Is There Any Way to Put Epic Games on Steam? A Complete Guide
Many gamers find themselves caught in the competition between platforms, especially when it comes to popular titles available on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. Steam, owned by Valve, provides a robust library of games, community features, and an extensive friend network. Meanwhile, the Epic Games Store has garnered attention for exclusive releases and free game promotions. If you’re wondering whether you can integrate Epic Games titles into your Steam library, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore how to add Epic Games to Steam, the limitations of this integration, and some considerations to bear in mind.
Adding Epic Games Launchers to Steam
While you cannot directly transfer your Epic Games titles to Steam, you can add the Epic Games Launcher itself as a non-Steam game to your Steam library. This step allows you to access your Epic Games titles from the Steam interface, albeit with some limitations.
Step 1: Open Steam
To begin, launch the Steam desktop client on your computer. Make sure you are logged into your Steam account.
Step 2: Access the Games Menu
Once you’re in Steam, locate the menu at the top of the window. Click on the “Games” option.
Step 3: Add a Non-Steam Game
In the dropdown menu, select “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.” This option allows you to browse through your computer’s files to find the application you wish to add.
Step 4: Find the Epic Games Launcher
In the pop-up window, you will see a list of programs installed on your computer. Look for the Epic Games Launcher. If it doesn’t show up, click on “Browse…” and navigate to the installation folder of the Epic Games Launcher, typically located in C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Launcher\Portal\Binaries\Win64\
. Select “EpicGamesLauncher.exe” and click “Open.”
Step 5: Add the Launcher
Once you have located the launcher, ensure it is checked in the list, and then click on the “Add Selected Programs” button located at the bottom of the window. The Epic Games Launcher will now be available in your Steam library.
Step 6: Launching Epic Games from Steam
With the Epic Games Launcher added to your Steam library, you can now launch it directly from Steam. However, keep in mind that launching Epic Games through Steam doesn’t integrate the two platforms – it merely provides a way to access your Epic library from within Steam.
Limitations and Considerations
While integrating Epic Games into your Steam experience can make accessing your library more convenient, there are several important limitations to be aware of:
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No Shared Library: Just because you’ve added the Epic Games Launcher to Steam doesn’t mean your Epic games are now part of your Steam library. You will still need to launch each game from the Epic Games Launcher, and you won’t have access to Steam’s achievements, trading cards, or community features for those titles.
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Game Ownership: If you own a game on Epic, you will have to purchase it again on Steam if you want to access Steam-specific features. Titles often need to be bought separately due to licensing agreements.
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Cross-Platform Play: Some games allow cross-platform play between Steam and Epic Games, meaning you can play with friends on either platform. However, not all games support this feature, so it’s important to check the specific game’s capabilities.
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Friends Lists: Adding Epic Games to Steam does not merge your friends lists. You will still have to navigate between platforms to connect with friends playing on different stores.
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Performance and Updates: Games may perform differently depending on the platform due to varying optimization and update schedules. Each platform has its own client updates and performance tweaks.
Conclusion
While you cannot fully integrate Epic Games titles into your Steam library, adding the Epic Games Launcher as a non-Steam game provides a convenient way to manage your gaming experience across both platforms. Understanding the limitations of this integration helps you navigate your gaming options without frustration. With just a few steps, you now have access to your Epic Games library through the familiar interface of Steam, making it simpler to launch your favorite games. Enjoy gaming across both platforms, and may your adventures be epic!