What on earth am I reading?
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I'm beginning to feel "held hostage" by Steam/Valve.
- Thread starter SoulUnison
- Start date
What a hilarious opinion.
How the hell are you a hostage? If you don't like their stuff whether it be stores, games, services etc - leave it, your not tied to anything.
The premise of this thread pretty much revolves around "Valve are not centred around what I like any more" or "Valve games aren't my games" or "Valve must have lots of money now, why aren't they telling me what they are doing more? Where is new stuff centred around me".
For thousands of others, they have great services and games, why are you above anyone else? There are plenty of things they do that don't interest me - I am not held hostage by an imaginary entity to have to use them.
The other theme here is "I don't know the point" or "I don't know who's in charge of thing". As far as communicating internal projects - I don't care. They can release them as and when they feel it is ready. If you haven't been paying attention - almost all of their services are released "half-baked" or in a state of heavy iteration. If I think it is shit at that time or in beta, I may just not use it till I find a use for it or it improves. If I like it I use it, if I don't I don't.
It's so simple. This is as bad as the "there are crap games on steam, steam is bad" arguments - pick and choose what you like
How the hell are you a hostage? If you don't like their stuff whether it be stores, games, services etc - leave it, your not tied to anything.
The premise of this thread pretty much revolves around "Valve are not centred around what I like any more" or "Valve games aren't my games" or "Valve must have lots of money now, why aren't they telling me what they are doing more? Where is new stuff centred around me".
For thousands of others, they have great services and games, why are you above anyone else? There are plenty of things they do that don't interest me - I am not held hostage by an imaginary entity to have to use them.
The other theme here is "I don't know the point" or "I don't know who's in charge of thing". As far as communicating internal projects - I don't care. They can release them as and when they feel it is ready. If you haven't been paying attention - almost all of their services are released "half-baked" or in a state of heavy iteration. If I think it is shit at that time or in beta, I may just not use it till I find a use for it or it improves. If I like it I use it, if I don't I don't.
It's so simple. This is as bad as the "there are crap games on steam, steam is bad" arguments - pick and choose what you like
You can launch steam and play games by being offline if that's what you mean, heck most of the time i play i'm offline because of the shitty wireless reception of my pc.
What the.. I tried to read your post, but even though I understood the words, I couldn't comprehend what the issue is.
Or perhaps someone could please make a TLDR out of this, perhaps I'm missing the point..
Steam is a storefront and the bare means to start a game. I buy, I play, I have fun. And..?
Or perhaps someone could please make a TLDR out of this, perhaps I'm missing the point..
Steam is a storefront and the bare means to start a game. I buy, I play, I have fun. And..?
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
A prime example of opinions being wrong.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
Let me put it in simple terms for you.
I want a efficient, minimalist store that I buy my games from, downloads and installs said games when I request, and basically stays the fuck out my way otherwise.
Ideally a kindle store for PC games.
The steam store is unwieldy, uninviting and requires a significant time investment to navigate. The reason there is such a massive Steam-gaf community is because unconsciously people have work around the limitations of the store by becoming curators, tech support and programmers on behalf of valve.
shacklesmcgee
Member
I don't understand
Give me a better option and keep in mind consoles are way behind when it comes to digital gaming.
It is as though Steam provides an array of other features that those people like and have grown accustomed to.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
When you launch a steam game after downloading, it doesnt boot up does it?
It says "installing Microsoft Active X...blah blah"
Why did it not install this shit automatically after finishing the download?
Ask microsoft.
The Steam store's metagames have gotten shitter and shittier, their pricing has gone from "insane" to "rarely the best deal", and the Steam client's legacy features are barely-maintained cruft.
But on the other hand, the Steam client's new features are constantly pushing the envelope, usually in good ways, and complaining about Valve's game output is like going "Seriously, when was the last time Capcom shipped an AAA platformer? They're dead to me at this rate" 20 years ago.
A lot of the fanboyism is going to, or at least should, die out as people grow up. Market leaders fall hard. But there's still plenty there to appreciate.
But on the other hand, the Steam client's new features are constantly pushing the envelope, usually in good ways, and complaining about Valve's game output is like going "Seriously, when was the last time Capcom shipped an AAA platformer? They're dead to me at this rate" 20 years ago.
A lot of the fanboyism is going to, or at least should, die out as people grow up. Market leaders fall hard. But there's still plenty there to appreciate.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
Kindle store.
But every other download manager seems to able to do it fine.
lol, GAF is always good for a laugh.
So you want Steam to install stuff on your PC without asking or informing you?
Metroid is a pretty cool guy
Had to google kindle, does not seem to be related to gaming.
CheesecakeRecipe
Stormy Grey
All three in one.
Steam games are compressed to give lower download times and unpack once on the machine. I can't think of a game that's needed an install. Origin is worse about this.
DaciaJC
Gold Member
If you use the search function, you can afterwards order games by price and release date.
EDIT: Beaten by a better post/explanation above.
Wiktor
Member
While I do think that Steam has too much of DD market there still are viable alternatives. Plus they seem to be pretty small in casual and F2P markets, so for now at least they're not in monopolistic position outside of indie games. Untill recently I thought Valve actually killed indie gaming (not when it comes to actual titles, just the whole philosophy of what indie gaming is), but then they made the great decision to open greenlight floodgates, so that stopped being a problem.
But if you followed Valve mostly for their development efforts, then...well...better find a new favorite dev.
But if you followed Valve mostly for their development efforts, then...well...better find a new favorite dev.
Nobody is forcing you to use all these other facets of Steam. You can use it just as youre asking for.
Not sure what you mean by held hostage but I do agree that Valve isn't the same company it once was. Used to be my favorite dev but these days they don't really appeal to me at all. Their last two games were basically remakes with hats. Maybe I'll like them again when they show some new stuff.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
It entirely depends on the game, and no, every other download manager does not do it just fine. They're the same as Steam, typically.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
If I have asked steam to download my game, I would expect the game to install itself once the download is completed yes.
Im not sure why people would have an issue with downloading a game, but the game installing itself. Do you virus check everytime steam downloads a game?
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
The game does install with the download. You're misunderstanding this.
The problem is that a lot of games need a specific DirectX library or other companion software before they can run (sometimes this stuff is optional). No, I would not like Steam to automatically install other software beyond the core game files.
I'm not a fan of all their new Steam features, it's engineered to manipulate people into doing stuff for meaningless tat, one big social experiment to heard the user base to the next fleecing ground or another venture for Valve to get a cut. Yes, I know, entirely optional but it all stands out to me as a hollow addition rather than anything good for consumers.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
Download manager, not gaming storefront.
If I download chrome right now, using the chrome download manager, it will auto install. Same for flash.
Again bringing up stuff that has nothing to do with gaming.
AcceptableGhost
Member
The game has to install its requisites before it boots (directx redists, etc - which sometimes require user input). Running them one time prior to first boot is the most elegant solution. It is not really "installing the game".
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
Ok fair enough. But its still something that annoys me.
I don't think you understand how video games work.
That's what happens. I'm confused by what you are talking about.
Nabs
Member
That's why people told you to direct your anger at Microsoft. It's required. Steam games are automatically installed on download.
The game itself is installed, what steam downloads afterwards are dependencies the game itself needs to run.
And yes (myself for example) want to know what other stuff, apart of the game, steam installs.
And lets be honest here I have about 300 games on steam and the installation of the dependencies never takes more than one or two minutes, if your gripe is that steam shows a little pop-up box, I don't even know what to say.
That's a pretty silly way to look at required components. Is there a problem with Steam not getting my explicit permission for human_fighter_m_grunt.ogg, and then again for human_fighter_m_shout.ogg? Or for bringing ffxivdiag along for the ride with ffxiv? Or how it DOES install other shared libraries silently?
I mean, it's out of Valve's hands because it's part of the DX licensing, but the idea that this is doing us a favor is kinda weird.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
OK?
It's kind of a necessity, though. I'd never want something to be installed on my PC without being prompted first.
It's not just DirectX libraries. It's also stuff like UPlay, or Gamespy, or whatever other packages come along with the game.
http://kotaku.com/5827197/why-the-hell-does-directx-install-every-time-i-buy-a-game-off-steam
Here's an article about it (which links to a valve employee explaining in depth). They don't like it either. But they have to do it because of the way most of these things like Direct X are built. It is more of a PC gaming issue than a Steam issue.
Here's an article about it (which links to a valve employee explaining in depth). They don't like it either. But they have to do it because of the way most of these things like Direct X are built. It is more of a PC gaming issue than a Steam issue.
VisceralBowl
Member
ThoughtsOfSpeaking is referring to the installation of various redistributables at first launch.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
So basically because the gaming UX is disjointed everywhere else, we should accept it and never complain?
If I boot up my Xbox and buy a game, it downloads and installs.
If I boot up mu PS4 and buy a game,, it downloads and installs.
If I boot up my PC and Buy a game, I have to ask it to download, wait for it to download and then ask it to install.
Whether or not you feel personally its a big deal, especially considering the reasonable explanation why it does this, it is still irritating and something worth pointing out.
Ah, ok.
Well, blame Microsoft's licensing terms. I'm sure that's not a problem on SteamOS
Why single out Valve about stuff like this though, at that point you just seem like a person with an agenda.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
Or, just maybe, it's not disjointed at all in its current state and the problem is with you wanting something completely unreasonable that no one who understands what is actually happening would ever want.
Dude, just stop. He's giving you a serious answer, and you're jumping to the defensive like he just insulted your mother.
Your examples were wrong because they did not function even close to how Steam functions. That's it. It's a misunderstanding of how it needs to work. You can complain about it. People will still call you out on how petty/erroneous it is.
Shrike Alvaron
Member
I agree, but insulting Valve is pretty much a recipe for disaster online due to all the worship they get. I understand that yes, they do still work on TF2, Dota 2, and CS:GO, but for someone who likes Valve because of Half Life and Portal, it just doesn't work for me. It's like they've totally abandoned their original fanbase in favor of the competitive eSports scene, something I have zero interest in. Gabe made a comment a while back about single player games dying and it really frustrates me how they seem to have taken that absolutely flawed view to heart.
And that flat organization structure is obviously flawed, yet people continue to act like it's great. If there's no pressure to get anything done, let alone done on time, then of course it's going to lead to what we see: them floundering around with half baked ideas but lacking the commitment and drive to actually see them through to the end. Management and structure exists for a reason; they're just wasting time and money on developing stuff that's never finished. But no, look at all the FREEDOM the employees have! Clearly being able to slack off and abandon ideas just because you don't feel like working on it is worth the lack of progress.
Also yes I find it absolutely hilarious that despite gamers' frequent hate of micropayments they then go on to worship Valve who has mastered the art of the micropayment. You can't even say it's all cosmetic anymore now that you can buy guns and stuff just as easily as hats.
And that flat organization structure is obviously flawed, yet people continue to act like it's great. If there's no pressure to get anything done, let alone done on time, then of course it's going to lead to what we see: them floundering around with half baked ideas but lacking the commitment and drive to actually see them through to the end. Management and structure exists for a reason; they're just wasting time and money on developing stuff that's never finished. But no, look at all the FREEDOM the employees have! Clearly being able to slack off and abandon ideas just because you don't feel like working on it is worth the lack of progress.
Also yes I find it absolutely hilarious that despite gamers' frequent hate of micropayments they then go on to worship Valve who has mastered the art of the micropayment. You can't even say it's all cosmetic anymore now that you can buy guns and stuff just as easily as hats.
CecilRousso
Member
It's the developers choice to use the DRM on Steam. Valve provides an option, and every developer could for every game choose not require the game to be run through the client. I think I have somewhere between 15 and 20 games in my library that I can run without using the client.
Skyrim actually had to be patched because they accidently released the game DRM free through Steam.
Hamster Plugin
Member
No no NO NO!
I don't want Steam to become that horribly slow mess that is the PSN web store. It feels like they're doing all that fancy Javascript stuff just to show off fancy Javascript stuff. If you haven't seen it, you don't even need a Playstation: https://store.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/
As far as the website goes, Steam is fine. They should make Pixelvision the default skin for the client though, the normal is ugly.