Install games before buying them

[Allyedge]

So, for example. I will buy Fallout 4 Game Of The Year edition, and its quite big.

I'm currently waiting for a payment to be able to pay and would like to play it instantly when I buy it.

It would be very cool to be able to install games without buying, but launch them only when we buy them.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by Allyedge:

So, for example. I will buy Fallout 4 Game Of The Year edition, and its quite big.

I'm currently waiting for a payment to be able to pay and would like to play it instantly when I buy it.

It would be very cool to be able to install games without buying, but launch them only when we buy them.

it would be cool but it doesn't really make any sense. It costs valve money to provide the files, takes up their bandwidth, etc.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

Or make a down payment towards it :)

[Allyedge]

Originally posted by Theblaze:

And whats preventing anyone from cracking the game, playing it for free without paying a dime to the devs and valve?.

Nope. That's the thing. Can't they install big files like graphics and such before, and leave the most important ones like configs or idk stuff that makes the game run after the purchase?

As a developer, I'm sure it's possible.

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by Allyedge:

Originally posted by Theblaze:

And whats preventing anyone from cracking the game, playing it for free without paying a dime to the devs and valve?.

Nope. That's the thing. Can't they install big files like graphics and such before, and leave the most important ones like configs or idk stuff that makes the game run after the purchase?

As a developer, I'm sure it's possible.

It might be possible, but it's questionable that it is in their own interests to do that effort.

[Mikoto]

This idea will literally never happen. Too many security risks.

[ǝsɹǝɯɯı 🖤]

you mean like previewing it?? i could understand the concept but doesn't demos does that? besides even if the game doesn't have a demo, i would possess concerns
if you want to know what game your getting into, i advise looking at reviews, game details, and any info to gather research

[ElvisDeadly]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Originally posted by Allyedge:

As a developer, I'm sure it's possible.

It might be possible, but it's questionable that it is in their own interests to do that effort.

This. While i'm sure it's possible it doesn't really have any benefit for the devs/publishers does it?

[Allyedge]

Originally posted by ElvisDeadly:

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

It might be possible, but it's questionable that it is in their own interests to do that effort.

This. While i'm sure it's possible it doesn't really have any benefit for the devs/publishers does it?

Yeah its not really a benefit for steam, its just better for us users.

[Mikoto]

Originally posted by Allyedge:

Originally posted by ElvisDeadly:

This. While i'm sure it's possible it doesn't really have any benefit for the devs/publishers does it?

Yeah its not really a benefit for steam, its just better for us users.

No it really isn't. If this idea were to be put into place, Steam would be dead and we would all be gone to a thousand different platforms/storefronts that don't do this. The idea only works if customers can be trusted, which is not possible to do.

If you want a game and do not have money right when you want to buy it, that is what credit cards are for.

[Mad Scientist]

Horrible idea.
You get to download the game once buying it, not before, this suggestion would fuel piracy.

Just wait until you can buy a game.

[76561198407601200]

I remember this topic not panning out well when it was brought up previously. It's doubtful this will be implemented.

[nullable]

There would be a user convenience there in some cases. But there's risks and costs with doing so. Valve isn't unaware of download times. And providing downloads after purchase is a pretty common industry standard. There's not a lot of incentive to make sure you can play the game instantly, not one that outweighs the cons.

I mean one way to look at it, is why hasn't this been done already? Digital distributors are certainly aware it takes most people hours to download larger titles. Clearly they don't think it warrants a special solution. Understanding that might inform your thinking.

[Sandarino]

You can always just buy the game on sale. Let it download overnight.

[Start_Running]

Originally posted by Lion-O:

Originally posted by Theblaze:

And whats preventing anyone from cracking the game, playing it for free without paying a dime to the devs and valve?.

If Valve were to do this, they could use the same thing they use for pre-loading of games, it would be an encrypted download.

Which would basically self-negate. The decryption time is generally not much different from the download time. And requires not much less backing and forth of data. so.. yeah

I really can't see how this works.

If you asked an appliance salesman to deliver the fridge and stove before you pay for it... That will require either some god level charisma checks or you are some unholy fusion of of pffer lips, and and industrial vacum cleaner.

WHy should VAlve commit that amount of bandwidth before they've been paid. Without even a guarantee of being paid?

From a business perspective this makes no sense whatsoever.

[Washell]

All other issues aside, there's going to be enough people downloading their entire wishlists, and a few idiots with more money than sense downloading the entire store that the bandwidth fees for Valve don't weigh up for the convenience and a few added impulse buys (because I have the game installed already anyway!).