Would you like all your games on Steam?

[bhavv]

What crack are you smoking?

I corrected this and told you that they're funding their bandwidth through advertising.

Probably the same crack that you're on.

I havnt complained about advertising either, I said that Steam also do it, so surely they have funding for their bandwidth too, and if you dont agree then why would Steam sell so many game bundles for cheap?

Just because there is no product associated with digital downloads, does not mean they are massively cheaper to supply to the end customer.

So provide evidence that a digital download on Steam is more expensive than the boxed copy would be, because I have always heard that digital downloads are cheaper.

 

[orderoftheflame]

Probably the same crack that you're on.

I havnt complained about advertising either, I said that Steam also do it, so surely they have funding for their bandwidth too, and if you dont agree then why would Steam sell so many game bundles for cheap?

What? Steam advertises it's own wares and makes no extra profit from this.

Next time I walk past a chip shop shall I demand free chips because they have a sign outside?

So provide evidence that a digital download on Steam is more expensive than the boxed copy would be, because I have always heard that digital downloads are cheaper.

Why should I go to the effort? You seem so sure about the numbers here. You do it.

 

[bhavv]

It's annoying that they provide bonus content when you buy a game??? Annoying to you maybe... I quite enjoy getting my nice free content when I buy a game!

I'll also point out that isn't steam doing this if you can't work it out... Valve don't go and make content to draw customers in. Developers and publishers provide this for Steam to give away with their game.

Its annoying when the bonus content is exclusive to only the digital copy, or to a boxed copy from a particular retailer because everyone else not choosing to buy from there do not get the content.

Next time I walk past a chip shop shall I demand free chips because they have a sign outside?

That would depnd on if the sign says 'Free Chips' or not.

 

[orderoftheflame]

Its annoyng when the bonus content is exclusive to only the digital copy, or to a boxed vopy from a particular retailer because everyone else not choosing to buy from there do not get the content.

Is that not the definition of exclusive content?

That would depnd on if the sign says 'Free Chips' or not.

I've yet to see an advert on steam that said "Free games" that didn't deliver.

 

[Armadillo]

No. I avoid it if I can.

 

[madindehead]

Free to the customer is free. Steam also advertise as well.

Steam also play the annoying tactic of providing bonus content with steam exclusive versions of games to entice more people to download them. They make enough money from their service, otherwise they wouldnt be offering all of those incredibly cheap gaming packs.

Yes, Steam advertise for the games you are buying. Not some crap soft drink or whatever.

And, please note, is isn't Valve who set the prices on Steam. It's the developers/publishers. They offer the deals on Steam. Valve don't sit and make up the deals every week.

 

[bhavv]

Is that not the definition of exclusive content?

I've yet to see an advert on steam that said "Free games" that didn't deliver.

I dislike exclusive content, as do a lot of people who are unable to get it due to their choice of retailer.

Your second point has nothing to do with anything being discussed. Adverts are adverts, your point being?

Yes, Steam advertise for the games you are buying. Not some crap soft drink or whatever.

And, please note, is isn't Valve who set the prices on Steam. It's the developers/publishers. They offer the deals on Steam. Valve don't sit and make up the deals every week.

Ive never seen an advert for a soft drink through and MMORPG either.

Of course the developers / publishers set the price. That doesnt explain why new games are more expensive on Steam than they are through an E tailer for a boxed copy.

 

[Kenai]

Your second point has nothing to do with anything being discussed. Adverts are adverts, your point being?

The point is that Valve don't generate revenue for their own bandwidth by advertising their own products themselves. It's absolutely nothing like the 3rd party advertising you were trying to compare it to.

 

[orderoftheflame]

I dislike exclusive content, as do a lot of people who are unable to get it due to their choice of retailer.

If those people want the content they should change supplier should they not?

Your second point has nothing to do with anything being discussed. Adverts are adverts, your point being?

Half of what you say has no relevance. I just roll with it.

The point is that Valve don't generate revenue for their own bandwidth by advertising their own products themselves. It's absolutely nothing like the 3rd party advertising you were trying to compare it to.

This is my point. Ta!

 

[bhavv]

If those people want the content they should change supplier should they not?

Not if they want a boxed copy. I dont think that many people who like to buy boxed collectors editions would give one of those up for a game they like with a nice collectable box and contents, to pay the same price for a steam version with an Exclusive in game sword or a map.

 

[orderoftheflame]

Ive never seen an advert for a soft drink through and MMORPG either.

Of course the developers / publishers set the price. That doesnt explain why new games are more expensive on Steam than they are through an E tailer for a boxed copy.

Whether an advert for a soft drink or not, it's still funding the came developer.

Games cost more on Steam because the publishers decide to charge more for it. End of.

Not if they want a boxed copy. I dont think that many people who like to buy boxed collectors editions would give one of those up for a game they like with a nice collectable box and contents, to pay the same price for a steam version with an Exclusive in game sword or a map.

Ever heard the phrase "You can't have your cake and eat it"...?

 

[muttclugg]

I'd like to keep the easy aspects of having everything in one place and easy to download future purchases but would prefer the prices from shops/online retailers.

 

[Evilsod]

Its annoyng when the bonus content is exclusive to only the digital copy, or to a boxed vopy from a particular retailer because everyone else not choosing to buy from there do not get the content.

Ok now your ranting is just getting ridiculous.

I also hate exclusive content depending on where you buy it but heres the big news, this is NOT exclusive to Digital sales. Need i point you in the direction of Mass Effect or Dragon Age which had a whole range of exlusive items depending on where you bought it from, both retail and digital?

Do you have a geniune reason for hating other than that you are severely paranoid or are you just trying to make things up now and refusing to back down?

 

[bhavv]

Games cost more on Steam because the publishers decide to charge more for it. End of.

I dont think thats the reason really. Publishers release their games at the same retail price, but different stores still offer different prices.

If a game is released for £29.99, this includes the price on both the digital download and the boxed copy, yet retailers are still free to undercharge for the game, and most usually price them at around £25-27 instead.

I also didnt place the blame for higher release prices on steam, but if other retailers are capable of reducing their launch prices, I cant see why steam wouldnt be.

I also hate exclusive content depending on where you buy it but heres the big news, this is NOT exclusive to Digital sales. Need i point you in the direction of Mass Effect or Dragon Age which had a whole range of exlusive items depending on where you bought it from, both retail and digital?

I never said that this was exclusive to digital sales only, stop making things up. I dislike exclusive content based on any retailer, or digital download service.

In the post you quoted from me, I said 'Its annoying when the bonus content is exclusive to only the digital copy, or to a boxed *copy* from a particular retailer'. Try and read correctly next time.

 

[madindehead]

Games cost more on Steam because the publishers decide to charge more for it. End of.

I don't think he understands this sadly mate I've been saying it for a while.

Of course the developers / publishers set the price. That doesnt explain why new games are more expensive on Steam than they are through an E tailer for a boxed copy.

Because the e-tailer absorbs the price cut to get business. The developers still get the same from the e-tailer. It works the same as supermarkets doing food deals (unless of course the publisher/developer (or food manufacturer) is doing a deal).

Also, the developers can make more money per game via Steam as they have zero manufacturing cost for it, and they don't have to sell it at a wholesale price to anyone. Steam I would imagine takes a percentage cut per game or whatever, and the publisher gets more return. For a £30 on Steam, the developers probably get £27 for it, compared to the £12 or so they probably get via a normal retailer. It's a simple way for them to make more profit. it's called economics if you didn't know.

I dont think thats the reason really. Publishers release their games at the same retail price, but different stores still offer different prices.

If a game is released for £29.99, this includes the price on both the digital download and the boxed copy, yet retailers are still free to undercharge for the game, and most usually price them at around £25-27 instead.

I also didnt place the blame for higher release prices on steam, but if other retailers are capable of reducing their launch prices, I cant see why steam wouldnt be.

Um, Steam can't lower the prices, because the publishers set the prices...you claim you understand this is how it works, and then blame Steam for not lowering launch prices. You're starting to contradict yourself.

 

[orderoftheflame]

I dont think thats the reason really. Publishers release their games at the same retail price, but different stores still offer different prices.

If a game is released for £29.99, this includes the price on both the digital download and the boxed copy, yet retailers are still free to undercharge for the game, and most usually price them at around £25-27 instead.

I also didnt place the blame for higher release prices on steam, but if other retailers are capable of reducing their launch prices, I cant see why steam wouldnt be.



I never said that this was exclusive to digital sales only, stop making things up. I dislike exclusive content based on any retailer, or digital download service.

Retailers set retail prices. Not publishers.

They buy stock of games at a price set by the publisher. They then charge whatever price they like for the game.

Steam charges a price set buy the publisher and Valve takes a set percentage of this.

Ever looked at the RRP of a game? This is what the publisher thinks the game should cost the end user. Steam is still usually less than the RRP.

 

[Retromatic]

Yes, the majority of my pc games are on Steam now. The only time I buy a boxed retail copy now really is if I have a few console games knocking about that need trading in, so I can get a large chunk off.

 

[bhavv]

Um, Steam can't lower the prices, because the publishers set the prices...you claim you understand this is how it works, and then blame Steam for not lowering launch prices. You're starting to contradict yourself.

I blame whoever is responsible for higher digital download prices, that would be the publisher.

 

[madindehead]

I blame whoever is responsible for higher digital download prices, that would be the publisher.

Yes, but then you are saying why can't Steam lower its launch prices. You back and READ what you actually wrote!

 

[LokiS]

I would buy all my games on Steam if it weren't for the prices, getting games up to 15 pound cheaper is no chump change, especially when I buy many games.