Is expanding the Epic Games Store catalog worth potential quality control issues?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether expanding the Epic Games Store catalog is worth potential quality control issues. This scenario involves balancing the desire for a larger game selection against the risk of compromising the store's reputation for curated, high-quality content. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering the impact on various stakeholders, evaluating key metrics, and designing an experiment to inform our decision-making process.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

1. What is the current size of the Epic Games Store catalog, and what's our target growth rate?

   • Why it matters: Understanding the scale helps assess the potential impact of expansion.
   • Hypothetical answer: Currently 1,000 games, aiming for 20% growth annually.
   • Impact: A larger catalog might require more robust quality control measures.

2. How does our current quality control process work, and what resources are allocated to it?

   • Why it matters: Identifies potential bottlenecks in scaling quality control.
   • Hypothetical answer: Manual review process with a team of 10, taking 1-2 weeks per game.
   • Impact: May need to consider automated tools or increased staffing for expansion.

3. What percentage of our revenue comes from top-tier games versus long-tail content?

   • Why it matters: Helps balance quality versus quantity in catalog expansion.
   • Hypothetical answer: 80% of revenue from top 20% of games.
   • Impact: Might suggest focusing on high-quality titles rather than sheer volume.

4. What are our users' primary complaints about the current game selection?

   • Why it matters: Identifies gaps that expansion could address.
   • Hypothetical answer: Limited indie game selection and niche genres.
   • Impact: Could guide targeted expansion in specific areas.

5. How do our competitors handle quality control for larger catalogs?

   • Why it matters: Provides industry context and potential best practices.
   • Hypothetical answer: Mix of automated tools, user ratings, and selective manual review.
   • Impact: Might inform a hybrid approach to quality control as we expand.