Steam?

alexalexuk · Post by **alexalexuk** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:35 pm

Why isnt distant worlds on Steam? Would be an instant success for Matrix Games and Elliot.

Merker · Post by **Merker** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:25 pm

Hmm, I've always wondered about Steam. Can anyone explain what it exactly is and how it works? I mean are transactions and downloads safe through it? I want to get X3:Terran Conflict and steam seems to be my best option left right now, but I don't trust downloading services or whatever it is....

Rosseau · Post by **Rosseau** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:03 pm

It seems a lot people here are down on Steam, but it is the place to go for bargains. I've been using it for a couple of years, many games, and only one problem that got resolved quick. I only go for the big sales, though.

WoodMan · Post by **WoodMan** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:31 pm

Why isnt distant worlds on Steam? Would be an instant success for Matrix Games and Elliot.

I think this question was asked before quite a while back. Erik said something about Steam taking such a large slice of the profits it was actually more profitable to sell here at Matrix to a smaller audience, or something along those lines.

You need to generate a hell of a lot of sales on Steam to make up for what they take, which makes it okay for all the huge games from the massive companies, those games sell 10s or 100s of thousands and in some cases millions of copies.

Lord_Astraios · Post by **Lord_Astraios** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:04 am

Yeah,  you need to see the whole background of steam,  for many is supposed to ease the "tension " of players or get bargains.

For me...  "Meh",  i really dont care for Steam,  and buying games i buy them from the companies directly,  or from the store in a box,  i had many problems with Steam sometimes i feel tired of dealing with them and 3 cases are that 3 games the serial number is already used when i bought the game at the same day,  i use steam because the game obligates me to use it or simply i have to connect to the internet when i had problems with my internet service provider when they are fixing a problem in the area. 

pmelheck1 · Post by **pmelheck1** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:10 am

I think you'll find steam is a love/hate thing here. I know matrix is a smaller developer compared to some of the major houses out their that use steam, impulse or any other digital distribution that isn't direct download. As their a middle man in distribution then they will take a "cut" of sales. War games are a niche type game, especially a lot of the titles here that wouldn't generate a lot of sales so the thin margin that Matrix makes on titles becomes thinner to a loss per title. Matrix also publishes smaller games in some cases published by one person that wouldn't have a chance to get published otherwise. Having Matrix on steam would put a second layer of distribution between the player and the writer so the royalties the programmer gets would become even smaller to zero I think removing the ability to host publish these titles. Publishing Big titles wouldn't help either... Matrix can use revenues from very successful titles to help smaller titles currently, but if there large successes generate small revenue (if on steam) then they become unable to help the smaller titles. We complain about how the major publishers only care about the bottom line and personally I think matrix does a very good job balancing big vs small titles.

I can only imagine the horror on steam of some of the higher priced titles here, not to mention the shear incredulity of sound or graphics with the steam crowd. I'm not implying that steam users are necessarily sound or graphics junkies but I have seen enough talk on the boards to know steam has a VERY diverse user base unlike here in a lot of cases.

Terminus · Post by **Terminus** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:23 am

There seems to be plenty of indie developers who publish on Steam, and they don't seem to have a problem. Of course, if Steam's your ONLY option...

Kayoz · Post by **Kayoz** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:26 am

One issue which has not come up, is the technical problems with Steam. When it works, then it's fine. But when something goes wrong, then you're up the proverbial brown creek without a paddle.

Ever tried getting tech support from Steam when something doesn't work? Good luck.

Terminus · Post by **Terminus** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:34 am

This is, unfortunately, true.

Data · Post by **Data** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:35 am

What's the alternative to steam (and the obvious selling on your own)? I always hear about steam and impulse togethere...impulse is a similar service? is it more stable or user friendly?

J HG T · Post by **J HG T** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:03 am

I've used Impulse for several years. Mainly 'cause SoaSE expansions.
It's fairly user-friendly and stable nowadays. The only major problem I've noticed with it is its habit of totally freaking out with some firewalls. I don't know what's the issue but some firewalls just block all the downloads you try to do with Impulse, no matter what your firewall settings are. The only solution to this seems to be shutting down the firewall during downloads (yes, it sucks). 
Apart from that I've never had any complaints about Impulse.

I've also seen Armada, Star Ruler, Gratuituos Space Battles and AI war on Impulse. They seem to be quite favourable towards (indie) space games in general. I see no major reasons why DW wouldn't fit in there. Maybe after next expansion...

Data · Post by **Data** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:17 am

Thanks J, hoping the economics favors this move from Matrix....it will open up the market so it should help

WoodMan · Post by **WoodMan** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:25 am

I prefer impulse to Steam.

Steam you generally have to have running if you want to play your game you downloaded on it, in-fact it will auto-run when you start windows by default and will auto-launch if you try to start a game you bought on it from your windows start menu or shortcut.  Basically, you are forced to use it.

Impulse on the other hand you can download the game you bought from them and then run it from the start menu or shortcut without having to have impulse running too.

Data · Post by **Data** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:01 am

If that is the case than steam is too intrusive for my taste

Gray Death · Post by **Gray Death** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:04 pm

I prefer impulse too. Its less intrusive and the games are getting patched earlier then steam. And you can choose to patch and thich patch if i recall right.

The con on impulse is (for me in germany) that some titles (mostly from major companys) cannot be buyed in my country.

Lord_Astraios · Post by **Lord_Astraios** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:30 pm

It is mostly about the developers decision and the main publisher descion to come in an agreement...  here is matrix Code force already have a publisher,  in which is Matrix Games,  to use another publisher like steam or any other 3rd party is like pushing it for some.   And probably Erik or the team sees not much advantage in it,  except the only thing an increment in sales but still they have to pay to steam or impulse or whatever company to put them in their database to sell.  And against what they do and what matrix have and do,  as matrix you can buy,  download,  patch it when ever you want,  download it again if you lost the game,  and no software pushing your buttons.

Now that you mention Impulse,  i do prefer  that one than any other,  you have the freedom to use it when ever you want.

MartialDoctor · Post by **MartialDoctor** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:51 am

ORIGINAL: WoodMan

Why isnt distant worlds on Steam? Would be an instant success for Matrix Games and Elliot.

I think this question was asked before quite a while back. Erik said something about Steam taking such a large slice of the profits it was actually more profitable to sell here at Matrix to a smaller audience, or something along those lines.

You need to generate a hell of a lot of sales on Steam to make up for what they take, which makes it okay for all the huge games from the massive companies, those games sell 10s or 100s of thousands and in some cases millions of copies.

I know that AI War is also sold on Steam and they are not a big company.

That being said, I always prefer Impulse to Steam. I always order from them over Steam when the offer is there.

Kayoz · Post by **Kayoz** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:02 pm

ORIGINAL: MartialDoctor

That being said, I always prefer Impulse to Steam. I always order from them over Steam when the offer is there.

You want an invasive, buggy DRM system on your computer? You want it so badly that you're asking for it?

J HG T · Post by **J HG T** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:10 pm

Huh? Impulse doesn't use any DRMs that I know. Once you've bought and downloaded the game you can play it off-line all you want. It won't abuse you, as won't the Steam if you use "Run in off-line mode" settings.
Good example being SoaSE; Great game, no DRM, good reviews, strong fanbase, cult-classic.
Your point, Kayoz?

Cvan · Post by **Cvan** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:30 pm

ORIGINAL: Kayoz

ORIGINAL: MartialDoctor

That being said, I always prefer Impulse to Steam. I always order from them over Steam when the offer is there.

You want an invasive, buggy DRM system on your computer? You want it so badly that you're asking for it?

I thought it's up to developers wether game will or will not have DRM.

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