Epic launches First Run initiative, debuts Now On Epic program

gamedeveloper.com:

Epic Games has launched Epic First Run, an opt-in exclusive program that allows third-party developers and publishers to capture 100 percent of revenue generated during their first six months on the Epic Games Store.

The initiative was announced back in August but is now open for business. An FAQ on the Epic website explains that First Run "offers third-party developers 100 percent 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%."

Those looking to participate must have an eligible product, which means a game or app that hasn't already debuted or been bundled into a subscription service on another third-party PC store. Games or apps with a pre-existing exclusivity deal with the Epic Games Store will also be ineligible.

The First Run program is only open to developers and publishers with registered Epic Games developer accounts. It's possible to create an Epic Developer account via the Epic Developer Portal. Alternatively, those who're already eligible can register for First Run through Epic's self-publishing tools flow in Dev Portal.

In addition to launching First Run, Epic has announced what it describes as a "new back catalog incentive program" called 'Now on Epic.'

The company–which recently updated Unreal Engine pricing for devs outside the game industry after running into "financial problems"–said the program encourages developers and publishers to bring older titles to its marketplace by giving participants the chance to boost their net revenue from user spending from 88 percent to 100 percent during their first six months on the platform.

After that