Previous games from Valve were sold at many online retailers, like amazon or walmart.com. In fact, at one point, uplay from ubisoft even sold keys for valve games. Selling keys on multiple stores benefits consumers, because it allows those stores to reduce their take on each key sold to consumers to pass on savings to the customer in an attempt to drum up business.
with Half Life Alyx, they appear to have stopped doing this. The only legitimate store that sells alyx steam keys, is steam itself.
now, this doesn't mean that steam is the only store selling alyx. There are also illegitimate stores selling stolen or otherwise ill-gotten keys for Alyx at discounted prices. And this is why Valve not selling alyx keys on other stores is really wrong -- it gives the illusion that these stores are legitimate. They are inadvertently directing unknowing customers towards shady sites. This hurts everyone in the long run. Other developers, for example, also have their keys illegally sold on those sites, and by bringing customers to them, they bring eyes upon those keys.
All games should be sold everywhere provided no technological hurdle, IMO. I'd very much like for Alyx to go to PSVR2 or an eventual Xbox Series X VR headset. When players have the choice to play their games anywhere, they can simply choose the best ecosystem and hardware for their needs. Valve has been usually good at this practice, but with Alyx, their biggest game in years, they have stumbled. Sadly, there isn't really any outcry urging them to open up to other stores, when, IMO, there should be.
with Half Life Alyx, they appear to have stopped doing this. The only legitimate store that sells alyx steam keys, is steam itself.
now, this doesn't mean that steam is the only store selling alyx. There are also illegitimate stores selling stolen or otherwise ill-gotten keys for Alyx at discounted prices. And this is why Valve not selling alyx keys on other stores is really wrong -- it gives the illusion that these stores are legitimate. They are inadvertently directing unknowing customers towards shady sites. This hurts everyone in the long run. Other developers, for example, also have their keys illegally sold on those sites, and by bringing customers to them, they bring eyes upon those keys.
All games should be sold everywhere provided no technological hurdle, IMO. I'd very much like for Alyx to go to PSVR2 or an eventual Xbox Series X VR headset. When players have the choice to play their games anywhere, they can simply choose the best ecosystem and hardware for their needs. Valve has been usually good at this practice, but with Alyx, their biggest game in years, they have stumbled. Sadly, there isn't really any outcry urging them to open up to other stores, when, IMO, there should be.
