Steam piping Codemasters

UK-based publisher joins growing lineup of publishers to offer their wares through Valve's online game-distribution service.

Today, Codemasters announced it would be adding several of its recent and future releases to Steam, Valve's online digital-download service for PCs. Effective immediately, Steam-powered gamers can purchase for download Clive Barker's Jericho, as well as the gremlin-commanding action adventure Overlord, and the off-road racer DiRT.

Codemasters also noted that the alternate-history shooter Turning Point: Fall of Liberty would be available on Steam on the same day it hits retails shelves in Q1 next year. Codemasters has several other PC projects in the pipe, including Operation Flashpoint 2 and Hei$t. However, as of press time, the UK-based publisher had not returned comments as to whether these would also appear on Valve's service.

Codemasters joins a growing stable of publishers who have hopped aboard Valve's online distribution service. Other publishers include similarly UK-based Eidos, as well as Take-Two, Activision, Capcom, and id Software. According to Valve, there are currently more than 13 million Steam accounts worldwide.

61 Comments

  • TheJGene

    Posted Dec 10, 2007 6:22 pm PT

    I quite like the concept of steam as a content delivery portal... Admittedly I had problems when the was a COD4 update due to stupid punkbuster having an issue with steam, but it got fixed fairly quickly. Overall I think its a good service, and I'd actually like to see more titles available from more publishers in the future.

  • pidow

    Posted Dec 6, 2007 10:40 am PT

    I will stick to the store, I want things when I want them, not at someone else's terms period.

  • Asche

    Posted Oct 31, 2007 11:43 am PT

    You can transfer to another PC if you get a new one. I just did. You can also have your games stalle don multiple PCs. Also, nice not have all that excess packaging or having to change discs all the time. Sometimes wish I had a hard copy of the manuals, but thats not a big issue. It would be nice if you cuold access your saved games on multiple computers. Or maybe I haven't figured out how to do that yet?

    The only downside to me is that once you've bought the game you're stuck with it. If it sucks or has no replay value you can't turn around and sell it. Of course all this means massive savings and more original sales for the companies involved, which don't quite transfer to the consumer. The games are a little cheaper than hard copies but not by much.

    All the same, I'd sooner buy a game through Steam than in a store.

  • ShipwreckX

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 5:06 am PT

    Well you may want to have that case with cd or dvd. But I have bought games on steam and if you computer fries all you do after reloading and rebooting the operating system is install steam and download game again free of charge. Because if you destroy cd or wear and tear make it unreadable, face the facts your screwed and have to buy the game over again.

  • Thrasher91604

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 12:23 pm PT

    Yeah, I'll never buy a game via download, unless there's no other option. I want a hard product.

  • Humorguy_basic

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 10:37 am PT

    Why not tell us, while your promoting retailers, what are the best buys at Game and Play.com and Gamestation? I mean, you are promoting a retailer aren't you, albeit an online retailer?!

  • Scurrydog

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 9:30 am PT

    tclvis, " I like the idea of downloading games, particularly when they're virtually out of print and you can't find the disc. My only concern about downloading is if they go out of business and you can't get the game back if you get a new computer. I would prefer to download a full executable that I can archive and 'own' rather than be at the mercy of a service that could go out of business. "
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    who needs to worry about getting a new computer when u can just transfer the hard drive?

  • Scurrydog

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 8:46 am PT

    Seeing how I would have to spend 15 bux in GAS to GET this game, I love steam now! (yes I live in the country, and have a truck gas guzzler)

    Now if I could only download games faster than 85Kb/s... If there were more steam servers in Texas, I could utilize my 355Kb/s regular speed.

  • tclvis

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 8:39 am PT

    I like the idea of downloading games, particularly when they're virtually out of print and you can't find the disc. My only concern about downloading is if they go out of business and you can't get the game back if you get a new computer. I would prefer to download a full executable that I can archive and 'own' rather than be at the mercy of a service that could go out of business.

  • MikeyOfLamb

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 8:32 am PT

    This sucks. I bought Half-Life 2 and was unable to play because of Steam. Alright, I am stuck on dial-up, but still...I will never buy a game with steam. Never. I hope that most games stear clear of steam.

  • healingfury

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 5:18 am PT

    A point i feel is quite valid here in argument for a service such as steam (though im very much in agreement in many ways with those who dont like steam) is quite simply an environmental one. I know you all like to be mass consumers and many of you are probably far too young to consider yourselfs as even remotely responsible. However, removing the need to mass produce boxed games is one very sure way to reduce the impact of over consumption. It may be that you love to own the game to "show" it off but the offset of such an attitude (and lets face it, this extends way beyond games) is that the waste we produce increases dramatically. No box means less oil being extracted from our earth - less trees need to feel the brunt of our egotism and less pollution from the factories that make them. All in all regardless of the intentions of steam - which for sure are not environmental, i cant help but feel its the game we want in the end, and if its your ego that needs a massage, then id like to say that you are alot more than the games, music, films, cloths, that you choose to buy - in fact these things (if we think they define who we are) show in the most how insecure we really are. just a thought on a perspective not yet considered

    we are all equal regardless of our consumer choices...

  • GilHerad

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 2:06 am PT

    Yeah, stop talking about steam if you dont use it. Every game is avaliable in offline mode and can be accessed by ANY computer (as long as you only launch it at one computer at the time). Steam policy.

    End.Of.Discussion. Ok?

  • TeamR

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 1:47 am PT

    i agree this could caouse big problems if you rnet goes down, all well and good saying you can oplay a game with the option offline, but if you can't login to your steam account how you going ot do that?
    ------------------------

    Why don't you people actually try steam before you bash it?
    It gives you the option to start steam in offline mode at the login screen

  • MadlilMart

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 11:37 pm PT

    i agree this could caouse big problems if you rnet goes down, all well and good saying you can oplay a game with the option offline, but if you can't login to your steam account how you going ot do that?

  • Lonelynight

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 10:41 pm PT

    Cool, hope Steam turns out really great in the future so that when I start using it it will have almost no bugs

  • TeamR

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 6:42 pm PT

    CaptainHerlock says....

    You're absolutely right. This whole business about signing into the network when you want to play is complete and utter B.S. You really don't own the game because you are at the mercy of Valve and the Steam network. If you get tired of the game you can't even sell it on Ebay because of the verification code that gets sent back through the Steam connection.
    ---------

    1) You can start steam in offline mode. After the initial verification you don't actually have to be online to use steam at all. 2) You can sell your account (not that I would, but you could)

  • c4bloy

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 5:35 pm PT

    Steam is a great service. I like the idea of a centralized location for accessing my games. It is convenient and secure. I believe this is the way of the future.

  • Packfan104L4

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 4:45 pm PT

    More publishers need to join up with Valve. I would purchase MANY more games if they did. It's just so easy.

  • K_M82

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 3:20 pm PT

    This is good. Online distribution meant more profit for developer. Developer can be more independent with online distribution.

  • masterCylinder

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 3:16 pm PT

    OPERATION FLASHPOINT!!! ORGASMIC!

  • -THA-hamst3r

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 3:08 pm PT

    CaptainHerlock: "And when you can't connect to the network to validate the game then who's fault is it?"
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The game developer / distributor, for not doing what 2K Games did with PREY!

    Having the option to either play the game as a standalone title out of a retail box or being able to load the retail key into Steam for automatic self-updates and quick reinstallations is a great thing. I'm done going off about PREY and Steam now too, so this is my last comment on this article.

  • CaptainHerlock

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:58 pm PT

    Uh, you only have to go online if it's a multiplayer game. All the single player titles have the option to turn it offline. It's not Valve's fault most of you people are too dumb to use it

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    And when you can't connect to the network to validate the game then who's fault is it?

  • kuddles79

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:49 pm PT

    Uh, you only have to go online if it's a multiplayer game. All the single player titles have the option to turn it offline. It's not Valve's fault most of you people are too dumb to use it.

  • pidow

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:35 pm PT

    I don't like someone else between me and a hard copy of a game. When I want to play, I am not waiting for some sever to allow me to play something I purchased or to decide when I could or could not play what I purchased. I did not like having to play Half-life that way and I am not going through that again for any game. No hard copy, no purchase.

  • phalluman

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:25 pm PT

    i completely agree w/ the captain down there. i want something physical in my hands when i buy something. buying 1s and 0s is for chumps. (even though i have 6 games on steam and only have 2 on disc)

  • CaptainHerlock

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:22 pm PT

    Bgrngod says.....

    Steam is a game rental service. You don't actually own the game. Funny that they still haven't managed to reduce game prices by cutting retailers out of the equation. Wasn't that one of the promises of the service? O yeah.. I forgot, Valve just gets to make MORE money with it.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    You're absolutely right. This whole business about signing into the network when you want to play is complete and utter B.S. You really don't own the game because you are at the mercy of Valve and the Steam network. If you get tired of the game you can't even sell it on Ebay because of the verification code that gets sent back through the Steam connection.

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:18 pm PT

    Steam is a game rental service. You don't actually own the game. Funny that they still haven't managed to reduce game prices by cutting retailers out of the equation. Wasn't that one of the promises of the service? O yeah.. I forgot, Valve just gets to make MORE money with it.

  • rosen22

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:17 pm PT

    rather steam then EA getting their nazi mits on developers

    steam has its faults but i still find it very reliable

  • CaptainHerlock

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:15 pm PT

    I've had bad experiences with Steam. I bought Half Life 2 and couldn't play because I couldn't connect to the network. I never got it sorted out and I was out $30 because once the box is open you can't return the game. Also there was no documentation included with the game. Just the disc and a piece of paper with the control layout. I'm one of those people who was always a record collector. I like to have a physical product in my hand. That's the real problem I have with downloadable music and games. You're not actually buying ANYTHING. It's not like an LP that you can display on your shelf and pull it out when you want to give it a listen. Call me old fashioned but a downloadable game is never going to replace an actual hard copy. And besides, if a program screws up I'd like to have a disc so I can reinstall it. PC gaming may not be dead for some people but for me at least it leaves much to be desired.

  • AirGuitarist87

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 2:06 pm PT

    Valve are pillocks for allowing it and the people who invented Steam should be ashamed.

  • RasmusJagd

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:53 pm PT

    Codemasters also have alot of their games available through Gametap.
    Just signed up today. Payed 1$ for the first month, which allowed me to download Jericho in a matter of 10 minutes. Pretty good game.

  • -THA-hamst3r

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:49 pm PT

    Cool. I like having all my game in Steam. I wish companies would start announcing that they're going to be releasing their titles on Steam sooner though. Jericho is already out and *now* they're telling us it's available on Steam - The problem being that the retail key is probably incompatible with Steam, so if you've already bought Jericho you'd have to return it and repurchase it through Steam. Hopefully you haven't opened the box already or started playing as it might complicate the situation.

    It would be awesome if more companies would start using the Steam platform or at least distribute the retail versions of the games with a product key that can be optionally activated on steam. PREY did this and I'm extremely grateful for that. I got a physical box for the game and I was able to play it without Steam...and afterwards when I had decided I wanted to keep the game I entered the key into my steam Account and it became a permanent addition to my collection. That's how it SHOULD be done.

    Developers: Please; accept Steam as a valid distribution channel, get on the bandwagon early and take a lesson from PREY.

  • hrah

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:40 pm PT

    Never liked steam, plus I like my games on a box

  • markevens

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:39 pm PT

    Rock on Steam.

    Gamespot only dedicates 3 feet of wall space to PC games, Steam gives it to me good.

  • Harden_hawk posted Oct 24, 2007 1:36 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Harden_hawk

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:36 pm PT (hide)

    Steam sucks.

  • DJ_Quack_Quack

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:29 pm PT

    Other than DiRT, I don't see any other good games from codemaster. Bad move Steam, bad move. Also, since they are in partners with Capcom, they should start selling some good old fashion arcade fighting games. Such as MARVEL VS CAPCOM 2 and STREET FIGHTERS FOR PC (PLUS ONLINE PLAY). I am tire of using my analog controllers on my emulators and psychonaut.

  • Pete5506 posted Oct 24, 2007 1:25 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Pete5506

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:25 pm PT (hide)

    I don't like steam

  • AL13NK1LL3R

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:22 pm PT

    all their games SUCKS speically the new one, jercicho
    that game is soo freakin laammmeee.... 1 out of 10

  • Partisan357

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:21 pm PT

    Codemasters uses starforce? may have to cancel this order. Starforce is evil garbage!

  • beckoflight

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:14 pm PT

    The best way of distribution over border taxes & other political crap ... you don't evan have to get out of your chair ! Every kind of game , program that is meant to help gamers from VALVE is a revelation in the industry ...an industry taht is starting to have writen on its foorhead VALVE ! P.S. HL series the best games that i've ever played in my life !

  • Serchant

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    O.o
    Well I kinda hate Steam :O but its mostly cause their servers say to mye that they're all the time busy to receive my request. -.-

  • TeamR

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 12:53 pm PT

    :::Sarcasm Begin:::

    PC gaming is dead! OooooOOOooOOOooo!! PC gaming's days are numbers UUuuUUUuuUUu! The only games being released on the PC these days are MMORPGs AAAaaaAAAaaAAa

    ::: Sarcasm End :::

  • WARxSnake

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 12:44 pm PT

    Finally, i won't have to deal with Codemaster's obsession with Starforce.

  • StarFoxA

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 12:44 pm PT

    Steam is awesome.

  • Agreb91

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 12:34 pm PT

    Nice title....

  • teirdome

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 12:17 pm PT

    Awesome! Hopefully Codemasters will re-release Operation Flashpoint via Steam because I cannot find any way to get legal copies anymore.

  • spitmonster

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 12:10 pm PT

    Gamespot......couldn't you all chose a better title for this news story?

  • briank555

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 12:03 pm PT

    lonerider, it's actually pretty simple. The reason, at least the most common that I've read, is that if games on Steam were cheaper than their boxed counterpart, a lot of companies would simply refuse to sell the game in their stores. They can't compete with a reduced price product that can be downloaded in your home versus having to go and buy it somewhere for a higher price.

    Also, part of the cost that's going in to the game as well is for the bandwidth or the service itself. Now while many may disagree with this point, I know it's not cheap to be able to pump out the volume of bandwidth that Valve does so I'm cool with knowing it's costing me a bit.

    I just hope that for my gaming life, they'll continue to run this service because I go back and play all my games from years and years past... just for that retro feel and Steam definitely has some great titles.

  • makemeweak

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 11:56 am PT

    Nice move by Codemasters. Overlord is awesome, now there are more ways to buy it.

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