E:D On Steam

[Carr0t]

Yes, and I in fact have done. It all depends how the Steam integration works. At the moment, I launch the Elite launcher from Steam. I then log in and launch Elite Dangerous from the Elite Launcher. This gives me the Steam overlay, with everything that entails, within Elite. *However*, if a new version of the launcher is released I get informed at the point I try to log in on the older one. Launcher updates aren't as common as game updates, and I only notice *them* after I have logged in.

So, if all the Steam version of the game does is provide an automatically-updated launcher, then meh, it's not really getting me much. If, however, it automatically updates the main game client, and/or launches the main game directly or automatically logs me in to the launcher, thus making my life easier and meaning I can be right into my game the first time I play after a major patch release instead of planning a night of flying with friends and then discovering we all have an hour or so of patching to do *first*, then I could really do with the Steam version.

[ArithonUK]

I know these are the T&C's for Steam Greenlight, but is that their standard T&C's? Because I was under the impression Greenlight was the exception and not the rule.

[Liberator]

Well seeing as Gorion has done a sterling job of finding info about Steam keys and their issuing, why not let him rest his Google fingers and find something which backs your side of the argument instead of what you believe.

[ArithonUK]

Well seeing as Gorion has done a sterling job of finding info about Steam keys and their issuing, why not let him rest his Google fingers and find something which backs your side of the argument instead of what you believe.

I'm not saying that Frontier can't do it, I just can't see how Valve can make any money by providing their servers and bandwidth for nothing for several hundred thousand people who've bought nothing from their store. That's the head-scratcher. They don't carry advertising, so how do they make any income?

I have seen a Tweet from Frontier that they are looking do it, so those that want Steam keys may well get them.

Thanks for your tweets. We are looking at the possibility of providing #EliteDangerous Steam keys to existing players http://bit.ly/1IV8PQZ

[Gorion]

The first source is from the steamworks FaQ.  If you read both steamworks and greenlight pages, you'll notice that greenlight copied the steamworks stuff and added community voting on top.

And there's paragraphs quoting Gabe Newell on how they make money.  Around 30%(varies) of each game, for every title on steam adds up; kind of like John Crichton's ultimate wormhole.

If Frontier doesn't give steam keys to it's existing customers, whilst being on steam, then it's full blown money grabbing.

[Liberator]

I'm not saying that Frontier can't do it, I just can't see how Valve can make any money by providing their servers and bandwidth for nothing for several hundred thousand people who've bought nothing from their store. That's the head-scratcher. They don't carry advertising, so how do they make any income?

I have seen a Tweet from Frontier that they are looking do it, so those that want Steam keys may well get them.

Well, in theory they only have to deliver the launcher client with steamworks integrated authentication. The downloading of the rest could be launched through that.

But you only have to look at the F2P stuff that's on Steam as well, things like STO, FireFall and Warframe are all pretty heavy on the client side, I know STO is just the launcher and the launcher updates from their own servers, Firefall is a Steam delivery, not sure about Warframe. It's possible that Valve make some money from the wallet warriors wanting to buy in game currency, but most of them make you do that from their own website, so Valve wouldn't see a thing.

So it depends on how they do the separation of the authentication and game code as to how much is on the Steamworks content platform.

[albert]

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=143652

Now stop yer bitchin' will ya (aimed at the Frontier Forums not dMw)! Maybe pulling this one out their backside within hours of the game appearing on Steam wasn't as simple as everyone assumes!

[TeaLeaf]

http://hexus.net/gaming/news/industry/83032-elite-dangerous-owners-buyers-get-free-steam-key/

ED owners get a free Steam key(!) finally.

[albert]

Read my previous post

[TeaLeaf]

Read my previous post

That would ruin the impact of the thread bump!

I'll go hang my head in shame.... :sad:

[albert]

There was a lot of talk when they launched on Steam but never offered up keys immediately, and very little discussion now they've announced the keys will be obtainable later this month.

[BrotherTobious]

What a waste of time and money, why did they do this, couldnt they have used that money to add more to the game.  I didnt want my game in Steam anyway.

:getmecoat:

[albert]

Someone did say that in the official forums. There are griefers on all sides :whistling2:

[Twyst]

Anyone know if Steam bypasses the need to sign into the launcher as well?

[albert]

I read somewhere that the Steam authentication is being trusted as login to the Frontier account of each user with Steam in use so it should bypass the launcher and also auto install any future updates.

Don't quote me on this though!