Valve have updated the developer guidelines for releasing a game on Steam, making it clear that the scourge of mobile gaming advertising-based business models are not going to work on Steam.
Of course everything a company does is in the best interest of the company. Even as simple as “let’s make excellent products with lifetime warrantees” benefits them by making people want to shop there.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good thing when companies realise the customers best interest are also their best interest. We should encourage that, not scoff at it.
Yeah, but every time Valve does anything, people are always thinking they did it for them. Honestly, I have no issue with non-intrusive ads. If it’s a racing game or something with ads on the boards, like real life, I don’t mind. It can provide the developers with extra money, which either reduces cost to the consumer or allows them to do more. It also does no harm to the consumer.
Removing options isn’t really good. It isn’t in the customer’s best interest. It’s only in Valve’s best interest. Only a knee-jerk reaction makes it seem like it’s in the customer’s best interest.
Of course everything a company does is in the best interest of the company.
That is not true, but that is part of the problem and also why Steam is at least a little better for us customers. Most companies only do what is good for the stakeholders short term, Valve does what is good for the company/single owner long term. And happy customers are good long-term, but not so important short-term.
It is still capitalism, and thus still terrible. But a tiny bit less terrible.
Of course everything a company does is in the best interest of the company. Even as simple as “let’s make excellent products with lifetime warrantees” benefits them by making people want to shop there.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good thing when companies realise the customers best interest are also their best interest. We should encourage that, not scoff at it.
Yeah, but every time Valve does anything, people are always thinking they did it for them. Honestly, I have no issue with non-intrusive ads. If it’s a racing game or something with ads on the boards, like real life, I don’t mind. It can provide the developers with extra money, which either reduces cost to the consumer or allows them to do more. It also does no harm to the consumer.
Removing options isn’t really good. It isn’t in the customer’s best interest. It’s only in Valve’s best interest. Only a knee-jerk reaction makes it seem like it’s in the customer’s best interest.
That is not true, but that is part of the problem and also why Steam is at least a little better for us customers. Most companies only do what is good for the stakeholders short term, Valve does what is good for the company/single owner long term. And happy customers are good long-term, but not so important short-term.
It is still capitalism, and thus still terrible. But a tiny bit less terrible.