epic games jackbox

Of course! Epic Games and Jackbox Games have a significant and important partnership, but they are separate companies. Heres a breakdown of their relationship and what it means for you as a player. The Core Relationship: Distribution Partnership Jackbox Games is the independent developer and publisher based in Chicago. They create the Jackbox Party Packs (You Don't Know Jack, Quiplash, Fibbage, etc.). Epic Games is the technology company and storefront (best known for Fortnite and the Unreal Engine). The Deal: Since 2019, Epic Games Store has been the exclusive PC digital storefront for new Jackbox Party Packs. This means: When a new Jackbox Party Pack (like Party Pack 10) is released, you can only buy it for PC on the Epic Games Store for a period of time (usually one year). After the one-year exclusivity period ends, the game typically also launches on Steam and other PC storefronts. Why Did Jackbox Make This Deal? Better Revenue Share: Epic Games Store takes a 12% cut of sales, compared to Steam's 30%. This means more money goes directly to Jackbox, a mid-sized independent studio. Marketing and Exposure: Epic likely provided a minimum sales guarantee and prominent featuring on their storefront, helping Jackbox reach a massive audience. Strategic Partnership: It aligns Jackbox with a major player in gaming, potentially opening doors for other collaborations. What This Means for You as a Player Pros Cons : : Price: Jackbox games are often cheaper on Epic, especially with their frequent store-wide sales and coupon events. Platform Lock-in: You must use the Epic Games Store launcher to play the PC versions you buy from them. Free Games: Epic frequently gives away entire older Jackbox Party Packs for free (they've given away Packs 3, 4, and 7 in the past). Delayed Steam Release: If you prefer Steam's community features, library, or achievements, you must wait 1 year for new packs. Cross-Platform Play Unaffected: The partnership only affects where you buy the PC host version. The gameplay experience is identical: You still play using your phones/tablets as controllers. You can still play with friends on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch) if they own the same pack. The games are not "trapped" in the Epic ecosystem for players. Important Clarifications Not on Game Pass: Jackbox games are not included with an Epic Games account or any Epic subscription service. They are separate purchases. Not in Fortnite: While Epic has brought games like Fall Guys and Rocket Racing into Fortnite, Jackbox games have not been integrated into Fortnite. They remain standalone party games. Console & Mobile Unaffected: This deal is for PC storefront distribution only. Jackbox releases on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile platforms independently and simultaneously. Bottom Line Think of Epic Games as Jackbox's exclusive PC retailer for new releases for a limited time. It's a business partnership that gives Jackbox a better deal and often results in lower prices and free games for players, at the cost of platform choice during the first year. Where to buy Jackbox now? For the latest Party Pack (10): PC version is only on Epic Games Store. For older Packs (1-9): Available on both Epic Games Store and Steam, as well as all major consoles. To play with friends on different systems: Just make sure everyone is using the same Party Pack number. The store where the host bought it doesn't matter.