Steam moving into non-gaming software

[Chiropteran]

We don't know this yet. Although technically depending upon the license you're supposed to be buying two copies already anyway.

You're not a software pirate, are you george?

Ah, but if two people want to use two different pieces of software, they can't do that either, if they are under the same steam account. That is the flaw with steam's "drm". You should be able to run multiple instances of steam simultaneously as long as you aren't running a single program more than once at a time.

 

[r3dsh1ft]

:thumbsup:Nerdtacular Achievement:thumbsup:
(Enter 1,000 data points into excel)

*Spectrometer Mouse Pointer Added to Inventory*

 

[Golgatha]

So many problems with this unless they rewrite the software to do things it currently doesn't do. These are the issues which immediately come to mind.

1) Can't install programs anywhere except where Steam is installed. I put my apps on my OS drive which is a SSD and games go onto a spindle RAID0 setup. I want my apps on the SSD for productivity.

2) Can't run more than one instance of Steam without major, unrealistic hassles. I typically need the Internet available when I'm using productivity apps, so putting Steam in offline mode to run say Office and Photoshop on two separate machines would be such a hassle to do, that it simply wouldn't be worth the hassle.

3) Steam account gets hacked and I lose access to my games vs my productivity software. One I can do without until things get resolved, the other, not so much.

4) Productivity apps are very expensive and are often resold. A $5 game doesn't bother me much, but a several hundred dollar productivity app being sold as a glorified rental equals no sale for me.

 

[Nintendesert]

So many problems with this unless they rewrite the software to do things it currently doesn't do. These are the issues which immediately come to mind.

1) Can't install programs anywhere except where Steam is installed. I put my apps on my OS drive which is a SSD and games go onto a spindle RAID0 setup. I want my apps on the SSD for productivity.

2) Can't run more than one instance of Steam without major, unrealistic hassles. I typically need the Internet available when I'm using productivity apps, so putting Steam in offline mode to run say Office and Photoshop on two separate machines would be such a hassle to do, that it simply wouldn't be worth the hassle.

3) Steam account gets hacked and I lose access to my games vs my productivity software. One I can do without until things get resolved, the other, not so much.

4) Productivity apps are very expensive and are often resold. A $5 game doesn't bother me much, but a several hundred dollar productivity app being sold as a glorified rental equals no sale for me.

1) There are ways to move the programs to where you want. I do it already with my big drive and my SSD. STEAM needs to make it easier, but it's already possible.

2) You can be online and still have STEAM be in offline mode. When you start up steam it goes into offline mode unless you go online so as long as you prep your system you shouldn't really see any difference.

3) That's just the unfortunate huge downside of all this "cloud" BS and why I don't like it for everything. Make sure you're using steam guard and one time passwords and authenticators though if a company offers it!

4) You never own the software anyways. You license it, so steam is just another way for you to license it. You can create a backup onto a disk or a hard drive if you really really want that physical copy.



With all that being said I really am disappointed with how transparent and disingenuous Valve's criticism of Windows 8 was. They were badmouthing the OS because the OS and the ability for people to purchase apps through it are a direct competitor to Steam. If Windows 8 adds the ability to license and download lots of non Microsoft applications and even games it could eventually cause the downfall of Steam.

Will it anytime soon? Probably not, but this is why Valve is acting like it is. They should have just came out and said we offer a better distribution service and look for ways to integrate with Windows 8 instead of trying to play PR games with us. :thumbsdown:

 

[gorcorps]

Meh, I'm all for them trying it out. If nothing else I won't use it and I just keep using steam for games. They could end up changing enough things over time to end up being a decent service. If not, no harm done as it shouldn't affect the gaming side.

 

[thespyder]

Meh, I'm all for them trying it out. If nothing else I won't use it and I just keep using steam for games. They could end up changing enough things over time to end up being a decent service. If not, no harm done as it shouldn't affect the gaming side.

As i see it, more business means more resources to work on that business. If they make money on the endeavor, they will have funds to put behind improving their application and deliverable. And up to a certain point, that means improved customer satisfaction. So. Is it a bad thing?

 

[Golgatha]

As i see it, more business means more resources to work on that business. If they make money on the endeavor, they will have funds to put behind improving their application and deliverable. And up to a certain point, that means improved customer satisfaction. So. Is it a bad thing?

Devil's Advocate - It will move resources away from their core business (games), prevent them from making their core services even better, divide their attention with regards to customer service, and could hurt their brand perception overall.

 

[Cerb]

If i have to be on steam to use anything other than games... no thank you! I like steam because of the convenience yes, but i think that is goi ng to far by requiring steam to use a regular app. Seems like it could hinder freedom and it gives me a bad taste in my mouth for some reason.

Possibly. I would not wish to dissuade such concerns.

But, consider small software developers, who are able to use well-known platforms/ecosystems, like Steam, to get around the need for B&M releases, distributors, handling their own DRM, if any, or the crapshoot of using one's own website and trying to market your product.

If it's application you will rely on for making money, I'd find another way to buy it or install it, in case your Steam access went down, your account got compromised, or some other problem that wouldn't occur without online DRM. Valve may also need to figure out ways to apply semi-offline DRM and multi-seat same-account licensing.

 

[thespyder]

Devil's Advocate - It will move resources away from their core business (games), prevent them from making their core services even better, divide their attention with regards to customer service, and could hurt their brand perception overall.

Which is only bad so long as there aren't a dozen other companies out there vying for our gaming dollars. But wait. There are.

Plus, is Valve really flooding the market with their own games these days? They are more a product distribution company than a game developer. I can't see the entire industry missing them should they get totally out of the business. Can you?

 

[LumbergTech]

I think this is a good idea.
I also think it ll put "products" into more hands than before, ei companies will likely sell more from this.
Because many know steam, from playing games, but not nessarly how to find a site for some software developer.


^ hopeing for that too maybe not 75% but some saveings.
This is good for consumers.

If they can sell under differing licensing schemes I think it actually might happen. Imagine all the people who would buy Photoshop for a reasonable price for personal use instead of pirating it?