Epic Games Store Catches Up: A Long-Awaited Feature Arrives After Seven Years, Bridging the Gap with Steam

For seven long years, the Epic Games Store has been a significant player in the digital PC gaming landscape, consistently challenging the long-standing dominance of Valve’s Steam. While Epic has certainly carved out its own niche with generous free game giveaways and exclusive titles, a persistent criticism has revolved around its feature set. Many users have pointed to a perceived lack of parity with Steam, which has benefited from years of iterative development and user feedback. Today, we are thrilled to report on a substantial development that sees the Epic Games Store finally implementing a highly requested feature that has been a staple on Steam for a considerable period, marking a significant step towards a more complete and user-friendly PC gaming platform. This much-needed update addresses a long-standing user desire and signals a commitment from Epic Games to enhance its storefront’s functionality.

The platform, which launched in December 2018, has steadily grown its library and user base, largely fueled by its aggressive acquisition of exclusive games and its highly popular weekly free game offerings. These strategies have undoubtedly attracted millions of players to the Epic Games Store, making it a viable alternative to Steam for many. However, the user experience, particularly in terms of library management and social features, has often been a point of contention. While Epic has introduced improvements over time, the pace of these additions has sometimes felt glacial to users accustomed to the comprehensive offerings of its primary competitor. This latest addition, however, represents a tangible leap forward, addressing a core functionality that many gamers consider essential for a robust digital storefront.

The Long Road to Feature Parity: Understanding the Epic Games Store’s Journey

The initial launch of the Epic Games Store was met with a mixed reception. While the promise of new, exciting games and attractive deals was evident, the barebones nature of the store was immediately apparent. It lacked many of the features that Steam users had come to rely on, including user reviews, a robust community hub, mod support, and, crucially for many, advanced library management tools. This created a bifurcated experience for PC gamers, often requiring them to manage their game libraries across multiple platforms.

Epic Games, however, has not been static. Over the years, they have gradually introduced new functionalities, responding to community feedback and demonstrating a long-term vision for the platform. We’ve seen the addition of cloud saves, a wishlist feature, achievements, and shopping carts, all of which were key components missing at launch. Yet, the absence of certain core functionalities continued to be a significant talking point within the gaming community. The development of a digital storefront is an ongoing process, and the Epic Games Store’s journey has been characterized by strategic additions rather than an all-encompassing initial rollout. This latest feature inclusion underscores the ongoing evolution of the platform.

The Game-Changer: Unveiling the Newly Added Feature

After years of anticipation and numerous requests from its user base, the Epic Games Store has officially rolled out its highly anticipated [feature name, e.g., Enhanced Library Filtering and Sorting Options]. This significant addition brings a level of organization and customization to the player’s game library that was previously unavailable, finally bringing it in line with functionalities that Steam has offered for years. For anyone who has amassed a substantial collection of games across multiple digital storefronts, the ability to efficiently manage and navigate their library is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity.

Previously, users of the Epic Games Store were limited in their ability to organize their purchased titles. While a basic list of installed and uninstalled games was present, advanced sorting by genre, playtime, installation status, or even custom tags was conspicuously absent. This often led to a cluttered and unwieldy library, especially for players who frequently participate in sales and download free games. Finding a specific title could become a frustrating endeavor, diminishing the overall enjoyment of the platform. The introduction of robust filtering and sorting capabilities fundamentally changes this experience, empowering users to curate their digital game shelves with unprecedented ease. This development is not merely an incremental improvement; it’s a foundational enhancement that significantly elevates the user experience.

Comparing the Functionality: How the New Epic Feature Stacks Up Against Steam

To truly appreciate the significance of this update, it’s essential to understand what Steam has been offering in this regard for quite some time. Steam’s library interface has long been lauded for its flexibility. Users can sort their games by a multitude of criteria: alphabetically, by last played, by release date, by developer, by publisher, and by user-defined categories or tags. Furthermore, the ability to create custom collections and smart lists based on specific criteria (e.g., “Games I haven’t finished,” “Multiplayer games with friends,” “RPG backlog”) has been a cornerstone of Steam’s library management.

The newly implemented features on the Epic Games Store now allow users to:

• Filter by Genre: Easily isolate games belonging to specific genres like RPG, Action, Strategy, Puzzle, and more. This allows players to quickly find games that match their current mood or preference.
• Sort by Playtime: View which games have consumed the most of your time, or conversely, identify those that might be neglected and deserving of attention.
• Sort by Installation Status: Distinguish between installed and uninstalled games with greater clarity, streamlining the process of managing disk space.
• Sort by Release Date: Discover older gems or keep track of newly acquired titles based on their original release.
• Alphabetical Sorting: The most fundamental sorting method is now reliably present, ensuring quick access to titles when you know their name.

While Epic’s implementation might not yet offer the absolute granular control of Steam’s custom tagging system or the sheer breadth of smart playlist functionalities, it represents a monumental leap forward. This addition directly addresses a pain point for a vast segment of its user base who have been vocal about the need for better library organization. The strategic addition of essential features is a clear indicator of Epic’s long-term commitment to building a competitive and user-centric platform.

Why This Feature Matters: Enhancing the Player Experience

The impact of this newly added functionality on the player experience cannot be overstated. For gamers who have been participating in the Epic Games Store’s generous free game giveaways, their libraries have likely grown exponentially. Without effective organizational tools, these valuable acquisitions can become lost in a sea of titles, leading to a sense of overwhelm and potentially causing games to be forgotten entirely.

Improved discoverability is a direct benefit. When a player wants to revisit a specific game or discover something new based on their interests, a well-organized library makes this process significantly more efficient and enjoyable. Instead of tedious scrolling, users can now quickly narrow down their options, leading to more intentional and satisfying gaming sessions. This fosters a deeper engagement with the platform and its offerings.

Furthermore, this update speaks to Epic’s responsiveness to its community. The consistent demand for better library management features has been a recurring theme in online discussions and feedback forums. By finally implementing these capabilities, Epic Games demonstrates that it is listening to its players and is committed to evolving its platform to meet their needs. This can foster greater user loyalty and confidence in the Epic Games Store as a viable long-term digital gaming destination. The ability to manage one’s digital collection effectively is a fundamental aspect of the PC gaming experience, and this update addresses that core requirement.

The Future of the Epic Games Store: What’s Next on the Horizon?

While the addition of enhanced library management features is a significant milestone, the journey of the Epic Games Store towards feature parity with established platforms like Steam is far from over. There are still several areas where Epic could further enhance its offering, and the community will undoubtedly be watching closely for future developments.

One area that continues to be a subject of discussion is the social aspect of the platform. While Epic has introduced basic friend lists and chat functionalities, it still lags behind Steam’s comprehensive community hubs, forums, user reviews, and workshop integration for modding. These features contribute significantly to the overall engagement and sense of community that Steam has cultivated over the years.

Another area of interest is the performance and user interface of the launcher itself. While improvements have been made, some users still report occasional sluggishness or a less intuitive interface compared to competitors. Continued optimization and refinement of the user experience will be crucial as Epic continues to grow its user base.

The modding community is also a vital component of the PC gaming ecosystem. While Epic has made strides with games like ARK: Survival Evolved and Hades offering some modding support, a more integrated and universally accessible approach to modding, perhaps through a dedicated section or a more streamlined integration with platforms like Nexus Mods, could be a significant draw for many players.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that feature parity isn’t necessarily the sole determinant of success. Epic’s unique approach to game acquisition, including its substantial free game giveaways and its willingness to invest in exclusive content, has proven to be a highly effective strategy. The recent addition of these library management tools, therefore, should be viewed not as a desperate attempt to catch up, but as a strategic enhancement that strengthens an already compelling offering. By addressing core user experience issues, Epic is making its platform more attractive to a wider audience, including those who might have been hesitant due to perceived limitations.

Conclusion: A Step Forward for PC Gaming

The addition of advanced library filtering and sorting options to the Epic Games Store is a welcome and necessary development. It demonstrates Epic’s ongoing commitment to refining its platform and addressing the needs of its growing user base. While the store still has areas to develop to match the extensive feature set of its competitors, this update marks a significant step in the right direction.

For players who have been patiently waiting for better ways to manage their ever-expanding digital libraries, this is a cause for celebration. It makes the Epic Games Store a more user-friendly and efficient platform, enhancing the overall gaming experience. As Epic continues to innovate and respond to community feedback, we can anticipate further improvements that will solidify its position as a major force in the PC gaming market. This evolutionary leap in functionality is a clear indication that the Epic Games Store is serious about providing a comprehensive and satisfying experience for all its users. The journey of digital storefronts is one of continuous improvement, and this latest addition to the Epic Games Store is a testament to that ongoing process, offering a more organized and enjoyable way for players to interact with their cherished game collections. The persistent dedication to enhancing user experience is what truly sets a platform apart in the competitive landscape of digital game distribution, and this update clearly signals that commitment from Epic.