Epic First Run offers eligible developers and publishers 100% of a product’s net revenue during its first six months of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store. In return, the product must not be available through another PC store during that period. The offer is opt-in, subject to eligibility rules, and does not guarantee sales or a minimum payment.
What Epic First Run offers—and what “all revenue” means
Epic describes First Run as an opt-in exclusivity program. For a qualifying game or app, Epic says it returns 100% of net revenue from user spending during the first six months of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store. That is a share of net revenue, not necessarily every dollar customers pay before refunds, taxes, or other adjustments. The current terms are set out in Epic’s First Run program FAQ.
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The six-month period is an exclusive window, not a promise of a particular sales result. The 100% share changes how eligible net revenue is divided; it does not guarantee a minimum payment, sales volume, or profit.
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Which products can qualify
Epic says the program is open to developers and publishers with registered Epic developer accounts. The product must be a new release and must not have previously launched on another third-party PC store or appeared in a subscription service available on another third-party PC store. Products already covered by an Epic exclusivity deal are excluded.
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A game announced for other stores may still qualify if it launches first on Epic and remains exclusive to PC stores for its first six months. Epic describes its publishing route as self-service tools in the Epic Developer Portal, where developers can register, configure, test, and distribute products. Check the current program FAQ for the full eligibility terms before committing to a launch plan.
What happens to the revenue split after six months
When First Run ends, Epic says it removes the exclusive tag and the product returns to the store’s standard revenue share. The current standard terms give the developer 100% of net revenue on the first $1 million per product per calendar year, then an 88% developer share and 12% Epic share on net revenue above that threshold. The threshold is per product, resets on January 1, and applies regardless of when a First Run term ends. See Epic’s revenue-share FAQ.
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Epic announced that its revised standard share applied retroactively from June 1, 2025, for payments it processes. The announcement also preserved First Run as an opt-in route for launches seeking six months of exclusivity; the effective date and terms are described in Epic’s 2025 announcement.
| Period or threshold | Developer share | Epic share | How it applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| First six months under First Run | 100% of net revenue | 0% | Only for eligible products during the qualifying exclusive term, under Epic’s current program terms. |
| Standard terms, first $1 million per product per calendar year | 100% of net revenue | 0% | Threshold applies per product and resets on January 1; it is not a separate additional allowance for each First Run term. |
| Standard terms, net revenue above that threshold | 88% | 12% | Applies after the product passes the annual per-product threshold under Epic’s standard terms. |
What developers should weigh before opting in
Revenue share versus storefront reach
The central trade-off is a higher share of eligible net revenue during the exclusive period versus limiting access to other PC storefronts for six months. Epic cites a global user base and supported languages on its program page, but those platform-wide figures do not establish how many copies a particular game will sell. There is no stated independent sales estimate or evidence here that First Run guarantees a commercial uplift.
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Launch timing and exclusivity commitments
Model the six-month period against the game’s release calendar, planned storefront launches, and audience expectations. A delayed release on other PC stores may affect launch coordination or the timing of planned campaigns. The value of the higher share depends on the project’s likely net revenue on Epic and the costs or opportunities associated with waiting to launch elsewhere.
Eligibility and existing agreements
Review the product’s release history and commitments before building a forecast around First Run. A prior launch on another third-party PC store, relevant subscription availability, or an existing Epic exclusivity agreement can make a product ineligible under Epic’s stated rules.
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Economics after the exclusive term
Forecast the first six months separately from the period after exclusivity ends. The standard share’s $1 million threshold is measured by product and calendar year, not by a rolling 12-month window. If a First Run period crosses January 1, the calendar-year reset can affect when the standard split moves to 88%/12%.
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Epic lists home-page and collection-page placements and editorial opportunities for participating exclusive games, along with self-service discounts, seasonal sales, a weekly discount program, Epic Rewards for players, and waived Unreal Engine royalties on payments processed by Epic. These are program features or opportunities, not a guarantee that a particular title will receive a specific placement or achieve a commercial result. Developers should assess the operational value of Epic’s publishing tools and promotional options for their own launch.
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