Steam Greenlight

[kraken613]

So OOTP hasn't been released on Steam in a few revisions and I would love to be able to have it on Steam and be able to track my usage and everything. I always use Steam to play games and its always on my PC.

To gauge the interest to have OOTP on steam again you guys should release it on Steam Greenlight. Its a new system to let the customers decide what to be released and it might be a cool system to get some more attention to OOTP.

Steam Workshop :: Greenlight

[Orcin]

It doesn't make any sense to me to have a single-player solo game require internet access to play.

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Originally Posted by Orcin

It doesn't make any sense to me to have a single-player solo game require internet access to play.

You don't need internet access to play Steam games (just once to activate a game). After that, you can play in Offline mode.

[PSUColonel]

I hate steam (I have experience with it in Civ V & Fm 2012) but it does promote products on a large scale.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

You don't need internet access to play Steam games (just once to activate a game). After that, you can play in Offline mode.

What advantage is there for the user to have the game on Steam? I don't care to track my usage.

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Originally Posted by Orcin

What advantage is there for the user to have the game on Steam? I don't care to track my usage.

In general (not OOTP and it is just my personal preference!) no CD/DVD, you can install the games on all your computers (in my case Laptop and Desktop PC), Cloud for save games (if supported by the game), very easy Multiplayer Setup, a lot of sales, so normally you get good deals on games.

If available, I always buy my games from Steam and I never had a bad experience with them.

[CatKnight]

Then you are lucky Sebastian. I've heard no end of troubles from the Paradox Development site.

Common complaints include poor customer service, having trouble getting the game to play offline, and trouble altering/modding the game for personal preference. While OOTP doesn't have as many modding opportunites as PDS games, there's still graphics, changing the storyline files and such.

Steam releases patches once per day. This means it could be a slower release time than if a company does it themselves or releases through a third party like Gamersgate.

Incidentally, the patches are mandatory. Even in cases where players tried to stay disconnected from Steam to avoid patching, if you are connected to the Internet it fires anyway. OOTP being a notable exception, not all patches end well.

As for the advantages you listed:
No CD/DVD: OOTP does that.
Multiple Installs: We can download multiple times
Cloud: Meh. I prefer having my saved games where I can get at them for modding or maintenance purposes.
Multiplayer Setup: OOTP has made this as friendly as I think you can in a baseball league environment.
Deals on games: True, but...

....
A. License Terms.
Steam and your Subscription(s) require the automatic download and installation of Software onto your computer... The Software is licensed, not sold... To make use of the Software, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet... You understand that - Steam may need to automatically update, pre-load, create new versions of or otherwise enhance the Software and accordingly, the system requirements to use the Software may change over time.


So, you may get deals on licenses for software that Steam can change at any time because it feels like it, that can be played only with their permission (there are cases of abuse with other companies), and if the changes made stretch the limits of your system - too bad.


No thanks.

[hluraven]

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

You don't need internet access to play Steam games (just once to activate a game). After that, you can play in Offline mode.

But every time you try and play a game it asks you if you really do want to be in offline mode. Every single time. It is a little thing but exceptionally annoying, especially as if you double click the game and then walk away from the computer, as it isn't loading at the same time.

For me, there isn't a single benefit from Steam, although there isn't too much by way of annoyance beyond the petty annoying one mentioned above.

[OutS|der]

Go with Steam and have to suffer like those who buy from the Mac store and the patch is delayed?

No to Steam!

[ihatenames]

I personally love steam and typically buy all my PC games from them. I think it would good for OOTP as a whole to get back on steam. I have never had a bad experience. I imagine it would boost sales and introduce a lot more people to a great product. That being said, I'll always buy OOTP from the website for the timely patches.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by CatKnight

No thanks.

I think the disadvantages and problems far outweigh the advantages. I vote no also.

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Just to be sure: it is my personal opinion on Steam, not the opinion of OOTP Dev!

I'm pretty sure that OOTP (and FHM for that matter) will never be exclusive to Steam, just in addition to normal direct purchase from OOTP Dev.

[mickey7]

Totally agree with CatKnight, have used Steam as well and it is just one issue after another--my vote would be no !

[MrDov]

But if it is released on steam would it not be available from the OOTP store? I see all these issues with steam, but you wouldn't HAVE to buy the game from steam would you? Either way at this point wouldn't it make sense to wait until OOTP14 to release on steam?

[darkredwing]

From a marketing stand point releasing it on steam is a great idea, the first version of OOTP I ever bought was OOTP 9 which is the version available through steam, had steam not been offering it I would never had bought it simply because I wouldn't know it had existed. It's not my decision of course and I dunno the process vulvae goes through before determining what games to place on steam, but I for one wouldn't mind see new version show up. If you don't like steam, you wouldn't have to buy it through steam.

[damientheomen3]

I've never had a problem with Steam personally. But of course, I doubt that Markus would pull a Civ and alienate his fanbase by only releasing on Steam, so as long as Steam just becomes another option to buy from, I see no reason why not.

[Isryion]

Originally Posted by damientheomen3

...so as long as Steam just becomes another option to buy from, I see no reason why not.

The biggest reason is not to do it would be if there are issues that relate to those that have occurred with the App Store, where patches are at least weeks behind, and, for this year's version, months behind.

It created frustrating (if not impossible) online league experiences for those that purchased from the App Store and headaches for leagues that had App Store owners in it.

So, while I like Steam a lot, I'd be a "no" vote until being assured that Steam would be releasing patches simultaneously or within a very short period (2-3 days) after they are released here.

[kraken613]

It was just a suggestion. I for one own 108 games on Steam and have had nothing but positive experiences. I know that whenever I change computers or have to re-install something I don't have to go look for files and download and install, with Steam I know all my games are right there and available to me. I would just prefer to keep all my games, even OOTP in the same environment for my convenience. Games are cheaper on Steam especially during the sales during the Summer, Fall, and Winter times when they do a blowout with huge promotions for games. It is always better to sell your game in multiple places to reach new customers.

Who does it hurt if the game is released on Steam? Nobody just a place for more people to buy it from.

Games like Skyrim have their patches released the same day or even before the other consoles, you can even release beta patches on Steam and let people opt in or out. I just know with Steam my game is going to be there, and its going to be working and I will have access to my community of friends I have built up and play games with.

[Cras]

The way Steam hides the game files drives me nuts. Like with Skyrim... I have no clue where that game is installed.

[kraken613]

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\skyrim

All your games are in the "common" folder.