This is another great piece in your writing style, Harrison. I’ve been a gamer my entire life but only got a Steam account in 2014 when I finally got a gaming capable PC. I really didn’t start using it until Steam deck came out. It really does feel like a game changer and I am glad my blokes down under get to finally enjoy it.
I'm so keen for it. Got to sell my old PS5 -- after bankrupting myself on the Pro -- to financially justify getting another gaming device. So many cool indie games I'm keen to play.
Yeah, gotta keep things fresh. And I just haven't played any new games after Dragon Age. FF14's new patch came out, been plugging away on that. But I can't let Infinite Lives become Final Fantasy Weekly! That's the problem when you write a section about playing a new game... it can be a bit of a hamster wheel.
Nice article! I'm a little bit of a steam nerd, so I have a few thoughts:
- One reason why no other platform has caught up with Steam is because it went through the gauntlet of refinement. Using Steam when it launched was awful. It it wasn't for the popularity of Valve's games, it would have failed. But over the years, it started to get things right and add improvements. Newer platforms lack that maturity and, frankly, most of them are too stubborn or lack the ambition to add the features that make Steam better.
- Subscriptions are its biggest competition, but they are on the backfoot. Microsoft tried to compete with a digital storefront, starting on the 360, but couldn't get traction. In fact, nobody could get traction (except Epic), so they decided to set the barn on fire with subscription models that undermine the gaming economy.
- Those Epic numbers look impressive. However, if you substract everyone who also has a Steam account and then anyone who is there primarily for the Fortnite ecosystem, I suspect Epic's lead falls away completely. And many people do what I do: we might try a game on Game pass or Epic, but we buy it on Steam. Steam is the centre of my gaming universe.
- Steam had been stagnating for some time, and at one point that was putting it at risk. But it is very clear that they had in recent years replaced the underlying tech with a new digital platform, letting them roll out new features., like the nifty video recording. I wonder if Steam is investing in video storage infrastructure. That could open the door to compete against YouTube and Twitch (though I'm not sure Valve wants this extra work and expense).
- When Microsoft bought Activision, I did some basic number crunching and I think Steam is worth about the same as that company. Valve being coy with its numbers has helped it remain a dark horse and become a very powerful force in gaming.
- Early Access is an amazing model. Sure, there's garbage too, but it's helped so many small and mid-tier games find their feet.
That's why I liked your article. It's cool to see some outside perspectives, both for some objectivity and also to show that Steam's reach is starting to expand.
I think the biggest issue with Epic is its accessibility, or lack thereof. You cannot access your library from a mobile device and the browser interface is wonky at best. I tried to quickly check my library the other day to see if I had a specific game on there, but I couldn’t see it from the browser. I had to open the launcher, log in and check. I am personally inclined to use Epic more if they can get around these issues.
Nintendo music really was a nice surprise!
This is another great piece in your writing style, Harrison. I’ve been a gamer my entire life but only got a Steam account in 2014 when I finally got a gaming capable PC. I really didn’t start using it until Steam deck came out. It really does feel like a game changer and I am glad my blokes down under get to finally enjoy it.
I'm so keen for it. Got to sell my old PS5 -- after bankrupting myself on the Pro -- to financially justify getting another gaming device. So many cool indie games I'm keen to play.
Yeah, gotta keep things fresh. And I just haven't played any new games after Dragon Age. FF14's new patch came out, been plugging away on that. But I can't let Infinite Lives become Final Fantasy Weekly! That's the problem when you write a section about playing a new game... it can be a bit of a hamster wheel.
Oh, I think your angle on FF14 could produce some great takes!
I actually did one already! https://infinitelives.substack.com/p/final-fantasy-xiv-dawntrail-and-debunking
But yeah, written about that game five times this year already. I'm honestly running out of things to say! Hahah.
Oh hell yeah! I can’t wait to read this one! Thank you.
Nice article! I'm a little bit of a steam nerd, so I have a few thoughts:
- One reason why no other platform has caught up with Steam is because it went through the gauntlet of refinement. Using Steam when it launched was awful. It it wasn't for the popularity of Valve's games, it would have failed. But over the years, it started to get things right and add improvements. Newer platforms lack that maturity and, frankly, most of them are too stubborn or lack the ambition to add the features that make Steam better.
- Subscriptions are its biggest competition, but they are on the backfoot. Microsoft tried to compete with a digital storefront, starting on the 360, but couldn't get traction. In fact, nobody could get traction (except Epic), so they decided to set the barn on fire with subscription models that undermine the gaming economy.
- Those Epic numbers look impressive. However, if you substract everyone who also has a Steam account and then anyone who is there primarily for the Fortnite ecosystem, I suspect Epic's lead falls away completely. And many people do what I do: we might try a game on Game pass or Epic, but we buy it on Steam. Steam is the centre of my gaming universe.
- Steam had been stagnating for some time, and at one point that was putting it at risk. But it is very clear that they had in recent years replaced the underlying tech with a new digital platform, letting them roll out new features., like the nifty video recording. I wonder if Steam is investing in video storage infrastructure. That could open the door to compete against YouTube and Twitch (though I'm not sure Valve wants this extra work and expense).
- When Microsoft bought Activision, I did some basic number crunching and I think Steam is worth about the same as that company. Valve being coy with its numbers has helped it remain a dark horse and become a very powerful force in gaming.
- Early Access is an amazing model. Sure, there's garbage too, but it's helped so many small and mid-tier games find their feet.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this out!
You know what this article was lacking: Personal long-term experience with Stream. And you've just given it that in spades with that comment.
That's why I liked your article. It's cool to see some outside perspectives, both for some objectivity and also to show that Steam's reach is starting to expand.
I think the biggest issue with Epic is its accessibility, or lack thereof. You cannot access your library from a mobile device and the browser interface is wonky at best. I tried to quickly check my library the other day to see if I had a specific game on there, but I couldn’t see it from the browser. I had to open the launcher, log in and check. I am personally inclined to use Epic more if they can get around these issues.
Great article btw!
Thank you!
Interesting point! I don’t use these stores (yet), so all of these first hand accounts are super useful for ongoing coverage.
Thanks for reading!