I've heard a lot lately about how this service is better than that one and stuff about Gamestop not carrying this game or that one because of it's relationship with online downloading services and even the explanation that these online services need to charge just as much as brick and mortar retailers because the brick and mortar retailers will get mad and stop carrying their products.
But I have to say,"I'm sorry guys, I just DON'T CARE!"
Perhaps it's my non-PC gaming lineage that all of this seems ridiculous to me or perhaps I'm just too old to think that any of this makes any sense. People like what works and they don't care about what doesn't.
Steam is one of the best online services of any kind that I have ever had the privilege to deal with. All of my transactions have been easy and very simple to complete. No crazy passwords or DRM problems. Everything just works. Steam also has a habit of having excellent discounts on software which is VERY unusual in the digital distribution marketplace Now, they aren't perfect. The fact that some games aren't ACTUALLY installed on your computer like they would be if you owned the product on a disk, sometimes causes issues with related software like map makers or modders. I'm sure these details will be worked out in the future and most of the time it's the developer that won't change their software not Valve that won't make their service compatible with it.
But this isn't a Steam evangelization post. This is a I love digital distribution but if you don't follow Steam's example it WILL be the only service left and you will have only yourselves to blame post. The fact that MANY services require more than one password, the cd key, and only allow you to install the program on one PC. This type of thing really keeps people from "bothering" with digital distribution.
Most people think rightly that if they are going to go through all that they might as well buy the box. It IS the SAME PRICE after all. In fact, some services even require you to pay some money for the privilege of downloading the game rather than buying it from the store and then they charge you tax on the item besides. In one instance, I paid all most $10 more than the listed price due to all these charges.
The other problem with this is that the company isn't expending the extra expenses for these games. No printing costs for boxes, instructions, CD/DVD media, and no shipping costs. So why aren't the games cheaper?
First, it's because some people DO pay these higher prices and the companies figure if they can get away with it, so be it. Second, it's because companies need to make nice with the brick and mortar retailers to keep their games on their shelves.
I say to that, most brick and mortar retailers have shrunk their PC gaming areas to the point where it is laughable. With the exception of Gamestop; which has it's own download service. How much are these companies losing by keeping their games off these 10 foot sections of what is usually about a quarter of the size of the console gaming area. Make your games cheaper on the digital download services and your sales will boom and let the brick and mortar retailers further flounder. Not that these stores HAVE to eject their PC games if this happens. Apparently this is just what they are threatening to do.
Also, the top selling PC games in recent history have been games like World of Warcraft which mainly relay on a monthly fee and usually a core set of software that can be downloaded directly from the company, an online service, or a brick and mortar retailer. This harmony seems to be what the industry is trying to go for with all it's products. The problem with this is that most MMORPG players have no problem with the full price investment of the core software however they want to get it. As it is a one time investment that will allow them to play for another fee for a long time.
Many people DO look for sales on these products but it isn't the same situation as the hardcore PC gamer who buys new graphics cards every year or all ways buys the hottest best rated software. These folks tend to spend hundreds of dollars a year on software. Where a MMORPG player will probably only buy a new expansion every few years and probably will only spend around $100 each non-expansion year.
To close this out, I agree with all the people who say,
"I wish they would all just consolidate under Steam."
Because ONLY Steam is giving the customer what they want with very few problems and excuses. I'm all for competition, I just want a quality service at a descent price. Beyond that, I REALLY DON'T CARE!
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