you guys are missing the point, you are purchasing the right to use the software. you can go to any computer with net access - sign into steam - and play CS - the software runs off the steam server and is served to you - so you don't need CS on your machine. This is great because i use a couple computers but only one wonid will work at a time and it takes time to expire before you can sign in again. this would correct that and not make me patch every machine I have CS on.
Also - they didn't release most of those half life variations. a lot are done by independant developers.CS was made by gooseman and was independant until valve/sierra scooped it at like beta .8 because everyone and their mom was playing it
there is a transformers half life mod that was in the works but I guess has been stopped temporarily. looks good.
this steam thing isn't that great my friend has been testing it and it makes CS unplayable since most servers don't have the compatible files at the moment since they're not public. [text was edited by author 2003-01-14 15:41:18]
Yeah I understand what it does....it's essentially called being an Application Service Provider, and with the exception of a few companies who are providing off-site educational software to schools, it hasn't been successful.
Partially because broadband is still only in 15-17% of the populace.
EBGames hasn't had success with their model....RealPlayer is doing ok with theirs, but they're busy selling games like Checkers and Pro-minesweeper.
My question is....like I said...Valve has plenty of massive money makers sitting there on the shelf...Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike 2....why suddenly decide to become an ASP? Seems like a big risk for a company that essentially had a road before it paved in gold...
studies show the first successful model in a particular business is always 20% higher revenue than anyone that comes later on. they're banking that the broadban number is jumping much higher this year [hich i agree] and their planning for the future. if steam sucks well CS condition zero comes out march 31, and from their reports you'll have to buy it to play - there's no free mod of it for previous CS owners/downloaders.
