Does Steam have some competition?

You could say Origin is Steams biggest competitor. Theres also D2D but I don't know how well they do. I kind of like the idea because as much as I love valve steam could be better at times. When it comes to support valve does not have a number to call and the only way to get help is by submitting a ticket. EA actually has a number you can call and talk to a live person so hopefully valve will add something like that in the future.

origin

I don't know the stats on D2D, but Steam's been around for a long time, so it has a pretty loyal fanbase. I'd like to say Origin would be a competitor simply because it has its share of exclusive games (Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3, etc.) while Steam's been selling mostly third-party games for a long time. DethSkematik

I would say that easily Steam is the big dog of the digital sales world but Green man Gaming is picking up steam (sorry for the bad pun) and Gamersgate's revenue has been going up by 100% every year for the last few years so I would say there are other viable options out there. I only buy from Steam when they have a sale or when I have to because I like how Gamersgate allows me to download the game and save the install on another hardd rive. That way if they ever bite the dust I don't get shafted out of my games.

Origin is not competitive; the only reason people are using it is because it comes as a requirement to play a number of games.K4ss3r

In my view all these "services" are f*cking up PC gaming.

You have to remember 3-4 different logins, Steam, Origin, GFWL, Gog, D2D etc etc.

D2D recently got sold to Gamefly and I can't access my games.

This is exactly what I feared when I started gaming more on consoles, that these businesses would go under and my purchases would go with them.

I have zero confidence that Steam will still be alive 10 years from now. None.

If I don't have it in my hands, then I didn't buy anything. Period.

The more EA exclusives that appear only on Origin, the more powerful it will become. And if it get's 3rd party games to boot... huh.

I've been buying most of my digital games on amazon lately. A lot of them will register on steam/origin too.

Heck, GOG is a huge competitor to Steam when it comes to my wallet. Their policies on DRM and regional pricing as well as the look and the layout of the website along with what they offer make me one happy gamer.

TC's wall of text deals a criical hit! entire thread roll to save vs /facepalm

I like Steam it's a great place too check if there is something new and innovating mostly because I love indie games. And as you said it is a great place for developers etc. Well because I'm an indie game lover my second best place for them is Desura.com it looks like it's a bit more competitive and attractive for developers then Steam since they have a huger variety of indie games which is normal to expect since they are focusing only on them. Talking about popularity, in my opinion, Desura is quite more popular then Steam among indie gamers.

On the other hand I also like GOG.com but to my knowledge they are focusing mostly on older games especially those which are incompatible with newer OS or hardware configurations (the last applies to very old games). Because of their marketing strategy I don't think it's heading in the same way as Steam but who knows what is behind their "master plan" ;)

Why are you saying Origin? Gamersgate is a bigger threat.

On the other hand I also like GOG.com but to my knowledge they are focusing mostly on older games especially those which are incompatible with newer OS or hardware configurations (the last applies to very old games). Because of their marketing strategy I don't think it's heading in the same way as Steam but who knows what is behind their "master plan" ;)hostX9

You can count Origin as competition but only because they make their games exclusive to their service. (Can't blame them though, VALVE did the same)

You can count Origin as competition but only because they make their games exclusive to their service. (Can't blame them though, VALVE did the same)

tjricardo089

[QUOTE="tjricardo089"]

You can count Origin as competition but only because they make their games exclusive to their service. (Can't blame them though, VALVE did the same)

Hexagon_777

Steam has over 50% of the digital distribution market. The next highest compeditor is AMAZON at ~10%.

[QUOTE="Hexagon_777"]

[QUOTE="tjricardo089"]

You can count Origin as competition but only because they make their games exclusive to their service. (Can't blame them though, VALVE did the same)

Makari

Steam has over 50% of the digital distribution market. The next highest compeditor is AMAZON at ~10%.SinfulPotato

In my view all these "services" are f*cking up PC gaming.

You have to remember 3-4 different logins, Steam, Origin, GFWL, Gog, D2D etc etc.

D2D recently got sold to Gamefly and I can't access my games.

This is exactly what I feared when I started gaming more on consoles, that these businesses would go under and my purchases would go with them.

I have zero confidence that Steam will still be alive 10 years from now. None.

If I don't have it in my hands, then I didn't buy anything. Period.

LazySloth718

Another one of these responses.

1. D2D sent out emails months in advance telling its users to download the games they had as when they migrate to Gamefly, not every game would transfer over immediately, but games that still run on modern hardware will be transferred over time.
2. Steam is the most successful DD distributor on the market, a market in which will continue to grow. Have you been to your local Walmart lately? See how few PC games there are for sale there? DD is the future and Steam is leading the pack.

[QUOTE="SinfulPotato"]Steam has over 50% of the digital distribution market. The next highest compeditor is AMAZON at ~10%.Hexagon_777

In my view all these "services" are f*cking up PC gaming.

You have to remember 3-4 different logins, Steam, Origin, GFWL, Gog, D2D etc etc.

D2D recently got sold to Gamefly and I can't access my games.

This is exactly what I feared when I started gaming more on consoles, that these businesses would go under and my purchases would go with them.

I have zero confidence that Steam will still be alive 10 years from now. None.

If I don't have it in my hands, then I didn't buy anything. Period.

LazySloth718

Valve has a FAQ about if the service would happen to go under what customers will do to preserve the games they own.

[QUOTE="Hexagon_777"]

[QUOTE="SinfulPotato"]Steam has over 50% of the digital distribution market. The next highest compeditor is AMAZON at ~10%.SinfulPotato