PC is only a portion of the market and consoles cannot be digitally distributed. At the end of the day they still need to get retailers to stock large amounts of console games and sending out some pc copies too is hardly going to stetch resources. Retailers hold all the cards, they sell the consoles, they sell the games, they sell the accessories, direct across the counter. Its in a publishers best interest to get the best deal for themselves and currently that means pandering to the retailers.
What's the point of Steam?
- Thread starter daninthemix
- Start date
PC is only a portion of the market and consoles cannot be digitally distributed. At the end of the day they still need to get retailers to stock large amounts of console games and sending out some pc copies too is hardly going to stetch resources. Retailers hold all the cards, they sell the consoles, they sell the games, they sell the accessories, direct across the counter. Its in a publishers best interest to get the best deal for themselves and currently that means pandering to the retailers.
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 21 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 47,100
Has been true for a long time. The thing is, that was when digital distribution was in its infancy. Now it is established, I wish the publishers would call the retailers bluff. At the end of the day the retailers now stand to lose a lot more.
Don't understand how I'm ignorant if anything cautious, its not value for money using steam for purchasing games such as Modern Warfare when they are more expensive then going to a local shop and purchasing them, like discussed, perhaps Modern Warfare is the only exceptions to Steam in pricing but since its the only game I really play then its how I base my decision on Steam.
I've downloaded one or two games like Toca racing for a few pounds which I thought was good value, never bothered re-downloading it on my fresh install of windows.
Soldato
- Joined
- 15 Sep 2006
- Posts
- 4,969
- Location
- Liverpool
It's worth it for the friends list and being able to chat without alt tabbing out of your game.
But let's not forget the ridiculously cheap games in the sales.
You're dismissing an entire gaming community and distribution software based off of one price out of thousands that Steam has no control over. Yes, that is ignorance.
But let's not forget the ridiculously cheap games in the sales.
You're dismissing an entire gaming community and distribution software based off of one price out of thousands that Steam has no control over. Yes, that is ignorance.
Last edited:
Why would they when most people seem happy to either go to the shop or cough up the extra money?
Also, the retail market will make up the majority of the income for most publishers I would wager so I don't see why they would want to risk decreasing that.
I'm not interested if they have no control over the pricing, I am after value for money! simple
No its not value for money.... People like me will wait till its on offer. Sounds low/retarded. But i can wait.
But like others have said, its the convenience makes Steam such great.... Auto Updates, Freinds List, Store/Community... And so on...
Yes its frustrating that Steam have some high prices. But they don't control it....
If you fint it value for money, stepping out of the house and buying a game from a retail shop then thats you. I will never step out of the house and buy a game. It's a diffrent world today....
Some here wont even make the attempt.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Mar 2005
- Posts
- 11,255
- Location
- Newbury
MW2 is a crap example. It's a steam works game and Activision are greed scum bags. You'll always pay less for the same in the shops with that example.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Mar 2005
- Posts
- 11,255
- Location
- Newbury
Get Napoleon from retail as cheap as you can - it's one of the games you can add to your steam, in fact it might even be necessary to link it to a steam account.
So you admit you're basing your views of Steam on a game that is known to be artificially expensive ......
This and the awsome Steam Sales.
i would'nt put past value,I am waiting for the day when a mcdonalds sign pops up as news.
Soldato
- Joined
- 23 Dec 2009
- Posts
- 18,251
- Location
- RG8 9
Steam is a great tool for gaming and keeping in touch with gaming mates.
Sure, some games are a little more, like MW2, but, who wants to play MW2 anyways?
The Steam sales are epic. Most new games are the same price as on the street. I think I paid a fiver more for BC2 than what I could have got it for on disc, but if I had the disc, I would have had to manually download all the patches and what not, when Steam does it all automatically.
I cannot really imagine gaming without it.
Sure, some games are a little more, like MW2, but, who wants to play MW2 anyways?
The Steam sales are epic. Most new games are the same price as on the street. I think I paid a fiver more for BC2 than what I could have got it for on disc, but if I had the disc, I would have had to manually download all the patches and what not, when Steam does it all automatically.
I cannot really imagine gaming without it.