37 replies to this topic

[SnowWolf06]

Prefer Steam because things tend to overheat around me

[CycKath]

All for Steam integration, despite the fact the reason I initially used it was because I was forced to to register via it to activate a game (physical copy of Saints Row 2), but I'm concerned by the Microsoft angle. I'd be against Steam integration if I was forced use say Game for Windows Live to log in after launching via Steam.

[NeutronicalGaming]

Steam is great, if your going to go for some digital distribution i'd support the move to steam all the way but i don't know if it will really need it i imagine the Mwol servers will probably cope with the downloads themselves?
i dunno.

i'd definitely put it in there just for advertisement's sake though.

[omegaclawe]

Steam would be great to get a large initial playerbase going, I'm sure. There's no doubt that appearing on Steam's Front Page for even one day would expose the game to millions. However, this thread does not seem to have mentioned the elephant in the room, which has driven many EA products off of Steam: Steam requires a cut of all the sales made for the game, including DLC and in-game purchases and wot. I think some previously pay-to-play MMO's have been grandfathered in, but newer games... hard to avoid that.

Were Piranha to agree, Steam would no doubt host MWO, because they'd get a good amount of the revenue from it, but Piranha takes it in the rump unless the bandwidth and marketing provided by steam is worth more than a portion of the revenue, which might only happen if the game is a flop.

I'm no business expert, though. While my (admittedly feeble) understanding of the situation suggests that a proprietary torrent-style downloader would be the most cost-effective, I could very well be completely wrong. Especially with such a fickle beast as marketing.

[Wieland Calhoun]

alistair marsden, on 31 October 2011 - 01:53 PM, said:

Depends on how steam is used in MWO. If it's just another channel of distribution, then why not. But please refrain from forcing innocent non-steam users to having to create an account with that company and installing their piece of s...oftware, before they can play a hopefully fantastic game.

There are free-to-play MMOs available for download/registration/login through Steam that do not require you to use Steam. You can download the game, create an account for it, login, etc. without ever touching Steam, so Valve certainly allows the option.

As for Valve taking a cut ("Steam" is not a company), most devs report that Steam is one of the more fair options out there.

In any case, I doubt so many companies would work with them if both parties involved weren't getting some net gain out of the deal. If Piranha goes with Steam, we can probably guess that it was a sound business decision, and guessing is all we can really do.

Edited by wieland calhoun, 01 November 2011 - 07:38 AM.

[VoxeL]

I think that the release of MechWarrior Online on Steam (not exclusively) would be a very rational decision.
For me it will be convenient. In addition, integration with this digital distribution service has its advantages.

And I expect some information from the PGI & IGP on this topic.

[MaddMaxx]

Steam would not be a bad additional option. I guess it depends on what the cost is to the Dev/Publisher in the over-all scheme.

[BourbonFaucet]

As long as our 'mechs won't have to wear silly hats into battle, I'm fine with a steam release. *trollface*

[Ennui]

It would be great to see MWO on Steam

[omegaclawe]

techorse, on 02 November 2011 - 09:12 AM, said:

As long as our 'mechs won't have to wear silly hats into battle, I'm fine with a steam release. *trollface*

But I want a Beanie on my Atlas! D:

[drunkdr1v3r]

I have nothing against release of MWO on Steam, just don't make it exclusively on Steam because it's not like everybody uses it and there are many people who don't want to use it but would like to play this game.

[Ave Hax]

Well i have to say no they got this and where is my t-shirt (devs fix my empty store!!!!)

[MrPlow254]

I would find myself spending more time on the game with friends. My whole list would know I play this game 24/7. Also adding a workshop could be an advantage to Piranha Games, allowing for people to submit their ideas to the public for review and possible implementation into the game. But really I would only want my friends list, though thinking about it now; achievements when they add them to the game could also be linked to steam.

[Syllogy]

Except for the whole part where you have to program your game to communicate with Steam's server, and then also pay Steam either per Download, or per Transaction (neither way is cheap.)

[focuspark]

what benefit would having a Steam release bring?

[Aim64C]

Why on God's Green Earth would the MWO dev team commit suicide?

There are two reasons to utilize steam. The advertising given, and the fact that Steam provides electronic distribution.

There is a third - Steamworks... but that's industrial sabotage at its finest (you then become Steam exclusive). No developer with its own distribution and matchmaking service would utilize steamworks. Particularly if it has any dreams of selling outside of steam.

Since MWO has its own distribution service... partnering with Steam only makes sense in terms of advertising. Not only that - the Free to Play model doesn't stack well, at all, with a steam partnership. While games like WoT have an initial purchase fee - it is becoming far more popular to simply allow anyone to install and play the content for free with a content market.

There's a reason I absolutely refuse to purchase any version of Skyrim. It is steamlocked (and I'll be damned if I support a title on a console that is steamlocked on a computer). I, also, will never purchase Sword of the Stars II for that very same reason.

If PGI can figure out a way to list their game on the steam marketplace without an "entry fee" - then the more power to them.

But the moment I get told that Steam needs to be put on my computer, I'm gone.

[Adridos]

So they are already giving 20% of the revenues to CryTek, now you want then to give even more to Valve?

[Victor Morson]

To those voting no: Let me remind you Steam does not eat your children. Valve does not hate Battletech. It will not find a way to molest you in your sleep.

There is literally no downside except a huge player boon from offering MW:O on Steam concurrently with directly from PGI. Steam is very cool about F2P non-exclusives thesedays and there's a bunch up there, including Planetside 2. It took a very solid numbers surge, too!

You would be SHOCKED how many people I talk to when I run across someone with BattleTech references in other games that haven't even heard of MW:O. Steam would a huge help, and again, if you vote for non-exclusive yes you're voting for something that will not harm you in anyway, but will help the game. Voting No simply closes off an influx of new players and nothing else, for you personally.

I'd even be alright with making it exclusive, honestly, but I think more options can only be a good thing and thus went with the non-exclusive yes vote.

Adridos, on 29 March 2013 - 01:32 AM, said:

So they are already giving 20% of the revenues to CryTek, now you want then to give even more to Valve?

Valve is famed for it's fairness on these issues. Remember, they have costs too - like bandwidth - that would be saved as cost here. The number of customers brought in are likely to greatly enhance the amount of MC purchased and help PGI greatly in the end.

I don't know why people like to think Valve/Steam are evil sometimes. They're honestly the best thing to happen to PC gaming in years and largely responsible for the revival of PC gaming in general. I hope to see IGP work a deal out with them to bring MW:O to Steam by the end of "beta" at the least.*

*I half suspect they might be waiting so as to make a good "first impression" a second time.

EDIT: PGI could learn a lot from Steam sales. If you lower prices a lot, people buy a lot. If you need money PGI, just run a decent MC sale. We'll buy, we swear.

Edited by Victor Morson, 31 March 2013 - 12:33 PM.