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Murphy's Law: Gaming? Open? Ha!

David Murphy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0600

Everyone wants a piece of the direct-download pie. With apologies to Mr. Grayson for inching onto his beat just a tad, I think that some intrepid gamer - or, better, an intrepid gamer-businessman - needs to put his finger in the swelling dike of direct download services before it bursts all over the Web and ruins us all.

Dramatic? Perhaps. The description is no less dramatic than my growing frustration at the inability to manage my downloads, multiplayer experience, and cash across the many platforms that exist on the modern-day "Gamer's Internet." In a perfect world, the various game publishers would band together and come up with a common solution-a universal iTunes, if you will-by which all could contribute core content, extras, add-ons, and share the costs of bandwidth, UI development, and communal matchmaking.

This dream of an open framework is made of pipes because everyone, in a word, is greedy. Or lazy. Some companies are worse than others, some companies are better. But when I ask, "Why must it be this way," I don't say that expecting any kind of change in the way this evolution is progressing. The gaming companies just aren't doing enough to talk to each other. And with every company seemingly having its own independent distribution platform, the question becomes all too clear: Why would I optimize my product for that guy's service?

The Download

It's nice to see publishers, for the most part, sticking to Valve's Steam as the service-of-choice for digital distribution of gaming titles. And to Valve's credit, Steam isn't just a run-of-the-mill download manager. When you purchase a game, you purchase the full rights to install that game on as many platforms as you see fit.

The problem therein is that Valve might be the Tyrannosaurus Rex, but that doesn't mean that it's the only dinosaur in the theme park. Suppose I like downloading games from Good Old Games because I appreciate being able to play classic titles on a modern machine sans problems (if you're reading this, Gog, I will pay you 30 hamburgers to bring TIE Fighter to your service). If I pick up Unreal Tournament because it's on sale, that's great and all... but I'm locked into using that service (or in the case of GoG, the lack thereof).

You can replace Good Old Games with any gaming platform on the Web - the EA store, Gamersgate, Direct2Drive, Stardock's Impulse, et cetera. Purchasing a game on one doesn't extend you the right to activate the game on others. Nor can you often take a box copy of a game from a retail store and unlock a direct-download version of the game on an accompanying service of your choosing.

Keeping the idea of open architectures in mind, why can't there be a way to unlock a game universally using a manner akin to an API key? So long as a manufacturer has your product key tied to a particular account, it can pass along authorization for any direct download platform. Said platform can either than serve as a gateway between you and the full game hosted on the manufacturer's site, let you download the title for free off the service, or charge you a nominal (< $5) fee for the bandwidth you eat up.

The Matchmaking

I thought this one was a done deal, as I don't often run across Steam-based games that supply their own matchmaking functionality in place of the Steam client's built-in services. In the case of the recently released PC title Borderlands, I'm not sure who to blame: Valve or Gearbox Software. Here's the deal. When you purchase Borderlands on Steam, you would think that it would be as easy to join up with your friends as any other Steam title-see your buddy playing the game in your friend window, click "join game," and there you have it.

Wrong!

Not only is Steam's matchmaking not built into Borderlands in the slightest, but you actually have to register the game with GameSpy, create a new account, develop a new online persona, and then invite your Steam friends-who have all done the same tedious process-to be your new friends via GameSpy, via Borderlands, via Steam. Ugh.

If Steam is at fault for making its matchmaking too difficult to integrate into games, then boo. If Gearbox Software is at fault for not taking advantage of the Steamworks SDK, then double-boo. There's no reason why gamers should have to suffer through multiple platforms on a single title if a better, free-to-use alternative exists. And boy would it be nice to deliver some kind of high-level login platform for multiplayer matchmaking a la a Facebook Connect for gaming: one universal login, one universal friend list, and an easy-to-access method for joining games across a variety of platforms.

The Money

This one's easy: Anyone who offers up a crude money-for-points system for downloading games or add-ons should be scorned and boycotted by the community. Microsoft points, Bioware points, Cryptic points... these are all horrible microtransaction services that force gamers to keep strange balances of alternate currency in accounts scattered across the Internet. Stop it. Just stop.

The companies won't stop, of course, as it's a perfect way to force Joe Gamer and his 285-point balance to pick up the next $15 allotment of 1,000 MurphPoints in order to buy a 300-point add-on. And, thus, with a balance of MurphPoints remaining, Joe is inspired to keep on coming back to the service to spend more money, and refill more points, and spend more money, et cetera.

Here's a hint: There's already a perfect, open platform for exchanging one's worth for services or products. It's called the dollar bill. Too bad the joy of this single, universal architecture seems to be what's stalling the adoption of better systems for gamers of all shapes, sizes, and downloading services.

Tripwire President on Steam: “If That’s Exploitation, I’ll Take A Little More”

Nathan Grayson — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:44:14 -0500

A couple days ago, we published a chat with Gearbox Software’s main mouthpiece, Randy Pitchford. And boy can he talk. And when he talks the talk, other people get to talking too. Especially when Pitchford launches a few verbal volleys in Steam’s direction – calling it a “money grab” -- as he did in our interview. As a result, Tripwire Interactive (Red Orchestra, Killing Floor) president John Gibson has decided to fire back.

“Is Valve exploiting independent developers? In short: absolutely not. Without pulling any punches, I can say with certainty that if it weren't for Steam, there would be no Tripwire Interactive right now,” Gibson said, explaining that he believes Valve has “kicked off an indie revolution.”

“Randy's statements suggest that small developers are getting ripped off through their royalty rates. Without breaking any non-disclosure agreements, let me just say that our royalty deal was great, and is in line with what I understand that other digital distribution services are offering.”

“We have never had a situation where Valve downplayed our competing titles. On the contrary, they have done a great job of promoting our games on the front page of the Steam store and through the pop-up advertisements on Steam.”

Gibson also emphasized that all publishers find themselves awash in the murk of “conflicts of interest” at some point or another. “With console digital distribution, Microsoft and Sony have a complete monopoly on their platforms, and both companies make first party games. At least Valve has competition on the PC,” he added.

Gibson’s full response is available for your perusal over at Gamasutra. It’s definitely worth a read.

First Look at Left 4 Dead 2's Dark Carnival Campaign

Norman Chan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:41:42 -0500

Valve has released the first screenshot of Left 4 Dead 2's third campaign, Dark Carnival. Following The Parish and Swamp Fever (revealed at E3 and Comic-Con, respectively), Dark Carnival will be playable at this year's Penny Arcade Expo, taking place September 4th through 6th in Seattle. Valve will also unveil a few more of Left 4 Dead 2's 20+ new in-game items at PAX.

Fun fact: Coulrophobia, or the fear of clowns, inflicts one in every eight Americans.

Steam's Weekend Deal Will Blow Your Mind

Nathan Grayson — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:59:28 -0500

Yeah – this is getting pretty ridiculous. Just when you thought Valve’s market-dominating Steam service couldn’t cut any more off its game prices without bleeding money, they go and prove everyone wrong.

This weekend, Valve’s offering the Orange Box – a complete steal even at its original price – for $9.99. For those who haven’t been keeping score, the Orange Box contains Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episodes One and Two, Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. Really, the only things this virtual incarnation of said box lacks are, well, actual oranges and any sort of box. But hey, you’re saving the trees for cheap, and isn’t that basically the American Dream?

So, six amazing games. Ten bucks. Breathing lightly on piggy bank will yield you that kind of scratch. Seriously, if you haven’t played these games, what are you even waiting for? Afraid you might lose your job while utterly engrossed in your new purchases? Well, if Steam keeps topping itself like this, you probably won’t need much money to keep your gaming appetite sated anyway.

“Steamworks Makes DRM Obsolete,” Claims Valve

Nathan Grayson — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:48:50 -0500

Valve’s quiet, non-intrusive DRM solution – if nothing else – is highly preferable to many publishers’ boisterous assault on our PCs’ (presumed) innocence. We’d like to think Steam’s colossal success in some way attests to this.

So of course, Valve’s announcement that it’s now offering that DRM solution, known as the Custom Executable Generation, to any and all developers free of charge is reason enough to break out the Headcrab-shaped party hats. Or read press release quotes. Actually, you know what? Since we’re getting wild and crazy with excitement here, let’s just do both.

“Headlining the new feature set is the Custom Executable Generation (CEG) technology that compliments the already existing anti-piracy solution offered in Steamworks. A customer friendly approach to anti-piracy, CEG makes unique copies of games for each user allowing them to access the application on multiple machines without install limits and without having to install root kits on their PC,” explained the press release.

The new set of features also includes support for in-game DLC and a Left 4 Dead-tested, Valve-approved matchmaking system. Cool beans.

"Delivering this extension of services on Steamworks first anniversary, demonstrates our commitment to continually develop the platform to better serve the community working with these tools," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "As we roll out these features, we continue to look for new ways make PC games easier to create and better for customers to experience."

And yes, before you make a snarky comment about it: DRM was already obsolete. But now it’s obsolete-er. It’s like making a horse ride in a trailer attached to a truck; the passing of the torch – especially in a situation like the one DRM has forced gamers into – need not always be cordial.

Steam Now Offering In-Game DLC

Nathan Grayson — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:59:52 -0500

Steam’s only one or two artillery shells away from becoming Skynet at this point, we think. First, it gained access to the Internet’s vast wells of knowledge, and now the thing can even purchase DLC, if it’s feeling so inclined. We’d be lying if we said we weren’t a little more worried than we’ve ever been in our entire lives.

“Valve, creators of best-selling entertainment products and advanced technologies, today announced the arrival of in-game downloadable content to Steam, their massively popular PC gaming platform. In-game DLC allows developers and publishers to use their own games as a platform for selling additional content to gamers,” read Valve’s press release.

In other words, no more middleman. Shift-tab, grab a few new items, maybe a war against China, and hop right back into the game. No muss, no fuss – just ~~complete reliance on Steam~~ quick, efficient fun.

GameStop, a bunker. A bunker, GameStop.

Capcom: Digital Distribution “Absolutely” More Important than Retail Game Sales

Nathan Grayson — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:33:11 -0600

You hear that, GameStop? Capcom thinks you’re all washed up. Maybe it’s time to let the younger, prettier, and – most of all – immaterial new generation start helping you across the street, because your time’s running short. In an interview with Rock Paper Shotgun, Capcom VP of strategic planning Christian Svensson explained why.

“Absolutely. No question in my mind. Digital distribution on PC ties directly into our strategy," Svensson replied when asked whether or not digital beats retail. “We will probably do as much digital selling as retail in the current climate,” he later added.

“To that end, on the PC side, I’ve spent the past year building up a digital distribution channel that has about twenty different partners. We’re ready on the console side, and we were the first Japanese publisher to do anything on Steam.”

Just in time, too. Our collection of game manuals was starting to get a little out of hand.

Square Enix Brings Japanese Pretty Boys to Steam

Nathan Grayson — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:21:08 -0600

Traditionally a console-focused publisher, Square Enix has finally decided to bestow its, er, unique sensibilities upon Steam’s ever-growing masses.

On April 9, the Japanese mega-publisher will drop add its first drop – a JRPG called The Last Remnant – to Steam’s bucket, with promises of more to come.

"We are excited to offer the millions of Steam customers online access to Square Enix titles beginning with our major action RPG, The Last Remnant," said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix."Square Enix is committed to delivering the best quality titles to PC gamers and distribution on Steam is one of the many steps we are taking to increase accessibility for fans in North America and PAL territories."

We think it’s great that Steam’s embracing the Japanese side of PC gaming – just so long as it shies away from groping around in this steamy (read: NSFW) region. Thanks in advance, Valve!