Epic Games has made a strategic move by appointing Martin Keely as the new Vice President and General Manager of the Epic Games Store. This decision comes at a time when the storefront is striving to enhance its competitive edge against Valve’s Steam, which continues to dominate the PC gaming market.
Leadership Transition
Keely, who previously served as Senior Vice President overseeing the Battle.net launcher at Blizzard for seven years, steps into a role that was once held by Steve Allison. Allison, known for his advocacy of the Epic Games Store’s free games initiative, departed from the company in July to join Saber Interactive.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Keely expressed his enthusiasm for his new position, stating, “I’m excited to get started with the team delivering new capabilities that elevate player, creator and developer experiences. And I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to play a role in shaping an open and sustainable gaming ecosystem.” He also conveyed his eagerness to connect with his new colleagues and collaborate on future projects.
Experience and Vision
Reflecting on his tenure at Blizzard, Keely noted, “I learned something new every day” and took pride in the growth and success achieved during his time there, emphasizing the joy brought to millions of players worldwide.
Keely’s appointment is particularly significant as Epic seeks to establish a stronger foothold in the competitive landscape of digital game distribution. The company has faced challenges in gaining market share against Steam, which has a well-entrenched user base. Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, has been vocal about the need to address these challenges, criticizing Steam’s policies and highlighting the difficulties new multiplayer games face in attracting players who have already formed communities in established titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty.
While the specifics surrounding Keely’s recruitment remain somewhat ambiguous, it is evident that Epic is committed to enhancing the Epic Games Store’s offerings and positioning it as a formidable competitor in the gaming industry.
