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Originally Posted by El Kabong
With that said, the Epic deal is almost too good to be true and kind of a no brainer for an indie dev. I understand the problem from a consumer side but releasing a game these days is a gigantic risk and having an entire year of projected profits put straight into your pocket before launch is massive.
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To be 100% honest though, if I was ever offered that Epic deal I'm snap calling.
I'm not so sure tbh. I'd liken it to taking a 50% of your equity final table chop as the chip leader in a big MTT - i.e. Looks like a very large number - but actually a pretty crap deal, however better than running horrendous and busting out first. Basically predatory on the fears of a busto indie dev. And I think a very ill-considered idea for the medium sized pro-indies, but they obviously think otherwise which I suspect is a matter of ego (gamers will put up with anything to play our superb games! (Randy Pitchford)) or poor bankroll management (easier said than done, I know).
There is very little remaining of the "gigantic risk" at this point where these devs are taking the deal. Ooblets is/was a top 50 wishlisted indie game on Steam. It's been shown at multiple E3 conferences. They had a publishing deal with Double Fine until very recently. There is no way this was ever going to go unnoticed on it's launch day. Despite the "saviour of indie devs" bluster, Epic are not going after "at risk" devs - they are going after sure thing dead certs to generate maximum splash.
As a small dev, you get a year's projected income. You give up any chance of being a runaway success - a Stardew Valley, a Hollow Knight, a Slay the Spire. You tarnish your brand - time will tell how much, if at all, or if the damage is irreparable. A larger dev may tank a franchise/IP where it otherwise may have continued..
Taking the deal demonstrates a lack of confidence in your product's ability to sell. Which may well self-fulfilling-prophecy affect it's sales.
Push come to shove though, I too would at least strongly consider taking the deal in the hypothetical scenario I had a game Epic were interested in. Def wouldn't be a snap.
If you are going to take an EGS deal, the ideal response so far is that of Rebellion Games.