• Amazon Files Patent For What Seems Like a Steam Competitor
    36 replies, posted
[t]http://i.imgur.com/D5JsjWo.png[/t] [quote]Amazon’s (AMZN) new patents outlining the development of a video game distribution platform, hint that the tech giant may finally be ready to take on Steam in the digital video game distribution market. Fresh off the acquisition of popular video game streaming site, Twitch, for $970 million, Amazon seems to be setting the stage to expand its online empire into the video game marketplace. Amazon’s patents (us20170001111a1) describe a user interface that can be used to “order, purchase, or otherwise obtain demo or full versions of games”. In addition the patent outlines a “spectator UI” that can be used to “view broadcast streams, join live game session and start new game sessions”.[/quote] [url=https://autconomy.com/2017/01/29/is-amazon-taking-on-steam/]Autconomy[/url] [url=https://autconomy.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/us20170001111a1.pdf]PDF file of the patent itself[/url] Seems like a downgrade to most platforms, seeing as how it's region locked to the US in the patents, but good luck to Amazon for at least trying.
Software patents are the devil.
What point is this anyways, Amazon doesn't own any Video game companies. Usually the competitors to Steam are publishing companies big enough to warrant making their own walled gardens. But in the case of Amazon they really don't have any exclusivity or reasons to push for such a marketplace at all. There's no incentives to sign up, so I'd like to see what they would do. Would it just be Amazon Games client where you can order games diigtally in an easier way? Who knows.
Honestly the idea of watching Twitch in a Steam-like client is so beyond stupid, I can't help but wonder if businessmen ever realize how silly it is. The same thing is with Curse at least functionality in Curse is much better. But I just don't see the purpose when I can max out theater mode in a internet browser instead.
Why do I feel this will be more region locked than Steam ever was.
So they're patenting software steam has had for years? Can someone clarify
[QUOTE=FezianEmperor;51755020]What point is this anyways, Amazon doesn't own any Video game companies. Usually the competitors to Steam are publishing companies big enough to warrant making their own walled gardens. But in the case of Amazon they really don't have any exclusivity or reasons to push for such a marketplace at all. There's no incentives to sign up, so I'd like to see what they would do. Would it just be Amazon Games client where you can order games diigtally in an easier way? Who knows.[/QUOTE] Amazon has a game studio
Though, if they actually want to make a Steam competitor (unlike Uplay, Origin and such, because those are for Ubisoft games only, or EA Games only), Steam might actually get their shit together if Amazon happens to become big. Better customer support and such.
Great now instead of having my games split between Steam Origin Uplay and GoG, i can now add Amazon's shit list to that awesome list. yay
[QUOTE=FezianEmperor;51755020]What point is this anyways, Amazon doesn't own any Video game companies. Usually the competitors to Steam are publishing companies big enough to warrant making their own walled gardens. But in the case of Amazon they really don't have any exclusivity or reasons to push for such a marketplace at all. There's no incentives to sign up, so I'd like to see what they would do. Would it just be Amazon Games client where you can order games diigtally in an easier way? Who knows.[/QUOTE] Amazon owns a fork of Cryengine and at least one game studio. Even so, more competition against Steam would be fantastic. Maybe then Valve would get their shit in order, especially when it comes to support. Imagine a Steam with live chat support that could actually do something...
[QUOTE=Lolkork;51755125]you forgot windows store and battle.net[/QUOTE] Battle.net is exclusive to Blizzard games. Nobody buys anything on Windows Store :v
[QUOTE=DogGunn;51755129]Amazon owns a fork of Cryengine and at least one game studio. Even so, more competition against Steam would be fantastic. Maybe then Valve would get their shit in order, especially when it comes to support. Imagine a Steam with live chat support that could actually do something...[/QUOTE] To be honest Amazon customer support would be something ridiculous in comparison to Steam.
[QUOTE=Steel & Iron;51755013][t]http://i.imgur.com/D5JsjWo.png[/t] [/QUOTE] I see they're launching thier No Man's Sky competitor as thier killer app.
[QUOTE=Mingebox;51755148]I see they're launching thier No Man's Sky competitor as thier killer app.[/QUOTE] no, it can't be no man's sky because this game seems to have multiplayer
Vapor. call it vapor
I really hope they do something akin to GOG in having an optional client while ultimately being DRM free.
[QUOTE=AnnieOakley;51755274]I really hope they do something akin to GOG in having an optional client while ultimately being DRM free.[/QUOTE] Considering how they do Twitch Prime's game giveaways I'm pretty sure you'll be forced to download through the client. [editline]31st January 2017[/editline] Holy shit I just realized, the game on there is "Space Explorers." Star Citizen recently switched over to Amazon's branch of Cryengine. They're planning on throwing Star Citizen on here, aren't they?
While I like that Steam may be getting some proper competition, I'm certain that Amazon will pull all stops to push consumers onto its platform. They're not gonna launch it and hope people will hop on, they will spend enormous amounts of money securing as many big titles as they can for exclusivity to force users to register.
[QUOTE=Boilrig;51755103]Why do I feel this will be more region locked than Steam ever was.[/QUOTE] down under is almost non-existent I have doubts about the platform here, but there's nothing really stopping them from adding games to their digital book store
[QUOTE=FezianEmperor;51755020]What point is this anyways, Amazon doesn't own any Video game companies.[/QUOTE] I was looking on Glassdoor yesterday. They are apparently paying character artists top dollar, rivaling some of the biggest game companies. They're making a big push to produce first party content.
[QUOTE=StrawberryClock;51755018]Software patents are the devil.[/QUOTE] "Bad Amazon, competition bad"
[QUOTE=DOG-GY;51755630]I was looking on Glassdoor yesterday. They are apparently paying character artists top dollar, rivaling some of the biggest game companies. They're making a big push to produce first party content.[/QUOTE] I mean, there's no question that Amazon has the capital or the ability to pick up high talent. Its just that they're completely new to the game market so I remain skeptical on what they'll deliver.
[QUOTE=LoneWolf_Recon;51755667]I mean, there's no question that Amazon has the capital or the ability to pick up high talent. Its just that they're completely new to the game market so I remain skeptical on what they'll deliver.[/QUOTE] Yeah I agree. Whether or not their strategy will pay off is a totally different ballpark lol
[QUOTE=RocketSnail;51755633]"Bad Amazon, competition bad"[/QUOTE] How are you equating being informed on patents being abused to being against competition?
(actually wait i'm a fucking idiot the image in the op literally has buying games in it) This seems to be more about streaming and less about buying games. [t]http://i.imgur.com/FlzDBtE.png[/t] [t]http://i.imgur.com/OpvqxWe.png[/t] Stuff like above looks to be an interactive version of Twitch. It would help if the PDF was searchable though.
So do you have to pay to modify someone's game as they play?
[QUOTE=Ajacks;51756051]So do you have to pay to modify someone's game as they play?[/QUOTE] Probably not. I assume they put that in there just as a safety net/patent troll type thing if they want to do it in the future, since paying actual money to just fuck with a streamer would go over real poorly.
[QUOTE=Ajacks;51756051]So do you have to pay to modify someone's game as they play?[/QUOTE] that's already done though for free [url]https://youtu.be/phyMtytCMck?t=7505[/url] Want to guess who's controlling the dragon?
Found where they talk about buying games. They have a figure in here that seems like an OnLive/PlayStation Now type streaming system for trying games: [t]http://i.imgur.com/K5wDDo0.png[/t] Also some other parts from the wordy bits: [quote] [0070] In some embodiments, the spectating system may leverage the game metadata [B]to allow spectators to join or “step into” games being broadcast via the spectating system[/B]. In some embodiments, the broadcast content presented to the spectators on a spectating UI may include user interface elements [B]via which spectators can order, purchase, or oth- erwise obtain demo or full versions of games[/B]. In some embodiments, game client software and game data for participating in demo or full versions of online games [B]may be obtained and downloaded to the spectator’s devices via the spectating system interfaces and broadcast streams[/B]. [/quote] [quote] [0071] In some embodiments, the spectators may use the spectating UI to obtain the game client software, game data, characters, and gear via the broadcast streams, and may also obtain, “step into”, and replay previous game sessions or portions of game sessions. In some embodiments, [B]game states can be purchased or otherwise obtained[/B] via the spectating system interfaces and broadcast streams. In some embodiments, the broadcast content presented to the spec- tators on a spectating UI may include user interface elements via which [B]one or more game states, for example the game states provided with the game metadata, may be advertised, obtained by the spectator, and used to regenerate the game session universe and start or resume game play at the respective point in the game session timeline, with the spectator becoming a player and stepping into the game session universe and timeline, either using their own in- game character or avatar or stepping into and taking control of a character that is already in the game session[/B]. [/quote] They also reference Frame 744 a lot, which is on the right side of this image: [t]http://i.imgur.com/F4f52VA.png[/t] They mention that users can buy games from the frame, but doesn't say if it's buying it through Amazon or through their supposed service. [editline]31st January 2017[/editline] Actually, they mention at one point that it can be bought from the "Game system provider" [quote]As another example, the viewer may interact with the UI elements displayed in game information 744 pane to get more information about the game, or to obtain or purchase the game, [B]from the game system provider or from some other source[/B].[/quote]
So is this a patent for interactive livestreaming?
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.