With Microsoft backing out, do you think Steam's potential game sharing is off the table?

[omegaweopon]

In reference to this article. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125168-Rumor-Game-Sharing-Coming-To-Steam] Do you think that with Microsoft backing out, Steam won't be moving forward with their shared library? Personally, I think it would be absolutely amazing if Steam actually went forward with it anyways, simply because they started. It would be a stellar feature to release in time for the Steam Box, and it could actually pull some more people towards its digital distribution service.

Quite frankly though, I don't think that Valve's hand is being pushed anymore without Microsoft forcing it. Then again, Valve does have a certain reputation to uphold, and there's a chance that we'll see it, just because Valve can.

Thoughts?

[small]Totally changed the thread name because I realized that I ended the sentence in a preposition and it bugged the hell out of me.[/small]

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

Well just like for the XBone version, I just wonder how limited it will be, because it makes no sense to allow 10 people to play from one purchase.

Considering that Steam has its online requirements and ways to authenticate games already in place, I really don't see why they'd stop just because MS did.

And I trust Valve on this much more than I trust MS.

 

[The Enquirer]

I don't think Valve will pull some crap like mirosoft with DRM's. I think they will actually say "ok, if you want to share some games go ahead". I think there will without a doubt be limitations on this because it really doesn't make sense to let tons of people play a game from one purchase. As cool as that is it would bankrupt the company and we really don't want Ea becoming the primary digital distributor. Realistically I just trust Valve on this when it comes to doing something cool and the right thing. I doubt they will be backing out unless they can't get it to work properly, which in itself is very unlikely.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

I really hope it happens on Steam. The only disappointing part would be no reaction shot for Microsoft's executives when they realize Gabe Newell went through with a feature they never expected publishers to support.

Captcha: sorry dave

What happened to Dave?

 

[Petromir]

In reference to this article. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125168-Rumor-Game-Sharing-Coming-To-Steam] Do you think that with Microsoft backing out, Steam won't be moving forward with their shared library? Personally, I think it would be absolutely amazing if Steam actually went forward with it anyways, simply because they started. It would be a stellar feature to release in time for the Steam Box, and it could actually pull some more people towards its digital distribution service.

Quite frankly though, I don't think that Valve's hand is being pushed anymore without Microsoft forcing it. Then again, Valve does have a certain reputation to uphold, and there's a chance that we'll see it, just because Valve can.

Thoughts?

I think the two services are entirely unrelated. They have similarities but I don't think the Xbox ones service in anyway influenced the creation of Valves, though it may have influenced Valves decision about timing of their announcement of it.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

was there hand being pushed by MS?
thought Valve pretty much did their own thing when they were good n ready
i know you can have some games installed on mulitiple machines. maybe its an extention on that

 

[Yopaz]

Honestly as some have already stated Valve most likely didn't start working on this the moment that Microsoft announced it on E3. The EU court has already ruled that digital content should be treated the same as physical ones when it comes to sharing and resales. I think their game sharing might be a response to that rather than Microsoft. Both Microsoft and Intel has demonstrated the cost of ignoring EU laws in the past I can see why Valve would want to avoid that.

 

[Aldain]

I don't think Valve will pull some crap like mirosoft with DRM's. I think they will actually say "ok, if you want to share some games go ahead". I think there will without a doubt be limitations on this because it really doesn't make sense to let tons of people play a game from one purchase. As cool as that is it would bankrupt the company and we really don't want Ea becoming the primary digital distributor. Realistically I just trust Valve on this when it comes to doing something cool and the right thing. I doubt they will be backing out unless they can't get it to work properly, which in itself is very unlikely.

You are aware that steam is from Valve and is in essence DRM?

XBone no longer has limitations on game sharing and internet connection while Steam still has these things.

Probably the only thing that will make valve implement used game sale / sharing is the lawsuit that is pending somewhere in europe.

 

[nevarran]

I think they were doing it to 1up MS. Like - "What you can do, we can do better."
The digital sharing sounded very appealing to me and I was thinking about buying X180, just for that feature alone. If Valve were to counter with the similar option, my decision is made for me.
Now that MS dropped that (did they?), I think Valve may no longer feel the need to make it. Unless, like Yopaz said, EU laws scare them. But I think they went around that, by calling themselves service, not a shop. And by calling it licensing, not purchasing a game.

 

[omegaweopon]

Honestly as some have already stated Valve most likely didn't start working on this the moment that Microsoft announced it on E3. The EU court has already ruled that digital content should be treated the same as physical ones when it comes to sharing and resales. I think their game sharing might be a response to that rather than Microsoft. Both Microsoft and Intel has demonstrated the cost of ignoring EU laws in the past I can see why Valve would want to avoid that.

Zis, I dit not know.

It just feels as though the timing of it all makes more sense for Valve to have done it in response to Microsoft, as a way to drive more people to its platform. However with the shadow of that law hanging over their head, and potentially creating issues with distribution in the EU, it seems like this development may very well go through.

And if it does, there will be cheers. Lots of them.

 

[Yopaz]

Honestly as some have already stated Valve most likely didn't start working on this the moment that Microsoft announced it on E3. The EU court has already ruled that digital content should be treated the same as physical ones when it comes to sharing and resales. I think their game sharing might be a response to that rather than Microsoft. Both Microsoft and Intel has demonstrated the cost of ignoring EU laws in the past I can see why Valve would want to avoid that.

Zis, I dit not know.

It just feels as though the timing of it all makes more sense for Valve to have done it in response to Microsoft, as a way to drive more people to its platform. However with the shadow of that law hanging over their head, and potentially creating issues with distribution in the EU, it seems like this development may very well go through.

And if it does, there will be cheers. Lots of them.

I might be wrong in this, I admit I'm only guessing here. I also don't know much about programming, but the source actually indicates that some work has been done already which would mean that they probably started before E3 and before this feature was announced.

Again, I am guessing and I have probably misunderstood some things along the way.

 

[Glongpre]

Why would they pull game sharing? That was the most interesting thing about the xbone, and I don't remember anyone hating on that. I don't know where you are coming from OP.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Valve's hand has more likely been moved by courts than Microsoft, the EU court has already decreed that digital sales are subject to the same laws as physical discs, Valve (assuming the rumours are true) appear to have chosen to be pro active rather than wait for someone to take them to court (and hammer them for a nine figure sum).

 

[Sherokain]

Bare in mind rumors are rumors, and it hasn't actually been a feature confirmed to steam. If it is indeed true then Kudos to steam otherwise they always have the escape route of "well we never actually planned it in the first place".

 

[Lizardon]

Why would they pull game sharing? That was the most interesting thing about the xbone, and I don't remember anyone hating on that. I don't know where you are coming from OP.

Well since they are removing the 24 hour check in and used game restrictions, the game sharing features are no longer able to be implemented. So it's going to be like these generation; to share the game you need to physically give someone else the disc.

While it was probably one of the best ideas behind the console, I'd rather a console that didn't need to be online to work and have no restrictions on game buying and reselling.

As for Steam, I don't think what Microsoft do or do not do will have any impact on what Valve does. I'd just wait until they actually say something on the matter.

 

[Keith K]

I'm not entirely sure it's on the table. But no.

I don't think Valve gives half a crap what Microsoft is doing at any given time.

 

[Lilani]

In reference to this article. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125168-Rumor-Game-Sharing-Coming-To-Steam] Do you think that with Microsoft backing out, Steam won't be moving forward with their shared library? Personally, I think it would be absolutely amazing if Steam actually went forward with it anyways, simply because they started. It would be a stellar feature to release in time for the Steam Box, and it could actually pull some more people towards its digital distribution service.

Quite frankly though, I don't think that Valve's hand is being pushed anymore without Microsoft forcing it. Then again, Valve does have a certain reputation to uphold, and there's a chance that we'll see it, just because Valve can.

Thoughts?

[small]Totally changed the thread name because I realized that I ended the sentence in a preposition and it bugged the hell out of me.[/small]

Why wouldn't they release it? I don't think Steam is in any way worried about how the xbone will affect them, one way or another. They're making scads of money already while up against the 360, so why would the 360's retarded half-brother be any sort of a threat?

Also remember, the xbone has only been announced for about three weeks now. That's how long we've known about the game sharing feature. If Steam really is introducing a game sharing system, it had to have been in the works for longer than that. Their game sharing has nothing to do with Microsoft. The most that could have happened is the xbone's announcement sped up their announcement just a bit, simply because they wanted to cash in on the xbone's bad press to make their announcement more impactful and more topical.

 

[rbstewart7263]

I don't think Valve will pull some crap like mirosoft with DRM's. I think they will actually say "ok, if you want to share some games go ahead". I think there will without a doubt be limitations on this because it really doesn't make sense to let tons of people play a game from one purchase. As cool as that is it would bankrupt the company and we really don't want Ea becoming the primary digital distributor. Realistically I just trust Valve on this when it comes to doing something cool and the right thing. I doubt they will be backing out unless they can't get it to work properly, which in itself is very unlikely.

limit your shares to 4 times a month perhaps? id say that is fair.