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Hate to encourage: Release via steam

Hate to encourage: Release via steam

*ducks from flying objects*

But, seriously...steam (as per Stardock CEO) has 70% of the digital distribution market.  That's a lot of players.  There is also a LOT of steam-only people out there.  So by not publishing, even to a rival, means potential loss of a lot of players.

I'll even volunteer to run the Elemental official group and assist moderate the forums. I just would like as many people as possible for multiplayer games.

But put aside the fact that developer = publisher/distributor.   To make the most $ you need the most distribution you can. And well, Steam even with its flaws has a huge playerbase.

Plus, Sins of a Solar Empire would rule there since they don't have anything comparable yet. (well, there really isn't anyway...)

Just a thought to make this more successful... 

206,978 views 86 replies
Reply #76 Top

Quoting Wintersong, reply 75

...This is not web browser wars...

I'm not so sure about this.

I use both Impulse and Steam a lot. If there is a single-player game available on both at the same price I buy from Impulse. Not because Impulse is better, but rather because I believe in what Stardock stands for with its refreshing policy of openness and transparency. I love that they share their insights and research with us.

If the game is multiplayer then I usually choose Steam because that is where the community goes.

Of the two systems I prefer the Steam experience over Impulse because it loads quicker and appears more polished. Impulse seems to spend much longer loading updates and registering and this is where the two systems do seem to be browsers at their core. Impulse reminds me a lot of Internet Explorer because of the time it takes to load. Steam reminds me of Chrome or Firefox because it only seems to load in only what it needs to without extra bloat. Could be wrong but that has always been my impression of the two systems.

Just to add another player to the mix, my favourite feature from any of these systems is Gamers Gate feature of being able to watch a game waiting for a price-drop then you receive an email. Very nice.

 

Reply #77 Top

demigod none of my clan member or friends from games play it even those who were playing it at start with me 

steam is were everyone of the clans games are on  simple logic 

having impulse games would make it a pain in the ass too reply too steam messages 

ohh and i have been looking forward too elemental since demigod  first came out but im not gunna buy it if enough of the clan decides it is worth it then i might but no point getting a game if i have too find new people to play with and  put up with annouying bastards 

Reply #78 Top

Quoting si1foo, reply 77
demigod none of my clan member or friends from games play it even those who were playing it at start with me 

steam is were everyone of the clans games are on  simple logic 

having impulse games would make it a pain in the ass too reply too steam messages 

ohh and i have been looking forward too elemental since demigod  first came out but im not gunna buy it if enough of the clan decides it is worth it then i might but no point getting a game if i have too find new people to play with and  put up with annouying bastards 

Just curious, does the rest of your clan enjoy playing Turn Based Strategy? If not, I think you should consider if you going to buy this game for yourself or just multiplayer with the people you know. 

Reply #79 Top

my clan plays every type of game but i doubt i would even be able too convince them to come too this game

Reply #80 Top

Never. Steam F***s people out of money has the worst technical support won't fix games or make sure their compatibile *even if they say they are* are utter a**holes to everyone and worse yet their direct competitors of Impulse if they sold this game on there it'd only damage its reputation. *by that i mean all the frustration of steamusers and the problems associated with modding etc*

Plus it violates the 'gamers bill of rights' because steam must run in order to run their games therefore stardock Cannot release games on steam without violating their own symbolic agreement to their customers One which i highly value and am thankful for.

Reply #81 Top

Quoting si1foo, reply 77
demigod none of my clan member or friends from games play it even those who were playing it at start with me 

steam is were everyone of the clans games are on  simple logic 

having impulse games would make it a pain in the ass too reply too steam messages 

ohh and i have been looking forward too elemental since demigod  first came out but im not gunna buy it if enough of the clan decides it is worth it then i might but no point getting a game if i have too find new people to play with and  put up with annouying bastards 

Why not just talk to people in Steam while playing Elemental? You can bring up the Steam overlay and do that.

Reply #82 Top

Quoting Whiskey144, reply 29



Quoting caross73,
reply 28
As they say, every industry needs people who make bad or unpopular decisions only if to make their competition look good.

 



Who says that? Because obviously they've NEVER met Kotick. Kotick, as any well-informed PC gamer knows, is THE UTTER ABOMINATION OF VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY. Kotick HIMSELF has stated that his ENTIRE GOAL in the video game industry is to effectively exploit every IP that Activision can get it's greasy, slimey, grubby mits on by milking it for cash as quickly and as long as is humanly possible.

Another topic, but kotick is successful at doing just that because THE MARKET DEMANDS EXACTLY THAT. Everyone plays "games" now. They love their music and movie tie-in titles. 

Reply #83 Top

Quoting coreimpulse, reply 82
Another topic, but kotick is successful at doing just that because THE MARKET DEMANDS EXACTLY THAT. Everyone plays "games" now. They love their music and movie tie-in titles. 

Interesting point, I think you're right, in a philosophical way - the times make the man, not the other way around. He wouldn't be head of Activision/Blizzard if the greater public didn't respond favorably to - no, demand - sequel after sequel, any sort of change regarded with automatic suspicion if not vicious disapproval. That being said.. even if the state of the industry isn't his fault, even if the blame lies with teeming masses of people who beg with credit cards waving for a Sequel IV that's a rehashed III, we still needn't like that one guy who chooses to step forward and say "Sure, I can give you that sequel, and I've got another one planned next year" - the times don't excuse his attitude, they merely explain his success.

Anyway, let me try to be on-topic:

Quoting Raven, reply 58
What Stardock really needs to do is go out and bribe some major studios, the big Evil Ones like E.A. and Blizzard to make a few games to be sold Exclusively either in a store or online through Impulse only. If they can pull that off for a few triple AAA titles Impulse will become the next Steam and take it's place as the number 1 digital service because of Stardock's golden reputation with it's customers. Steam doesn't have that luxury, quite the contrary in fact, and I think Stardock really needs to monopolize on that.

This begs the question - does Stardock want Impulse to "become the next Steam?" I'm not sure that they do - Brad seems rather anti-monopoly, does that include a monopoly controlled by Stardock? I'd certainly hope so. If they're trying to replace Steam or create the next Steam, then you're right, copying Steam's business practices would be the way to go - but it seems more like they're aiming for an open market which Impulse holds down a respectable share of, not a monopoly dominated by Impulse the way Steam is trying to dominate the market now.

Reply #84 Top

He could do both. People want sequels, so they deliver sequels. But Activision is making quite a lot of money, they could invest some of that in new IP. Sometimes that doesn't work out so well, but the return on investment is pretty good if you wind up with a new hit (then you have something new to make sequels for).

Reply #85 Top

Quoting Tridus, reply 84
He could do both. People want sequels, so they deliver sequels. But Activision is making quite a lot of money, they could invest some of that in new IP. Sometimes that doesn't work out so well, but the return on investment is pretty good if you wind up with a new hit (then you have something new to make sequels for).

Yeah, more or less what I meant - the success of all those sequels is our fault for buying them, but it's still his choice to exploit the public's taste as much as possible, to make only sequels and actively suppress new IPs. Your last comment is exactly what irritates me the most about the whole controversy - where do they think successful franchises come from? They all had to be original IPs once, you avoid those and you're killing the future of the industry out of fear of short term loss.

Reply #86 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 43


Then the question is, how much are you guys willing to sacrifice for that?  Do any of you remember how many updates we do to our games when they're new? GalCiv had like 5 updates in the first month. Not bug fixes mind you but new stuff.  Sins of a Solar Empire had several in its first few months.  I can tell you right now, Elemental will likely get at least a DOZEN updates in its first 6 months out.  You guys have great ideas and frankly, I want them in there. If not now, then asap.

Do you seriously think that kind of rapid updating is possible if you're using a third party DD source?

 

If for no other reason than this, it is worth it for Stardock to keep the game on impulse.    This is the main reason I love Stardock games and will keep coming back.