Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Valve Announces "Steam" Content Delivery System

Posted by timothy on from the puff-puff dept.

Greg Brown writes: "Valve just officially announced Steam, its new content delivery system that works automatically over the internet. While this has been in the works for a while, including a semi-public testing period, it has slowly been refined to the point that it is faster and more convenient than other methods. Valve is also planning on licensing it to other developers to use to distribute their games online. Looks like the game-publishing heavyweights (EA and Sierra) may be outdated. More info from Gamespy and ShackNews."

8 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. Hype? by Pilferer · · Score: 5, Funny

    During his presentation to GameSpy, Newell showed Half-Life running off a broadband connection. Mind you, no game files were installed on the client machine . After launching Half-Life from Steam, it downloaded the necessary files (which took hardly any time at all - actually it was faster than using a CD ), and before you knew it, the introductory cinematic for Half-Life was running.

    Wow! where can I get broadband that fast? ;)

    "There is 3% CPU utilization by Steam client," Newell said. "92% wire utilization, 4:1 compression and about 50% cache hits."

    And 100% buzzword utilization.

  2. I have offered 'Steam' for years... by teamhasnoi · · Score: 2, Funny

    It hasn't been received very well.

  3. My ideas fascinate me. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I wish to subscribe to myself.

  4. Re:Not used for what you think by Tribbles · · Score: 5, Funny
    ... then "allowing" you to purchase it with a single click of the mouse.


    Wouldn't Amazon complain about this?

  5. Huh? by The_Shadows · · Score: 2, Funny

    Content delivery system? From Valve?

    This is what has been staving off the release off Team Fortress 2 (and Half-Life 2, for that matter)?!?!?

    Valve: I want TF2! Make with the gaming!

  6. Re:Custom ads, in game textures by zapfie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ouch.. no, no no.. I can already see it happening. Then you'll have the radio communications contain ads ("Our PlayStation 2 Command Center is under attack!").. then next thing you know, you'll be wielding the McHamburger Blaster 2000, and using it to feed hungry McDonalds customers in a non-violent, family-friendly game...

    Maybe I shouldn't post at 5 in the morning..

    --
    slashdot!=valid HTML
  7. Vaporware? by jcc · · Score: 2, Funny

    (Score:5, Funny)
    Steam? Sounds like vaporware to me!

  8. Re:Not used for what you think by VoiceOfRaisin · · Score: 2, Funny

    I would agree 100% if it weren't for the fact that Valve was introducing it.

    ya, i feel much better about a company that has only released one game about 5 years ago and has repackaged and resold it in about 5 different packages. is there any more milk in halflife to milk?