Lords of the Fallen 2 Drops Epic Games Publishing Deal as CI Games Moves to Self Publishing

CI Games has officially ended its publishing arrangement with Epic Games for Lords of the Fallen 2, opening the door for the upcoming dark fantasy action RPG to move beyond its original Epic Games Store exclusive positioning on PC. The update was disclosed through a CI Games press release, where the company confirmed that it entered into a separation agreement with Epic Games on April 14, 2026.

According to the company’s disclosure, the agreement releases CI Games from the obligations connected to the binding publishing term sheet signed with Epic Games on June 14, 2024. In practical terms, this means Lords of the Fallen 2 is no longer set to be published by Epic Games and will instead move forward under CI Games’ own publishing structure. The original Epic agreement had placed the sequel in a controversial position among PC players, as Lords of the Fallen 2 was previously revealed as an Epic Games Store exclusive.

For PC players, the biggest implication is clear. Lords of the Fallen 2 may now have a path to additional PC storefronts, including Steam, although CI Games has not yet officially announced a Steam page or confirmed a revised PC distribution plan. At the time of this report, the game still appears on the Epic Games Store, where it is listed as coming soon.

This move is particularly notable because Epic Games Store exclusivity has remained a divisive topic among PC gamers. While exclusivity deals can help fund development and reduce financial risk for publishers, they can also limit access for players who prefer to keep their PC libraries on Steam or other storefronts. Lords of the Fallen 2 had already drawn criticism from parts of the community when its Epic exclusivity was announced, making this publishing change a major strategic pivot for CI Games.

The separation does not mean CI Games and Epic Games are ending their broader business relationship. CI Games stated that the agreement will not affect ongoing cooperation related to Unreal Engine, Epic Online Services, Epic Account Services, or the company’s participation in the Fortnite ecosystem. Those relationships will continue under separate agreements, meaning the publishing split is focused specifically on the Lords of the Fallen 2 publishing arrangement.

While the exact financial details were not disclosed, the decision appears to reflect a larger commercial recalculation. CI Games may see greater long term value in controlling the game’s publishing strategy directly, especially if broader PC storefront availability can expand the game’s reach at launch. For a Soulslike title competing in a crowded action RPG market, visibility across multiple platforms could become a major advantage.

The timing also matters. Lords of the Fallen 2 is expected to launch in August for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S and X. With only a short runway remaining before release, CI Games now has an opportunity to reshape the marketing message around broader availability, direct publishing control, and community responsiveness.

The studio has already been actively engaging with its audience. Earlier this month, CI Games and developer Hexworks revealed new female armor designs for the sequel after conducting a community poll. The artwork featured 5 female characters, Dark Justiciar, Kalanthia, Orath, the Radiant Priestess, and the Tlesie Huntress, with the designs adjusted in partnership with content creator TheBackgroundNPC. The game’s recent gameplay deep dive also received strong feedback from the community, with the developers describing the response as "incredible." Quote by: CI Games

For Lords of the Fallen 2, the publishing shift could be an important reset moment. The first Lords of the Fallen reboot developed by Hexworks built a strong foundation with its dual world concept, heavy atmosphere, and Soulslike combat structure, but it also faced criticism around performance, balance, and launch polish. A sequel gives CI Games the chance to refine the formula, improve combat responsiveness, and strengthen the identity of the franchise.

The decision to step away from Epic Games publishing may also help CI Games reduce friction with PC audiences before launch. In the current market, storefront availability can influence sentiment almost as much as gameplay trailers, system requirements, and review scores. By potentially opening the door to Steam and other platforms, CI Games could improve its position with players who were previously hesitant due to Epic Games Store exclusivity.

Still, expectations should remain measured until CI Games confirms the updated storefront plan. The separation agreement removes the previous publishing obligations, but it does not automatically confirm a Steam launch. What it does confirm is that CI Games now has more control over where and how Lords of the Fallen 2 is released on PC.

For now, Lords of the Fallen 2 has gained a more flexible publishing path at a crucial moment. With its August launch window approaching, the next important announcement will likely be whether CI Games officially confirms Steam availability and how the company plans to position the sequel across PC and consoles.

Do you think CI Games made the right move by stepping away from Epic Games publishing, and would a Steam release make you more likely to pick up Lords of the Fallen 2 at launch?