DARQ is a new psychological horror indie game that recently came out on Steam. The game currently has “Very Positive” reviews on Steam and we certainly hope that it will meet commercial success. Why you may ask? Because the developer refused Epic’s offer to release the game exclusively on its store.
As the DARQ developer revealed, Epic Games made him an offer so that he can release the game exclusively on its store. However, and contrary to other developers, Unfold Games refused that offer. The reason? Quite simple and honest; the developer wanted to honour all of his fans for their on-going support.
“Epic reached out to me right after I released the trailer announcing Steam release date. At that point DARQ was in top 50 most wishlsited games on Steam. I felt going for an exclusivity deal would show that my word means nothing (as I just had promised the game would launch on Steam). Besides, DARQ page was on Steam since November 2018 and a lot of people patiently kept it on their wishlist since them. I thought it was a bad idea to disapoint all those people and prove to the world that my annoucements mean nothing. Epic made it clear that they reached out to me with an exclusivity deal – I politely turned them down before we had a chance to discuss any details (money offered, etc.).”
Now what’s really interesting here is that Epic refused to sell the game as a non-exclusive title. Other indie developers have reported the same thing, so it appears that Epic is currently looking for one thing; exclusive games on Epic Store. Unless of course we’re talking about triple-A games. After all, Cyberpunk 2077, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 and some other games are not exclusive to the Epic Store.
“I asked them if they would be willing to sell DARQ non-exclusively, and they explained that at this point in time it’s not something they can do. It was a polite and professional exchange – I have nothing bad to say.”
So there you have it everyone. Here is an indie dev that refused Epic’s offer. As such, it will be interesting to see whether this was a clever business-decision. It will also be interesting to see whether PC gamers will embrace this indie game. Now I know that this is a niche game, however it will be interesting to see whether the game will be profitable.
DARQ came out on August 15th on Steam and will cost you around 16,79€. There is also a DRM-free version on GOG. I’ve also included below its launch trailer so you can get an idea of what this game is.
Enjoy!
John is the founder and Editor in Chief at DSOGaming. He is a PC gaming fan and highly supports the modding and indie communities. Before creating DSOGaming, John worked on numerous gaming websites. While he is a die-hard PC gamer, his gaming roots can be found on consoles. John loved – and still does – the 16-bit consoles, and considers SNES to be one of the best consoles. Still, the PC platform won him over consoles. That was mainly due to 3DFX and its iconic dedicated 3D accelerator graphics card, Voodoo 2. John has also written a higher degree thesis on the “The Evolution of PC graphics cards.”
Contact: Email
Wow, finally not one owned by their greed, buying for sure .
well top 50 most wishlisted game on steam for an indie dev, easy to say no when youre doing that well i suppose but yea
Well yes, I see your point, however also, he applied what isn’t found in those studios that are woven in greed, passion, the team behind this game, dispalyed a forgotten act in the hands and expressions of AAA Studios and would you look, as you know;
He’s found his way to profit without them, utterly masterclass .
Pretty much wishlisted it a fair few months ago, I wouldn’t be too bothered if he took a deal, as I have a lot of interest in the game. But releasing it on steam because that was his intention and holding by it sure is nice.
> easy to say no
Much bigger AAAs have said yes to Timmy’s bribe of Nitebucks, so it’s not easy to turn down a double-dip when millions are waved in your face for “guaranteed sales” — that’s what makes the DARQ dev’s middle finger to Tim so Epic.
Don’t see you helping and It’s not just 50 people . I got 35 likes here too . You’re a nothing expect the real clown in all this here .
At least there are people BUYING this game. I am a consumer and I want to buy stuff that I like with my hard-earned money. When game devs are given guaranteed sales from Epic before even actually selling their game then what’s the point with customers rushing to buy them? Might’ve as well wait for a deep sale or for the Steam release because the game is in no danger of flopping. These guaranteed sales and weekly free games made me feel like I’m deeply indebted to Epic instead of proudly helping these games become successful.
Sooner or later Epic will stop their exclusivity deals so who’s going to help the developers then? Answer: It’ll be customers across several platforms looking to actually BUY games.
More tears from KIM….
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/46cb2bc9d7b05dd40d34ef28af31c2a8e13f0cb11f42bb1b6b48fca6d98927d6.jpg
Epic, make piracy great again
so no comment from you about the fact that they told him either exclusive or we won’t put it on our store ?
good work
so the bottom line is that they watch for upcoming popular releases on steam and then they offer money for exclusive and if a developer refuses them they refuse to put the game on their store and you ONLY QUESTION IF THE GAME WILL BE SUCCESSFUL because of this decision
F…..OFF
Yeah it’s a personal vendetta against steam mostly. Because Metro Exodus is allowed on the Microsoft PC Store for the last 2 months now. I don’t know why steam doesn’t wake up and ban these publishers/developers that part take in such disloyalty.
It’s on Microsoft Store so it atleast sells something. If the Metro Exodus outsold original Last Light which was very niche at that time i doubt the game sold that good apart from the promised “sales” Epic gave them
Yeah Metro Exodus didn’t outsell Metro Last light, everyone knows that’s PR B.S that Epic store came up with. We all saw those claims and we know it’s garbage. If Epic Store told me that it was Snowing outside, i’d go out their in a mankini, cause i know that it’s truly a bright and sunny 90 degree day.
Exodus didnt outsell LL — it was carefully worded spin “Exodus did better than LL for FIRST WEEK SALES” — yeah no sh&t because all of LLs real sales came in the months and years later since it was so obscure initially.
Misswording by me, should have said that sold around the same 🙂
Yeah they look at the wishlisted games.
Respect
game looks awesome and good on the dev for not taking that EGS money.
Guess what I m buying, they earned my respect, I m tired of epic games store ruining PC gaming. Let the people play where they want especially PC titles on Steam, god damn console wars happening on PC cause of some sort of chinese government drone.
Integrity. Who knew it still existed? Well done, bud.
I would add devs self esteem besides Integrity.
Definitely earned my respect and a purchase. This is how you net yourself loyalty. Take a page or two from that book, ratboy Sweeney.
This is how you do it.
I sat it pop up on GoG and didn’t know any of this. Now I buy to support. Not my type of game but I have friends who are into this type of game. Gonna gift the homies a copy. Cheers ? Fuq You Timothy Sweeney. Fuq you and everybody that lives in yo’ house. Fuq yo’ dog too.
Never heard of this game… But im gonna buy it and support the guy because
1.)HONEST
2.)STEAM
3.)GOOD GUY F*K YA
4.)seems like a decent fun game
FTFY
This is why I’m sort of happy Valve has been taking steps improving discoverability. So far I’ve seen the Steam discovery lab, the (Own Game on different platform) And there was something else, but I sadly forgot, but all in all they all improve us finding low profile gems like these.
“going for an exclusivity deal would show that my word means nothing”
NPC ‘journalists’ in the ethically bankrupt shill media will hate this guy.
“I asked them if they would be willing to sell DARQ non-exclusively, and they explained that at this point in time it’s not something they can do”
Timmy Tencent once more showing his contempt for the consumer.
Yeah that Fuqr hates consumers. The Epic Store is Pro dev & Anti-Consumer. It has no shopping cart, No proper store front, no pre-loading. It’s barebones as fuq, nothing for the consumer. I remember origins and Uplay started they had way more features than epic store did. Epic launcher has been around for 4 years and hasn’t changed a damn thing. You open it and the Games just scatter all over your screen like they were placed there by a Blunderbuss.
He dare to take the risk and believe in his own product quality, unlike those greedy AAA MF out there… https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0c36a6014f5048511d7cb85b3af42ebb89f48225b6df4a10e3d6ff71fe371aeb.gif
Day one buy. Better if it hits GoG.
EDIT:Just noticed its out and on GoG. Words conceal information.
No idea what darq is, but they just earned my money!
The Epic Store is Pro Dev & Anti-Consumer. Don’t be fooled by those crappy games they give you for free.
Honestly it’s not my type of game but it does look truly stunning and fair play to the dev, especially since recently I had totally given up on the industry and the people in it. I’ll buy it at some point to support, even though I’m not really into those games, it’s wish listed for now. Though, seriously how spiteful are Epic, we won’t sell it if you sell it in other places?! It’s arrogant and condescending (being polite) and if your indie dev with a product, this shows what they really think of you and your game, even when they throw money at you.
Respect!
And the game looks amazing! Must buy now!
I’ve removed everything from my steam wish list. If you want to make epic’s life more difficult I suggest you do the same.
Weaponized autism at it’s finest; I like it. 🙂
This got me wheezing so hard I think I blacked out and died for a good 5 seconds
LOL. I’m glad you’re still with us.
As has been said by developers several times and on different occasions, this hurts developers much more:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwiMwvjL8YnkAhX9SBUIHbNTAxoQFjAAegQIAhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcgamer.com%2Fuk%2Fthe-steam-summer-sale-may-have-caused-a-wishlist-purge-and-indie-devs-are-worried%2F&usg=AOvVaw1x7ExUT1c1c5l66XXE1YGq
let the couch Che Guevara have his storefront revolution..
Well I am going to buy this just because of the developer’s decision against exclusivity.
you wont.
So much trolling from the peasants these days…
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/46cb2bc9d7b05dd40d34ef28af31c2a8e13f0cb11f42bb1b6b48fca6d98927d6.jpg
it still doesnt prove you bought it. dont see your nick on the launcher.
try again.
Moron
dont be harsh.
Dude, his nick is on the right of his screenshot.
https://i.imgur.com/0Coy4zo.png
Yep, I did the same. Game was on my wistlist already, but this made me buy it day one.
I mean i understand why epic does what it does but i can’t help but feel like it’s annoying trying to cut off steam and their userbase at every corner.
Is steam doing the same against other stores ?
> Is steam doing the same against other stores ?
No other store is slinking around with a bag of Nitebucks trying to get third parties to delete their games from another store.
actually, yes, Steam did the same thing in its early days. nowadays, it doesnt have to, because it is a monopoly, since it has enclosed in its ecosystem the majority of the PC market.
Darken be quiet. Why dont you go make Timmy a cake, after you bathe with him? Buy him some flowers too.
Shhh..let little Timmy’s shill say whatever they want to say, its all those same anyway. Ignore them, you will save lots of energy for pirating those sellout games.
no, i wont be quiet, thank you very much.
And even better, exposing Tim and Epic’s lack of integrity, and continual lies and denials on Twitter about things they actually do behind the scenes (telling a developer they won’t let them sell on EGS unless they delete the game from Steam specifically).
The man is a hero. Already bought the game.
I just can say that this game is awesome!
Started and couldn’t stop playing it. It’s like Inside meets Tim Burton. I loved it.