Steam now carrying software

[noisyturtle]

For all you budding/adept graphic designers, Steam is now in the software business. Gaben forever expanding Valve's empire, there's a sale on some nice stuff right now. Art Rage and 3d Coat are both pretty nice tools, haven't used the others yet so can't vouch for 'em.
http://store.steampowered.com/software?snr=1_4_4__118

[tp4tissue]

I foresee lots of sh1t software, like 90% of the games it already carries.

[Malphas]

Yeah, it's a bizarre move. I guess it might make sense later if they're moving into some sort of streaming or Windows-compatible-Linux-derivative-OS area they've been hinting about of late.

[Icarium]

Hm. Steam selling software seems like a totally logical move to me. And 90% seem a bit steep. Allmost all games are available on Steam today. In fact, I challenge you to name 10 great games from the last year that were not available on Steam. (At the very least I will get some game recommendations out of this *g*.)

[Vyr1s]

I agree, its a brilliant move.
I mean Steam != Valve.

Simply a distribution platform, but what will be amazing to see is a single license for your software, usable via your steam account against varying platforms (Win, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, etc).

As per the 90% crap. That's just an opinion. Something you don't find good or entertaining doesn't mean it's the game's fault.
Besides I would have unrestricted access to everything rather than only access to what a panel or community veto's as 'good'.

[modulor]

Steam is a great distribution format, and in my opinion this is a smart move for Valve.  Even if it doesn't work out, I think they'll be fine.

[Calade]

With the kind of software they're selling, this makes perfect sense. It's all rather game-related so far, either for benchmarking gaming rigs or developing games. However, I don't really like Steam so much in general - they do reserve the right to just take all your games away without stating a reason and I've heard more than one story of that happening in the past. Whenever possible, I prefer to buy and play my games outside Steam.

I challenge you to name 10 great games from the last year that were not available on Steam.

Battlefield 3
Diablo 3
Guild Wars 2
Star Wars: The Old Republic

A few really big ones that I could think of right away. I don't have time to think of more right now, but I'm sure it's not an impossible mission at all to name 10.

[phetto]

I guess its nice for people with those interests :]

[davkol]

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[noisyturtle]

With the kind of software they're selling, this makes perfect sense. It's all rather game-related so far, either for benchmarking gaming rigs or developing games. However, I don't really like Steam so much in general - they do reserve the right to just take all your games away without stating a reason and I've heard more than one story of that happening in the past. Whenever possible, I prefer to buy and play my games outside Steam.

I challenge you to name 10 great games from the last year that were not available on Steam.

Diablo 3

He said great games...

[Calade]

With the kind of software they're selling, this makes perfect sense. It's all rather game-related so far, either for benchmarking gaming rigs or developing games. However, I don't really like Steam so much in general - they do reserve the right to just take all your games away without stating a reason and I've heard more than one story of that happening in the past. Whenever possible, I prefer to buy and play my games outside Steam.

I challenge you to name 10 great games from the last year that were not available on Steam.

Diablo 3

He said great games...

Hehe, well I must admit that I only tried the Diablo 3 beta. It seemed ok judging by that, even thought I've never been a hardcore Diablo fan. Heard some very mixed feelings about the full game, though. Same goes for TOR.

[tp4tissue]

With the kind of software they're selling, this makes perfect sense. It's all rather game-related so far, either for benchmarking gaming rigs or developing games. However, I don't really like Steam so much in general - they do reserve the right to just take all your games away without stating a reason and I've heard more than one story of that happening in the past. Whenever possible, I prefer to buy and play my games outside Steam.

I challenge you to name 10 great games from the last year that were not available on Steam.

Diablo 3

He said great games...

Hehe, well I must admit that I only tried the Diablo 3 beta. It seemed ok judging by that, even thought I've never been a hardcore Diablo fan. Heard some very mixed feelings about the full game, though. Same goes for TOR.

All the complaints come from Old Fart gamers that essentially outgrew "grind" based gaming.  They really need to just stop gaming, and stop complaining about something that was designed to occupy time "FOR KIDS"

[ra7c7er]

Steam carrying software is not as bad as newegg carrying air conditioners or car parts or tents or geez I could go on and on.

[Playtrumpet]

All the complaints come from Old Fart gamers that essentially outgrew "grind" based gaming.  They really need to just stop gaming, and stop complaining about something that was designed to occupy time "FOR KIDS"

The average gamer age is around 30, and most games made nowadays tend to be designed for the general 18-35+ age range. Don't insult the "old fart gamers" please. The way you put it tells me they have taste. Good for them - great indie game designers live for their consumership.

[Malphas]

So we finally get repositories (well, sort of) on MS Windows...? Interesting.

That's another part of the reason I guess. Valve are clearly bothered by the Windows 8 app store ruining their business model and so are probably trying to broaden their catalogue in order to position themselves as a rival in the same way you have Amazon Appstore on Android.

[tillertow]

Don't think this will ever get popular, considering that steam is a gaming platform...most people wont even look at the apps category i think