STEAM

[Johnmcl7]

Thanks very much, I've found your one and added a comment.

John

[Southwestwall]

Spotted a game I missed last sale, one more added to my collection.

Witcher 2 Enhanced at 60% off.

[Johnmcl7]

I've not seen any good deals on the Assassin's creed games which I was fancying nor the original Dawn of War games, tomorrow is the last day. Quantum Conundrum is up on sale today although only 40% so since I've plenty to keep me going may wait for it coming up another time cheaper.

John

[scarbunny]

I've not been particularly impressed by the sale, its the first year I've really kept an eye on it but considering the hype Steam sales get there has not been many amazing deals.

[matt]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18996377

valve not happy with MS muscling in on their online space.

brings up interesting point about whether or not steam should be paying for running a subscription / games service on their OS. Apple certainly have no qualms in charging 30%...

[Johnmcl7]

I'm not impressed with the comments from Gabe Newell, the article initially makes it look like he's not happy with technical implementations of the platform but what it boils down to is sour grapes that Microsoft are working on improving their games services. I haven't been following Windows 8 that closely but I *think* it's only RT that has the locked down store? I can't see the X86 Windows 8 being so locked down so there is nothing lost to Valve on that side as they currently don't sell ARM games through Steam anyway.

I also think that Linux support isn't going to be as easy as they seem to imply as there's so many factors outside their control particularly graphics card drivers which are a big enough headache on Windows and can be considerably worse on Linux. Still, it's no bad thing if they do properly support Linux.

The simplest answer I think from Valve is to give people a reason to use Steam which I can't see being a problem, are they still planning to release HL2: Episode 3 or is that pretty much canned? It's been years since the last one and I don't think there's been any word on it? That's the sort of title that would easily keep people coming through Steam as HL2 effectively got many people onto Steam initially.

John

[scarbunny]

So Gabe wants to make all Steam games compatible with Linux? How about doing the same for OSx, surely there are a few more Mac users than Linux.

I still hate Steam as a platform, but if they made all my games cross platform it would make the forced DRM a little more palatable.

[raith_rovers_fan]

HL2: EP3

lol

[Fodder]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18996377

valve not happy with MS muscling in on their online space.

brings up interesting point about whether or not steam should be paying for running a subscription / games service on their OS. Apple certainly have no qualms in charging 30%...

Interesting. Wonder how good the store will be for games. Anyone remember Gaming For Windows Live? That was a big bucket of rubbish. Even now I can't get the DLC for Fallout 3 as I bought it on DVD instead of through steam.

[scarbunny]

I didn't really mind GFWL, it never caused any problems for me and I got achievements so win win.

What I don't understand, and maybe its been done in W8, is why it wasn't included at the system level. If they had built Xbox Live, with all the accompanying stores and features, in to the system with all the hooks in place for achievements, friends, chat etc. from day one as an integrated part of the system there would be much less issue with it.

[Johnmcl7]

Apart from a profile issue, GFWL usually works fine for me although when it was mixed with Steam it was a bit clumsy having two different systems on the go at once. I'm finding that's an increasing problem with Steam as EA, Ubisoft and now Rockstar all have their separate launcher system for Steam games which I'm surprised they are allowed to do.

I agree about it's surprisingly that Microsoft haven't integrated Live more although I don't know if there's any antitrust issues given how much trouble they got into for bundling a media player and internet browser. It does sound on at least one of the Windows 8 platforms that Live is going to be more tightly integrated.

I'm not a fan of Steam and constantly frustrated with its problems (this week it went completely wrong and has wrecked half my games library) so if a push from Microsoft will make Valve up their game that's all the better for us.

Is Episode 3 dead or just nothing on it at all?

John

[scarbunny]

Looks like MS are integrating achievements with solitaire, minesweeper and mahjong having them when W8 ships.

http://www.infopackets.com/news/busines ... ements.htm

[Tappy]

Looks like MS are integrating achievements with solitaire, minesweeper and mahjong having them when W8 ships.

Hmmm, can't find the quote, but they changed the rules a few months ago, on Windows Phone at least, so free games were supposed to be eligible for 200 points like XBA games, and the days of 50 point games (which were proper games, like Minesweeper) were gone.

But I am a sucker for gamerscore... so bring on the Solitaire!

[scarbunny]

Hmmm, can't find the quote, but they changed the rules a few months ago, on Windows Phone at least, so free games were supposed to be eligible for 200 points like XBA games, and the days of 50 point games (which were proper games, like Minesweeper) were gone.

But I am a sucker for gamerscore... so bring on the Solitaire!

I think the free games on Windows Phone are 50gs, so not sure.

Back on topic I got 2 invites to the Steam Community Beta thingy for being one of the first 50,000 to get the pillar of the community badge, so have one spare if some one wants it, can't see what's so special with it really.

[Johnmcl7]

Anyone else having trouble with Steam? Today when I launch any game I get the error 'Failed to start game (missing executable) - check the support page' which of course helpfully doesn't exist when I click the link.

John