[url]http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/11/11/retailers-say-steam-is-killing-the-pc-market-threaten-steam-ban/[/url]
[quote]UK Retailers are claiming that Steam’s online dominance is killing competition, saying that Steam’s integration into major games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops freezes out other digital distributors, and encourages gamers to buy through Valve instead of returning to stores. Some UK retailers are even threatening to stop selling products that use Steam, demanding that publishers release Steam-free versions of their games.
Speaking to MCV, the digital boss of a major UK retailer said “If we have a digital service, then I don’t want to start selling a rival in-store. Publishers are creating a monster – we are telling suppliers to stop using Steam in their games.” Head of Sales at a rival digital distribution store agreed, saying “At the moment the big digital distributors need to stock games with Steam. But the power resides with bricks and mortar retailers, they can refuse to stock these titles. Publishers are hesitant, but retail must put pressure on them.”
Insiders have reported that Steam holds 80% of the download sector, and there is concern among some that the success of the service could lead to a dominant iTunes style service that controls the market. Gaikai CEO David Perry told MCV that “Steam has made it so easy for everyone and they have lots of users. But how long do you wait before you take control of your own digital strategy? Like with iTunes, at some point it’s going to be too late.” The director of a rival digital distribution platform told MCV “Steam is killing the PC market and it is no wonder digital retailers are failing. Steam is locking down the market.”[/quote]
Steam to be the major marketer of PC Games by 2015.
Eh, there's not many PC games in stores around here anyway. It's all console stuff.
Steam is the market. Fuck the others
We can't lose game boxes and CD keys with Steam. I prefer Steam.
[img]http://memefolder.com/thumb/794.jpg[/img]
What's not to like?
Personally I would hate having to use multiple digital distribution systems to get games, though I can see where they're coming from with the monopoly argument.
I do think that there need to be steam free versions of games.
People like me don't always have a reliable internet connection to be able to sign into steam to play games.
There needs to be steam free versions or make offline mode work properly.
[QUOTE=Covalent;25991609]Steam to be the major marketer of PC Games by 2015.[/QUOTE]
It already is
"Steam offers a cheap and easy way to play games that is much superior to my method I want Steam to go away waaaaa"
"You're too good at your job, no fair!"
They offer superior prices and convenience, game stores can't possibly expect to compete with that?
Retail stores are a dying breed. Those wanting hard copies of their games will have to order directly from the publisher in the future.
Valve has have made clever choices, that's why they are running successfully. nothing wrong with that
Lol, I remember when I actually went out to get new games. I guess those times are history now, I don't mind really. I like to be able to buy my games through internet as a digital copy
Steam is great, because it's one of the least evil copy protections most people can tolerate.
By and large it's cheaper, so of course people are going to buy from it.
I wonder if the US government will break up steam like they did to microsoft, should steam become the only real retailer of pc games.
retailers butthurt cause their crappy online distribution systems suck.
I wonder will there be more online digital retailers in the future.
[QUOTE=Denicide;25991663]By and large it's cheaper, so of course people are going to buy from it.[/QUOTE]
Black Ops on Steam: £40
Black Ops at Game: £35
Nope.
[QUOTE=-Xemit-;25991656]I don't get it. Why do retailers have a problem with selling steam-activated games. They still get the money from selling it. And, for example, with my connection buying retail versions is the only sensible way. Seriously, waiting 2 days for a game to download is not cool.[/QUOTE]
My blackops downloaded incredibly fast. First it had paused the multiplayer download and was downloding SP only. Then after like 30minutes both were 46%, then later they were complete, within few hours.
Steam just works, has a few issues of course with account security and stability, but it works better than GFWL and EA manager.
How to not get killed by steam:
Step 1) Lower your GOD DAMN FUCKING PRICES. FUCK
Step 2) You are now able to successfully compete on the market.
Indeed, money is everything.
Yay
so does that mean steam is becoming a monopoly?
On the one hand it's true, I never go to stores to buy my games any more. On the other hand, you can't start criticising something or someone for having a good idea and being successful.
Besides that, I'm surprised it even matters. Most of the time, even before Steam hit it big, I would go into game shops and the PC section would be the smallest section of the shop. I don't see what their problem is.
As the Heavy would put it: cry some more.
[QUOTE=Jiyoon;25991724]Yay
so does that mean steam is becoming a monopoly?[/QUOTE]
In a sense yeah. However if shit hits the fan the USA government will force Valve to sell stock and anyone using Steamworks will own part of Valve/Steam. Although thats a tad extreme I wouldnt put it past the government.
[QUOTE=David29;25991750]On the one hand it's true, I never go to stores to buy my games any more. On the other hand, you can't start criticising something or someone for having a good idea and being successful.
Besides that, I'm surprised it even matters. Most of the time, even before Steam hit it big, I would go into game shops and the PC section would be the smallest section of the shop. I don't see what their problem is.
As the Heavy would put it: cry some more.[/QUOTE]
Gamestop: PC gets one small 2 sided shelf in middle of store. Rest of store is consoles.
[quote]Some UK retailers are even threatening to stop selling products that use Steam, demanding that publishers release Steam-free versions of their games.[/quote]
So people are just going to buy them on steam, so it's the retailers that lose out.
Soon steam will be as large as Gabe.
[QUOTE=DienDwemar;25991774]Soon steam will be as large as Gabe.[/QUOTE]
Thats quite large
[img_thumb]http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/9/2010/07/4dfec2f780b288213a217412fb992b81/original.jpg[/img_thumb]
Retailers are just going to be shooting themselves in the foot if they stop selling large titles due to Steam, really I don't see any point in buying hard copies of PC games anymore.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.