Having recently released on Xbox via ID@Xbox, with support for Xbox Play Anywhere, the retro-styled Old West shooter has been steadily expanding its reach. Over the holidays, it was also made free on the Epic Games Store as part of Epic’s festive giveaway lineup.
At first glance, that kind of free release isn’t really thought of much. However, in this case, it appears to have had a weird and unexpected knock-on effect. During the same period, the game saw a noticeable boost in Steam sales, suggesting the Epic giveaway worked less as a substitute and more as a high-impact promotion.
Going free on Epic Games Store boosts sales on Steam?
I recently wrote about how Epic Games Store has seen significant growth in its user base over the past few years. Despite that expansion, spending has not grown at the same pace, particularly when it comes to third-party games.
Epic continues to rely heavily on free giveaways to draw players into its ecosystem. However, the data suggests many of those users do not stick around once the free games stop.
That context makes Blood West an especially interesting case. During its time as a free title on Epic Games Store, the game saw Steam sales rise by roughly 200%, according to the developer. Rather than pulling players into Epic’s storefront, the giveaway appears to have pushed visibility and purchasing activity elsewhere.
Blood West was free on EGS over the holidays and sold like 200% more on Steam that day XD https://t.co/IF54ENZ9DxJanuary 16, 2026
It reinforces the idea of Epic acting more as a discovery or entry point than a final destination. Players claim the free game, gain awareness, and then choose to buy and play on the platform where they already spend their time and money.
For smaller studios, that distinction matters. A free Epic Games Store release can function less like a lost sale and more like paid marketing, offering exposure on a scale that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. In Blood West’s case, that visibility appears to have translated directly into momentum on a competing storefront.
Do free games on Epic Games Store stop you from buying elsewhere, or do you still choose to purchase games on other storefronts like Steam? Share your thoughts in the comments or take part in the poll below.
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