Request to Restrict Third-Party Launchers

[nz]

I am writing to express my concern about the increasing use of third-party launchers within Steam games. Specifically, I am concerned about the inclusion of services like Ubisoft Connect within games like Trackmania.

I strongly believe that Steam should prioritize its own platform as the central hub for managing games and user accounts. I urge you to consider implementing policies that restrict or limit the use of third-party launchers within Steam games.

[Mad Scientist]

I thought you were for inclusion in the other thread? Developers/Publishers are free to require their service, I have no issues playing games I got on Steam by having an insignificant ram-use background service that links to my EA account, verifies it, and lets me play through Steam.

[Gwarsbane]

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Request to Restrict Third-Party Launchers

I am writing to express my concern about the increasing use of third-party launchers within Steam games. Specifically, I am concerned about the inclusion of services like Ubisoft Connect within games like Trackmania.

I strongly believe that Steam should prioritize its own platform as the central hub for managing games and user accounts. I urge you to consider implementing policies that restrict or limit the use of third-party launchers within Steam games.

They are not going to do that. Best you can do is not buy games with them. Make your dislike of the launchers known in the games discussion area but do it in a constructive away (no swearing or anything like that)

Also so you know, Steam would be the 3rd party launcher as they did not make the games and don't own the games. So if they were to get rid of 3rd party launchers, they would need to get rid of Steam.

[nz]

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

I thought you were for inclusion in the other thread? Developers/Publishers are free to require their service, I have no issues playing games I got on Steam by having an insignificant ram-use background service that links to my EA account, verifies it, and lets me play through Steam.

Yeah, but I believe that Steam should be the primary platform for managing my games and accounts. I would prefer a more streamlined experience where everything is handled through Steam, without the need for additional third-party services."

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

I thought you were for inclusion in the other thread? Developers/Publishers are free to require their service, I have no issues playing games I got on Steam by having an insignificant ram-use background service that links to my EA account, verifies it, and lets me play through Steam.

Yeah, but I believe that Steam should be the primary platform for managing my games and accounts. I would prefer a more streamlined experience where everything is handled through Steam, without the need for additional third-party services."

If it's in your Steam Library it is managed as an item in the Library, as designed. Passing off data to another launcher to verify you bought it, is such a small ask. Else, requiring being logged in usually only to link the account so you can launch on Steam without a 2nd thought is still a tiny ask.

You can buy or not buy a game for any reason you wish, but many of us are happy having games on other launchers but bought on Steam and managed by the Steam Library by passing data to another service.

They like to keep Developers/Publishers happy, and many Steam Customers are content with this. The only things I would actually recommend avoiding are anything requiring XBL or PSN. EA and Ubi are fine.

[William Shakesman]

I want Valve to do this even more than you do but they won't. Valve doesn't use their clout to advocate for the consumer. And, frankly, as awful as the launchers are, all those other corporations are absolutely right to not want a third party company (Valve) to be the sole decider of their DDL market. They would be idiots not to make their own launcher. (It is a prisoners dilemma. Users and publishers would be better served if they cooperated on a joint platform. But thats a fairy tale.)

For Valve to put its foot down would be demanding the publishers abandon their own interests.

Now what would be nice is if all these launchers didn't suck but even Valve cannot do that any more.

[nz]

Originally posted by Gwarsbane:

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Request to Restrict Third-Party Launchers

I am writing to express my concern about the increasing use of third-party launchers within Steam games. Specifically, I am concerned about the inclusion of services like Ubisoft Connect within games like Trackmania.

I strongly believe that Steam should prioritize its own platform as the central hub for managing games and user accounts. I urge you to consider implementing policies that restrict or limit the use of third-party launchers within Steam games.

They are not going to do that. Best you can do is not buy games with them. Make your dislike of the launchers known in the games discussion area but do it in a constructive away (no swearing or anything like that)

Also so you know, Steam would be the 3rd party launcher as they did not make the games and don't own the games. So if they were to get rid of 3rd party launchers, they would need to get rid of Steam.

Thanks for the good reasoned answer!

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

I thought you were for inclusion in the other thread? Developers/Publishers are free to require their service, I have no issues playing games I got on Steam by having an insignificant ram-use background service that links to my EA account, verifies it, and lets me play through Steam.

Yeah, but I believe that Steam should be the primary platform for managing my games and accounts. I would prefer a more streamlined experience where everything is handled through Steam, without the need for additional third-party services."

That's fine. But what would the incentive for Valve be? Why would they start fights with the publisher when there isn't much to gain for Valve?

[nz]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Yeah, but I believe that Steam should be the primary platform for managing my games and accounts. I would prefer a more streamlined experience where everything is handled through Steam, without the need for additional third-party services."

That's fine. But what would the incentive for Valve be? Why would they start fights with the publisher when there isn't much to gain for Valve?

Valve will only gain users' comfort. And that's all

[nz]

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Yeah, but I believe that Steam should be the primary platform for managing my games and accounts. I would prefer a more streamlined experience where everything is handled through Steam, without the need for additional third-party services."

If it's in your Steam Library it is managed as an item in the Library, as designed. Passing off data to another launcher to verify you bought it, is such a small ask. Else, requiring being logged in usually only to link the account so you can launch on Steam without a 2nd thought is still a tiny ask.

You can buy or not buy a game for any reason you wish, but many of us are happy having games on other launchers but bought on Steam and managed by the Steam Library by passing data to another service.

They like to keep Developers/Publishers happy, and many Steam Customers are content with this. The only things I would actually recommend avoiding are anything requiring XBL or PSN. EA and Ubi are fine.

Why you recommend avoiding is anything that requires XBL or PSN?

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

That's fine. But what would the incentive for Valve be? Why would they start fights with the publisher when there isn't much to gain for Valve?

Valve will only gain users' comfort. And that's all

So no actual incentive. Got it.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

If it's in your Steam Library it is managed as an item in the Library, as designed. Passing off data to another launcher to verify you bought it, is such a small ask. Else, requiring being logged in usually only to link the account so you can launch on Steam without a 2nd thought is still a tiny ask.

You can buy or not buy a game for any reason you wish, but many of us are happy having games on other launchers but bought on Steam and managed by the Steam Library by passing data to another service.

They like to keep Developers/Publishers happy, and many Steam Customers are content with this. The only things I would actually recommend avoiding are anything requiring XBL or PSN. EA and Ubi are fine.

Why you recommend avoiding is anything that requires XBL or PSN?

PSN is not available everywhere, so due diligence by Sony or lack thereof can cause issues, as demonstrated between the mix of people not reading the required account linking, the delay notice of such, and not being available everywhere means consumers must research before they buy. Also in general, it's not recommended to use Console services for PC, especially since any minor perceived infraction could result in a user being banned from the game or service for things easily tolerated in the PC gaming community.

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Valve will only gain users' comfort. And that's all

They can buy the game on the direct party if they want; on ubisoft for ubisoft, or on ea games for the ea app.
People often forget who the 3rd party service really is for some games.

[nz]

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Why you recommend avoiding is anything that requires XBL or PSN?

PSN is not available everywhere, so due diligence by Sony or lack thereof can cause issues, as demonstrated between the mix of people not reading the required account linking, the delay notice of such, and not being available everywhere means consumers must research before they buy. Also in general, it's not recommended to use Console services for PC, especially since any minor perceived infraction could result in a user being banned from the game or service for things easily tolerated in the PC gaming community.

Originally posted by govnuck233:

Valve will only gain users' comfort. And that's all

They can buy the game on the direct party if they want; on ubisoft for ubisoft, or on ea games for the ea app.
People often forget who the 3rd party service really is for some games.

Okay. Understandable!