A transparent and non condescending announcement from a dev going epic exclusive?
Wow. It is possible 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 20, 2019 at 13:04
Yeah, and it’s amazing how much more reasoned the responses are overall. Who would’ve thought?
Lu
August 20, 2019 at 13:20
Honesty goes a looooong way.
Still won’t buy the game on EPG, but since they’re open and honest about it no one can really condemn them for this move.
Unlike PGI with their slimy bait and switch
HairyEwok
August 20, 2019 at 13:04
So let me get this right, Devs go Epic exclusive to get financial support…. Are they not aware of a thing called kickstarter? I know, I know BOOO KICKSTARTER but if they opened up on it and asked the gaming community to help I sure as hell know they would get their money needed.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 20, 2019 at 13:04
Well in theory the Kickstarter money is there to fund development only and has nothing to do with the game turning a profit. That’s where the Epic deal kicks in because it guarantees a minimum sales amount.
HairyEwok
August 20, 2019 at 13:04
I mean, it worked for Star Citizen XD and they didn’t go epic exclusive, it’s not like the game wont ever come out.
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:04
Not worked, WORKING (the gift that keeps on giving)
HairyEwok
August 20, 2019 at 13:11
Just imagine if Star Citizen was actually an Epic Exclusive and they had to give them financial support… Epic would definitely have closed that hemorrhage by now.
HairyEwok
August 20, 2019 at 13:11
Just imagine if Star Citizen was actually an Epic Exclusive and they had to give them financial support… Epic would definitely have closed that hemorrhage by now.
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:11
^^^
Yahtzee
August 20, 2019 at 13:12
Yea… BUTT you kinda need an actual game to put on a gaming store.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 20, 2019 at 13:12
To be fair plenty of Kickstarter games still collect funding through their own websites after the campaign ends, Obsidian and others have done it. The real difference with Star Citizen is the scale at which they go about it.
Yahtzee
August 20, 2019 at 13:19
*scaly
Raptor Rants
August 20, 2019 at 13:43
Lol don’t give Star Citizen devs any ideas.
Viper_ZA
August 20, 2019 at 13:12
Is Steam® running out of errr, steam?
Dr Webster Flexington
August 20, 2019 at 13:28
lol, Tim Sweeney must be burning through that tencent money mountain like a mad man. Meanwhile, Gabe sits back, sucks on a lolipop and waits patiently for his devastating counter-attack. In the Game of Digital Thrones, it’s all about timing.
I wonder if Gabe has made space on his mantle piece for Tim Sweeney’s head and balls.
Dr Webster Flexington
August 20, 2019 at 13:29
Or maybe Gabe died… and Valve is literally losing Steam 😮 Please gaming gods, don’t let our future be Tim Sweeney….
Yahtzee
August 20, 2019 at 13:29
I do not bow to false gods
SagatatiaRZA
August 20, 2019 at 13:36
Honestly at this point I’m just pissed at Epic themselves for making it so fucking hard for me to pay for shit
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:20
One part the is not mentioned on any of the Epic Store articles is the some of their less savoury actions.
More and more reports coming from indie devs that they get approached Epic but then turn down the exclusivity deal but still want to be listed on the Epic Store without any payback or benefits just to get as much exposure as possible.
Epic then blocks their listing because they do not want to go exclusive.
Now that is just low down dodgy strong arming tactics that actually does make me think twice before supporting Epic.
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:29
I’ve not spent a single randela on EPIC store, but my library is quite extensive there
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:36
Jip
Well except for one special, and Fortnite Battle Pass for the kid for his bday.
Do not think I can in good conscience buy anything from them….
HvR
August 20, 2019 at 13:36
*See MW5 is Epic Exclusive and pre-order is only $22*
Fuck moral values
Admiral Chief Umbra
August 20, 2019 at 13:43
Hahahahaha my my, how quick we fall
[continues to ogle the MW5 page]
Geoffrey Tim
August 20, 2019 at 17:57
According to Epic it’s because they’re still in the entry “hand curated” phase of their listing instead of being an open store – but yeah, it’s a bit swak.
losersneverwin999
August 20, 2019 at 22:26
That’s going to be a no from me, dog. I’ll just grab the console version.