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Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

Moderator: zeussy

Poll ended at Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:10 pm

What do you think about completely converting to Steam, getting rid of the stand-alone launcher?

That’s fine, I would prefer Steam anyway.
724
82%
That’s inconvenient, but okay when it helps development.
104
12%
That’s not an option for me; I want/need a stand-alone launcher.
60
7%
 
Total votes : 888
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shaunisradd

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:06 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

Honestly I like steam. Steam makes things simple for everyone. Creating another account is not a huge deal.
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23dutch45man

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:08 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

I vote for option 2, converting all keys to steam, so more hours and resources can be focuses on developing a better final product. A lot of users have Steam already, as they discovered it through Greenlight, including me.

Although it means that the company become very dependent on Steam (75% discount on summer sale and such things) for at least 2-3 years, you can't avoid huge discounts periods and other nasty stuff by picking any other online game distributor as Origin or GOG.com in the long run, unless this company becomes successful and become indepent at some point. Even though Automation must be released on Steam as part of the Greenlight deal, it's a decent/good game distributor.
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Matrix3281

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:16 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

TheTom wrote:I would go so far as to say that most people on this forum have a steam account anyway. Some may have had the Steam account before they even heard of Automation. And i think it is overall the better solution to go Steam only because like you said, you don't have to work on two game versions at the same time.
Let's talk about how Automation reaches more new users. Currently, because we're not on Steam yet, the only way is one person who already owns Automation telling another person how awesome the game is and that they should consider checking it out, whether on Facebook, or by talking to a friend personally, or through some other form of communication. But when the game is on Steam, people can still do that, in addition to Steam advertising the game. Steam has millions of users and a big part of those who like car-related games will enjoy Automation. On a side note, it would be awesome to have AutomationHub completed before the Steam release so that when the game comes out on Steam, people will have Steam to keep them updated about future patches/news etc., they will have the forums for additional communication and support if they have any questions, and they'll have AutomationHub for sharing and discussing their car designs, sharing videos and so on.

I think Steam only is the best solution because, let's be honest, it's not a big effort to create a Steam account because it takes less than 5 minutes and it's free.

Greets,
Tom

I agree, steam is a free client that is easy to use and FREE
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Loller2456

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:55 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

I would go to steam all the way. Im not a developer but it seems kinda better and less stressful idea, but thats my opinion ;) ;)
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Breno

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 7:05 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

Based on the experience of Euro Truck Simulator 2, steam ends up being the best option, because it would be enough to launch the official update by steam and everyone would be updated. Already independent launcher spend more developer time that could be used otherwise.
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pez2k

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 7:16 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

Going Steam-only is a solid choice - it gives the dev team lots of well proven infrastructure for patching, copy protection, and even multiplayer matchmaking so that they don't need to reinvent the wheel (only a slight pun intended). It's quite likely that the majority of sales will come from Steam and key resellers, so it doesn't make much sense to me to deliberately eschew all of those available features to appease a minority of customers. Of course it's never ideal to upset even a single customer, but the benefits of becoming Steam exclusive and able to rely on and integrate Steamworks outweigh that concern.
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Frode0107

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 7:26 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

I would prefer using it on Steam if it means a better quality of the game, and quicker development. I use Steam alot, so.. Go Steam!!
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Reinier

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 8:15 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

I would say go with option 2. I'm also currently closely following another indie game, which made the transition to steam recently, and it really is for the best to offer everybody the same launcher (steam in this case) in my opinion. Keeps everybody looking in the same direction
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xAleks

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 8:18 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

The more secure one, i mean no piracy of the game.
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etiennetop

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 8:57 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

TL:DR: the steam option

Although some might find the stand alone luncher very nice,  steam will be practically the same. Also, who owns a computer is most likely to have steam, at least your fans(including me!). A release on origin or uplay would have been completely something else. 

Finally, don't panic with time, you have the best fans in the world and we'll wait for it to be perfect! 
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Daffyflyer

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:07 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

Janekk wrote:
Conza89 wrote:? I don't understand.

You cut out one step, namely client. It's pointless discussion though, difference isn't really big and the whole issue is well, non issue.


It's worth noting that installing Automation currently requires two steps. Downloading and installing a launcher. Then logging into it and installing patches ;)
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8bs

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:07 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

Let's go steam!!
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Daffyflyer

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:14 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

Numrollen wrote:I am totally against steam and i wouldnt have bought this game if the "early access" were on steam. I own ~20 games on steam but i still dont like it, i always choose other options if the game offer it! :cry: There arent many disadvantages of steam but the few of them let me have always an antipathy against it. You as a dev will always be bonded to steam. for me as a customer there are other things that happen and could happen in the future. Its like having his complete environment in the apple universum. Sooo many like it, they love it, they stay there whatever this imperium will make and will defend the policy. Will you choose money over wishes from a minor group? steam is for the laziness people, thats the main point why steam got so popular. And they even dont think about the problems comming from such a plattform"


I'd be interested to know in more detail what the problems you've observed are? As far as I can tell, from the point of view of the customer playing the game the experience will be somewhat improved from the way it is now (better multiplayer matchmaking, simpler activation process, easier patching etc) and am struggling to think of any specific disadvantages. Any more detail you can give about specific problems would be great, as it'll help us decide the best way to deal with them.


Numrollen wrote:having your game sold for 3$ on the sommer sale? have fun!


Uh. You do realize that participation in sales is entirely optional on the part of the developer. Valve asks you if you'd like to be part of a sale or not. Also every developer I've talked to has said that the sales have been nothing but good for them financially and for the popularity of their games. So I don't understand why this is a bad thing?
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Daffyflyer

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:18 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

07CobaltGirl wrote:I'm not a fan of Steam at all. I already have Ubisoft's Uplay for anno2070 and I hate it. I had Anno1701 and Anno1502 on Direct2Drive, which got bought out by GameFly. I can no longer play the game because the game wasn't transferred and it cannot be activated through the servers. (yes, it could happen with any game regardless of being on multi-game platforms or not) I would like a stand-alone version to play. I also play this game on Linux sometimes. This would not be possible with a Steam client requirement. I do understand, the devs should move forward with the option which serves their needs best, however. Just my two-cents.


Uplay is pretty much the worst thing ever invented by a human though, have you ever had such problems with Steam?

The Linux point is an interesting one (I'm assuming you got it working using WINE?). Once we move to Unity we might be able to do a specific linux build, and do it through Steam for Linux though.

I'd love details of specific dislikes you have about Steam, as it's nice to know what problems we need to think about with Steam in general from the players point of view.
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JamesMiller

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Post Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:34 am

Re: Steam & Launcher Poll + Discussion

Steam is the way to go, no doubt.
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