Steam - what is the point?

[stbens]

I downloaded a Bronze copy of the game under the impression that Steam players would be able to play earlier than those waiting to buy the retail version. Now it appears that Steam players will have to wait till the 16th.
What is the point of Steam?
I have paid for a downloaded copy of the game that will cost the same as a version that I could purchase on a disc, in a box and with a manual - so there is no incentive to buy from Steam because of a cheaper cost.
I have a game sitting on my PC that I cannot play because of a ridiculous ruling that says I have to wait until the boxed copies are shipped - so again there is no incentive to buy from Steam
If Valve want Steam to be a success then they need to persuade people to go for it - i.e. reduced prices and/or earlier release dates, othewise you might as well pop into town and get the game over the counter.

 

[staticprimer]

The silver and gold packages are a much better deal than the retail, plus its a hassle for some people (such as myself) to go to the store. Also, its pretty nice to just log onto steam, dl a small file, and play it without installing on the release date.

 

[Mango]

yeap, I agree with #2

 

[BackFyr]

I am pretty sure the reason why the prices weren't lower is because they are under contract with Vivendi and that would most likely strengthen Vivendi's case agaisnt Valve... so they had to keep their base product... simular in price to retail... Silver is by far the best bang for the buck however... at least thats what I have got from reading up on the topic

ps. not to mention steam really solves the problem of easy, numerous, small patches as opposed to only a few big patches

 

[alehm]

You don't have to purchase via Steam. If you thought you were going to play HL2 before Retail release we can't help you there.

I bought it via Steam because I wanted to play CS:S and I wanted to have the game ready to go the second it was released so there is incentive to buy through Steam for other people.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Since the packages were available for sale, Silver and Gold users have been able to play CS:Source and Valve's back catalog. That's not too shabby...

 

[charybdis]

What is the point of Steam?

Well, Steam isn't just for selling games. It is also good for distributing updates to existing products without much hassle. It isn't such a bad thing to me.

 

[IonizeMyAtoms]

I think their main reason for pre-releasing it on Steam was to release Counter-Strike: Source so people had a reason to purchase over Steam rather than go with retail, a clever trick to take some money away from VU.
Also the Silver and Gold packages give you more stuff.
Why you'd bother purchasing the Bronze paskage over Steam is beyond me.

 

[destrukt]

your not waiting for boxed copies to ship (well, in a sense you are, but you were also waiting for it to download?), your waiting for the game to be released. the release date happens to be 16th, the date when hl2 is released, hl2 includes retail/steam.

 

[MetalliMyers]

I downloaded a Bronze copy of the game under the impression that Steam players would be able to play earlier than those waiting to buy the retail version. Now it appears that Steam players will have to wait till the 16th.
What is the point of Steam?
I have paid for a downloaded copy of the game that will cost the same as a version that I could purchase on a disc, in a box and with a manual - so there is no incentive to buy from Steam because of a cheaper cost.
I have a game sitting on my PC that I cannot play because of a ridiculous ruling that says I have to wait until the boxed copies are shipped - so again there is no incentive to buy from Steam
If Valve want Steam to be a success then they need to persuade people to go for it - i.e. reduced prices and/or earlier release dates, othewise you might as well pop into town and get the game over the counter.

In your case, there really is no point in buying it on Steam. Unless not walking our lazy asses down to the store to buy the physical copy can be considered the point.

 

[spartan232323]

I downloaded a Bronze copy of the game under the impression that Steam players would be able to play earlier than those waiting to buy the retail version. Now it appears that Steam players will have to wait till the 16th.
What is the point of Steam?
I have paid for a downloaded copy of the game that will cost the same as a version that I could purchase on a disc, in a box and with a manual - so there is no incentive to buy from Steam because of a cheaper cost.
I have a game sitting on my PC that I cannot play because of a ridiculous ruling that says I have to wait until the boxed copies are shipped - so again there is no incentive to buy from Steam
If Valve want Steam to be a success then they need to persuade people to go for it - i.e. reduced prices and/or earlier release dates, othewise you might as well pop into town and get the game over the counter.

well, one of the reasons that hl2 on steam is going to be released the same date as the retail version is that Valve and Vivendi wants to prevent people pirating the game before it hits stores.

Also, remember that Valve isn't getting all the money that you pay for the retail version of hl2. (i.e. you pay $50; Valve isn't going to get all $50 due to vivendi). However, paying $50 or more on Steam will get give Valve the whole $50

 

[aDidor22]

Its matter of severa worlds.

I like steam.

With that said, i used to love going to stores to pick up the "game".

I remember, back in the day, when toys r us used to have the games locked in the back, and u go grab and buy the ticket representing the game, pay, and take it back where the "dude" had the archive of games. You slide them the slip, and in moments, their fetching the game,escorting its wonderfulness to you.

Things have changed and while going to the store is both interesting and a hassle, valves trying to revolutionize somthings here.

VU (publisher) is the only reason were not getting it early,because of legal debates. Publishers lose out if steam and programs liek ti take off.

Its a tool designed for Devs to get the upper hand, for independence, for some level, to come into play. In this case, steam is still getting off the ground..but i predict in the future- 10 or so years, many companies will try to mimic due to its vast potential. Valve, from what i heard, wanted to release HL2 om steam, asap, but do some homework on law and that case and youll see why they couldnt.

My point, why it seems odd now, in time things like this will work quite well.

 

[DarkHelmet]

I downloaded a Bronze copy of the game

Why??? Go ahead and upgrade to Silver for the extra 10 bucks.

 

[krameriffic]

I have a game sitting on my PC that I cannot play because of a ridiculous ruling that says I have to wait until the boxed copies are shipped

Hang on, ridiculous ruling? Do you have any IDEA what you are talking about? Let me break this down to you in terms we can all understand. A Steam sale yields lets say.. 80% of the profit to Valve and 20% to VUG. A store sale yields Valve 20% and VUG 80%. These numbers are not official, but thats the basic breakdown. VUG does not get as much per Steam sale as they do per retail. It is in their best economic interest to prevent the sale of the game on Steam early, as everybody would buy it there rather than at the store.

 

[MetalliMyers]

I can also see Business Models like Steam driving down the price of video games if it really becomes popular.

 

[Democritus]

Why Steam? The Silver package.The back catalog is a good buy for someone like me who never played CS before. Now I'm getting my butt kicked by l33t humans (CS:S) and l33t Bots (CS:CZ). AND the money goes to Valve instead of Vive(vil)ndi(e).

If you're just doing the bronze package, there isn't much point to buying Steam other than avoiding stores.

 

[DrunkPanda]

what is the back catalog?

 

[Fender357]

I downloaded a Bronze copy of the game under the impression that Steam players would be able to play earlier than those waiting to buy the retail version.

I'm sorry, but you are a moron.

Why the hell would you buy some thing with the "impression" that you would get it earlier?

Don't you think thats something that could mabie be researched a little bit?

Anyway..dumb move.

 

[BrimStone04]

I got it cuz i wanted cs sourec right away, its been holding me from withdrawls until hl2 comes out then i will be completely satisfied, i <3 steam, its turned into a really nice addition to hl and cs as well as all the mods, it just took a long time for it to become a decent program. and yes, while ur installing hl2 or driving wasting valuable gas money i will log onto steam and download prolly a few simple files and be playen hl2. but hey were all gonna have the same game, so who cares.

 

[Fliko]

You do get to play it early, it takes time for people to go to the stores, or to get it shipped, you get to play it WHEN it comes out, and more sooner then retail buyers, it is also a good way to prevent pirating

 

[VBN]

Its a basic economic principle...cutting out the middle man. The reason why you can't get HL2 early via steam is due to an existing contract way back when Valve was a fledgling development house and agreed to exclusively distribute games via Sierra/Vivendi for n number of titles.

If Valve could have it their way then HL2 would be available now. Now, it would seem that some bright spark at Valve suggested that although they legally cannot distribute the game before vivendi ships to stores, they can sell a Purchase Option and the incentive to buy that option, well thats to play CS:S now.

So how'd that happen? Publishers (Vivendi) limit development houses from releasing game titles not software based on the engine. So we therfore get CS:S

IMHO steam and other such platforms are the way forward and we will see more and more spring up. I did email Gabe awhile back asking about licensing to other development houses, but never recieved a reply, tbh it was just before the announcment of the current steam packages, so that might have had a bearing on it. Steam brings 100% of the bucks back to the development house where it belongs and not in the hands of publishers.

Long live steam and all who sail in her :0)

 

[WhiteZero]

I downloaded a Bronze copy of the game under the impression that Steam players would be able to play earlier than those waiting to buy the retail version.

Well thats your own damn fault for not reading up first.

And why would you want a hard copy cluttering up your room? Not to mention those CDs would get scratched easily.

Just enjoy yourself when people are driving out to get a hardcopy, waiting in line, paying, driving back home, and installing. When you get to just click 1 button and play.

 

[PyroGurl]

well..i double click it

 

[Epsi]

Steam's being licensed to anyone who wants to use it. If you're serious about distributing a game on Steam, Valve'll talk. I'd imagine you'd have to sign an NDA before they give you the Steam SDK though.

There's already at least one game being released on Steam that's not made by Valve, Pirates of the Burning Sea, www.piratesoftheburningsea.com

 

[azz0r]

If valve wasnt under contract by Vivienda, you probably would have been able to play it then and there.

 

[aeroripper]

The silver and gold packages are a much better deal than the retail, plus its a hassle for some people (such as myself) to go to the store. Also, its pretty nice to just log onto steam, dl a small file, and play it without installing on the release date.

same here... I also would want to try out HL:S just for fun after i beat hl2

Also it IS a pain to hafta go to the video games stores... driving down there... checking 3 stores in town.. .then the long drive back... and your car is crappy and theirs traffic........ and what if they are all sold out? And some stores take a while longer to get it on shelves then others

Besides i really don't see the need for a box and manual and stuff with it.... i've already printed out a way cooler cover, inserts and cdcover for the silver preload than the retail version came with (customized copy :-P)

 

[Mountain Man]

I downloaded a Bronze copy of the game under the impression that Steam players would be able to play earlier than those waiting to buy the retail version.

And where, exactly, did you get that impression? Valve has always said that Steam and retail would have simultaneous releases.

 

[ShaithEatery]

i got it through steam because it took $50 off the $90 gold package. $40 for all that extra stuff was worth it to me.

And bronze package through steam = dumbest move ever.

Thinking it would come out before retail = most unresearched move ever.

 

[Rocketman9mm]

you get dod source where not even the retail collectors edition includes it. also you got cs:s early. but I hope you're not questioning steam's other uses. Now that most of the kinks have been worked out, steam has proven itself to be quite useful and convenient for content updates.

 

[Barking_Mad]

This is the point