Before I dive into why and how and WHAT?!?!!? let me catch up those who got lost at digital distribution something-or-rather-ma-jig. Digital distribution is a way to provides digital items (like an e-book, video game, song, movie, anything that can be saved to a computer) over the internet. So instead of going to the store to buy a game, you can just buy it online and download it using a specific software. iTunes, Napster or YouTube are digital distribution platforms.
Steam was released in 2003 with plenty of bugs and flaws. The system was first used as a way to authenticate Valve games purchased through retail stores and to streamline the patching process as it would download patches automatically. It soon started stocking games, demos and clips and provided a simple social networking experience. Currently, there was over 25 million Steam users, with over 1,100 available video game titles to buy and download. It is estimated that Steam makes up 70% of the digital distribution market. It's been only available on Windows, however this year it was announced that Steam will be coming to the Mac in May.
For some, the announcement was a 'so what.' This was the response one of my brothers had. It's totally understandable, we've never liked the Mac OS and don't believe it to be a viable gaming platform. I digress however, as I don't want to discuss the rivalry between Mac and Windows. There is a greater threat, a larger adversary, the final boss that is ... The Consoles...
Yes, I am going to discuss the age old debate of PC* gaming vs console gaming. I have to, but I'll try to keep it short. PC gaming is important, it is deeper, more complex, more open and more experimental. The computer provides both developers and gamers an opportunity to try new and crazy things and to share their creations across the interwebs. Services like the PlayStation Network and XBox Live Marketplace do provide a way for indie developers to share their games on the consoles, but it can't beat the ease the PC provides. Despite these specialties, we are seeing the console market is completely trumping the PC gaming market in sales and market share. Developers are flocking to the consoles, making their games exclusively for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 while only giving an after though (if at all) to a PC port. I'm worried that if this trend continues, the PC gaming market may become only populated by die hard indie developers while makers of triple-A titles (the big budget movies of gaming) move onto consoles.
Anyway, back to Steam going on the Mac and why it will save us all. Playing games on the computer has always had huge drawbacks such as compatibility issues, bugs, cost of equipment and restrictive Digital Rights Management (DRM). Consoles on the other hand are made simple, buy the disk/cartridge, pop it into the console and you're able to start playing. No worries about updates or messing around in Windows to get the game to work or fighting against the game's own DRM to get it to work. DRM, BTW, is a system that tries to stop people from copying or sharing the game illegally. However it often becomes more of a burden for legitimate owners of the game than for people who obtain the game illegally. So what are we seeing? PC gaming is difficult. It's no surprise that players have chosen consoles over the PC. Players don't even have to choose one, both platforms can be successful, but the PC doesn't have its act together. It's just too frustrating.
So gamers are choosing consoles over the PC. What can restore the balance? There is something out there already, and it is called Steam. This program provides a wonderful experience to gamers. You buy a game, download it and play. No updates necessary. DRM is handled wonderfully on Steam. The achievements are fun and the social networking component helps with setting up multilayer games or see what everyone is playing. Steam sales can see the price of games dropped by up to 75%. it's incredible how many games I got during the Steam holiday sale of '09 for $25. I'll admit it, I'm a Steam Fanboy, but for the money I've spent on it, and the services I've received, it's hard not to be a fan. It removes some of the distractions PC gamers face. It standardizes gaming on the PC by providing a uniform experience for all users.
Now, finally, why is Steam going to Mac important? Well, it brings all the ease and functionality to the Mac. Gaming on the Mac has always been a joke to Windows gamers. However with Intel processor chips and a growing market share, making games for the Mac is awfully tempting. Bring in Steam, with its functionality, its already existing library of games for the Mac, its user base, its brand recognition, and you get a viable gaming platform. We would finally see an end to the Windows vs Mac gaming argument. Both sides would be united, playing against each other, playing the same great games and getting incredible sales.
This isn't enough thought, Valve needs to go all out. Steam need to dominate, it needs to provide a comprehensive gaming service. They need to bring Steam to Linux, to completely cover the entire PC market. They should also take after Stardock's Impulse, another digital distribution platform. Last year, Stardock announced that Impule would auto-install certain graphic card drivers. Steam must follow suite and go further by providing updates to all graphic cards and other gaming peripherals. What about Facebook integration? Being able to see which of your Facebook friends has Steam then add them to your Steam friends list, or even keep in touch with player you meet on Steam via Facebook?
Steam is slowly becoming the answer to console dominance. It provides a great and consistent gaming experience. I just hope that Valve doesn't stop with brining Steam (and all of its games) to Mac, I hope it pushes itself to make Steam the portal in which we play games on the PC.
So gamers are choosing consoles over the PC. What can restore the balance? There is something out there already, and it is called Steam. This program provides a wonderful experience to gamers. You buy a game, download it and play. No updates necessary. DRM is handled wonderfully on Steam. The achievements are fun and the social networking component helps with setting up multilayer games or see what everyone is playing. Steam sales can see the price of games dropped by up to 75%. it's incredible how many games I got during the Steam holiday sale of '09 for $25. I'll admit it, I'm a Steam Fanboy, but for the money I've spent on it, and the services I've received, it's hard not to be a fan. It removes some of the distractions PC gamers face. It standardizes gaming on the PC by providing a uniform experience for all users.
Now, finally, why is Steam going to Mac important? Well, it brings all the ease and functionality to the Mac. Gaming on the Mac has always been a joke to Windows gamers. However with Intel processor chips and a growing market share, making games for the Mac is awfully tempting. Bring in Steam, with its functionality, its already existing library of games for the Mac, its user base, its brand recognition, and you get a viable gaming platform. We would finally see an end to the Windows vs Mac gaming argument. Both sides would be united, playing against each other, playing the same great games and getting incredible sales.
This isn't enough thought, Valve needs to go all out. Steam need to dominate, it needs to provide a comprehensive gaming service. They need to bring Steam to Linux, to completely cover the entire PC market. They should also take after Stardock's Impulse, another digital distribution platform. Last year, Stardock announced that Impule would auto-install certain graphic card drivers. Steam must follow suite and go further by providing updates to all graphic cards and other gaming peripherals. What about Facebook integration? Being able to see which of your Facebook friends has Steam then add them to your Steam friends list, or even keep in touch with player you meet on Steam via Facebook?
Steam is slowly becoming the answer to console dominance. It provides a great and consistent gaming experience. I just hope that Valve doesn't stop with brining Steam (and all of its games) to Mac, I hope it pushes itself to make Steam the portal in which we play games on the PC.
*Please keep in mind, when I say 'PC' I mean computers as a whole, ei Windows, Mac and Linux.
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