Bandcamp
2022
Why
Epic acquired Bandcamp, the music marketplace that allows independent artists to sell music directly to fans, as part of its broader strategy to build a creator economy platform that competed with platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud in the independent music space.
Impact
The acquisition gave Epic a foothold in the music industry and was initially seen as part of a broader metaverse and creator platform strategy. Bandcamp operated independently and maintained its artist-first positioning that had made it popular with independent musicians globally.
Outcome
Epic sold Bandcamp to Songtradr in 2023, just over a year after acquiring it, following the significant layoffs that accompanied Epic broader restructuring. The sale reflected the difficulty of connecting music and gaming ecosystems and Epic refocus on its core gaming and technology platform businesses.