VALVE more profitable than Google/Apple, "per employee"

[hyde]

Gabe Newell with a mini gun is just priceless.
Here is the article
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/02...ne-mayhem.html



Anyways, I thought I'd share this. Probably one of the last independent developers around and making craploads of $$. Although I'm assuming a large chunk of it comes from their STEAM side of the company. Which brings me asking, where is PC gaming going? Retail stores are slowly cutting off retailspace for PC gaming because of services like STEAM/D2DRIVE/etc. With that, gamers are left to preorders at EBGAMES/Gamestop or digital purchases. But with older games that still have strong sales, like Team Fortress 2 for example - you essentially have to go buy it via Steam...

Which brings me to another question, what happens when it's just a giant "Clash of the developers/publishers"? If you want Battlefield 3, go on EA's online store. Want Team Fortress 3, Steam. StarCraft 3 / Diablo 4 - go buy it on Battle.net's online shop. Mass Effect 3 or Dragon Age 3, EA's online store.
Suddenly, as a consumer, I have almost one "Service" per game?!
Now I suppose STEAM has momentum on this, and Activision already operates Call of Duty exclusively on STEAM now. But it's not to say one day Activision will not launch their own "online services" or likewise with anyone else. Battle.net is already moving towards that direction for online distribution.

So I'll ask you guys in a poll, if you purchase your games online. Think recently, like StarCraft 2. It was available online and in a box, I suppose the "physical goodies" might push some people. But recently, games like Modern Warfare 2 and Black ops came with nothing but a little index card telling you how to install. So why waste the trip to EB Games and etc? Hell, my StarCraft 2 Collectors edition manual was garbage and most of it was online. Though I don't mind, it really is a waste of paper.
I know the 3rd option is STEAM biased, but I feel that nobody gives a crap about stuff like D2Drive; plus there really isn't any other large distributor aside from those two.
Personally, I will get the game on Steam due to the achievements/friendslist/ability to launch NON-Steam games and still use the Steam Overlay.

[Blazur]

I still purchase my games with the cases, if only to showcase them as a collectors item and possible resell it if it ends up being a crappy game. Unless it's a VALVe game which I'll no doubt end up keeping. Speaking of which, Portal 2 just became available for pre-sale at $44.

Can I take this opportunity to say how much I <3 and respect VALVe? They're a great company and I wish more would match their integrity in this industry.

[Gradius]

I like to digitally download any game I can because I'm a lazy bastard who can't be bothered to suffer the anguish of making a trip to the store.

I did buy the regular SC2 box though. Probably should have gotten the collector's edition though since the rest of the stuff in the normal box was garbage i.e. the "manual" and the raynor notepad. =/

[DemolitionSquid]

I don't purchase anything online. I hate my credit card and avoid using it as much as possible.

[Sarov]

I hate my credit card and avoid using it as much as possible.

I don't even have one, am never getting one and I'm glad for that. I think they're more trouble than they're worth.

[DemolitionSquid]

I don't even have one, am never getting one and I'm glad for that. I think they're more trouble than they're worth.

I didn't want one, but sadly you need one to get a car, house, etc.

[evillesh]

When Blizzard introduced their system with online registration of their products, I was happy, since you don't have to be worried about getting scratches on CD or simply losing it somewhere. I know it's sounds a little bit lamish, but it's an easier way to keep track of things. For instance, long time ago I gave my original Diablo 2 to a friend. After year or two, when the online registration feature was introduced, I decided to add my game there, but couldn't find it. It turned out that I've forgot to whom I gave it to. And those friends who might had the game said that they have their own copies. Not that I care too much about that game, since it was a total time devourer, but still.
I really like that I'm able to get the game almost instantly (just some time needed to download the game) over the internet for a reasonable price. If you're after some good content of a physical copy, then Collectors edition it is, since, to my mind, if it's just a CD in a box and a serial number it ain't worth the time going to the shop and even paying extra.

[Genopath]

The whole transition to selling online was great in my opinion. If I had bought SC2 at a local store, I would have had to endure playing it in a non-English language

[dustinbrowder]

I actually dislike the Steam system.
Why you may ask? - Because it forces you to install additional software steam, games loose modifying abilities when steam packet and you must have steam open and running if you want to play a game.

I'd much rather just download the installation pack for the game and install. Easy! No additional crap installing, no crap running in the background, can access all the game files, can easily modify the game.

[TheEconomist]

Those are called anti-piracy measures.