[mog_dev]

Steam has Comprehensive library management with categories, tags, and collections, Built-in screenshot/video capture and sharing, Steam Workshop for mods and user-generated content, Robust review system, Steam Cloud saves with reliable sync, Family sharing and parental controls, Active discussion forums for each game, Stable, well-tested interface refined over 20+ years, Offline mode that actually works reliably, Big Picture mode for TV/controller use3

Epic: Basic library management, No user reviews system, Missing social features like forums, No mod support integration, Inconsistent cloud save functionality, Aggressive exclusive deals that remove games from other platforms, Perceived as "buying" market share rather than earning it, Heavy reliance on free games to attract users, Slower, less responsive launcher, More frequent bugs and crashes, Limited offline functionality Fewer accessibility options, No linux support and aggressive stance against free software in general.

[close04]

The only store that really stands out in that list is GOG so I don't really see it appropriately bundled with the others in the article. It's the one store with no DRM, you own the game. And you'll own it when the current owner/CEO dies and is replaced by a rent seeking MBA who charges you $10/mo to maintain access to the library of games you already "own" (for those who don't already do that).

For the rest of the stores some are better than others but at the end of the day they're "better features" rather than fundamentally better, like GOG is. Because ultimately what I'm doing is buying a game, not a forum or a review (as useful as those are), and definitely not renting a game.

[glimshe]

This. Everybody must remember that Steam doesn't sell games. It sells a license to run games on Steam.

You "have" games on Steam as much as you "have" the apartment you're currently renting.