Would You Pay for Steam?

dasmurf asks: "Many users have discussed this possibility. Now that Steam has pioneered the biggest online game delivery system to date, is it as simple as that? Read my concerns about the Steam Subscriber Agreement. Has anyone else read this agreement? Should Valve change it? If you love Valve's games but you've never religiously kept an eye on your credit card statement, maybe this will give you more reason. ;)"

Comments

Re:Mirror in case of Slashdotting...

[grumpygrodyguy]

Would You Pay for Steam?

No.

Many users have discussed this possibility.

Then they're morons.

Now that Steam has pioneered the biggest online game delivery system to date, is it as simple as that?

Not really, since 99% of people only know about steam because they enjoy playing counter-strike(which valve did not in any way have the forsight to create). The fact that we can patch a little easier through steam every few weeks is almost irrelevant.

Read my concerns about the Steam Subscriber Agreement.

Valve has been kicking themselves for years because they failed to capitalize more on counter-strike. So they've spent that time trying to find a way to ensure that if a 'CS phenomenon' occurs with half-life 2, they will be there to rake in the proceeds. Unforunately they fail to understand that cost is a major barrier for entry. Since counter-strike was freely available and a great game, it became very popular.

Has anyone else read this agreement? Should Valve change it?

Only if they want to stay relevant in the FPS world past a few more years.

If you love Valve's games but you've never religiously kept an eye on your credit card statement, maybe this will give you more reason.

This is good advice for Valve too, especially if they're interested in making payroll.

I think this was laughed out by gamers, as Valve's games releases haven't exactly been particularly regular (or on time), and there's been no mention of a subscription in the final offers.

Let's hope so. Half-life was a great game to be sure, but the only thing that made it a phenomenon was its ease of modification. Enter TFC, CS, etc. If Valve in any way impedes that creative process with Half-Life 2, they can be sure that someone else will be more than happy to fill thier shoes.