Q: What kinds of research does Epic run?

Studies vary in length and format. The most common are: Online surveys : short, self-paced questionnaires you complete on your own time Interviews : a conversation with a researcher, one-on-one or in a small group, about your experiences and opinions Playtests : you play a build or prototype while a researcher observes and asks questions Studies are run either remotely over Zoom or in person at our office in Cary, North Carolina.

Question 1

What is the Epic Games Feedback and User Research Program?

Accepted Answer

It’s how Epic hears directly from the people who play our games and use our tools. We invite players and creators to try things out, answer questions, and tell us what works and what doesn't—sometimes long before a feature is released. When you join, you’re added to our research database, and we reach out by email when a study matches your profile.

Question 2

What kinds of research does Epic run?

Accepted Answer

Studies vary in length and format. The most common are:

Online surveys: short, self-paced questionnaires you complete on your own time
Interviews: a conversation with a researcher, one-on-one or in a small group, about your experiences and opinions
Playtests: you play a build or prototype while a researcher observes and asks questions

Studies are run either remotely over Zoom or in person at our office in Cary, North Carolina.

Question 3

What will I be giving feedback on?

Accepted Answer

A wide variety of products (games, tools, websites, and more). What you’ll see depends on the study you’re invited to participate in. Some studies involve released products; others involve early or unreleased work.

Question 4

Do I need to be a skilled or experienced player?

Accepted Answer

No. We’re not testing you, we’re testing our products. We welcome players of all kinds and all interests. Studies often vary in what kind of player or user would be best to get feedback from so please just let us know on the sign-up sheet! There are no right or wrong answers, and telling us something didn’t work is exactly the kind of feedback we’re after.

Question 5

Is signing up a commitment?

Accepted Answer

No. Signing up adds you to our database so we can contact you about opportunities. Every invitation is optional: you can decline any study, and you can remove yourself from the database at any time.

Question 6

Does Epic act on this feedback?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Research findings go to the teams building the products, and they inform design and product decisions. We can’t share which specific changes came from which specific study, but the work is used to improve what we make.

Question 7

Who can participate?

Accepted Answer

To join the research database you must be:

18 years of age or older
A resident of the United States

For remote studies, you’ll also need a reliable high-speed internet connection. Individual studies may have additional requirements like a specific platform, device, or play history, for example. We’ll explain more if needed when we contact you.

Question 8

Why is the program limited to the United States?

Accepted Answer

Our research database currently operates in the U.S. only. We recognize this leaves out a lot of players, and it’s something we may revisit in the future.

Question 9

Why do I have to be 18 or older?

Accepted Answer

Our research program is designed for adults, and we screen for age when you create your account. We don’t enroll participants under 18.

Question 10

Can I take part if I work in the games industry?

Accepted Answer

Generally, no. We screen out people who work in game development or publishing, market research or user research, and advertising or marketing for gaming companies. Professional familiarity with how games get made changes how someone responds, and we need feedback that reflects the broader player experience.

Question 11

How do I sign up?

Accepted Answer

Use the sign-up link on this page to create an Epic account or link an existing one and then create a research profile. You’ll answer a short set of questions about yourself and how you play, which we then use to match you to relevant studies. The more accurate your profile, the better we can match you.

Question 12

Is there any cost to participate?

Accepted Answer

No. Participating is always free. Epic will never ask you to pay anything, and we will never ask for your bank details, Social Security number, or payment information in order to take part in a study.

Question 13

How will I know if I’ve been selected?

Accepted Answer

We contact participants by email. If a study looks like a potential fit for your profile, you’ll receive an invitation with a short survey: a few extra questions to confirm you match what the study needs. Completing the survey doesn’t guarantee a spot; studies are often oversubscribed.

Question 14

How often will I hear from you?

Accepted Answer

It varies. Invitations depend on what’s being studied at the time and which profiles those studies need. Some people are contacted within weeks of signing up while others may not hear from us for months. There’s no set schedule.

Question 15

I signed up a while ago and haven’t been contacted. Did something go wrong?

Accepted Answer

Almost certainly not. We only reach out when a study needs your specific profile, so quiet stretches are normal. Two things that help: keep an eye on your spam folder, and make sure your profile details are up to date, since we match on what’s in your profile.

Question 16

Can I ask to be included in a specific study?

Accepted Answer

No. Participants are selected based on the criteria each study requires, and we can’t take requests. Keeping your profile current is the best way to be considered for a wider range of studies.

Question 17

Will I be rewarded for participating?

Accepted Answer

Some studies offer a reward and some don’t. If a study offers a reward, and you are eligible for the study and the reward, we tell you the exact amount in the invitation, before you agree to participate. Rewards are never promised at the time you sign-up to be contacted for research opportunities, because your eligibility has not yet been determined at that time.

Question 18

How and when do I receive a reward?

Accepted Answer

Eligible participants who are selected to participate in a study that offers a reward may receive a digital reward, such as a gift card or other reward, after completing the study. Delivery details are included in the study invitation.

Question 19

What information do you collect when I sign up?

Accepted Answer

We collect contact details so we can reach you, and demographic information you provide about yourself and how you play for the purpose of matching you to relevant studies or research opportunities. Epic’s processing of your personal information is governed by the Epic Games Privacy Policy.

Question 20

What do you do with my feedback?

Accepted Answer

We use it internally to improve our products and as described in our Epic Games Privacy Policy.

Question 21

Is my feedback anonymous?

Accepted Answer

Your contact information is kept strictly confidential within our UX Research team. Please note that to help us improve our products, our development teams may review your feedback and video recordings of your gameplay.

Question 22

Will you use my information to send me marketing?

Accepted Answer

No. Signing up for research does not sign you up for marketing. Your information is used for research purposes as described in our Epic Games Privacy Policy and signing up for the database is separate from any Epic marketing email list.

Question 23

Will I have to sign an NDA?

Accepted Answer

Studies often involve unreleased content, so you may be asked to agree to keep what you see confidential. The NDA helps ensure our ability to continue to get your feedback and improve our products, so we appreciate your cooperation.

Question 24

Can I talk about or stream what I saw in a study?

Accepted Answer

No. Research sessions frequently involve content that isn’t public, and what you see in a session, including the fact that a particular product or feature exists, must stay confidential.

We want your feedback

How it works

Getting invited

Frequently asked questions

About the program

What is the Epic Games Feedback and User Research Program?

What kinds of research does Epic run?

What will I be giving feedback on?

Do I need to be a skilled or experienced player?

Is signing up a commitment?

Does Epic act on this feedback?

How it works

Getting invited

Frequently asked questions

About the program

What is the Epic Games Feedback and User Research Program?

What kinds of research does Epic run?

What will I be giving feedback on?

Do I need to be a skilled or experienced player?

Is signing up a commitment?

Does Epic act on this feedback?