Valve Releases Counter-Strike 1.6 Installer
Thanks to Blue's News for pointing out that Valve has released the Counter-Strike 1.6 installer for Steam, the broadband delivery platform for which "over 200,000 new accounts have been created" since its official launch on Friday. The 379mb install, helpful for those who can't get swift downloads from Steam itself, is available from Gamer's Hell, Worthplaying, and FilePlanet (reg. required).
Will broadband systems for software and entertainment take over the traditional systems tommorrow? Probably not. In ten years? Maybe.
A perfect example would be the shipping company UPS. Last month, they decided to switch from their 'traditional' system of filling out paperwork for each box (lame when you ship a dozen or so random boxes each month) to a computer system. So basically, the consumer walks into a branch, logs in using his precreated account (works anywhere) types in the receivers name and zip, and then clicks 'print'. He sticks the label onto his box, and takes it up to the cashier. While this is a total timesaver for me, I watched as an older lady (mid 70's) came into the store, was told to make an account (after she asked a clerk for paperwork), and promptly stated that it was ludicrus, leaving to walk across the street to the Postal Annex, which uses the same system except addes an additional charge.
Okay, while that isn't the greatest analogy, you see where I'm going. Are there plenty of people who won't be using Steam for purchasing Half Life 2? Totally, just as there are plenty of people who purchase CD's in stores instead of using iTunes or something. But it's not like the online systems are starving for consumers. They ARE growing, and that can't be bad!