Bandcamp, a music marketplace founded in 2008, joins Epic Games This is according to a statement published on Wednesday. Bandcamp will “continue to operate as a distinct marketplace and music community,” wrote Ethan Diamond, Bandcamp co-founder and CEO. Diamond will continue to lead the team, which will remain focused on an artists-first revenue model.
Epic Games, the developer behind Unreal Engine and Fourteen days, is at first glance an unlikely buyer for a music distribution service. Diamond writes that the partnership will help Bandcamp “expand and drive development internationally,” citing everything from tech systems to live streaming services.
Bandcamp is a notable marketplace because, unlike competitors like Spotify, the profit margin is in the artist’s favour; A musician keeps “an average of 82% of every sale”. And Epic Games started with margins in favor of developers. After the success of Epic Games with Fourteen days,
In a press release from Epic Gamesthe developer announced that “Bandcamp will play an important role in Epic’s vision to build a marketplace ecosystem for creators across content, technology, games, art, music and more.”