Partnership with GOG?

[JAGIELSKI]

I think it would be awesome if Valve would do partnership with GOG so we could buy games that aren't on Steam, because they're for example old dos games "ported" via DOSBox, like Descent.

The partnership would be that all games that are on GOG could be bought on Steam, perhaps in new Good ol' games section and then could be ran like any other regular Steam games.

This also would have positive side effect of getting new titles to Linux section as many of those games are ported for it (wrapped with DOSBox or native ports).

[Universalerror]

I'd support this. There are plenty of retro games out there that people should be experiencing and Steam would provide a very convenient way of getting them.

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 Darkhog：

I think it would be awesome if Valve would do partnership with GOG so we could buy games that aren't on Steam, because they're for example old dos games "ported" via DOSBox, like Descent.

The partnership would be that all games that are on GOG could be bought on Steam, perhaps in new Good ol' games section and then could be ran like any other regular Steam games.

This also would have positive side effect of getting new titles to Linux section as many of those games are ported for it (wrapped with DOSBox or native ports).

An outstanding idea. GOG also does a great job of making old stuff work on new operating systems. Steam might not have to do much, if anything, to add these games. Other than a opening a spot in the store and take in the fists full of money they could make. A lot of the over-30 crowd, myself included, love returning to games from "back then" and reliving a great classic.

A+ idea. Hope they do it.

[ManiacMal]

It goes against everything GOG stands for. They won't shaft their customer base that believes in DRM free to go to a DRM system.

[Τhe Rolling Cheese Wheel]

引用自 Hashbrick：

It goes against everything GOG stands for. They won't shaft their customer base that believes in DRM free to go to a DRM system.

They could do a steamworks version and a drm free version so their customers have access to both platform for the price of 1.

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 Hashbrick：

It goes against everything GOG stands for. They won't shaft their customer base that believes in DRM free to go to a DRM system.

Not even for a truckload of money? What if they could expand their clientbase tenfold? Triple their best sales month?

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 The Rolling Cheese：

引用自 Hashbrick：

It goes against everything GOG stands for. They won't shaft their customer base that believes in DRM free to go to a DRM system.

They could do a steamworks version and a drm free version so their customers have access to both platform for the price of 1.

There's an idea.

[ManiacMal]

引用自 dirrtygsharp：

引用自 Hashbrick：

It goes against everything GOG stands for. They won't shaft their customer base that believes in DRM free to go to a DRM system.

Not even for a truckload of money? What if they could expand their clientbase tenfold? Triple their best sales month?

It'd be great for all of us and I'd root it on. However CD Projekt has never been one to sell out.

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 Hashbrick：

引用自 dirrtygsharp：

Not even for a truckload of money? What if they could expand their clientbase tenfold? Triple their best sales month?

It'd be great for all of us and I'd root it on. However CD Projekt has never been one to sell out.

From a business perspective, it might make sense. GOG does a great job making older games run. The fact that I can still play Zork on a Windows 8 machine is proof of that. Connecting those older games to a busy Steam Community seems like a winner. Instead of having older games get pushed out the back of the Steam Store, they get sent to GOG. Maybe we have a "Featured GOG Game of the Week" too.

There is plenty of upside to GOG and Steam holding hands.

Still, I have to repsect their stance on DRM. Just this week, we've seen an example of how bad DRM can get with EA and SimCity.

[Spawn of Totoro]

While a tempting idea, it won't happen.

Devlopers and Publishers would have to aprove of the game being sold twice for the same ammount of money as well as to allow gog to sell Steam copies of a game.

That is the biggest hurdle, and I can't seem them doing it. Most people would get both keys/copies, keep the Steam one and give the one away.

The idea is nice for the consumer, but horrible for a buisness (possible exluding Steam and GOG).

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 TenClub 89：

No thank you. GoG made its name out of No DRM. This would kill the purpose and CD Projekt would never do it. GoG is big enough and they don't need this. The backlash wouldn't be worth it.

If CD Projekt wouldn't do it, why do I see The Witcher 2 in the Steam Store? Is that a different version than what GOG offers?

PS: Look! A post from me without the h-word. It's amazing what happens when talking with someone who can clearly express themselves like you've just done.

[Pheace]

引用自 TenClub 89：

CD Projekt that runs GoG and CD Projekt Red (game division) work seperately. The boxed version of Witcher 2 actually shipped with SecuRom and was only removed because it performed worse than the GoG version.

Hear hear! Someone who actually knows what he's talking about.

Anyway, I don't see GOG co-partnering with Steam either simply because they've built their image around DRM-free now, they even backed off from calling themselves Good Old Gaming. No-DRM is really what sets them apart as it is.

That said, Steam doesn't have to partner themselves with GOG to get those games. It's becoming increasingly clear that even the GOG enhanced versions can make it to other retailers, like the D&D games on GG for instance. It just requires the publisher to have the right contract with GOG (one that retains control over any enhanced copy of 'their' game). It seems more publishers are starting to do it lately. Apart from some exclusivity period to GOG at the start perhaps I imagine more and more GOG enhanced games will be coming to other retailers in the long run.

[LoTekRabbit]

Good point. That's exactly what's happening with System Shock 2. It's supposed to be on Steam and 100% compatible with current versions of Windows but GoG seems to have a timed exclusivity deal.

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 TenClub 89：

引用自 dirrtygsharp：

If CD Projekt wouldn't do it, why do I see The Witcher 2 in the Steam Store? Is that a different version than what GOG offers?

CD Projekt that runs GoG and CD Projekt Red (game division) work seperately. The boxed version of Witcher 2 actually shipped with SecuRom and was only removed because it performed worse than the GoG version.

The one on GoG is a DRM free version while the one on Steam uses Steamworks with achievements and the like. It's just a contract to sell the game via Steam which is a lot different than joining forces with Valve as the OP stated.

Thank you for explaining the differences -- between the two business groups and the two versions of The Witcher 2.

引用自 TenClub 89：

(snip business, revenue, and legal details)

2. Right now CDP and CDP Red are untouchable when it comes to their good reputation. While I personally wouldn't care if they gave you the option to buy a game through GoG.com or Steam a lot of people would over the fact that they are betraying what they've been preaching for years now.

It would benefit them to keep their current reputation as anti-DRM. They shouldn't tinker with something that is a proven success.

PS: CD Projekt publically stated their dissaproval with the way Steam works. So it just won't happen in the end.

While I think the business and legal details could be worked out, there's really no avoiding CDP / CDP Red / GOG's anti-DRM stance. Perhaps that's a good thing.

[LoTekRabbit]

No problem bud! Happy to be of some help.

[JAGIELSKI]

引用自 The Rolling Cheese：

They could do a steamworks version and a drm free version so their customers have access to both platform for the price of 1.

Almost you got it right but my idea is different (and more profitable).

What I'm saying is to allow buying GOG titles through Steam, if you don't like to
1. buy on GOG
2. download
3, cliiiiick on installer
4. press next, agree, next, next, finish
5. wait for it...
6. wait for it...
7. click start
8. click all programs
9. click game's icon

and instead
1. Buy
2. let it auto-install
3. click play in your Steam library

-OR-
Buy DRM-free version directly on GOG.

Plus, steam games DON'T HAVE TO use Steam's DRM. I know about several titles that I've bought on Steam which works with Steam off and connection severed, including Towns, Spectraball and others. So that game is on Steam doesn't mean it need to use DRM.

PLUS, Steam DRM is so unobtrusive that it doesn't affect gameplay or other activities, unless you are in amazon jungle where there's no internet at all.