MrNyarlathotep
Banned
Nothing like excluding data because it doesn't support a hypothesis to strengthen an argument.
So you're saying iPhone gaming is "more real" gaming than Nexon or Bigpoints MMOs?
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Steam expanding beyond games, adding "software" on Sept. 5
- Thread starter salromano
- Start date
Nothing like excluding data because it doesn't support a hypothesis to strengthen an argument.
So you're saying iPhone gaming is "more real" gaming than Nexon or Bigpoints MMOs?
Now that I can get behind. offering free or inexpensive versions of various design tools that compliment gaming would be an excellent idea, in terms of actually putting that content on Steam, albeit after they deal with the clients shortcomings. I would support such a thing whole heartedly, though at this point tutorials and lack of good learn material is what holds me back from using such things without Steam involved.
Lol dun dun dunnnnnnn
The beginning of the end of their expansion, maybe.
Steam isn't going anywhere, though. At worst it'll just exist at the size it is. It's not WoW, it's not going to just lose users.
In what way does China being one-third of the PC gaming market improve PC gaming markets here in the western world? You can include China or not include China - it actually doesn't matter come to think of it.
Not sure what you mean by iPhone gaming 'more real' or not but tablet/smartphone gaming is surging, that's for sure. And it's a platform Steam isn't on. Well - is, but doesn't *do* anything.
In case this joke has not yet been made:
This brings a whole new meaning to 'Day One Perch'.
Buttonbasher
Member
Reposting this for those who haven't seen (categories of the software they plan to distribute).
Imagine crowdsourced tutorials for 3D modeling software distributed through Steam Workshop. That would be incredible.
People claim doom and gloom for Steam because of fears that MS and Apple will lock down their OSes... but if the future is truly in Smartphones and Tablets, then wouldn't it be a simple matter to shift from Linux to Android? After all, Android does share the Linux kernel. There is something that actually intrigues me concerning a new high powered OS for smartphones and tablets... Ubuntu for Android. It's a similar idea to what Windows 8 is trying to achieve, namely a mixed desktop and tablet OS. However, it chooses its interface based on what device the machine is connected to. If it's connected to a monitor, it has the full Ubuntu desktop. If it's connected to a television, it uses an Ubuntu interface made for television. If you are just using the touchscreen, it uses Android. You can even use Android apps on the Ubuntu desktop and television interfaces.
If Smartphones and Tablets are truly the future, then it's Microsoft who is in the dangerous position. After all, the most popular of those OSes are Android and iOS... Microsoft's previous attempts at the Smartphone market had barely registered. Windows 8 could very well be the desperation of the PC OS maker determined to stay relevant in a 'post-PC' world. Valve's actions are also desperation, but feels more like a rat fleeing a sinking ship. They see that Microsoft's going down a path that they may not want to be a part of, and are hedging their bets. Going to Linux could be the first step of, not a SteamBox, but a Steam App Store for Android.
If Smartphones and Tablets are truly the future, then it's Microsoft who is in the dangerous position. After all, the most popular of those OSes are Android and iOS... Microsoft's previous attempts at the Smartphone market had barely registered. Windows 8 could very well be the desperation of the PC OS maker determined to stay relevant in a 'post-PC' world. Valve's actions are also desperation, but feels more like a rat fleeing a sinking ship. They see that Microsoft's going down a path that they may not want to be a part of, and are hedging their bets. Going to Linux could be the first step of, not a SteamBox, but a Steam App Store for Android.
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
i would hate to use Excel on a phone. What about Norton Antivirus?
Tons of real work will still be done on a desktop, obviously, the spreadsheet in Google Docs shows that a non-Windows Excel can exist.
Not even sure why you would want to use Norton Antivirus, much less on a phone/tablet.
ArtistDude88
Member
Valve should just make a SteamOS. SOS? Hmmm.
J
Jotamide
Unconfirmed Member
Give me achievements for Notepad++ or Visual Studio and I'm fucking sold.
CambriaRising
Member
This is cool I guess. Doesn't effect me either way.
Not interested, and a little concerned about what Valve's 5 year plan for the platform is if they're going down this path. The major appeal of Steam for me is having a focused portal for all things PC gaming, always will be. Enterprise and productivity software is not only willingly kept separate, but increasingly irrelevant with the amount of quality web and cloud based applications out there for free.
I do not forsee my IT department at work installing Steam on our machines in order to deliver required software, no matter how comprehensive their offerings are. And yes, Gabe's Windows 8 doom and gloom is a bit clearer now. Not really about freedom as much as it is about competing app marketplaces.
Valve should really be focused on building a client that actually runs at the speed of the internet consistently before adding more bloat anyway. Steam is long overdue for an overhaul, and not exactly in this manner.
I do not forsee my IT department at work installing Steam on our machines in order to deliver required software, no matter how comprehensive their offerings are. And yes, Gabe's Windows 8 doom and gloom is a bit clearer now. Not really about freedom as much as it is about competing app marketplaces.
Valve should really be focused on building a client that actually runs at the speed of the internet consistently before adding more bloat anyway. Steam is long overdue for an overhaul, and not exactly in this manner.
PixelHorror
Member
You know what I hate the most about this?
They don't say anything about the client, the services and the new features that its missing. Where is big picture mode? Custom install locations? A more reliable offline mode? A faster client without memory leaks?
They don't say anything about the client, the services and the new features that its missing. Where is big picture mode? Custom install locations? A more reliable offline mode? A faster client without memory leaks?
What the hell are they thinking.
One of the reasons I really liked Steam is because it was just games. Pure plain and simple.
Also as stated, Offline mode is borked. How do they expect anyone to choose Steam over the standard DRM that has worked fine for years with applications such as Photoshop?
I don't see why they couldn't make a separate platform for this if they wanted to get into that side of software either. Keep business and gaming separate please.
One of the reasons I really liked Steam is because it was just games. Pure plain and simple.
Also as stated, Offline mode is borked. How do they expect anyone to choose Steam over the standard DRM that has worked fine for years with applications such as Photoshop?
I don't see why they couldn't make a separate platform for this if they wanted to get into that side of software either. Keep business and gaming separate please.
Randy Monk
Member
*shakes fist at Gaben*
How the hell am I gonna find to time to clear my games and "software" backlog?
How the hell am I gonna find to time to clear my games and "software" backlog?
yup. Agreed on all accounts, it's time.
Agreed 120%
They've already said they're working on the download issues/features but they have to move everything over to their new content delivery platform which is going to take a while(Dota 2 was the first game to use it, and I believe all recently released games are using it. Older games are slowly moving over. This should also fix steam going down during large sales.
Stardock still has their own system for this.
I don't have a problem with this- it's a good idea.
It's more than that. Steam really has a deficient client. It's slow to load, it hangs, it's terrible when it scrolls. It's also not very pretty. Loading my inventory is a pain, nothing feels smooth when you click on stuff.
They really need to spend some time polishing the client.
Right, and I doubt they're not working on updating steam to run smoother, especially with the large updates planned for it like Big Picture Mode , Greenlight, and the new content delivery stuff. I'd honestly like a revamped store place and overall fresh coat of paint among other new features myself.
EDIT: The one thing I "really" want is instant launching. I hate the small pop up window that sometimes takes 10 seconds before launching a game.
EDIT2:
This too. I don't see why they can't just do an automatic check every time you log on and, for example, set a timer that lasts 30 days or something instead of having to log online to be able to log offline.
snoopeasystreet
Member
I'd prefer if they spun this off into it's own client but whatever, I'll have to see how they incorporate software. Hopefully they dot just dump it into the games library.
graywolf323
Member
also make a working offline mode
might be the silver lining to all this is hopefully they'll finally improve the client more
To Far Away Times
Member
I guess this is why Gabe was so worried about Windows 8.
I would guess some 90% of Steam users have no idea it exists, and is a more than adequate, free MS Office alternative.
Ahahaha, I just have to weigh in on this. As a Creative Suite owner I would MUCH prefer Steam DRM to Adobe DRM.
People bitch about games with 5 or 10 activations via SecuROM? Your basic Adobe retail license has two activations. Two. That applies to smaller programs like Photoshop Elements too, AFAIK. Not even touching on all the other bullshit they introduced with CS6.
...But I'm not trying to pick on you, because you're right! Adobe would never allow their products to be sold under less draconian terms, so if they somehow ended up on Steam it'd be Steam DRM plus Adobe DRM. Horrendous. :lol
I forgot about this. My CS5 suite is only allowed to be on two computers on top of the activations. Now that I'm thinking about it I would love Steam drm over it.
Littlegator
Banned
GPL requires software to be free. In order to compete with DirectX, a corporation would have to develop their API for a profit. They're contradictory.
If they don't release under GPL, it won't be accepted by the larger GNU/Linux community. Regardless, it would probably take twice the manpower to make DirectX compatible with each flavor of GNU/Linux than it would just to develop it.
You need a single operating system for it to work out. OSX seems very viable, but never nix.
Monado Blade
Member
Have they released a list of software that's actually going to be available at launch?
alexandros
Banned
He doesn't have any proof because he's wrong on pretty much everything. On the other hand, I do:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/358977/pc-is-the-fastest-growing-platform-ea-boss/
http://www.pcper.com/news/General-Tech/PC-Gaming-Alliance-Announces-Record-PC-Game-Sales-2011
Rawket Lawnchair
Member
Give the 30% cut to us.
PS: Microsoft baaaaaad.
PS: Microsoft baaaaaad.
Isn't OpenGL under an open-source license compatible with the GPL? And isn't it what every company not working on a Microsoft OS use? We are talking Apple, Nintendo, Sony, et al. The API is already developed, just that developers prefer using DirectX, likely for the same reasons users prefer MS Office. Microsoft has many flaws, but they are excellent with software.
Nabs
Member
This is going to benefit smaller indie devs a bunch. A lot of the programs we've seen in the registry are creative ones. There were animation, painting, and audio editing programs. Imagine someone grabbing a few of these on sale along with Gamemaker, and eventually entering their game into the Indie Workshop to get noticed. Seems cool to me.