110°

Editorial: Valve under pressure

In Press2Reset's first Split Screen article, Sean Knight and Richard Hayden debate Valve’s decision to use Linux as the OS for the Steam Box.

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press2reset.com
porkChop4067d ago

A big problem that I see for the Steam box is that it uses OpenGL, instead of DirectX. The vast majority of PC games use DirectX. OpenGL has become almost non-existant these days. The Steam Box won't be able to play most PC games, and outside of indies and Valve itself, I don't see it getting enough support.

barb_wire4067d ago

DirectX is a Microsoft product/patent - so in order for Valve to use it in a console, wouldn't they have to pay license fees to Microsoft to use it? Would seem counter-productive to Valve to pay out to another company in order to use their assets.

Kalowest4067d ago

True, but wouldn't they still make more money using DirectX. Devs can easily develop/port games to the SB using DirectX, while OpenGL is the opposite(maybe). It would be a better move for Valve in the long run.

Letros4067d ago (Edited 4067d ago )

That, or have no games...

CyberCam4067d ago (Edited 4067d ago )

You guys make me laugh;
Developers don't like OpenGL because it's hard to develop games with it. LOL!

What do you think every Playstation & Nintendo consoles ever made uses? What about all the Mac, iOS & Android games? What, you think they all use Microsoft DirectX? LOL!

Yep the big publishers stay right away from OpenGL LMAO!

Also, Valve are banking on the community to make games with their new Source 2 engine, they've said it many times, that the community can make better content than they can... just look at all the mods for the Half Life 1/2 games there are and not just garbage games. Counter Strike, Garys Mod, Day of Defeat etc.

You people put too much stock in the big publishers, they're the ones that have stagnated the gaming industry with their sequel saturation. Indies will be leading the way in the future, mark my words.

porkChop4067d ago

@CyberCam

I never said it was harder to develop for OpenGL, so don't put words in my mouth. Nor did I ever say that developers don't use OpenGL on other platforms. If you would have READ the comment, I'm specifically talking about "PC games".

The Steam Box will be using Steam, obviously. And hardly any games on Steam use OpenGL. It would have been smarter for Valve to licence DirectX, that would have been much better for them in the long run.

Next time try reading the comments you're replying to, because none of us said anything about OpenGL being harder to develop for, and none of us were talking about any platform other than PC.

CyberCam4067d ago (Edited 4067d ago )

It sure sounded like that's what you were implying, if that was not your intention, then my bad. It's just that I've heard that argument far too much lately.

As for Valve licensing DirectX, what in God's name do you think they are going to linux for? To get away from the grip of MSFT.

Gabe's own words "... Linux is a get out jail for free card". Freedom from licensing is what will drive new ideas & methods. Developers need to cut the ball & chains costs that take money away from their development budgets.

Oh, I almost forgot, there's a reason that DiretX is so easy to use on a Windows OS, than OpenGL. Because the the master, is in control of the world you live & play in, and he makes it so for his benefit.

DOMination-4067d ago

Well i guess Gabe Newell probably knows whats best for his console than some guys on an internet forum.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4067d ago
user39158004067d ago (Edited 4067d ago )

Is not only Valve in trouble, sony and ouya is also, the OS Ubuntu its an open source, expect hacking to the greatest its ever been, just look at androids and you see what im talking about. The more open the OS the more hacking, they just gave a free pass to hackers.

I see it already another congretional hearing over security issues and credit cards stolen. Mark my word PS4 will be hack in its first 6 month in the market and expect to see corruption of data and missing-hack acounts. Like I said, I wait 2 years before jumping to ps4 cause they will have issues.

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4067d ago

Hopefully since it's a start of a new gen open gl can squeeze it's way in. Or will ps4 use dx11?

DeadlyFire4067d ago (Edited 4067d ago )

PS4 will use Open GL,ES,CG, CL, RL, or some other possibly custom variation of them.

Microsoft would never let them have DirectX in its latest form. Microsoft hates Open standards and take extra steps in their OSs to slow down Open standards like OpenGL in some versions of Windows, but many games actually are built on it and you just don't know it.

Sony and Nintendo have always used a custom OpenGL or OpenES type of standard. It doesn't hinder the graphics at all. Its actually an improvement. OpenGL has always ran a bit faster than DirectX.
http://www.extremetech.com/...

DeadlyFire4067d ago

You are aware Halo started out as OpenGL game. Let me take you back to its first announcement.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Valve isn't going to pay Microsoft.
Sony isn't going to pay Microsoft
Nintendo isn't going to pay Microsoft.

All of them use Open standards like OpenGL and OpenGL ES, OpenCL, OpenCG, and OpenRL, and many other variations in custom forms they can add new features that match up to DirectX pretty easy. Just like how Linux is customized so much so since its an open OS. OpenGL itself runs faster than DirectX even on Windows.

You can even run many games on OpenGL on your setup today if you wanted to do it.

Did you know RAGE was an OpenGL game? Many big developers consider OpenGL when they think about developing a game across Windows, Mac, and Linux as one API would fit all three OSs.

ATi_Elite4066d ago

The whole Purpose of the SteamBox is to ELIMINATE the need for Microsoft and it's Directx

at any time Microsoft can start charging gamers or Devs to use Directx and the whole "you gotta Buy a New OS to get a New Directx update" is growing OLD!

Valve and Linux have a nice "wrapper" that allows ANY and ALL Directx games to run on SteamBox without a MS OS and at the same quality and features as a MSOS/DX combo

So Steambox is Not losing anything!

I have 2 great gaming PC's but I just may buy a Steambox just to be free of Microsoft for Gaming!

(Also you can upgrade a Steambox with whatever hardware and software you want as I'm sure the Valve/Linux tech is in the EFI Bios)

porkChop4066d ago

Ah, I wasn't aware that they were using a wrapper. That makes sense.

Though if you just want to be free of Microsoft then couldn't you just install Valve's version of Linux on your computer? Or are they locking it to the Steam Box?

And I'm not sure how upgradeable the Steam Box would be. I remember them saying that the prototypes are only slightly larger than a Rubik's Cube. And it uses an integrated GPU, likely a CPU/APU combo. Which means you wouldn't want to replace your desktop with it because it's probably going to be very slow for games without a discrete GPU. Still, it's good for PC gaming on the couch.

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Kalowest4067d ago

The Steam Box seems like a waste of money, especially if you have a Good PC. What is it going to do that the PS4 and X720 can't?

aliengmr4067d ago

Ideally it would just do what a PC does, but in a console form-factor.

The market isn't going to change to:

720
PS4
"Steam-Box"
PC
etc.

Based on what Gabe has been saying it just doesn't sound like he intends the Steam-Box to be anything more than an extension of the PC and a way too push Linux for gaming.

When you think of in terms of the current consoles, yea, its an incredibly stupid idea. Which is precisely why I don't think that is going to happen.

My guess it will be something small which won't directly compete with the PS4 and 720, but will find its place over time. Which is really the only thing you can do to compete against Windows as a gaming platform on PC.

The end result being PC gaming having an actual choice of OSs and a mini PC that works like a console. This is years away mind, and certainly not going to happen over night.

Saryk4067d ago

Exactly, plant the seed and watch it grow, on its own!

BanBrother4067d ago

Is the pun in the heading intended?
If not, I suppose Valve could always relieve themselves of some of this pressure by letting off ....*puts sunglasses on* some STEAM!!!! *Waits for anvil to drop on head*

70°

Why Are Steam's Recommendations Dogpoop?

Blindfolding myself and clicking a Steam page at random would serve me better recommendations than Steam’s algorithm

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thegamer.com
UltimateOwnage9d ago

Hmm, not sure I agree with that. The recommendations I get are usually pretty good, but then again I have pretty large library of games on Steam and hundreds of them in my wish list, along with lots of curators I follow for it to build recommendations off of. On occasion it will throw me a random FIFA game or something I've never bought or shown interest in, but mostly its decent IMO.

80°

5 Best Metroidvania Games on Steam (March 2024)

Dive into the best Metroidvania games on Steam, from hidden gems to top-rated classics, and embark on unforgettable adventures!

jznrpg19d ago

Skul is a metroidvania ? It’s on PS+ soon I’ll check it out. If it’s good I’ll buy a copy physically if they have one

Nacho_Z19d ago

If Pseudoregalia is one of the best I'd hate to see what the worst look like.

330°

Dragon’s Dogma 2 releases to mixed user reviews, as microtransactions criticised

Players can pay to edit their character, resurrect the dead and other actions.

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videogameschronicle.com
AdonisIsBeast27d ago

Who cares as long as it’s optional

phoenixwing27d ago

paying to edit your character is kind of crap as far as microtransactions go

Xristo27d ago (Edited 27d ago )

I hate any/all MTX in a paid game (especially a full-price game)... but know that you can spend in-game currency (RC), which you get from killing mobs, to completely remake your character.

phoenixwing27d ago

@xRisto how much did it change the gameplay though? Changing your character would have probably not cost any rc if they weren't hellbent on getting money by making it inconvenient

koga8827d ago

You can literally edit your character using in-game gold, dropped from monsters or obtained from selling items, as soon as you reach the first main town. You can even use Rift Crystals obtained from other people using your pawn or dropped from monsters to change your entire character or Pawn. It's paying to avoid doing something that is literally in the game.

PRIMORDUS27d ago

They are lucky there using Denuvo or their game and all future DLC etc. would be for free. 🤣

phoenixwing27d ago

@koga you completely missed the point i was making but go ahead and act like i'm being the wrong one

lucian22926d ago

you can pay ingame currency though; why are ya so derp

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Crows9027d ago (Edited 27d ago )

Capcom cares quite a bit....hence why it was kept from reviewers and initial impressions.

As far as optional...yeah...ALL mtx are optional. That's not the problem. The miss the mark entirely.

Heck buying the game is "optional" too.

The fact that they were hiding this is scummy as hell. I was going to buy this day 1 or day 3. Now I'm reconsidering the purchase entirely because as the reviews point out...there are certain design decisions which have not changed but funnily enough seem to be remedied by these mtx...

In other words they may have left certain features in the game in order to monetize them. So the mtx affected the development of the game in a negative way.

garos8227d ago

I'm certainly not buying it anymore. It has affected at least one sale from me. I'll pick it up second hand

peppeaccardo27d ago

Very close to buy the game at a discounted price but not anymore.
Bad business practice and hence they do not get my support/money !

warriorcase27d ago

It wasn't kept fromreviewers s though. Twitter reviewers are saying there was mention of mtx's in the reviewers guide

-Foxtrot27d ago (Edited 27d ago )

STOP. USING. THAT. SHITTY. EXCUSE

God damn man

Look how DLC changed after Oblivions horse armour, within 10 years most developers took the absolute p***. What was said then aswell? “It’s only optional who cares?” Now look where we all are.

There’s no half measures with these things, when will people realise this.

jwillj2k427d ago (Edited 27d ago )

Oh it’s gonna get worse. Ng+ locked behind mtx, “cool downs” preventing you from playing for more than 3 hours at a time unless u pay the mtx for unlimited access, main campaign bosses, in-game music, certain dialog, difficulty modes, certain npc interactions, all locked behind mtx, etc.. etc. gonna end up being like the NBA 2k games eventually paying for cross overs and shit… They gon get mid-evil on our asses.

OMGitzThatGuy27d ago

I can guarantee most of the items you can buy with mtx and ingame currency wouldn’t exist in ANY paid form if the main goal wasn't monetization. If the goal is to give idiots who are willing to pay for basic game features as mtx a way to do things faster then the only ones the mtx hurt are the non paying players as you are now locking features behind a grind that you chose to put in the game that you are essentially admitting to creating some type of time sink. I have never heard of a game locking basic character editing behind a ingame paywall, it’s usually just an option.

Chard27d ago

Takes two to tango though - unfortunately people buy this garbage which incentivises the behaviour. It's an inevitable outcome of the profit motive

thorstein27d ago

@Mario

Yes. And so are resurrection "Wakestones." You can find them but they're rare.

victorMaje27d ago

Buying the game is now very optional too. If you don’t know why then you don’t get it.

shinoff218327d ago

Because it's only a door way. That's why we care. We've already seen some shit since Mtx was introduced.

Rimeskeem27d ago

1. DD2 is an ARPG with 8 different playable classes
2. There is no multiplayer aspect to the game
3. You can only have one character (have to pay for more)
4. You cannot delete the character unless you go into the game files
5. The game is $70 dollars upfront

Having to pay for more character slots in a game that *features* 8 playable classes is pretty much not optional for an ARPG.

Angyobangyo27d ago

Judging from steam reviews, gamers care. Not plastic gamers. Why didn’t Itsuno mention such MTX would be available in-game? Why weren’t the MTXs there for review copies?

Kiryu199227d ago

Who cares is how all this started. The many many excuses. Please keep defending these greedy publishers and unfair tactics. We be gamers are the problem

Horse armor

$10 online passes if buying a used copy

Cheat codes gone and are replaced by micro transactions

Unlocking stuff by playing games behind micro transactions and XP boosters

It’s only cosmetic

No one is being forced to spend even though publishers are literally making their games more grindy to force people to play

Full priced games have mobile game type micro transactions

$70 priced games because higher development costs while making record profits and laying off record number of employees

And to play the game early pay us extra $20-30 on top of full price

Release games now and promise to maybe fix them later only to abandon the game

Day one patches that make the games worst

If it’s your favorite game defend the publisher if it’s not hate on another publisher for similar content

SixFrvgz26d ago Show
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kenpachi27d ago

Must have picked up some EA crew to put this in the game

robtion27d ago

Yeah these are really bad ones. Directly impacting gameplay too. Super scummy move. I hope nobody buys them.

CrimsonWing6927d ago

Yet Helldivers 2 gets a pass? Y’know a GotY contender by the name of RE4 had them and so does Devil May Cry V. The funny thing is I enjoyed both of those games thoroughly without having to buy a single microtransaction.

What I do consider a valid complaint is not being able to start a new game or being able to edit your character. That’s kind of a seriously baffling decision, but then I think how I played Dragon’s Dogma 1 and I never edited my character and I just did a 100% playthrough on a single file and didn’t start a NG since. So, I don’t think these are really going to impact me, but I can see how it will others.

Crows9027d ago

Helldivers 2 is a live service game where everything is obtainable in game with incredible ease.

Not sure about re4 or DMC but nobody is giving anyone a pass ...this article is about dragons dogma 2...not those games.

What is valid are in game features made to supposedly force you to think carefully only to have a surprise online store offer solutions to built in problems for more money.

Goosejuice27d ago

Those same things they are selling can be found Ingame as well. U can buy the character editor through merchants with gold. Don't get me wrong..I dislike these mtx they are doing but you don't need to buy them to be able to get them.

CrimsonWing6927d ago (Edited 27d ago )

Oh my bad, I can’t bring up games with microtransactions that nobody had a sh*t fit over. My mistake.

I love how people move the goalpost.

Crows9027d ago

@goose
@crimson

All mtx sucks. I'd rather helldiver's not have them because it makes me wonder if the rate at which you collect materials. That said. The games features are all fully enjoyable and aren't affected by the mtx.

That's not the case with dragons dogma 2...they left in place features that are supposedly part of the challenge of the game only to let you buy your way out very conveniently. I didn't look through all of them but I've heard some are rare but can be purchased with more money now. Even more so in a game about managing weight load there's a tent, I believe, that you can pay more money for that weighs less than your typical tent...not all sure on all the mtx and I'm aware that you can purchase many through in game vendor but they're incredibly useful mtx that are obtained much more slowly in game...or even a limited amount of them.

Instead is selling fast travel...just let us don't for free....or instead of selling cosmetic changes...how about letting us do it for free...

Nothing in helldivers comes close to this abomination

Angyobangyo27d ago

One is a single player game and one is a live service game. One is $40 vs$70. And most importantly, one game is there to spread democracy.

Ironmike26d ago

It's not incredibly easy for certain things in helldivers though u still have grind quite bit but u ate correct in saying u can eventually get enough medals to purchase stuff

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Moegooner27d ago

Read your comment again and maybe, just maybe you might realise how dumb it was.

CrimsonWing6927d ago (Edited 27d ago )

What was dumb about it? That I pointed out the hypocrisy?

garos8227d ago

It was extremely scummy that capcom hid this from reviewers. I have no doubt this game is good but these type of microtransactions don't sit well with me. They've lost a sale from me

Lionsguard27d ago

I was going to pay full price to support this game because I've been waiting for it for forever but I think I'll wait until I get it for free from Epic or a Humblebundle monthly.

Redemption-6427d ago

I am not defending Capcom, as I am not a fan of MTX in single player games. I do however belive they were open to reviewers about having MTX in their game. The reviewers just decided to leave that part out. Which is very disingenuous. There are some companies that get away with these things. Image if this was done by EA, Ubisoft, or even Activision? I am positive those defending Capcom, would have had their pitchforks ready if the companies listed above did this

anast27d ago

That's why reviewers can't be trusted. In fact, they are not reviewers at all. They get free codes to talk about stuff they don't understand nor care about.

Sanctusone27d ago

I mean it was pretty obvious to anyone with eyes...one of the items you get from deluxe edition was in game items.
1500 Rift Crystals - Points to Spend Beyond the Rift (A)
Which honestly I figured they kept a similar mtx system like DMC5 and the optional red orbs.

Lionsguard27d ago

1500 Rift Crystals doesn't mean anything. The first game had Rift crystals too, you just earned them by people hiring your Pawn and you get it from certain quests.

anast26d ago (Edited 26d ago )

A reviewer's job is to point out the obvious of a product as though they were the consumer. This means reviewers, to do their actual job, would need to review the complete game: the edition they are reviewing, how they got the game, technical aspects, story, and monetization scheme. Since, it is obvious that MT's are a part of the game, it would need to be reviewed. This way people can be informed, so they can decide if they want to play this style of game/monetization scheme.

For example, AC Origins was bad with Mt's. I had to farm side missions or pay to advance the story. This was after I already did close to 25 or more side missions. While I was grinding there were constant reminders that I could pay to ease the grind. I would have never bought the game if it were reviewed properly.

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