This is an excellent observation. I'm very interested in Lone Survivor, but I did not want any of the other games in that first Indie Pack. Had they all been horror-related games, I may have jumped in (or, of course, I may have already owned them), but the amount of stuff I did not want convinced me to pass. Strange decision on their part.
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Steam Summer Sales 2012 Thread: we still like you Tony
- Thread starter Salsa
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This is an excellent observation. I'm very interested in Lone Survivor, but I did not want any of the other games in that first Indie Pack. Had they all been horror-related games, I may have jumped in (or, of course, I may have already owned them), but the amount of stuff I did not want convinced me to pass. Strange decision on their part.
Huevos de Oro
Member
mwahaha
Still probably will not get.
AH! And you still had the nerve to call it a fixed vote? Shame on you, good Sir. Shame!
I'm from Paraguay. My PayPal account is set to USA and linked to an USA Entropay VCC.
I have no problem buying things from other places, it's just Steam that's being a little bitch.
Nemesis121
Member
I won one vote, Ass Creed and I didn't even care about that game, hoping QUBE shows up as a daily deal...
legacyzero
Banned
QUBE!!
scorpscarx
Member
T-minus 24 minutes until next lashing, get ready!
SpacePirate Ridley
Member
Plan vs Zombies? WTF is this shit!
I voted SMB because, even I already had it, there were some firends that really want it, now they cant.
It would have been much better if Qube had win, but Plant vs Zombies? Come on!
I voted SMB because, even I already had it, there were some firends that really want it, now they cant.
It would have been much better if Qube had win, but Plant vs Zombies? Come on!
SteveWinwood
Member
Something that looks like a portal clone vs a cube of meat and a fetus vs ZOMBIEZ AND HAPPY SUNS AND PLANTS AND THAT LOOKS FUN
zomg must be rigged
zomg must be rigged
I also think that it's the worst sale yet, but it's probably Valve just experimenting with the formula. They're trying to see if the community adapts to the concept of 8h Flash Deals and Community Choices.
Yeah, but K&L2 was genuinely bad, and they've tried to sell it as fast as possible on the "look, look, it's a brand new game!" basis. I think that Max Payne 3 is the closest one to this concept, since it's been released like a month ago, is a very good game, and is already 50% off.
By any logic I expected Qube to win and it really should have.
I completely agree with you. In fact, it seems like this is what we'll get from now on.
Previously, the sales were super crazy and you got a ton of games... as if Steam was really really trying to hard to become a viable platform. But now? Steam is the GO TO platform for games.
Even I'm guilty of going to Steam even though a game would have better DRM and or cheaper at places like GOG or GMG or Amazon or whatever.
They fought really hard to get into the peoples mind as the PC platform... it's kind of like the people who only buy nintendo, or only my xbox or ps3.
Now that Valve has their hooks in you, I don't think the crazy ass sales will come like they did in the past.
And on a side, really? Plants vs Zombies? Really?
I also think that GAF is not necessarly representative of the whole market. Sure we are pretty much all hardcore gamers and know which "unknown" games are better than other but the casual guys who gets emails updates and open steam to see a vote will vote for something he/she heard about before. The last vote for example, I voted for Qube cause it's the game I'm the most interested in but it's obvious that the majority would vote for PvZ since it's a super mainstream game that everybody know. Same with Super Meat Boy but to a lesser extent.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
This. I voted Qube even if I wsan't sure I'll end buying it.
Actually.... that's probably exactly what's happening.
Although this is my first Steam sale, I agree with the bolded. I'm hoping on the last day or so, there will be deals at 80 - 90% off (although PixelJunk Eden is the exception rather than the rule). I haven't jumped at the 'indie bundles' because I either already got those games offered or I can't see paying $10 for just one game when I'm not interested in the others.
I'm also surprised that games like Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Endless Space or Spec Ops: The Line aren't seeing drastic discounts during the sale.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
The Michael Jackson zombie got switched out with a generic Disco zombie. They added Zombatar and Steam achievements and cloud save support. Can't remember if there's anything else. The regular version no longer exists and if you bought it, it was auto-upgraded to GOTY.
This paragraph sort of reminded me that I should probably mention that I'm not embittered. I really like Steam as a platform. I don't feel I'm owed anything. Valve can do what they want. And I'm sure I'll still buy lots of great games during this sale. When I say it's been their worst sale event, that's a very detached viewpoint.
I really don't understand how Bio Shock 2 won the community choice. The game has been sold at a huge discount for many months now no? Hell even my usual brick and motar shop has it bundled with 2 other games for 20 usd just because they can't clear off their inventory. wth people. Who exactly are making these choices 
this is strange...
do not everyone own PvZ yet?
peope should be flogged for not owning it already
and people should be flogged for voting for it even though they own it
I blame Jeff Green and his band of zombies running around and spreading subliminal messages in the podcast community. There cant be any other explanation.
do not everyone own PvZ yet?
peope should be flogged for not owning it already
and people should be flogged for voting for it even though they own it
I blame Jeff Green and his band of zombies running around and spreading subliminal messages in the podcast community. There cant be any other explanation.
Empty Space
Member
That sounds like an instant win to me. I have to imagine PvZ winning has a lot to do with people being familiar with it and just voting safe.
scorpscarx
Member
Perhaps Valve finally smartened up and listened to the sound reasoning of EA, they are trying to repent from all dat IP devaluing. Just my theory, of course.
phantomspiker
Member
I don't think that Valve really controls the prices of the games that are on sale.
davidsaurus
Member
Endless Space is literally just out. Would be a kick in the teeth for it to have "drastic discounts".
Just a quick heads up while there's only 20 minutes left on the deal - if you have any interest in football/soccer at all you owe it to yourself to play Football Manager 2012. It has a bit of a learning curve but is surprisingly easy to play after the first few minutes of "what does this do?", and it's beyond addictive.
It has the power to get you hooked on playing more than practically any other game I've played. I've put hundreds of hours into just this year's version, probably thousands over the course of the series. An absolute bargain at £5.
It has the power to get you hooked on playing more than practically any other game I've played. I've put hundreds of hours into just this year's version, probably thousands over the course of the series. An absolute bargain at £5.
Well, actually they can. At this price, it's still really cheap (and it's been on sale at super low prices about a trillion times already).
throwawayname
Member
Everyone already has SMB, thats why.
legacyzero
Banned
Meh.. Maybe we'll get Qube as a daily or flash.
Nooo. I played the hell out of the game pre-Gauthier version and I still remember the awesome Michael Jackson zombie. I have played it since GOTYe update, didn't realize they get rid of him, undoubtedly due to "sensitivity" concerns.
VibratingDonkey
Member
It's €45 here too (-25%), which is essentially the retail price of game that's just released, and the price of most company bundles. You can get it for significantly less elsewhere online.
Almost as mystifying as Qube not winning.
SpacePirate Ridley
Member
Im with Stump here, apart from me not liking the vote system.
I hate the most of all that theres not really a cohesive story with the steam mascots, I loved the old drawings were they meet different characters from the games that were on sale, and the stories were awesome. Now, a static images and no metagame.
I suppose the voting system is a test for the upcoming greenlight, and seeing some of the last choices, and being one of the people that wanted to put our new game ther, im really afraid now.
It will be in a indie bundle.
benjipwns
Banned
My joint criticism in reply is also the same way, we've been around though. The first sale was a huge surprise, and then they became events that literally encompassed games you already owned.
Just looking at the thread, it's still these things for newcomers. We've just piled up on most of the games we want and can analyze all the various differences that make this one not quite the excitement it once was to get BioShock for $10 WOW! OMG LUV U VALVE!
Rickenslacker
Banned
SteveWinwood
Member
Qube is really good. I bought it at launch and really enjoyed it. But I can certainly see why it might not win a vote.
Thinking the community deals being rigged is a really dumb thing to think at this point.
AngryChinchilla
Member
Really wanted Qube. I don't like that they put big name game vs more underground titles. They should put popular against popular, and unknown against unknown.
At this point I'm pretty sure the vast majority of people simply vote for the game they know at least by name so they can try it out. Remember that people with 50+ games on Steam are the minority, while people with 200+ are the rule only considering those who post actively around here or in the steam forums, or anyway they're bound to be the minority, it's simple statistics.
And there's really nothing wrong with this I guess, it's really no use complaining because the game we wanted to buy didn't win.
And there's really nothing wrong with this I guess, it's really no use complaining because the game we wanted to buy didn't win.
benjipwns
Banned
Yeah, but you have to get the rest of that stuff with it. For $10 instead of $3.75.
oipic
Member
Bah, after thinking my wallet was going to escape unscathed today, I caved and picked up the Alan Wake bundle. I never got around to playing it on 360. In Steam-GAF I trust.
(for that it's worth, I picked up Grimrock and Trine 2 yesterday)
Must say, these flash sales are messing with my usual sale routine:
1) squeal excitedly at a day's new sales
2) add long-coveted titles to cart
3) become swamped with pre-purchase self-doubt
4) peruse lengthy backlog
5) read/revisit reviews/ratings to convince myself need said game(s)
6) review budgetary circumstances
7) elect to eat cheaply (or not at all)
8) whack F5 repeatedly on this thread, seeking validation
9) sleep on it
10) scroll (and scroll) through backlog
11) catch up on all posts in this thread, hunt for Salsa's verdict on said game(s)
12) weakly justify decision however necessary
13) sheepishly complete purchase
This process is finely-honed, and typically takes at least 23 hours. Damn you, Gabe - you're a clever man.
So, ~15 minutes until a couple of new flash sales...
(for that it's worth, I picked up Grimrock and Trine 2 yesterday)
Must say, these flash sales are messing with my usual sale routine:
1) squeal excitedly at a day's new sales
2) add long-coveted titles to cart
3) become swamped with pre-purchase self-doubt
4) peruse lengthy backlog
5) read/revisit reviews/ratings to convince myself need said game(s)
6) review budgetary circumstances
7) elect to eat cheaply (or not at all)
8) whack F5 repeatedly on this thread, seeking validation
9) sleep on it
10) scroll (and scroll) through backlog
11) catch up on all posts in this thread, hunt for Salsa's verdict on said game(s)
12) weakly justify decision however necessary
13) sheepishly complete purchase
This process is finely-honed, and typically takes at least 23 hours. Damn you, Gabe - you're a clever man.
So, ~15 minutes until a couple of new flash sales...
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
They do and they don't. Obviously a hostile, non-cooperative publisher is not going to discount stuff to the extreme.
But Valve works with publishers, Valve ties discounts to promotions like those achievement hunts, Valve selects the daily deals (which might be an increased emphasis to offer a higher discount on products). Valve supplies statistics and makes any business case that the sale is good or necessary. Valve decides the timings. And, although this is a weapon they've never used, Valve is able to cede their portion of the sale to incentivize publishers to give a steeper discount than they otherwise might at no cost to them.
Valve is also aware of other competing outlets, and can apply pressure to match or beat their sales. As it relates to indie bundles, I'm 100% sure that if Valve reached out to the indie community or to the runners of any recurring indie bundle to work specifically with them, they'd be overjoyed.
So, yeah, it's not all Valve's fault, but it's not like they just send out an email that says "lol sale soon set ur prices" and then sit back. They're an engaged participant in the process.
We're only a couple of days in, though, so there's every chance we'll see amazing deals at the end of next week.
Thanks!
The game still hasn't changed to 75% for me. I'm assuming I have to wait a while before it changes?
Rickenslacker
Banned
There are 3 votes a day, you only need to get 2 per to get all the vote requirements.
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