Do we need distribution outside of Steam?

[miki151]

The next release will come out on Early Access. Steam is an awesome tool for me with easy packaging, auto-update, etc. It's also awesome for you because of leaderboards, map exchange, cloud storage for save files, etc.

Packaging separately for Itch.io will be a major hassle for me, and as a lone developer without much time, I am planning to drop it completely. The Steam version will still be DRM-free.

However, if players feel very strongly on this, I'm willing to reconsider it :), so let me know.

[LHLF]

I really think this game should be on GOG as well. They have a much better customer service and platform (I hate depending on the Steam client to do stuff, it is a really heavy program). I would certainly buy it through there.

[miki151]

I was in touch with GOG a while ago, but they kind of ignored me. It's not a website for early access games anyway. I'm sure they're more likely to include KeeperRL when 1.0 comes out – which will take a while.

[aodendaal]

I'm happy if it's only available via Steam, especially if it's less hassle for the developer.

Have you got ideas yet for implementing Steam's other features?

[miki151]

Yes, I'll use their Workshop thing for public highscores and uploading retired dungeons for other players to fight.

[LHLF]

I was in touch with GOG a while ago, but they kind of ignored me. It's not a website for early access games anyway. I'm sure they're more likely to include KeeperRL when 1.0 comes out – which will take a while.

Indeed I've never seen early access over there, but if 1.0 can be made available when it happens, I believe it would be a great idea. Not only for the site itself, but the people who buy things there tend to be more appreciative of your kind of game  🙂

How long do you think before 1.0? Not that I'm in a hurry, after all I play Dwarf Fortress and Unreal World, so I'm pretty comfortable with the “20+ years to completion”, lol

[miki151]

I talked a little bit about the future here:
https://keeperrl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=102

[LHLF]

Oh, great, thanks! Sorry for not having seeing it before!

[Gnarz]

I feel that yes, a distribution outside of steam is desirable. While I acknowledge the fact that it is easier for you to only have one distribution channel, there are 2 things I really don't like about steam. Firstly, steam is DRM. And Secondly, it is a subscription service, meaning you don't own the stuff you have there. Then there is the necessity of the client, which means there are a lot of scenarios where I would not be able to play the game any more.

I know, us people who don't think steam is the best thing since computer games were invented are a minority, but please consider my arguments.

[Tchey]

Steam is fine, but Steam is DRM.
More choices > Steam.

So, do we need distribution outside of Steam ?

Yes.

[miki151]

I don't want to be harsh, but please at least read my first post. KeeperRL will not be DRMed on Steam.

[Tchey]

Yep, i did. I didn't express myself in a good way however.

I meant, Steam is a third party program, even without DRM it would be a must-have to download and update KeeperRL. Some people may want to play KeeperRL without having to install Steam. I suppose some players are still not “Steamers”. I myself use Steam, Desura, GOG, and non-attached games too, so i'm a “Steamer” in some extend.

Anyway…

More choices > Steam.

[Gnarz]

Even if you put a DRM free game on steam, it is still DRMed, by the fact that you need steam to install it. Also, if you should, for whatever reason, cancel or lose your steam account, you also lose the game ( + all other games you have on steam, for that matter). But, well, it is your decision. If it is on steam, it is lost for me, but I'm just one guy, probably doesn't matter.

[miki151]

Even if you put a DRM free game on steam, it is still DRMed, by the fact that you need steam to install it.

In the same way that you need a PC with Windows, ZIP program, etc. That's not what DRM means.

You can freely copy the game around after you've installed it with Steam.

Also, if you should, for whatever reason, cancel or lose your steam account, you also lose the game ( + all other games you have on steam, for that matter).

No, you don't. You can back up the game folder and it will work ok.

But, well, it is your decision. If it is on steam, it is lost for me, but I'm just one guy, probably doesn't matter.

It does matter, but should I also provide RAR archives, because some folks are anti-ZIP, and COM executables, because someone doesn't like EXE?

Steam is a technical tool for me (besides a distribution channel), which makes my job much easier. It will make your life easier too, with auto-updates, highscore and dungeon sharing, etc.

Btw, if we're going on idealogical grounds, distributing outside of Steam will mean I have to continue using Paypal, which I have very strong arguments agains.

[Gnarz]

well, zip doesn't reserve the right to scan my computer for software it considers to be in breach with its license, and other stuff like that, so the comparison is not quite valid. I did list technical reasons further up, and as someone who rarely finds the time for a gaming session, I find the steam client quite unwieldy… for example, every single time I start it, it updates itself first. Plus, I can't use it in some of the situations I play games in, like in a hotel room with my work laptop.

But, as I mentioned before, it is your decision. If you feel the gain outweighs what I consider losses (and you obviously don't, so this one will be easy), then by all means do what you think is best for you.

[Author]

Posts