this post was submitted on 24 Dec 2024
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While I agree with just about all of your points, there's one thing I'm not clear on. Who's the monopolist in your scenario? The console space has 3 competitors and on the PC side, you've got several more. I don't see any of the big PC or console companies dictating game development trends. That seems to me to come from the publishers chasing the next big thing, or trying to make their own version of the last big thing. The rest of what you said is spot on, though. We need stronger unions and we need to demystify what developers do. And we absolutely need to tell the tech bro types to fuck off and stop stinking up the place.
The monopolist in this case sells the games to the gamers. It is steam. You have practically no chance to sell games outside of steam and although there is good reason for it being popular, its not healthy.
Steam being larger than all their PC competitors put together is certainly a problem, but I don't think it's a problem that's affecting the topic the article discusses. That seems to be an entirely different issue.
Its so interesting how averse all of lemmy (and reddit before) reacts when someone dares to challenge their dopamine fix.
Monopolies = bad
No two ways about it.
You've said nothing and refuse to elaborate.
Maybe the pushback isn't because you're criticising Steam but because your criticism lacks substance and you refuse to provide any.
I honestly can't tell how your comment applies to what I said. Yes, monopolies are bad. That's why I said that Steam being so much larger than their competitors is a problem. I'm pretty sure we agree on that point, but your comment seems antagonistic and I don't know why.
So consoles don't exist?
Also, what exactly is the problem with Steam in your opinion, apart from "monopoly bad."
Yeah no. Not discussing with stans. Monopolies are bad. That is irrefutable, scientific fact. They erode the markets they are in.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monopoly
But the barrier to entry for publishing a game on Steam is super-low, it's honestly dead simple. And even though Steam takes a sizeable cut, they do tons of work in exchange w.r.t. promotion, distribution, community management, the modding workshop, Steam Input, testing Steam Deck compatibility, etc..
For indies it's one of the easiest routes to publish a game. And given the relative success of indies on Steam, it seems to work quite well.
Although I agree that steam has done a lot for indies, the issue remains, no matter how many stans downvote me.
But then perhaps you could articulate what the exact issue is? Like, what ill effects is Steam being a very major player having on the gaming industry as a whole?
I don't understand, how is Steam good for Indies but bad for studios?