Should I Cancel My Pre-order For Steam Instead?
DOOManiac
Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
<div class="IPBDescription">Sticking it to Vivindi vs physical goods</div>Well, so far I've been pro-retail all the way in regards to how I would purchase Half-Life 2. But now in the 11th hour, I am having second thoughts.
I really disagree with the way Vivindi is sticking their heads in the sand and letting thousands of paying customers be screwed over for something that really can't be narrowed down to any one party's mistake, however they are choosing to let the customer be punished for it. This I disagree with.
So here I am, pondering whether or not to buy over Steam.
On one hand, if I bought the game Retail, I would have the Box, and the physical discs, which do not rot, unlike CDRs/DVDRs. And don't tell me it doesn't happen cause I lost my Quake 1 backups. :( Of course these discs are as useless as my own burned backups when Steam is dead in 6 or 7 years. The fact that there is no jewel case pisses me off, along with the fact that there is no manual.
On the other hand, I'd be ensuring none of my dollars would go towards Vivindi's pocket. I would probably end up getting the Silver package too, just so I would have HL:S to play with too (don't care about DOD one way or the other). I can of course burn my own DVD Backup and then put a label on it if I want, thoug the disc would only last a few years.
Hmm...
[edit]
P.S. This post is mostly rhetorical since I know very few of you are capable of looking at more than one side of an argument. :P
[/edit]
I really disagree with the way Vivindi is sticking their heads in the sand and letting thousands of paying customers be screwed over for something that really can't be narrowed down to any one party's mistake, however they are choosing to let the customer be punished for it. This I disagree with.
So here I am, pondering whether or not to buy over Steam.
On one hand, if I bought the game Retail, I would have the Box, and the physical discs, which do not rot, unlike CDRs/DVDRs. And don't tell me it doesn't happen cause I lost my Quake 1 backups. :( Of course these discs are as useless as my own burned backups when Steam is dead in 6 or 7 years. The fact that there is no jewel case pisses me off, along with the fact that there is no manual.
On the other hand, I'd be ensuring none of my dollars would go towards Vivindi's pocket. I would probably end up getting the Silver package too, just so I would have HL:S to play with too (don't care about DOD one way or the other). I can of course burn my own DVD Backup and then put a label on it if I want, thoug the disc would only last a few years.
Hmm...
[edit]
P.S. This post is mostly rhetorical since I know very few of you are capable of looking at more than one side of an argument. :P
[/edit]
Comments
However, as I see it, since you only get a box and a non-rotting disc and two fewer games with retail and for the same price you can get everything else plus those two mods (HL:S and DOD:S). I see no contest.
It's merely a bonus that you're taking money away from vivendi.
EDIT: I don't think Valve, nor many games developers, are in the business just to make money. Sure, it's a job, salaries need paying and profit needs to be made, but i like to think that most are in it to get their visions out there and have people enjoy their games. Besides, money to VU or money to Valve, they're going to be raking it in regardless.
Buy a better brand of CD-Rs, they should last for years and years.
And, as they continue to update it, I imagine as some point Steam 2 will be released to accompany Half Life 3.
And, as they continue to update it, I imagine as some point Steam 2 will be released to accompany Half Life 3. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Indeed.
Steam was originally made as a purpose for ANY developer- poor or rich- to sell their game on there. Usually, the developers would only get $7 of the money from a boxed copy, but over steam, they get $30-$40 dollars of any $50 game. Thats something a lot of developers will be wanting- and as a publisher format, steam is nigh perfect, still being rather cheap when it comes to how you want to do it.
I wouldn't be surprised if steam grew up with us in the industry. Heres to hope.
Already companies are planning to distribute on steam: <a href='http://www.burningsea.com/' target='_blank'>Pirates of the Burning Sea</a>
Check the FAQ
AND ive had starcraft burned onto a cd since like 1999 and it still hasnt failed me... so i dont know what youre talking about.. i dont even keep it in a case, it just sits around...
i assume it doesnt come with hl2 on cd anyways?
im considering ordering gold right now
This may counterdict the statement above, but I don't trust the internet for getting computer games. (Like downloading them from steam).
Buy EAGLE brand CDR's, then scratch off the crappy covering they use, and look at the SONY brand beneath. Then realize that EAGLE CDR's are just Sony rejects...
Higher quality CDR's will definately last longer, but they still do degrade over time, moreso than properly pressed cds.
Damn the imporant parts are removed. Had you not done that, Russell "Doommaniac" Weed may have just bought Steinmart Shoe Department's entire inventory tomorrow... <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Even if I hadn't been planning to buy over steam all this time, Vivendi's latest actions would have convinced me. And if I needed any more convincing, I would consider the fact that if Vivendi thought they could get away with it, the would have delayed HL2's release up to <i>six more months</i> just to be asinine towards Valve about the lawsuit.
People who treat their business practices the same as a game of ball with grade schoolers do not deserve my cash.
Hey guess what? Thats what has happened to me! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Seriously, because of the way Vivendi have acted, I bought my HL2 over Steam just today <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Why?
Because I can totally sell that hat and those posters and crap for a whole bunch of money. Feckin' sweet.
PS: What are Vivendi's "latest actions" by the way? What baby-raping did I miss?
Besides, I'm too stupid to "Burn" the FGD or GCF or whatever you need to..