Sure but at what point does that translate to "every storefront other than steam is garbage"? I guess I just feel like people are making a more political argument than what they're really thinking: "you're taking away my toy". The toy being a game they want to play on steam because all other storefronts are useless and garbage.You have a distorted view on the perception of Steam. Who said they don't have problems? They have a lot of issues but still manage to develop features no one else wants to do.
Well there are at least five one-liner posts in this thread beating the "competition is good" drum. This is that in a nutshell but with developers against each other. Why is it suddenly bad now? It will only become worse as consoles continue with backwards compatibility and curation won't solve it at all. The industry quite clearly is moving away from that model and has opened the floodgates. Guess who out of all the platforms is actually attempting to build solutions for that problem? Valve. Not Microsoft, not Sony, not Nintendo, not even Epic. Valve has done more than all of those others combined.
People dislike superficial storefronts that add zero to platform, more commonly detrimental to the platform because they are featureless or don't work optimally.
They could have invested some of the cash from moneyhatting into improving their store though. The countless millions they have spent there could have given them a very large jumpstart. You have competitors which are much less cash flush than Epic out-developing them on the platform level.There will never be parity in features tho. Steam has introduced more new things in this year than EGS has done. The small cut that EGS takes is also something that would prevent them from adding some costly features that Steam has.
I truly don't understand what the issue with EGS is. If I want to get a game that is exclusively on EGS literally all I have to do is go download EGS. It costs me nothing at all except a couple megabytes of storage.
Currently installed on my PC:
Steam, Battle.net, Origin, Uplay, EGS, GoG, Xbox for Windows.
I shouldn't need 7 different apps (each with their own background services, user account, friend list, etc) to play games. Only one of these gaming portals is good, and that is Steam. I want my entire PC library to be on Steam.
Steam didn't get to where they are today overnight as they started in a very rough state back in 2004, it's been a long process with ups and downs. A great service today, yes, but playing on PC has always been about having options rather than being locked into one platform (like Nintendo, Playstation, and Xbox are). Do the other storefronts/game launchers need to improve and add features? Absolutely.Currently installed on my PC:
Steam, Battle.net, Origin, Uplay, EGS, GoG, Xbox for Windows.
I shouldn't need 7 different apps (each with their own background services, user account, friend list, etc) to play games. Only one of these gaming portals is good, and that is Steam. I want my entire PC library to be on Steam.
I am always disappointed by how confrontational and toxic the gaming press is. It's always one thing against another, Epic did the most damage. Valve are vulnerable and should be scared! Epic spurred Valve out of complacency. Valve has built up Steam over many years and turned it into the success it is, and now I'm supposed to thank Epic for this? Get the fuck out.
Why exactly do I have to accept lower standards? And for what gain?I guess my point is that if you're truly open to multiple storefronts and an open pc space, you have to also be open to varying levels of quality as well. And it doesn't seem like that's the case here.
The problem isn't how "hard" it is. It's a question of is it needed and what impact this has on the industry as a whole. Creating barriers helps no one.Inconvenience is the only real argument against it and even then... It's not that hard to just launch the thing you want to play the game you want.
I truly don't understand what the issue with EGS is. If I want to get a game that is exclusively on EGS literally all I have to do is go download EGS. It costs me nothing at all except a couple megabytes of storage.
I guess my point is that if you're truly open to multiple storefronts and an open pc space, you have to also be open to varying levels of quality as well. And it doesn't seem like that's the case here.
Accept is the wrong word. Obviously don't use it if you don't want to. I just mean that some services will inherently be worse than others. Maybe "understand" is the better wordNo one has to accept lower standards. People aren't decrying Epic because it exists, understand that then use it as the starting point to understand other arguments made here.
Barely anyone even attempts to compete with Steam. Selling exclusively first party titles is the absolute minimum in terms of competition but that just means at best you will use it along with another storefront to fill the rest of your needs. So I view GOG, Windows Store and Epic the only real competitors trying to build what Steam does. I can't say they all put the same effort into it.Sure but at what point does that translate to "every storefront other than steam is garbage"? I guess I just feel like people are making a more political argument than what they're really thinking: "you're taking away my toy". The toy being a game they want to play on steam because all other storefronts are useless and garbage.
I guess my point is that if you're truly open to multiple storefronts and an open pc space, you have to also be open to varying levels of quality as well. And it doesn't seem like that's the case here.
I wouldnt say Windows Store is even trying to compete with Steam, as they have done nothing since Gamepass PC, despite it still being tied to the broken stuff that is the Windows Store. Similar to Origin with EA Access (but Origin is not broken like Windows Store).Barely anyone even attempts to compete with Steam. Selling exclusively first party titles is the absolute minimum in terms of competition but that just means at best you will use it along with another storefront to fill the rest of your needs. So I view GOG, Windows Store and Epic the only real competitors trying to build what Steam does. I can't say they all put the same effort into it.
Most people are positive with GOG as they developed their niche of DRM-free games and now GOG Galaxy 2.0 (hey look, some kind of unique feature!) but their resources are limited. Microsoft has a popular subscription service and some connected Xbox features but their Store continues to feel neglected. Epic just throws money at developers. It's pretty barren. This boils down to the lack of investment by companies for years and I don't think it's changing all that much.
Sure but at what point does that translate to "every storefront other than steam is garbage"? I guess I just feel like people are making a more political argument than what they're really thinking: "you're taking away my toy". The toy being a game they want to play on steam because all other storefronts are useless and garbage.
I guess my point is that if you're truly open to multiple storefronts and an open pc space, you have to also be open to varying levels of quality as well. And it doesn't seem like that's the case here.
No one has to accept lower standards. People aren't decrying Epic because it exists, understand that then use it as the starting point to understand other arguments made here.
But you are locking yourself to one platform in all actuality. You're locking yourself to steam. Because it's better. And that's fine. That's why the "open pc gaming marketplace" argument doesn't have weight In my opinionThe below cant be stressed enough for the 1000 time
And that's all most people genuinely discussing the issue proclaim.
Just as with other woefully poor untrusted services - I and many others are content to entirely miss games locking them selves to such a singular option, in favour of competing excellent games - of which there are a ridiculous amount.
Eg, I got Fallen Order in place of RDR2. If I am to get RDR2 in future, it's simply not a priority anymore, and thus seems better to wait for a discount. This is actual competition at work, rather than the forced non-competitive approach exclusivity brings
Inconvenience is the only real argument against it and even then...
But you are locking yourself to one platform in all actuality. You're locking yourself to steam. Because it's better. And that's fine. That's why the "open pc gaming marketplace" argument doesn't have weight In my opinion
The open PC marketplace exists even inside Steam as a platform, where Valve makes no money from Steam games sold outside their store. There is also the option to create your own service and for you to market itself and compete with Steam as PC allows you to do it. What people hate is then to be forced to use services that have no net benefit for the customer (because it brings back bad memories of shitty services, as well as being an increased annoyance) for no apparent reason (for instance, 1st party titles is Ok, although can be a bit annoying if they come with Bethesda-launcher tier services).But you are locking yourself to one platform in all actuality. You're locking yourself to steam. Because it's better. And that's fine. That's why the "open pc gaming marketplace" argument doesn't have weight In my opinion
No your not getting it and your pretending that it's only because it's an extra launcher. It's an issue because they are buying exclusives that shouldn't be exclusive including multiple kickstarters. They don't provide a benefit of using their launcher either.Inconvenience is the only real argument against it and even then... It's not that hard to just launch the thing you want to play the game you want.
No your not getting it and your pretending that it's only because it's an extra launcher. It's an issue because they are buying exclusives that shouldn't be exclusive including multiple kickstarters. They don't provide a benefit of using their launcher either.
Quoting myself from multiple other thread :I truly don't understand what the issue with EGS is. If I want to get a game that is exclusively on EGS literally all I have to do is go download EGS. It costs me nothing at all except a couple megabytes of storage.
This obviously only cover the pricing issue ( which get even worst if like me you use family share ). Then come everything surrounding the platform, streaming, trophy, controler support, chat, community feature, etc..let's ignore any other issue other than price then, and take Metro Exodus as an example, a steam key before the game became exclusive : 39.5€; EGS price in europe after the exclusivity deal : 59.99€.
If every games were to be similary impacted, the increase in cost given how much I spend in games, would cover more than the cost of a ps4 pro.. every year.
Your actively supporting something that is making pc gaming worst.I get it just fine thanks. If a game is exclusive to a launcher I'll just play the game through that launcher. It's not like I need to buy another system to play it, I just need to download a launcher.
Your actively supporting something that is making pc gaming worst.
I hope you never argue against Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo moneyhatting exclusives, because that's all EGS is doing. They're keeping people from buying the game on the platform they want (whether that be GOG, Steam, UPlay, etc) and forcing them to purchase on their own. You can argue "it's just another launcher" but Steam is a platform, not just a launcher, and they have tons of unique features that I use routinely that no other store has. I have no problem with first-party exclusives on Origin, UPlay, etc (and I occasionally buy games on those storefronts that are also on Steam instead of on Steam if there's a good deal) but I definitely have a problem with money-hatting games just to keep them off Steam for a year.Inconvenience is the only real argument against it and even then... It's not that hard to just launch the thing you want to play the game you want.
I hope you never argue against Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo moneyhatting exclusives, because that's all EGS is doing. They're keeping people from buying the game on the platform they want (whether that be GOG, Steam, UPlay, etc) and forcing them to purchase on their own. You can argue "it's just another launcher" but Steam is a platform, not just a launcher, and they have tons of unique features that I use routinely that no other store has. I have no problem with first-party exclusives on Origin, UPlay, etc (and I occasionally buy games on those storefronts that are also on Steam instead of on Steam if there's a good deal) but I definitely have a problem with money-hatting games just to keep them off Steam for a year.
Good article which gives a good view on the subject.
Interesting read for sure !
Here we go again.I truly don't understand what the issue with EGS is. If I want to get a game that is exclusively on EGS literally all I have to do is go download EGS. It costs me nothing at all except a couple megabytes of storage.
Man, it's almost like there is an entire thread dedicated to discussing this. You got trouble reading?I truly don't understand what the issue with EGS is. If I want to get a game that is exclusively on EGS literally all I have to do is go download EGS. It costs me nothing at all except a couple megabytes of storage.
By not having the game available on Steam I'm losing the utility of over $1000 worth of purchased equipment (Apple TV 4K streaming, PS4/Steam Controllers, 2x iPad streaming, etc). Sure, I don't have to buy a console but I do lose features that I use that required expensive hardware purchases.The fundamental difference here is the consumer needs to shell out hundreds of dollars to get exclusives on other consoles.
Man, it's almost like there is an entire thread dedicated to discussing this. You got trouble reading?
Man if there only was some kind of PDF document that covers all those gotcha attempts.The fundamental difference here is the consumer needs to shell out hundreds of dollars to get exclusives on other consoles.
Good article which gives a good view on the subject.
Interesting read for sure !
Man if there only was some kind of PDF document that covers all those gotcha attempts.
If you think lacking the most basic elements and / or understanding for a discussion on a topic is no biggie then... well, enjoy getting quoted more often I guess.Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the intense history and nuance behind the great launcher war of 2019. I guess this is what I get for wading in without having every single PDF and historical document available to me.
Weird that you feel the need to express your opinion so strongly on a topic you don't give enough of a shit about to know what's being discussed.Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the intense history and nuance behind the great launcher war of 2019. I guess this is what I get for wading in without having every single PDF and historical document available to me.
Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the intense history and nuance behind the great launcher war of 2019. I guess this is what I get for wading in without having every single PDF and historical document available to me.
Weird that you feel the need to express your opinion so strongly on a topic you don't give enough of a shit about to know what's being discussed.
I've actually come around on it and can appreciate it now. These dudes are out here giving me self esteem for free because dropping $200 to play Switch exclusives is a flex now.