Steam's Mental monopoly on the PC gaming market.

[Yeshu]

Nobody is fanboying over Steam. A fanboy is a person that holds someone or something on a pedestal just because. Steam is the preferred digital store because it is feature rich and consumer friendly, and not just a DRM launcher like Bethesda or Uplay. FYI, Steam doesn't even force developers to use any DRM, there are hundreds of DRM-free games on Steam.

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Considering that so many people have the "no steam no buy!" mentality i would say there is allot of bias there.
Especially considering that allot of gaming news outlets refer to PC games as Steam apps/games by default, never informing that a game could be also bought in a different store.

"There are hundreds of DRM-free games on Steam" Which are mostly small indie titles that very few people know about. Nobody is forcing developers to use steam ware but they know, that the more they integrate with the system, the more steam drones will most likely buy the game.

Steam is consumer friendly, just look at the range of user feature they have, the regional pricing and major sales.

- Atrocious user support.
- Reviling user data on several occasions.
- Being a complete mess when trying to actually navigate and find new games.
- Providing the means to censor message boards that point out scummy business practices.
- Implementing changes only after seeing the competition do it (The refund option was implemented just after GOG did it.)
- Shirking off all responsibility when it comes to curation. (Even today we get hundreds of shovel wear/Unity asset flips being dumped there.)
- Valve's in general is out of touch with modern gaming to the point that there latest games/updates are trying to follow trends that are already passed there high point (Card Games and Battle Royale).
- All the psychological manipulation with Cards, Account levels etc. that have no real purpose other than giving Valve that 30% cut off of all transactions.

Steam is a decent service but it has it's fair share of problems and fuck ups. Ignoring such things just because they provide 60% off a game people most likely wont play after purchasing it, is kinda what some would call fanboying.

[Vlaxx]

I do remember a short period when GoG came out that people did speak bad about it, very short amount of time tho.

I am perfectly fine about bloatware, if you look from another perspective Steam can be considered bloatware as well.

And no, Steam is much more developer friendly than consumer friendly. I don't use Steam features, almost at all, I check online what might be interesting for me and maybe I check steam reviews sometimes, but they are way to unreliable for me. Wish Epic introduces user reviews, that's all I would need more from their client. Otherwise, I like both Steam and Epic launchers.

Also, Epic launcher is very new (introducing other games, etc...) and I honestly wish that they become huge competition to Steam, then you will see what consumer friendly Steam is.

[MadMummy76]

Originally posted by isturbo1984 View Post

I just find it utterly ridiculous that the PC community as a whole has turned into a bunch fanboys similar to console fanboys. I don't really like Steam all that much, but if I'm buying PC, I'm buying on PC... not necessarily some DRM launcher. If I have to, that's fine. But complaining because a game isn't coming to my preferred DRM software?? That is beyond stupid to me. At least console fanboys have to buy into their platform at hundreds of dollars. PC gamers have gaming at their fingertips, aside from a few first party exclusives and they are the biggest fanboys who play less than anyone. It's sad. And just in case anyone was confused... I'm a PC gamer too.

I'm not being disingenuous at all. Sure, the lack of options suck. It's what makes PC gaming so great are all the options. But in the end, it's a very small beans issue. I genuinely have little care what launcher I am using on my PC. I also understand some may take a greater issue with this sort of thing, but when it boils down to a bunch of babies acting like children with the console wars, "I'm not getting the game unless it is on my preferred plastic box, nyaa!" coupled with the fact that downloading a launcher is FREE and doesn't require a hundreds of dollars buy-in, lol...

...there is little anyone has said to me to convince me it isn't just petty fanboyism serving to justify one's own flawed gameplay style choices. Also, there is nothing to "get away" with.--Those who pre-ordered on Steam can still download the game on their preferred DRM. Of course, no reason to skip the game.--There's always the Xbox One or PS4 if you don't want to deal with DRM issues. Since, you know, fanboyism isn't the issue here. I've commented on the topic and given my opinion on the subject many times already across the internet in varying forums, social media sites and whatnot. sometimes I get hostile shitposts commenting, sometimes the person is rational (up until a point) and makes solid points like you. I have noticed however that the main thing calling for all the responses I get everywhere is the fact I compare PC elitists with petty peasant fanboys. The behavior and rational is identical from all of them. If this is where you are coming from, you might want to rethink your stance. I say this now, because if this turns into a back-and-forth over several quotes, you won't be listening by the time I just call you a fanboy and wash my hands of this topic here. Not that is what you are going to do, I don't have a crystal ball. Just saying... convince me this argument isn't rooted in fanboyism. That might be a tall order for me to request, but there it is

I have two problems with the epic store: their TOS which outright violates GDPR, and the lack of offline mode. Since I haven't purchased games on steam for years now, your accusation of fanboyism is laughable at best. I use uplay and orgin and gog, I don't mind another launcher as long as it meets some minimal expectations. I doubt the safety of my data and the ability to play games without an internet connection are such unreasonable demands.

[isturbo1984]

Originally posted by isturbo1984 View Post

I just find it utterly ridiculous that the PC community as a whole has turned into a bunch fanboys similar to console fanboys. I don't really like Steam all that much, but if I'm buying PC, I'm buying on PC... not necessarily some DRM launcher.

Nobody is fanboying over Steam. A fanboy is a person that holds someone or something on a pedestal just because. Steam is the preferred digital store because it is feature rich and consumer friendly, and not just a DRM launcher like Bethesda or Uplay. FYI, Steam doesn't even force developers to use any DRM, there are hundreds of DRM-free games on Steam.

So PC gamers are exempt and above fanboyism. lol, Gotcha. I don't think that's how it works, but isn't not buying a game on PC because it isn't coming to heir preferred launcher holding that launcher on a pedestal like you just said? The anser is yes. i'm glad we agree...

...as for your other comment, let the lady respond first before jumping in.

[Misfit410]

If a game comes to Xbox and requires you to make a new account , does not make use of any of Xbox Lives features and makes the create an entirely new friends list how likely are they to bother with it?

[Zoltor]

Yea I heard that the pricing on Epic's store is all over the place if you don't live in the US. Ibs, and Euro value fluctuate so much you can watch it change in real time at places like Ebay, but nowhere else is like that, so why are Epic's pricing all over the place?

[Thomas_JCG]

I just find it utterly ridiculous that the PC community as a whole has turned into a bunch fanboys similar to console fanboys. I don't really like Steam all that much, but if I'm buying PC, I'm buying on PC... not necessarily some DRM launcher.

Nobody is fanboying over Steam. A fanboy is a person that holds someone or something on a pedestal just because. Steam is the preferred digital store because it is feature rich and consumer friendly, and not just a DRM launcher like Bethesda or Uplay. FYI, Steam doesn't even force developers to use any DRM, there are hundreds of DRM-free games on Steam.

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I agree with you that people are totally addicted to Steam, and that every other client that pops up will be hated by other people for some reason.

Yeah, people seem to really hate GOG. /s

Personally, I don't care if there are 300 gaming clients, I will download all of them if need be.

So you are fine with bloatware because a company worth billions is too greedy to launch their games in different stores.

Steam isn't consumer friendly either, it's Developer friendly, but it's most convenient for now. Big difference.

Steam is consumer friendly, just look at the range of user feature they have, the regional pricing and major sales.

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I'm not being disingenuous at all. Sure, the lack of options suck. It's what makes PC gaming so great are all the options. But in the end, it's a very small beans issue. I genuinely have little care what launcher I am using on my PC. I also understand some may take a greater issue with this sort of thing, but when it boils down to a bunch of babies acting like children with the console wars, "I'm not getting the game unless it is on my preferred plastic box, nyaa!" coupled with the fact that downloading a launcher is FREE and doesn't require a hundreds of dollars buy-in, lol...

A growing monopoly is a "small beans issue"?
And for the last time, this isn't just about the launcher. Why do you insist in seeing only the smallest part of the problem? Because Epic lacks a fair regional pricing, to many people games suddenly become more expensive, and that situation is less likely to change if they establish a monopoly over a large quantity of games. Epic doesn't support many user features specifically so publishers can avoid criticism, which in turn leads to all sorts of abusive monetization practices. It's costumer service is horrible and the store is largely vulnerable, it hasn't even been three weeks since the last attack and their Terms of Service clearly state they are selling your data.
Seriously, there are so many valid reasons for disliking Epic, yet you are deliberately choosing to ignore all that and pretend it's just childish whine.

[Hyperweasle]

For me I really don't care if a game is on Steam, however I do get upset when a game is on another launcher and that launcher sucks. If the game launcher is a hassle to work with or doesn't provide good features, then yes I'll be upset. Steam just happens to be the best balance when it comes to dedicated launchers, however I'm not afraid to buy games away from Steam, if they have a better deal. That being said, I am not buy any games from the Epic Store, because I don't like them buying up third party games just to make them exclusive to their platform.

[isturbo1984]

Originally posted by isturbo1984 View Post

I just find it utterly ridiculous that the PC community as a whole has turned into a bunch fanboys similar to console fanboys. I don't really like Steam all that much, but if I'm buying PC, I'm buying on PC... not necessarily some DRM launcher. If I have to, that's fine. But complaining because a game isn't coming to my preferred DRM software?? That is beyond stupid to me. At least console fanboys have to buy into their platform at hundreds of dollars. PC gamers have gaming at their fingertips, aside from a few first party exclusives and they are the biggest fanboys who play less than anyone. It's sad. And just in case anyone was confused... I'm a PC gamer too.

Don't be disingenuous. It was promoted on steam until a few weeks ago, then suddenly taken away that option. You don't do that and get away with it scott free, I don't know whet were they thinking. It's a bait and switch, of course people are mad.

PC gaming had an advantage over consoles because it was an open ecosystem. Then in comes Epic and tries to bring console bullshit exclusivity deals in. It's not gonna fly, and instead of getting an user base all they get is hate. The Windows store is failing for the exact same reason: being a closed ecosystem. Any game that was a windows store exclusive I skipped also. I had no hate for them. As I don't have hate for Metro either, I'll just skip it.

If epic wants a share of the market, they acquire it by offering a better service than steam. Everyone was crying about piracy in the early 2000s, and steam has shown that people don't want to pirate if you they offer a better service. Who still pirate games today are beyond hope anyway.

I'm not being disingenuous at all. Sure, the lack of options suck. It's what makes PC gaming so great are all the options. But in the end, it's a very small beans issue. I genuinely have little care what launcher I am using on my PC. I also understand some may take a greater issue with this sort of thing, but when it boils down to a bunch of babies acting like children with the console wars, "I'm not getting the game unless it is on my preferred plastic box, nyaa!" coupled with the fact that downloading a launcher is FREE and doesn't require a hundreds of dollars buy-in, lol...

...there is little anyone has said to me to convince me it isn't just petty fanboyism serving to justify one's own flawed gameplay style choices. Also, there is nothing to "get away" with.--Those who pre-ordered on Steam can still download the game on their preferred DRM. Of course, no reason to skip the game.--There's always the Xbox One or PS4 if you don't want to deal with DRM issues. Since, you know, fanboyism isn't the issue here. I've commented on the topic and given my opinion on the subject many times already across the internet in varying forums, social media sites and whatnot. sometimes I get hostile shitposts commenting, sometimes the person is rational (up until a point) and makes solid points like you. I have noticed however that the main thing calling for all the responses I get everywhere is the fact I compare PC elitists with petty peasant fanboys. The behavior and rational is identical from all of them. If this is where you are coming from, you might want to rethink your stance. I say this now, because if this turns into a back-and-forth over several quotes, you won't be listening by the time I just call you a fanboy and wash my hands of this topic here. Not that is what you are going to do, I don't have a crystal ball. Just saying... convince me this argument isn't rooted in fanboyism. That might be a tall order for me to request, but there it is

[Vlaxx]

I agree with you that people are totally addicted to Steam, and that every other client that pops up will be hated by other people for some reason. I understand that Steam is more convenient to use, but I remember the days when you had to have CD's, every game had it's new folder/location...etc...

Personally, I don't care if there are 300 gaming clients, I will download all of them if need be. I can just set it up so it doesn't activate when I start Windows/Linux and open the one I need. I will get the game on Epic if it's cheaper, that's for sure.

Also, the only reason I like steam is because of the achievement system (for EU4 and CK2...gives me more meaning to play, to have a goal that devs put for players). But if it is the games like Farcry or Metro or Cyberpunk.... I will get it on any client that sells it for cheapest. Of course, when I say "any client", I mean client that will not disappear in thin air and you lose all your games....more reliable clients (Steam, Epic, Origin, etc.).

Also, people are saying that Epic isn't consumer friendly, well... Steam isn't consumer friendly either, it's Developer friendly, but it's most convenient for now. Big difference.

[FulleMetalAlien]

For me its about cloud saves. Had a few games on GOG before they added it, now i so many more in there. Its a dealbreaker for me. In the case of Metro, i just want my games in the same series at the same place on the same library. Its the same thing with my books, i would never have metro 2033 and 2034 on one shelf and then place 2035 in a different room on another shelf.
Userreviews and forums is nice, but not something that i cant live without.
Only have origin for the rare EA games and the same with Uplay. Will never get another storefront unless i get something new or better with it. I have what i need in steam, thats my reason for not going with Epic.
Also a little as a It security nerd, Epic store is just not good enough yet.
If they give cheaper games, better security and have cloud saves, then i will consider it. Not before.

[MadMummy76]

I just find it utterly ridiculous that the PC community as a whole has turned into a bunch fanboys similar to console fanboys. I don't really like Steam all that much, but if I'm buying PC, I'm buying on PC... not necessarily some DRM launcher. If I have to, that's fine. But complaining because a game isn't coming to my preferred DRM software?? That is beyond stupid to me. At least console fanboys have to buy into their platform at hundreds of dollars. PC gamers have gaming at their fingertips, aside from a few first party exclusives and they are the biggest fanboys who play less than anyone. It's sad. And just in case anyone was confused... I'm a PC gamer too.

Don't be disingenuous. It was promoted on steam until a few weeks ago, then suddenly taken away that option. You don't do that and get away with it scott free, I don't know whet were they thinking. It's a bait and switch, of course people are mad.

PC gaming had an advantage over consoles because it was an open ecosystem. Then in comes Epic and tries to bring console bullshit exclusivity deals in. It's not gonna fly, and instead of getting an user base all they get is hate. The Windows store is failing for the exact same reason: being a closed ecosystem. Any game that was a windows store exclusive I skipped also. I had no hate for them. As I don't have hate for Metro either, I'll just skip it.

If epic wants a share of the market, they acquire it by offering a better service than steam. Everyone was crying about piracy in the early 2000s, and steam has shown that people don't want to pirate if you they offer a better service. Who still pirate games today are beyond hope anyway.

[MadMummy76]

Steam has no monopoly over me. I long abandoned the steam store, haven't purchased games in it for years. (too expensive).

The epic store is a non starter due to their tos thas says they are free to use customer data for any purpose and share it with any third party they deem fit.
Also it has no offline mode.

Anything else I Could live with, these two makes it a deal breaker.

[isturbo1984]

I just find it utterly ridiculous that the PC community as a whole has turned into a bunch fanboys similar to console fanboys. I don't really like Steam all that much, but if I'm buying PC, I'm buying on PC... not necessarily some DRM launcher. If I have to, that's fine. But complaining because a game isn't coming to my preferred DRM software?? That is beyond stupid to me. At least console fanboys have to buy into their platform at hundreds of dollars. PC gamers have gaming at their fingertips, aside from a few first party exclusives and they are the biggest fanboys who play less than anyone. It's sad. And just in case anyone was confused... I'm a PC gamer too.

[Magvel]

I mean I don't deny that Steam provides allot of convenient services (like one person here said before, convenience trumps all). HOwever it's a very binding deal. As in "You can do so many thing... but only when you are under our constant monitoring."

Almost discovered what "terms of service" means.