Poll regarding Steam users

[FLGibsonJr]

I have had Steam for a few years and do not particularly like it. I basically have it because other games I have purchased have forced me to use it. I especially do not like the MP matching in games like Empire Total War and Napoleon Total War.

My real fear though is for the future. Steam has a virtual monopoly over PC gaming, in that they control about 70% of all PC game downloads. What they do with their monopoly is the big question, and if history tells us anything, big monopolies in the long run are not good for consumers or small businesses and developers. In fact Steam is currently pursuing a security feature that links your account and games to your current processor, how that will effect you when changing PC's is yet to be determined. The problem is that your gaming is being controlled by a monopoly and in a sense it is the "consolizing" of PC gaming.

I know there are a lot of developers that are concerned about the Steam/Valve monopoly and you can count me among them.

For now my purchase of CoD has been put on hold until I find out more about the MP matching and the feedback from those who try it here. I know by reading the posts here that there are those who fanatically love Steam (I hope you love your loved ones as intensely), but my guess is that someday that love may not be requited.

Regards,

[Kikuchiyo]

Originally Posted by FLGibsonJr

I have had Steam for a few years and do not particularly like it. I basically have it because other games I have purchased have forced me to use it. I especially do not like the MP matching in games like Empire Total War and Napoleon Total War.

My real fear though is for the future. Steam has a virtual monopoly over PC gaming, in that they control about 70% of all PC game downloads. What they do with their monopoly is the big question, and if history tells us anything, big monopolies in the long run are not good for consumers or small businesses and developers. In fact Steam is currently pursuing a security feature that links your account and games to your current processor, how that will effect you when changing PC's is yet to be determined. The problem is that your gaming is being controlled by a monopoly and in a sense it is the "consolizing" of PC gaming.

I know there are a lot of developers that are concerned about the Steam/Valve monopoly and you can count me among them.

For now my purchase of CoD has been put on hold until I find out more about the MP matching and the feedback from those who try it here. I know by reading the posts here that there are those who fanatically love Steam (I hope you love your loved ones as intensely), but my guess is that someday that love may not be requited.

Regards,

Steam shield is not a hard lock to a cpu it's a choice. Can we please please please stop the disingenuous "facts?"

It's not developer's against Steam it's retailers that forsook PC gaming in the first place.

The last bit is a choice, and a reasonable one. I love my family vastly more than I love any business. I however loathe disingenuous, misinformed, or dishonest statements. That is the main reason I have been so fervent in my defense of Valve these past couple of days.

[Thee_oddball]

if you buy a game from steam(like dragon age 2) and find out you dont like it can you sell it to some one?

[Kikuchiyo]

Originally Posted by Thee_oddball

if you buy a game from steam(like dragon age 2) and find out you dont like it can you sell it to some one?

No, but you can request a refund. I cannot guarantee that said request will be accepted.

[FLGibsonJr]

Originally Posted by Kikuchiyo

It's not developer's against Steam it's retailers that forsook PC gaming in the first place...

...The last bit is a choice, and a reasonable one. I love my family vastly more than I love any business. I however loathe disingenuous, misinformed, or dishonest statements. That is the main reason I have been so fervent in my defense of Valve these past couple of days.

http://www.1up.com/news/steam-confli...st-valve-randy

Please see link that counters your assertions about developers related to Steam/Valve. I could post many more.

Regards,

[Kikuchiyo]

Originally Posted by FLGibsonJr

http://www.1up.com/news/steam-confli...st-valve-randy

Please see link that counters your assertions about developers related to Steam/Valve. I could post many more.

Regards,

Here you go. On the other hand as consumers we do have a responsibility to keep an eye out. There are two sides to every coin. Valve didn't set out to take a 70% market share of DD they just made it so convenient and user friendly that before anyone else could hop on the bandwagon the train had already left the station. I do believe they need competition, but it will have to be from something that is as overall perceived by the end user to be as useful and fulfilling for gamers that use the service. Valve is not infallible but it is up to the consumers to decide when enough is enough and not Valve's competitor's that thus far have not done it as well (as evidenced by it's user base.)