Is God of War Ragnarok on Steam?
The wait is almost over for fans of the popular action-adventure series God of War. After the massive success of the 2018 game, many are eagerly anticipating the next installment, God of War Ragnarok. But what about the platform war that has been raging between the gaming community? Is God of War Ragnarok available on Steam, the world’s largest digital distribution platform for PC games? Or is it exclusive to other platforms? Let’s dive into the details.
Initial Release and Platforms
On November 9, 2021, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Santa Monica Studio officially announced God of War Ragnarok, a direct sequel to the 2018 game. The game is planned for release on PlayStation consoles, specifically the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. At no point has there been any mention of a Steam release or a PC version outside of the Epic Games Store.
Epic Games Store Exclusive
As reported by various gaming news outlets, God of War Ragnarok will be available on the Epic Games Store for PC, with a minimum system requirement of an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card. The game will also feature exclusive content, including:
- Improved graphics optimized for PC
- Enhanced controls utilizing the Epic Games Store’s proprietary controller support
- Exclusive digital artwork, including concept art and renders
Why the Steam Snub?
Industry insiders and analysts speculate that Sony’s decision to publish God of War Ragnarok on the Epic Games Store rather than Steam might be due to several factors, including:
- Digital storefront competition: By avoiding Steam, Sony might aim to reduce competition with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, which has been expanding its PC offerings.
- Revenue share: Epic Games takes a 12% revenue share from games sold on its platform, whereas Steam’s revenue share can range from 10-30% depending on factors like game price and volume.
- Lack of Steam support for next-gen consoles: With Sony’s focus on next-generation console gaming, releasing on Steam might not provide the same level of technical and marketing support as an exclusive Epic Games Store release.
What Does This Mean for PC Gamers?
For PC gamers looking to play God of War Ragnarok, there is a silver lining:
- Epic Games Store exclusivity: As God of War Ragnarok will be available on the Epic Games Store, users already familiar with the platform or willing to create an account can access the game and enjoy its exclusive content.
- Potential cross-buy: Although not confirmed, there is a chance that God of War Ragnarok might offer cross-buy, allowing players to access both the PS4 and PC versions with a single purchase.
Comparison to the 2018 God of War
To provide perspective, the 2018 God of War was not initially available on Steam. Instead, it was an exclusive release on the PlayStation 4. As such, the PC release came later, in October 2019, when it was made available through Steam and Sony’s own PC gaming portal.
Key Dates and System Requirements
For those eager to dive into the world of Norse mythology, here are some essential dates and system requirements for God of War Ragnarok:
| Release Date | Platform(s) | Minimum System Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| November 2021 | PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5 | (Epic Games Store release) |
| Late 2022 (rumored) | Epic Games Store | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 (6 GB VRAM, Intel Core i5-2300 or AMD FX 6300) |
In conclusion, God of War Ragnarok will not be available on Steam. The game will be released as an exclusive title on the Epic Games Store for PC, with a planned launch in late 2022. While this news may disappoint some PC gamers, the Epic Games Store will still provide a convenient way to access the game. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, platform choices will undoubtedly remain a vital aspect of the gaming ecosystem.
