Five reasons why Steam will destroy the PC games industry - Games

[url]http://www.gamesbrief.com/2010/05/five-reasons-why-steam-will-destroy-the-pc-games-industry[/url] In my opinion, Steam virtually created the idea of digital distribution of games, they were the first, it's no wonder they are also the largest. Still, many direct competitors to Steam are making good money in the same market, so Steam doesn't have anything even closely resembling a monopoly. Steam is not the Microsoft of digital distribution. The same idea of digital distribution opened the doors for cheap, cost-effective distribution for smaller developers, paving the way for the current indie "revolution". Thoughts?

Well at least we have games saved to an information cloud and not "Distributed" across the desk and in boxes.

cloud computing is the future.

Valve don't support the little guys? how about all the indie games on Steam?

I think a phrase from the article is 'I am pointing out the risks of letting one company completely dominate a market.' He is saying that this [i]could[/i] happen. However, I think it is very unlikely for Valve. Valve isn't a monopoly and probably won't ever be. You can't blame them if their fans enjoy their quality service. Likewise, even if they did gain a monopoly, they probably wouldn't push it, it wouldn't be in their best interest. [QUOTE=subenji99;22269485]I recall a similar argument when some Gearbox employee spoke on these lines, and a rebuttal by the Tripwire Interactive devs (Red Orchestra, Killing Floor) that they "wouldn't exist without Steam." The power Valve *could* wield with Steam over the games it sells is daunting, but not only are Valve not doing any of those things, it's in their best interest never to do so either. Besides, they're making ridiculous amounts of money from Steam as it is - why turn evil just to wring out 10% more in the short term, and risk the platform?[/QUOTE] Precisely; I believe their share a google-esk philosophy about not being evil. They wouldn't risk the future of their company, their fanbase and their reputation to 'wring out another 10%'.

I recall a similar argument when some Gearbox employee spoke on these lines, and a rebuttal by the Tripwire Interactive devs (Red Orchestra, Killing Floor) that they "wouldn't exist without Steam." The power Valve *could* wield with Steam over the games it sells is daunting, but not only are Valve not doing any of those things, it's in their best interest never to do so either. Besides, they're making ridiculous amounts of money from Steam as it is - why turn evil just to wring out 10% more in the short term, and risk the platform?

[QUOTE]Reason 3: The little guys don’t get a look in[/QUOTE] Isn't like, 25% of all steam games indie? And i think gmod fits into "the little guys". Hell, steam even serves as a mod database and platform. [editline]10:35PM[/editline] There even is an [URL="http://store.steampowered.com/genre/Indie"]indie section.[/URL] With 150 games on it.

[QUOTE=subenji99;22269485]I recall a similar argument when some Gearbox employee spoke on these lines, and a rebuttal by the Tripwire Interactive devs (Red Orchestra, Killing Floor) that they "wouldn't exist without Steam."[/QUOTE] Even funnier, Gearbox wouldn't exist without Valve either, seeing as they made three Half-Life expansions, ported it to two consoles, and worked on CS before they ever made their own IP with Brothers in Arms.

This article is pretty much all bullshit.

[QUOTE=KarmaPolice;22269720]Even funnier, Gearbox wouldn't exist without Valve either, seeing as they made three Half-Life expansions, ported it to two consoles, and worked on CS before they ever made their own IP with Brothers in Arms.[/QUOTE] If I remember right, Gearbox also did the Halo PC port, but that's for another time and topic. Quite frankly, i'm on the fence here. Valve could monopolize it and everything goes up a creek, or they just stay similar to how they are now and all. Whatever the case, though, you just know people are going to bitch at every corner. Oh well, more hilarious whine threads to read in the future.

hahahahaha are they serious

[QUOTE=Spiderfacev3;22270411]hahahahaha are they serious[/QUOTE]

Here's a decent business plan for valve. Put up commercials on tv about steam. Mention that it's amazing useful even if you don't own any PC games. Show off the flash UI, ease of use, and other cool features. Show how you get an edge on the xbox gamers with the in-game web browser and chat. Show how you can digitally download games BEFORE they come out. (pre download) I would buy Skate 3 right now if I could download it from XBL. Also mention that they're the creators of L4D, and all the others. Make CS 1.6 free. Everyone who just saw that commercial will now download this and play it. Those who don't own fancy computers, but have a lot of money will start upgrading their PC's. Imagine the money MS would make if people could upgrade their xbox. DUDE MY XBOX IS TEN TIMES MORE 'SPENSIVE THEN YOURS! People will now be buying more and more games and spreading the popularity of steam. It will become.. dare I say it... Mainsteam.

Steam is one of the top gaming pc platforms v:v:v . It IS mainstream

[QUOTE=BlackWolf97;22270733]Here's a decent business plan for valve. Put up commercials on tv about steam. Mention that it's amazing useful even if you don't own any PC games. Show off the flash UI, ease of use, and other cool features. Show how you get an edge on the xbox gamers with the in-game web browser and chat. Show how you can digitally download games BEFORE they come out. (pre download) I would buy Skate 3 right now if I could download it from XBL. Also mention that they're the creators of L4D, and all the others. Make CS 1.6 free. Everyone who just saw that commercial will now download this and play it. Those who don't own fancy computers, but have a lot of money will start upgrading their PC's. Imagine the money MS would make if people could upgrade their xbox. DUDE MY XBOX IS TEN TIMES MORE 'SPENSIVE THEN YOURS! People will now be buying more and more games and spreading the popularity of steam. It will become.. dare I say it... Mainsteam.[/QUOTE] Why aren't you in marketing? :v

[QUOTE=The freeman;22271305]Steam is one of the top gaming pc platforms v:v:v . It IS mainstream[/QUOTE] If the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 requires Steam then that is proof that it is mainstream. [editline]10:26PM[/editline] Jus' saying

When it comes to software, Steam is mainstream, everybody should have it. Although the diversity of the games that are being sold on Steam is huge. Everything from mainstream games such as cod to small indie games you'd probably never hear of if it weren't for Steam. And what does he mean "doesn't help the little guys". Have you seen what happens when an Indie game releases on steam? It's featured on the store home page. Pretty much every steam game is featured on the home page. Amazing and extensive PR.

None of the reasons apply to Steam, Gabe Newell was too awesome to all them to happen. :v:

'The little guys don't get a look in'. I'm [I]quite[/I] sure that half the indie games out today wouldn't have gotten half the reception they would have gotten without being distributed by Valve via Steam.

Stupid me, I've been ninja'd thrice in the same thread.

Steam is not the first digital distribution platform, and became the largest only in like 2008

After losing $300+ worth of games from Steam because of a small credit card hiccup, I'm against the idea. It is a GREAT idea, it really is, but having ALL your games on one site, one thing, is dangerous and unstable. It's good to have it around, but not good for it to become the ONLY way to play.

No indie support? Didn't Valve pick up a shitton of indie developers?

[QUOTE]I keep hearing that is getting harder and harder to get onto Steam, and if you don’t, then your game won’t sell.[/QUOTE] Man, the My Petz Horses team must've pulled out all the stops.

Didn't it take forever for Rockstar to get on steam? Or was it Ubisoft?

If I ever had to let one company dominate their respective market, it would be Valve. They, of all software companies, care the most for the little guys.

His argument with pricing is plain retarded. Steam often has sales that have a large quantity of games a very cheap price, a great example is GTA4 for $7.50.

Introversion Software wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Valve.

As long as Newell is the CEO I don't think we're gonna have stuff like that But I bet whatever amount of money you damn well please Valve will eventually turn into EA, because all good things have to end Also yeah, I agree that some of Steam's aspects are really worrying, such as the fact that you can get all your purchases taken away all of a sudden, which pretty much sucks

If Valve teams up with EA, i will seriously kill myself.