When Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout debuted in August 2020, it quickly became a sensation, providing chaotic, battle royale-style fun wrapped in colorful multiplayer mayhem. Developed by Mediatonic and originally published by Devolver Digital, the game’s blend of obstacle-course competition and slapstick physics was an instant hit, especially among streamers and social media users. It became one of the most downloaded PlayStation Plus games and saw massive success on PC via Steam. However, in 2022, players noticed a shift — the game transitioned to a free-to-play model and mysteriously vanished from Steam for new users. What happened?
This article explores the circumstances leading to Fall Guys’ removal from Steam’s storefront, the implications of its new free-to-play business model, and the broader strategy of its current publisher: Epic Games.
Contents
The Meteoric Rise of Fall Guys
Fall Guys hit the gaming community like a colorful tidal wave. Combining elements of TV game shows like Wipeout with the mass-competition format made famous by battle royale games, Fall Guys stood out for its lighthearted, accessible style. It provided a welcome break from the grittier, shooter-heavy games that dominated competitive online gaming. The game reached over 2 million sales on Steam in the first week.
The humorous ragdoll physics and charming aesthetic were only part of the appeal. Mediatonic offered seasonal updates, themed events, and constant tweaks to add new life into the game. It was widely praised for its inclusivity and appeal to a diverse group of gamers.
Epic Games Acquires Mediatonic
The turning point came in March 2021, when Epic Games, known for Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, acquired Tonic Games Group, the parent company of Mediatonic. Epic’s acquisition strategy has been clear in recent years: build a gaming ecosystem under their Epic Games Store umbrella, rivaling platforms like Steam.
At the time, Mediatonic reassured players:
- Fall Guys would remain on Steam for existing users.
- Future versions would not remove content from previously supported platforms.
- The team would gain resources to enhance the game’s development.
Though tension rose among some fans, it seemed like Fall Guys would maintain its accessibility across platforms — at least for a while.
Transition to Free-to-Play
In June 2022, Mediatonic, now operating under Epic’s strategic direction, announced that Fall Guys would be rebranding as a free-to-play title. The move was meant to open the gates to a broader player base and followed in the footsteps of Epic’s flagship game, Fortnite.
Alongside the free-to-play transition came several other changes:
- Cross-platform support: Players could now play together across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
- Account migration: Users were encouraged to link their accounts to Epic Games accounts.
- New in-game currency: Instead of Crowns being the sole reward currency, players encountered a variety of currencies like Kudos and Show-Bucks.
These updates revitalized the game and introduced it to millions of new players. But fans quickly realized that there’s a catch: Fall Guys was no longer available for new users to download on Steam.
Why Fall Guys Was Removed From Steam for New Users
To put it concisely, Epic wanted exclusivity. The PC version of Fall Guys is now exclusively available via the Epic Games Store. While existing users who had already downloaded the game on Steam can still play and receive updates, new players have no option but to go through Epic for the game.
The move aligns with Epic’s broader strategy to personalize its ecosystem of players and reduce reliance on distribution behemoths like Valve’s Steam. By offering the game only through its own store, Epic can:
- Directly engage players via its Epic launcher.
- Gather cleaner analytics and player behavior data.
- Maintain control over microtransactions and cosmetic store integrations.
- Avoid the 30% revenue cut typically taken by the Steam platform.
It’s a business-savvy move, but for many users who prefer consolidating their PC gaming libraries on Steam, the decision was met with frustration.
Impact on Players and Community Reactions
The reaction within the gaming community was mixed. Some players welcomed the free-to-play model and the influx of new features and seasonal content. Others criticized the sudden shift, worried that a game that began as a pay-once model was now becoming too commercialized.
Additionally, many PC players were not thrilled about launching yet another game launcher — Epic’s store still trails Steam in several quality-of-life features such as cloud saves, mod support, and an extensive social ecosystem.
Concerns Raised Included:
- Loss of achievements and social integrations on Steam.
- Concerns over the longevity of support for existing Steam users.
- Fear that the game’s culture would shift toward a more monetized ecosystem.
Despite these criticisms, the transition managed to dramatically boost player counts. With the free-to-play model, Fall Guys reached 20 million players within just 48 hours.
Steam Users: What Now?
If you’re an existing Steam user who previously purchased the game, the good news is that your copy of Fall Guys will continue to work. In fact, all future updates, features, events, and content additions will still be supported. However, you will need to link an Epic Games account to continue playing, regardless of which platform you’re on.
For new players who prefer Steam, the reality is simple: unless Epic reverses its strategy (which is highly unlikely), you’ll need to adjust to using the Epic Games launcher for this title.
The Bigger Picture: A Trend in the Industry
The removal of Fall Guys from Steam highlights a broader industry trend where game developers and publishers increasingly seek to own their distribution channels. What started with Blizzard’s Battle.net and EA’s Origin platform has expanded as major studios like Ubisoft and Epic create their own ecosystems.
For companies, the benefits are clear: greater control, more profit per sale, and closer relationships with players. For users, however, this often results in fragmented experiences, where maintaining multiple launchers becomes the norm.
This strategy may bring in more revenue for the publishers, but it raises questions about player choice and the long-term sustainability of having many digital storefronts. Will convenience win, or will exclusivity continue to dominate?
Conclusion
Fall Guys’ disappearance from Steam isn’t a failing of the game; it’s an indicator of how today’s gaming landscape is shaped as much by business decisions as by gameplay innovation. The move to a free-to-play model broadened the game’s reach and likely rejuvenated its player base. However, the decision to remove it from Steam for new users reflects Epic Games’ bigger ambitions in the gaming market: to centralize control and revenue while competing head-to-head with the established (and dominant) Steam platform.
Time will tell whether the trade-off is worth it for players who now must juggle between multiple launchers and sign-ins just to play their favorite games. But one thing’s for certain: even in its new home, Fall Guys continues its chaotic quest to remain one of the most entertaining party games in recent memory.