Steam integration

Kind of nullifies the convenience of the Steam automatic update system. Plus you have to get everyone to stop downloading everything else that Steam wants to show you (it's kind of like an overexcited kid , lol).

Wrong. I said "EVERYONE must update if anyone does" which is quite true for Counterstrike Source I can't vouch for all games on the platform however. Friends have complained recently about not being able to play in offline mode.
Learn how Steam works please before you spit out false accusations.

True, the availability of constant updates is nice, mandated updates not so much.

Don't be insulting. The fact is there is something wrong with Steam that does cause it to refuse to stop downloading "something". As I said it appears to be something related to housekeeping. Once it
starts, it will hang onto the connection like grim death, to the exclusion of all else, which causes some people to think they are having connection issues. This doesn't always happen but when it does it's
bad.

This is a popular idea, sort of like Kickstarter and I see the advantage in helping fund startups, really this is probably the best use for Steam, as a demo platform.

Opinion duely noted.

Alex Forbin

 

Don't flatter yourself, Alex. That was ridiculous.

 

In what way? If you just reformatted your computer? I'd say a huge thanks to Steam for letting me know which games needs an update or not. If I want to update my game, I'll press "update". Wow, weird.

Well of course you have to update Counterstike Source if there is an update to that game, dude, its an online game. Something important is probably fixed and why would you not update the game? Do you play that game mostly solo against bots? Well if so, you're pretty alone in that area.

And I'm spitting out false accusations? I've got all of my games on there, I know how it works, something you obviously dont.

If the game is an online game, of course you would have to update it. I've never seen a singleplayer game that have forced anyone to update it to start it. Besides, why would you not update your online games or singleplayer games in the first place?
Its like you're comparing updates to a game to DRM?

Well, its something I've never experienced.

Pluss a huge, enormous extra help in the free PR department. Pluss the ease for the developers to update and release quick fixes and patches for their game. Even free VAC cheat protection from Steam if this goes heavily multiplayer.

Good argument.

 

With 32 colors it had to be one. Just a lucky guess.

Alex Forbin

- - - Updated - - -

Guess I should mention that this is a LAN party, about 12-15 humans with bots for extra fodder. Before you say it, yes I do actually have some friends.

Finally! I get to talk to someone with intimate knowledge of the Steam platform. Once again the problem is, some people will bring their own computers, they believe as you do that Steam is awesome and leave it running in the background just so they don't miss an update. I on the other hand don't play games all the time, usually just on weekends. They update their games constantly, this forces ALL of the others to need to be updated before anyone can play. As a blithering idiot I anxiously await the oracles answer.

Once a game is stable I don't feel the need to constantly update it, unless there is new content or a serious bug fix. It goes back to the old saying " If it's not broken don't fix it." Actually now that you mention it Steam sometime feels like DRM.


Good argument. [/QUOTE]
Agreed, good to know. My sense of humor is not always understood.

Alex Forbin

 

That is EXACTLY what Steam is. Its just one of the better DRM services, to the point where some people feel that it isn't DRM. Also, aren't most of the updates to games on steam content and bug fixes? TF2 always gets new hats and bug fixes. GoldSrc games got updated recently to SteamPipe for better downloading/filesystem performance, and a Linux port, as did CSS and HL2DM, with TF2 moving up later.

 

Steam is DRM done correctly.

Its a two sided relationship if you wish, Unlike sim city's DRM which hinders the player and offers little in return. This is why steam is so popular and many people including myself have some form of trust in valve. They know a happy customer is a profitable one, unlike EA who seem to believe a restricted customer is more profitable (which is true to an extent).

By the way , steam is two sided because:

+Convenient chat
+Convenient Purchasing
+Good sales and offers

-User cant switch to other service (captive)
-Steam can track what you are doing to some extent

You could also say three sided if you include the developer who gets analytics and a convenient way to push out updates and patches as well as customers who can pay easily.

I would prefer DRM free but steam offers such a nice ecosystem to dwell inside of i am reasonably happy in accepting it.

 

let me just attempt to end this thread once and for all:



picture credits: Hati (found in an old thread )

 

That would be a fantastic idea to release the game on Steam.

What about the Early Access on Steam ? That would make perfect sense to go for it and having a maximum of visibility while still being on development.

And I'd be pretty sure Drive would sell quite well even at its current state.

 

Steam Workshop. 'Nuff said

 

IIRC Valve takes a 30% cut of all 3rd party game sales, so it would be cutting into their profit pretty good.

I wonder what EA's Origin's cut is? I know they also offer 3rd party games. Or Amazon's?

I like it like it is though, a simple serial check after installation, no need for more DRM. I wish Steam wasn't as big as it is, or if they'd just offer a Origin-like client. (small, 99% glitch free, simple and the ability to launch your games without Origin (Steam, in this case) running)

 

I don't think steam is a target because of added security. From a business standpoint, 30% might be worth it considering the increase in publicity. It's important to note that their current e-store, fastspring, takes a cut at amounts to near 10% of the cost of the game (there are different options).

 

I find nothing worse than being somewhere in the world without internet connection, wanting to play a nice game of CS:S, and for some strange reason 'steam cannot run in offline mode', :/ I like the idea, but lets be realistic, putting it on steam will severely cut the profit for BeamNG, and realistically, it will require a constant internet connection. IMHO.

 

No. Please.

I really would think that Steam would just bring an influx of bad players who do not interact with the community. It is best to keep it away from DRM and sequestered.

I really do not like large communities. I really indulge when everyone on a forum knows each other.

-Immortal

 

To be honest i would prefer that a lot of steam players didn't interact
I like what prison architect are doing though. You get the choice between purchasing direct or on steam. But i think what is already set up works pretty well so i guess there is no need to change it. Most people say greenlight is a pain to get through as well, I think indie game the movie talks a bit about that but cant quite remember. But apparently you need to do constant promotion to get through.

 

First forum post, hurray.


I just want to clear up the thing with DRM:


Some of you probably know Kerbal Space Program.

You can copy the downloaded game to everywhere you want (for example on a USB stick or some external HDD). Squad told Steam not to use any DRM. You could do the same thing.

 

Most Steam games allow you to run the game without running Steam at all.

Of course people don't let that get in the way of spreading their FUD about Steam.

 

Large communities help things (especially video games) grow and expand. Think about it with the game on Steam that means more possible players that want to create and share content with others that enjoy the game.

 

Out of the ~90ish games I have on Steam, only 2 work without Steam running, those are Thief Gold and System Shock 2, and you have to manually go to the game folders and launch the .exe directly. So "most" seems to be a huge exaggeration.