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[Svip]

I haven't seen any developer say that will be the case with EU4. I've only seen developers confirm what we all know, that it's not the case with current games.

Despite fanboy assertions that it will be the case with EU4, developers actually seem quite careful about NOT saying that will be the case in EU4. In fact there have been several developer comments about features in Steamworks, the API, and multiplayer, that sound like the Steam is going to be more integrated into EU4, meaning it might not be able to run in an offline mode, at all. They may not go full DRM in EU4 (though I haven't even seen anything definitive about DRM, either), but I'm guessing the push for Steam has as much or more to do with taking advantage of Steam "features" as it does with cutting out alternative delivery systems.

No?

You only need internet to install and patch. Just the same as gg.

Albeit talking about March of the Eagles, but that game too will be Steam-only.

 

[MylesSCP]

Linux support is becoming more and more widespread in the gaming world. Valve is not the only company starting to support it. Sans Steam I'd wager a bit that Paradox would be supporting Linux within a couple years on it's own for the same reason it says it hopped on the Steam bandwagon: too many of it's playerbase uses it to ignore it. The use of Linux is growing, and I expect it to explode in the coming years if Microsoft sticks with the direction it's taken with Windows 8. And yes, I realize they currently don't support Macs, but I'll wager Linux will eclipse Macs in OS market share, as those who leave Windows tend to go to Linux and not Macs.

You could be right about Linux in the future, I'm personally very skeptical, but either way it was pretty much stated that without Steam Paradox wouldn't be supporting Linux right now. Valve did all the hard work and now Paradox and Paradox fans are going to reap the rewards.

 

[RobRoy3]

No?



Albeit talking about March of the Eagles, but that game too will be Steam-only.

Like I said, no developer has come forward to say that about EU4. Since you obviously searched and didn't find anything either, I'll take that as confirmation. Thank you. It'd be great if they would say that. People have asked. Silence reigns. To me that speaks volumes, especially when they HAVE made references to (unspecified) Steam features that they seem to be pursuing.

Clearly what they have been doing in the past, and what they are currently doing and planning, cannot be predictive of what they will do for a specific title in the future. Else we would not be having a (lengthy and repetitious) discussion about dropping Gamersgate, despite all the people who confidently stated that Paradox would most certainly release the game on Gamersgate. These assertions are simply wishful thinking at this point. I will join you in rejoicing when/if a decision is made and announced.

 

[Svip]

Like I said, no developer has come forward to say that about EU4. Since you obviously searched and didn't find anything either, I'll take that as confirmation. Thank you.

I actually did not search, I just knew where that post was. Somewhere earlier in this thread, someone linked to it.

 

[John Forseti]

Here it is;

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum...ve-to-download-through-Steam-(for-devs)/page4

My two cents:

For those of you who dislike the Steam auto-updates out there(or maybe Steam altogether). Please note that Steam is only required to install the game, but not required to run it. Steam can be configured to also act as a DRM for games, but currently we do not use this feature for our games(and there are currently no such plans in motion that I'm aware of).

 

[Franconian]

I also like this part from Tegus on the same page:

For the main game, yes, you can copy it from the Steam folder and run it wherever you like. Remember that you still need to own the game, so pirating and giving it to your friends is disallowed.

 

[RobRoy3]

Here it is;

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum...ve-to-download-through-Steam-(for-devs)/page4

Thank you. Not as definitive a statement as I'd like, but hopefully it's predictive for how Steam will be used for EU4.

 

[James The 1st]

Finally, you open yourself about steam.

I cannot buy something that I know it's not me who's in control. It will come to a guy pushing a button and voila, good bye, you no more own the games you just bought.

Do you know anyone who was banned from Steam that did not commit fraud? You can't just randomly get banned from Steam.

And heck, didn't you Paradox create GG? What's the sense of leaving GG to the fishes?!
I buy all my games from there, I usually pay more to do so, BUT I DO IT TO HELP PARADOX. Since you get a bigger share of the cake, if I'm not wrong...
So you should have more respect from the GG people!

Because it's not profitable....

 

[RobRoy3]

...Because it's not profitable....

Rather because Steam is more profitable, and they anticipate the bulk of Gamersgate users will migrate to Steam.

 

[Ekyman]

And heck, didn't you Paradox create GG? What's the sense of leaving GG to the fishes?!
I buy all my games from there, I usually pay more to do so, BUT I DO IT TO HELP PARADOX. Since you get a bigger share of the cake, if I'm not wrong...
So you should have more respect from the GG people!

I'm pretty sure that Paradox get the same cut from both Steam and GG.

 

[Brent15]

The reason they can provide Linux support is because of Steam. If Steam wasn't going to be supporting Linux then Paradox wouldn't be either.

Its interesting how it's a decision to save on development costs. . .until it's not. I don't see how you can have it both ways. Either, developing multiple versions for less than 5% of the market share is a waste or it's not. People keep echoing the "it's not profitable" statement and conveniently ignore the Linux version that's being planned.

I sincerely can't imagine a Linux version being easier to support than Gamersgate. I don't really believe they're losing money on the 5%. I think they're hoping they'll keep the 5% due to migrations and get the added benefit of eliminating the inconvenience of the supporting a second PC version. I believe they've pretty much said that but not quite so bluntly.

I'm sure that increases their margins, but IMO at the cost of customer service. I'd be willing to pay three times as much for a non-steam version, but that's not how it works.

EDIT: Just noticed RobRoy3 made much the same point on profitability above.

 

[Brent15]

Maybe I've misread the data but I'm seeing Linux at about 1% of the market and it actually had a down tick this month according to Net Applications.

 

[James The 1st]

But does Linux take up 50% of the QA time?

 

[Svip]

Maybe I've misread the data but I'm seeing Linux at about 1% of the market and it actually had a down tick this month according to Net Applications.

Yes, of all desktop users. How many of these users are likely to buy or even play a game? Unfortunately, we don't have concrete numbers on the amount of gamers that use Linux (or would use Linux as their primary platform, if they could), because there is so far no way of determining that. But I'll bet it is more than 1%, hell it's more than 5%. In fact, I believe it might even be a bigger share than OS X's gaming share.

 

[Captain Gars]

I sincerely can't imagine a Linux version being easier to support than Gamersgate.

Fortunately Paradox doesn't base business decisions on your imagination

 

[Portucal]

I'm pretty sure that Paradox get the same cut from both Steam and GG.

I don't think so.
I don't doubt Paradox has some privileges on GG.

Fortunately Paradox doesn't base business decisions on your imagination

Could you at least provide us with a sheer number of buyers? How much is 5%? Can you answer that?

Dince 91% is via Steam, that can actually tell us a lot.
Like almost everyone buys from Steam. The 5% that doesn't buy from there won't do it, and relied on GG as a viable alternative to Steam.
All the posts I saw so far about the GG buyers, they said they will not buy from Steam (myself included).
How many people would you need to buy the game from GG and have profit?

Please reconsider!

 

[Johan]

I don't think so.
I don't doubt Paradox has some privileges on GG.

Nope, same deal everywhere.

 

[Summercat]

First post in months, to express my displeasure that EUIV will not be available through Gamersgate, or any other non-Steam source.

What the hell, Paradox. Really? Ugh.

/hates Steam with a passion

 

[Johan]

Its interesting how it's a decision to save on development costs. . .until it's not. I don't see how you can have it both ways. Either, developing multiple versions for less than 5% of the market share is a waste or it's not. People keep echoing the "it's not profitable" statement and conveniently ignore the Linux version that's being planned.

I sincerely can't imagine a Linux version being easier to support than Gamersgate. I don't really believe they're losing money on the 5%. I think they're hoping they'll keep the 5% due to migrations and get the added benefit of eliminating the inconvenience of the supporting a second PC version. I believe they've pretty much said that but not quite so bluntly.

I'm sure that increases their margins, but IMO at the cost of customer service. I'd be willing to pay three times as much for a non-steam version, but that's not how it works.

Actually, the linux version on Steam costs a fraction in QA compared to the GG version, as it uses the same architecture as the windows version, and also has no overhead in dlc checks.

The costs for a non-steam version is due to.

1) Implementing several libraries ourselves, as we know use steamworks for.. (Multiplayer, Mod-support, Achievements). The costs is insane here, and our network architecture we worked on ourselves has never been satisfactory to say the least.
2) QA time is far higher on non-steam versions, as we have to rely on various installer packages that are designed by idiots compared to the automatic system Steam gives us.
3) DRM. The steam store is less of a hassle for users when it comes to buying DLC's, as they work fine in offline mode, while a GG version has problems if GG servers are down.

 

[Summercat]

Actually, the linux version on Steam costs a fraction in QA compared to the GG version, as it uses the same architecture as the windows version, and also has no overhead in dlc checks.

The costs for a non-steam version is due to.

1) Implementing several libraries ourselves, as we know use steamworks for.. (Multiplayer, Mod-support, Achievements). The costs is insane here, and our network architecture we worked on ourselves has never been satisfactory to say the least.
2) QA time is far higher on non-steam versions, as we have to rely on various installer packages that are designed by idiots compared to the automatic system Steam gives us.
3) DRM. The steam store is less of a hassle for users when it comes to buying DLC's, as they work fine in offline mode, while a GG version has problems if GG servers are down.

I thought that Paradox didnt' care for DRM...

Also, what does DRM have to do with your third point, there? I could see access and point-of-sale issues, but I was livid with rage when I had to connect to Steam to install my box copy of Civilization V.

I don't play multiplayer, and I can live just fine without achievements. I happen to hate DRM of all types, and loathe being forced to use a third party service for basic functionality.

Drunken plea redacted, I am upset at this decision - and even more upset at the fact that you know that in the end it doesn't matter, I'm going through with buying EUIV anyhow, Steam or no Steam.

Also, that 91%... was that total volume # of sales, or dollar amount.