Yet another steam (Digital Distro) thread

[Mark50]

Last time Rudankort posted in this thread, he was still saying "not just now", but also interested in more hard info about possible benefits (or downsides, I guess), which is just what impar's link is about.
And he didn't make a new thread but use the pre-existing one ... so what exactly is your problem?

A new thread with that info in the Op would have looked like an advertising thread for Steam. Maybe I`ve missed the essence of it(sorry if I did), but to me that rather corporate language from the quote translates to: Steam - we`re doing great! Rudankort and other devs also said that they do have general info on Steam so basically what I`m saying is that I don`t see any - new - specifics that would relate to PzC, but just a glowing article about Steam itself continuing to be popular and successful commercially. Which I don`t think anyone challenged so far.

[impar]

... a glowing article about Steam itself continuing to be popular and successful commercially. Which I don`t think anyone challenged so far.

It helps to tranquilize those that are afraid of Steam closing in a near future. Its still growing.

[Mark50]

It helps to tranquilize those that are afraid of Steam closing in a near future. Its still growing.

On other forums I`ve seen two paired "solutions" given to the public for that fear:
1. Steam is "a cash cow". It will never go offline.
2. If the unthinkable happens then Steam will release some sort of patch that will deactivate the drm so that you could still play your games.

No idea where such rumors originate, but I find both intellectually insulting. For one thing the very fact of considering the second bars the first and then there`s the fact that collapses tend to be rather sudden - for the general, unsuspecting public - when it comes to very big firms that are thought to be successful. We`re living such times. Also, unless I see something coming from Steam` legal department that addresses the sensible question that should come to anyone`s mind about point #2(would every game producing company be ok with that when the very fact that they are on Steam means they don`t want their products to be drm free?) I will have to consider the latter point a legal monstrosity(and more and more so as Steam gets bigger and bigger). The sort of thing whose detailed implications nobody wants to think about. Like a collapse of the Euro.

[VPaulus]

As a Steam user, I see both the negative and the positive sides.
I don't see it has the devil or the angel of the gaming industry.
Whether we like it or not, it will stay, maybe even after the euro.

But what matters is that even if PzC is sold through Steam, it won't be an exclusive.
So let's relax.

[El_Condoro]

@rezaf: My 'problem' is trying to moderate this forum with a topic that in the many times it has been raised has been anything but moderate. Each time it is raised it goes nowhere and polarizes the community. More so than any other topic for some reason. That's all.

[ElIndio]

On the subject of Steam, don't know about you guys but I have had a wealth of problems with it of late. I have had 'no connection' issues, being disconnected from the community pages, hanging for ages on start up, constantly having to delete the 'client registry blob' to get it to run etc etc.

Now my life at present is really manic and I literally only have the odd 30 mins to an hour over the odd few days in the week to game (2 hours on a weekend if I am lucky) and the performance of Steam of late is just not up to standard, I can be spending what limited game time I have faffing about with Steam trying to get it running or I can just jump into a non-DRM game like Panzer Corps and get playing.

I have used Steam for several years and generally it has been great but the recent performance of it has left me seriously considering to ditch it and buy non-Steam games in the future, as they seem to be having major server issues of late and needing frequent updates and downtime. I guess this is due to the massive increase in popularity of digital download and users of their service over the last few years but Valve seriously needs to get the stability and consistency of the Steam platform sorted, as personally I am really losing patience with it.

Hence I think it is a major plus that there are still a few companies like Slitherine that release non DRM / 3rd Party access PC games and long may it continue, you will get my future custom as long as this remains the case.

[VPaulus]

I agree with you ElIndio.
I hope they will solve their servers issues.
I think most of the times those issues are solved if we play in offline mode.

[ElIndio]

VPaulus, Offline mode is fine "in theory" but again I still find Steam is hanging on start up and just sits there even in offline mode and a lot of the fun and features with Steam is getting the achievements for games, logging play time spent on a title and being able to chat with friends online. Obviously none of these you can do with "offline" mode.

I think I am getting grumpier in my old age, as my patience to put up the kind of log in cra* being dished out by Steam at present is minimal due to as said time constraints.

It is far easier to just jump into a non Steam game like Panzer Corps or Company of Heroes (retail version) etc.

[VPaulus]

I think I am getting grumpier in my old age, as my patience to put up the kind of log in cra* being dished out by Steam at present is minimal due to as said time constraints.

Not at all. Your complains are quite legit and fair.
The system should be working as flawlessly as possible, and in this moment it isn't.

[impar]

On the subject of Steam, don't know about you guys but I have had a wealth of problems with it of late.

Returned to using Steam heavily (finally gave up on BF3 and returned to TF2) and have had no problem with it, apart from when the Christmas sales were going.

[WhiteRook]

Ahh Steam - another of those you love to hate or hate to love gaming providers! I use steam here and there, like some parts and hate others. Though to be honest I "REALLY" have a problem with any "system" that can control my games once I have bought them.
Hence why Gamers Gate is my true favorite for game buying the last couple of years.

To the crews at Lords and Slitherine, you guys just keep doing what you plainly do best - producing wonderful strat/war games! I personally would rather pay a little more for a decently made/produced/supported game from an indi company like you guys then buy from the "giants" in the industry any day.

At Christmas I bought Panzer Corps and the (3) DLC's for $47 USD, man what a present that was at that price. I am in retro heaven for three weeks now, thank you! As long as the quality and pride you seem to have for games continues - I will be buying every thing you put out for this game.

Ever since I learned to give up paper manuals and actual CD's/DVD's and save a nice some by going to DDL's for my game buying I don't ever see myself going back to the "old ways" of buying games. And one last ltem about Steam, I generally only purchase games there when I can "really save" money on games. Sorry for the late entry into all of this but I am new around here.

Cheers!

[VPaulus]

To the crews at Lords and Slitherine, you guys just keep doing what you plainly do best - producing wonderful strat/war games! I personally would rather pay a little more for a decently made/produced/supported game from an indi company like you guys then buy from the "giants" in the industry any day.

Those are precisely my thoughts.
Unfortunately, a lot of people think if the product come from a indie or a small developer, the game has to cost less.

[kop101]

open letter to steam by Digitalmindsoft (developers of ww2 themed rts)

We at Digitalmindsoft wanted to take a moment and thank you for creating a platform that has completely revitalized the PC gaming market and allows us to deliver exciting content to millions of players. Never before has it been so exciting and rewarding to develop games for the PC. Hit game Men of War: Assault Squad paid for its development costs during pre-order with Steam as the largest contributor! The game continues to sell and generated more than 5 times of its costs, thanks to your ability to promptly update and maintain our game. This dedication has made it possible for us to re-invest into our company, continually support our products and strive to make bigger and better games.

A marketplace can never be free of issues, but through excellent communication and response time, you've managed to find a solution to all our requests and helped us to provide the best possible experience for our players.

Therefore we are extremely excited to see Steam growing, as well as maintain its well-deserved status as a market leader and we look forward to a continued partnership as we launch future titles on your platform.


So in the name of our company and a large part of our player base, thank you so much for your great job!

[warhammer]

I hope i see soon Panzer Corps and other good strategy games form you on steam
I think PC made good amount of profit even if you price down 50% or more (at steam). Many, many steam customers buying games when are cheap(good or bad game ). Steam have near 5 mln customers and they are active (all) at sales events> summer sale, christmas sale etc.

Look at paradox warlock http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/05 ... he-arcane/ Its also very simply strategy hex game in fantasy universe and this game are a bestseller for few days after release, also on bestseller steam list at paradox sale weekend( price 9,99$).

http://steamgraph.net/index.php?action= ... o=End+Time

I think you can t lose, you can only make more money then now, even when steam take 30% of your profit.

p.s
Sorry for my bad english

[IainMcNeil]

It's unlikely. The info we have suggests that most people are only seeing any revenue when their games are massively discounted. Its great for steam but not for the developers publishers. There are exceptions but its not the holy grail people make it out to be - its a complete lottery and we prefer not to gamble.

[chief]

I'm in the process of buying the 2 latest releases from Matrix for PzC. I plan on buying a few more releases, put them on Steam and I stop buying, it's as simple as that !

[DownriverRick]

I'm in the process of buying the 2 latest releases from Matrix for PzC. I plan on buying a few more releases, put them on Steam and I stop buying, it's as simple as that !

Based on Iain's reply, I don't think you have much to worry about...

[warhammer]

http://steamcommunity.com/greenlight

[soldier]

Returned to using Steam heavily (finally gave up on BF3 and returned to TF2) and have had no problem with it, apart from when the Christmas sales were going.

.

This amazes me, I could fill a couple of pages with the amount of times steam has had problems and then someone always posts saying they have no trouble with it ?

Sure it works occasionally but I'm glad my car isn't so temperamental.
One of the few programs invented where you press execute and nothing happens

[impar]

This amazes me, I could fill a couple of pages with the amount of times steam has had problems and then someone always posts saying they have no trouble with it ?

Apart from the time when Steam promos hit, Steam has worked pretty much perfectly for me.
Am always amazed when someone says they are having continuous problems with Steam.

Was going to post the Greenlight project too.