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dock

Game Designer
Verified
Nov 5, 2017
1,367
What are some simple things about Steam that are pretty sloppy and could be improved? I'll go first:

Downloaded games don't fully install.

image.png


You always have to run the game after installing to install a bunch of extra pieces.
 

Deleted member 12790

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
24,537
What are some simple things about Steam that are pretty sloppy and could be improved? I'll go first:

Downloaded games don't fully install.

image.png


You always have to run the game after installing to install a bunch of extra pieces.

that's a windows limitation, it doesn't work like that in SteamOS.
 

Deleted member 48897

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 22, 2018
13,623
Get the fucking nazis out for one. If there weren't so many of them hiding in plain sight on the service I'd be less bothered by the way that Steam dominates the PC gaming ecosystem (i.e., this is a fucking huge component to why I don't think third-party resellers solve the big issues with Steam, because they're still selling stuff that requires using Steam to play)
 

collige

Member
Oct 31, 2017
12,772
Play as you download is the one big feature that they tried and totally fucked up on.

I think generally speaking, they have no idea what they're doing regarding porn games which has led to the last years' worth of controversies.

The UI for adding a non-steam program sucks cause it populates that shitty list of programs every time you open it.

The whole gamification of profiles / trading card system was a stupid idea to begin with and leads me to think that the "fake games" problem is mostly an issue of Valve's own making.

I've always thought the revenue split on Workshop items was a huge ripoff considering that the community is doing virtually all the modelling and texturing work. It's better than a flat fee though at least.
 
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DrArchon

Member
Oct 25, 2017
15,485
Cleaning up the forums would be ace, but the problem is so ingrained that I don't see a realistic solution that isn't just shutting them down.
 

Paz

Member
Nov 1, 2017
2,149
Brisbane, Australia
Clear guidelines for what type of content is and isn't appropriate, solid enforcement of those clear guidelines, move away from vague 'as long as it's not illegal' line they have now.

Better developer revenue split.
 

Ryuelli

Member
Oct 26, 2017
15,209
I think the client feels pretty bloated. I actually like a fair amount of competitors in comparison because they feel sleek. I actually like the Epic Games Client because it boots up and gets me into games quicker than Steam does these days.
 

Nooblet

Member
Oct 25, 2017
13,624
What are some simple things about Steam that are pretty sloppy and could be improved? I'll go first:

Downloaded games don't fully install.

image.png


You always have to run the game after installing to install a bunch of extra pieces.

Lol do you guys actually do those installations for every game you boot after downloading? I've seen some other people do the same.

You don't have to actually install them and simply cancelling will launch the game since all those things are already installed on your machine.
 

collige

Member
Oct 31, 2017
12,772
Lol do you guys actually do those installations for every game you boot after downloading? I've seen some other people do the same.

You don't have to actually install them and simply cancelling will launch the game since all those things are already installed on your machine.
I was under the impression that it was a sandboxing thing to ensure that each game had the correct version of its dependencies.
 

LewieP

Member
Oct 26, 2017
18,094
Properly managing their storefront. With a clear subjective editorial voice engaging in curation from Valve, backed up by their already in place algorithmic curation (just to curate a better store front page, not to place additional barriers towards games getting a release on Steam).

Hire a top team to produce a weekly/monthly video show highlighting new releases, discounts and updates.

Drive engagement by putting money into their current curator system, empowering curators to do it professionally by offering affiliate commission, and let publishers/developers that drive sales directly through their own channels get the same commission in the form of Valve taking a reduced. Basically give ~5% to a curator that generates a sale, or only take ~25% instead of 30% for sales a publisher is able to generate themselves.

Being more flexible about allowing third party marketplaces more leeway to coexist with and install via Steam.

Add Android as a supported platform for the many games that do or could have an Android version sold through Steam.

Set up robust partnerships with localisation agencies to make localising to Chinese, Russian, and other key languages revenue neutral for smaller teams that hit a reasonable sales threshold.
 

Arkestry

Member
Oct 26, 2017
3,920
London
I feel like some sort of Steam side curation of games would be nice. There's so much on the store now that it becomes impossible to really browse for new games without wading through a lot of sub-par stuff.

I'm not saying don't allow that on the platform, but something along the lines of a verification tick like on Twitter for Devs who have a proven track record or have been reviewed by someone at steam would be a nice way of cutting through the noise, while still allowing games to break through and be successful.
 

Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
moderation on thieir store and communities is the big one. it's apparent they only moderate what is reported.
I was under the impression that it was a sandboxing thing to ensure that each game had the correct version of its dependencies.
i think it's just a bug. getting rid of the installscript file in the game's directory (after it has installed them all so the game works, ofc) lets you bypass it entirely.
 

alr1ght

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,047
Hire a PR firm
Highlight some of the top games coming out that week (blog post, video, etc)
 

JoshuaJSlone

Member
Dec 27, 2017
715
Indiana
Ease of taking and sharing screenshots used to be a pretty notable feature, but now they feel behind the game since every console maker has that AND video as standard options.

Also, the Steam client has no better way to let me search for a game in the store than to load up the front page and let me use THAT search bar?
 

Revolsin

Usage of alt-account.
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
4,373
User banned (1 week): drive-by trolling + recent infractions for similar behaviour
Absolutely nothing

Kill the evil Epic
 
OP
OP
dock

dock

Game Designer
Verified
Nov 5, 2017
1,367
I think generally speaking, they have no idea what they're doing regarding porn games which has led to the last years' worth of controversies.

They definitely need to figure out a few more things regarding sexual content in games.

That said, I'm not sure why 'food' is a content warning.

image.png
 

Wok

Avenger
Oct 26, 2017
3,258
France
The design of the library is awful compared to clients like Playnite (which can be used to launch games from every store).

CZ1wIuL.jpg


vs.

xZWF0wD.png
 

elyetis

Member
Oct 26, 2017
4,551
Many thing when it comes to their client, some of which we know are coming ( like friend list in a single window with the rest of the client I think ? I've asking for that for years ).

Being able to freely move/order games in the library when in grid view.
Rework of the curator system ( we know they were taking feedback from curator like two years ago... it's time to do something with it ).
"Filter to games you both own." + filter multiplayer tag; But for a group a friend, not just between yourself and 1 friend at a time.
Etc..
 

Carlius

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt account
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
3,000
Buenos Aires, Argentina
LIVE CHAT customer support.
new achievement system, like l4d, with sounds, colors, and maybe a system of points.
better forums, faster client that doesnt need a fucking update every time you open it.
Better interface
play as you download (even fucking origin has this), no decrypting like origin does
no region lock bullshit
 
OP
OP
dock

dock

Game Designer
Verified
Nov 5, 2017
1,367
Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Why does this exist? None of my other installers have or need this. There's no logic to this being user facing.

Lol do you guys actually do those installations for every game you boot after downloading? I've seen some other people do the same. You don't have to actually install them and simply cancelling will launch the game since all those things are already installed on your machine.
Why do the installers exist if you're not supposed to install them? This is terrible UX.
 

scitek

Member
Oct 27, 2017
10,054
Valve could sell it to Epic, for starters. /s

Integrate Twitch support into the UI? I dunno, I feel like Steam streaming is an afterthought.
 

zoku88

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,025
moderation on thieir store and communities is the big one. it's apparent they only moderate what is reported.

i think it's just a bug. getting rid of the installscript file in the game's directory (after it has installed them all so the game works, ofc) lets you bypass it entirely.
I think it's because Windows doesn't really provide easy way for programs to tell if you have the necessary dependencies installed, I think.
 
Oct 26, 2017
3,201
Belarus
Personally, I want them to improve the activity feed because it really feels outdated and clunky. I love browsing it and what games my friends bought and screenshots they're upload, but I can't understand why some people won't use this feature, which is a damn shame, I found a lot of interesting games thanks to the activity feed.
Close the flood gates. Not every game deserves a platform.
And who will decide which game deserve it?
 

Deleted member 41638

User requested account closure
Banned
Apr 3, 2018
1,164
More intricate review system, people giving a negative review because their PC from 2005 can't run Witcher 3 should not affect the overall score. Also people should have to play the game for X amount of time before they can leave a review.
 

collige

Member
Oct 31, 2017
12,772
Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Why does this exist? None of my other installers have or need this. There's no logic to this being user facing.
I've used this a bunch of times when game files get deleted or corrupted and I don't have the time/hard drive space to redownload a full game.
 

L4DANathan

Avenger
Oct 26, 2017
856
Fairfax, VA, USA
Manual curation, they have the money to do it. Let in the porn games, and maybe even the crap games, but block asset flips, the hate speech games, and filter what can get on the front page.
 

itchi

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
1,287
Client crashes every time I try and install a game to one of my harddrives.. so that
 

zoku88

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,025
Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Why does this exist? None of my other installers have or need this. There's no logic to this being user facing.
.
I've used it before. Can be useful for returning the game to a sane state if you use a mod that modifies files or something.
 

Nzyme32

Member
Oct 28, 2017
5,245
What are some simple things about Steam that are pretty sloppy and could be improved? I'll go first:

Downloaded games don't fully install.

image.png


You always have to run the game after installing to install a bunch of extra pieces.

Hasn't the beta just resolved this, with a "Steamworks Common Redistributables" tool on Windows systems?
Might not be part of the main branch yet
 

LumberPanda

Member
Feb 3, 2019
6,327
Better searching for your own library is a must. I should be able to see a list of all local multiplayer games I have, for example.
 

Deleted member 23381

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 28, 2017
5,029
Let me permanently disable big picture mode you fucking fucks.

Also let me remove the fucking VR category you assholes.
 

Ferrio

Member
Oct 25, 2017
18,047
No we need a 1000 games like that.

The new client update and HL3 please is all I really care for.