Game Version and Updates System

[Eva]

So this little tangent will be about the game version and forced updates in order to play most games. I enjoy a large variety of games, and have seen many of them change over time. Among the games I play, some I enjoy less now then I did before for a variety of reasons, including version updates.

Steam usually, if not always, forces you to update a game once a new release comes out before you can play it. There is no way to play older versions and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to talk to the game developers about it in a one on one conversation.

In essence, I would like to see a list of game versions under the properties of games so I can switch between them as I'd like. A good example of why I want to see this is Minecraft. I still play Minecraft versions 1.6.4 and 1.7.10 even though they are old. The reason is simple; I like aspects from several different versions of the game, and switch between them depending on what I want to play that day. Old versions of games should not be dismissed because the developer made a new version, nor should the new version be ignored. Games like 7 Days to Die, Rise to Ruins, Starbound, etc should have older versions enabled as an option, while games like Black Desert Online, Tree of Life, Maplestory, etc (which are solely server based) should still keep the forced updates/no alternate game version.

One odd solution for players like me is possibly have each installed version of a game in a different folder, which you can choose from in the properties before loading the game. This way it won't delete your data when you change versions and allows players to swap between them as they wish. Additionally, add a way to delete versions that you don't want anymore so that you don't have to manually delete the ones you decide to stop playing.

[Zekiran]

The only way that Steam could do any of that is if the publisher of the game itself decides to OFFER such a thing.

So: take the idea to the game's hub, check whether the publishers or developers are even around, and post it to them.

This has been discussed many, many times.

[FMP]

I was kinda hoping functionally like this would've been in the new client given how long it took to develop.

[Theblaze]

Some developers already offer a way to go back to an older version using the "beta" tab like for example: Euro Truck Simulator 2.

https://puu.sh/EAXHz/d5a7ae3aef.jpg

[Eva]

GDL eredeti hozzászólása:

I was kinda hoping functionally like this would've been in the new client given how long it took to develop.

I agree, which is why it is annoying that it hasn't happened yet. Looking at the other response as well, I'm pretty sure the game developers have not been given an option of even adding in newer versions unless its a beta versus an official release/official version, let alone keeping the older versions.

[Zekiran]

GDL eredeti hozzászólása:

I was kinda hoping functionally like this would've been in the new client given how long it took to develop.

The functionality is and has always been there on steam.

But each and every GAME must be developed to support that - if the developers make a beta tree that's 100% on them to keep it working. It's a huge hassle, and takes WAY more effort to maintain different branches of their game.

Why would they bother, when they're already working on new items, updates, fixes for issues IN that older version, etc etc? Usually, it's games that have modding available and *decent* developers that understand how much of a pain in the butt updating mods are.

But most game companies will not do this. Steam has nothing to do with the decision to offer it, but IF the game developer DOES make one available, Steam can and does help distribute those alternate versions.

[Eva]

Zekiran eredeti hozzászólása:

GDL eredeti hozzászólása:

I was kinda hoping functionally like this would've been in the new client given how long it took to develop.

The functionality is and has always been there on steam.

But each and every GAME must be developed to support that - if the developers make a beta tree that's 100% on them to keep it working. It's a huge hassle, and takes WAY more effort to maintain different branches of their game.

Why would they bother, when they're already working on new items, updates, fixes for issues IN that older version, etc etc? Usually, it's games that have modding available and *decent* developers that understand how much of a pain in the butt updating mods are.

But most game companies will not do this. Steam has nothing to do with the decision to offer it, but IF the game developer DOES make one available, Steam can and does help distribute those alternate versions.

To be honest, sometimes bugs make the game interesting so its not about them fixing the bugs in the old versions, its about them leaving the option to play their old content and/or their new content at the will of the person playing it. I used minecraft as an example because there are alot of interesting things you would miss out on if you stayed in the earlier versions, but that doesn't mean there isnt good things about the older versions. Literally that example is to show that I don't want to dismiss the newer versions, and that in some cases I still want to play the new versions, but that I want to also be able to play the old versions.

[Zekiran]

Again though:

ALL of that is 100% entirely on the GAME DEVELOPER, and NOT on Steam to make.

Steam does - and has, as linked above by theblaze - distribute these alternate older versions. But THEY do not get to decide which games HAVE them. ONLY the game developer can do that.

So: if you want an alternate version, talk to the game devs. Steam's just the store. You have to go to the producer OF the product for this so they know you WANT it. No guarantee that they'll think about it but there may already be such things available in games you want to play.

[FMP]

Zekiran eredeti hozzászólása:

GDL eredeti hozzászólása:

I was kinda hoping functionally like this would've been in the new client given how long it took to develop.

The functionality is and has always been there on steam.

But each and every GAME must be developed to support that

Source from Valve required for me to believe this. Please post it.

Steam is similar to the SCCM.
Add new version.
Add content.
Deploy.

User picks what version.
It's not complex, it's simple content delivery.

[Eva]

Zekiran eredeti hozzászólása:

Again though:

ALL of that is 100% entirely on the GAME DEVELOPER, and NOT on Steam to make.

Steam does - and has, as linked above by theblaze - distribute these alternate older versions. But THEY do not get to decide which games HAVE them. ONLY the game developer can do that.

So: if you want an alternate version, talk to the game devs. Steam's just the store. You have to go to the producer OF the product for this so they know you WANT it. No guarantee that they'll think about it but there may already be such things available in games you want to play.

If you don't like the topic, you don't have to respond. I've pointed out the flaw in steam's "versions" since opting in and out of beta isn't really what I am talking about. I am seeing how that is being done with the one game, but you can't really switch between them from the looks of it. As I will point out again, on a game like minecraft you can play other versions of the game without them impacting each other. Minecraft is the best example for what I am trying to convey for the reasons of I can have every single version downloaded to my computer and play them separately. I can download as many modpacks as I want and play them without them impacting the other as it gets its own folder and dedicated space. But as I began this reply, if you don't like the topic because it annoys you (as it clearly does) then you don't have to respond or subscribe to the discussion.

[IFIYGD]

Theblaze eredeti hozzászólása:

Some developers already offer a way to go back to an older version using the "beta" tab like for example: Euro Truck Simulator 2.

https://puu.sh/EAXHz/d5a7ae3aef.jpg

And The Long Dark, playing Time Capsule versions.

https://steamcommunity.com/games/305620/announcements/detail/1597012808127326295

Which took a bit of work for the devs, and came with some bugs on launch, because of the location the game saves to locally.

[Zekiran]

Alina eredeti hozzászólása:

If you don't like the topic, you don't have to respond. I've pointed out the flaw in steam's "versions" since opting in and out of beta isn't really what I am talking about. I am seeing how that is being done with the one game, but you can't really switch between them from the looks of it. As I will point out again, on a game like minecraft you can play other versions of the game without them impacting each other. Minecraft is the best example for what I am trying to convey for the reasons of I can have every single version downloaded to my computer and play them separately. I can download as many modpacks as I want and play them without them impacting the other as it gets its own folder and dedicated space. But as I began this reply, if you don't like the topic because it annoys you (as it clearly does) then you don't have to respond or subscribe to the discussion.

I have literally said: the idea is fine, but you're barking up the wrong tree.

In order to HAVE those things, you need to ask the GAME DEVELOPER.

NOT STEAM.

[Zekiran]

GDL eredeti hozzászólása:

Zekiran eredeti hozzászólása:

The functionality is and has always been there on steam.

But each and every GAME must be developed to support that

Source from Valve required for me to believe this. Please post it.

Steam is similar to the SCCM.
Add new version.
Add content.
Deploy.

User picks what version.
It's not complex, it's simple content delivery.

The only way "content" can exist, is if the developers of the GAME produce it.

Valve is only responsible for valve's games.

They are not responsible, say, for Bethesda's games. They are not responsible for Bioware's games. They cannot - CANNOT - touch those programs, themselves.

They only distribute what they're GIVEN.

[FMP]

Zekiran eredeti hozzászólása:

GDL eredeti hozzászólása:

Source from Valve required for me to believe this. Please post it.

Steam is similar to the SCCM.
Add new version.
Add content.
Deploy.

User picks what version.
It's not complex, it's simple content delivery.

The only way "content" can exist, is if the developers of the GAME produce it.

Valve is only responsible for valve's games.

They are not responsible, say, for Bethesda's games. They are not responsible for Bioware's games. They cannot - CANNOT - touch those programs, themselves.

They only distribute what they're GIVEN.

Its already developed. They release a new version.

Quote is missing by the way.

[IFIYGD]

GDL eredeti hozzászólása:

Its already developed. They release a new version.

Quote is missing by the way.

Ask a dev or publisher about copyright and IP ownership, and how you would feel if a store that you have your game on, for distribution, took it upon themselves to make every "recalled" version of your product available without your express written consent.

[76561198001062896]

Zekiran eredeti hozzászólása:

GDL eredeti hozzászólása:

Source from Valve required for me to believe this. Please post it.

Steam is similar to the SCCM.
Add new version.
Add content.
Deploy.

User picks what version.
It's not complex, it's simple content delivery.

The only way "content" can exist, is if the developers of the GAME produce it.

Valve is only responsible for valve's games.

They are not responsible, say, for Bethesda's games. They are not responsible for Bioware's games. They cannot - CANNOT - touch those programs, themselves.

They only distribute what they're GIVEN.

yes, thank you

People need to finally understand it that Valve isnt some wizard that can magically decide on behalf of the developers and force their hands to do things.


If a dev doesnt want to/ cannot provide older builds then thats really that