Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
I don't think this is gonna be significant with DirectX still having a stranglehold over computer game developers.
I mean, it'll be nice that the few mac games that exist to have a distribution channel in Steam, and Valve's games being available to mac users is good. But, really how much farther will it go? Blizzard's supported the mac forever now and that hasn't suddenly lit a fire under other developers' asses to get some love in for Apple.
Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
There was a time when I felt the same. After being completely destroyed by Mac World of Warcraft players, however, I reconsidered my position.
Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
I'm sorry, but it's true. That is the way Apple looks at their customers, and that is the way the rest of the industry looks at Apple customers. There's entire MBA courses in Marketing focused on how to tap into the demographic that Apple did. It's not pretty, its condescending and exploitive.
Facing that truth, we have to wonder what kind of developers will make games for OSX, and what games they will create. Will they be deep, thought provoking games? Or will they be the kind of shovel ware we see so often on the Wii.
I, personally, don't see any major studios banking on Apple consumers as anything more than an easy and quick way to make some money. Good for them, I say. Exploit the fuck out of them, use it to subsidize their PC/360/PS3 ventures, and focus on attaining them as long term consumers once they move away from brand fanaticism with Apple.
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Ninja Snarl PMy helmet is my burden.Ninja Snarl: Gone, but not forgotten.Registered Userregular
edited March 2010
I could see indie games being huge hits with Mac users. Their tendency to be smaller, less complicated, and with a focus on distinctive styles is something I believe could find a very welcome home with the Mac market.
I could see indie games being huge hits with Mac users. Their tendency to be smaller, less complicated, and with a focus on distinctive styles is something I believe could find a very welcome home with the Mac market.
That depends on whether indie developers want to deal with Apple's bullshit. You don't put a thing on an Apple product unless you go through their portals and abide by their rules and payment structures.
Indie music on iTunes is just a tiny fraction of total indie music, because indie bands don't like dealing with Apple or their exploitative pay structures. I don't see indie developers being much different.
Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
I'm sorry, but it's true. That is the way Apple looks at their customers, and that is the way the rest of the industry looks at Apple customers. There's entire MBA courses in Marketing focused on how to tap into the demographic that Apple did. It's not pretty, its condescending and exploitive.
Facing that truth, we have to wonder what kind of developers will make games for OSX, and what games they will create. Will they be deep, thought provoking games? Or will they be the kind of shovel ware we see so often on the Wii.
I, personally, don't see any major studios banking on Apple consumers as anything more than an easy and quick way to make some money. Good for them, I say. Exploit the fuck out of them, use it to subsidize their PC/360/PS3 ventures, and focus on attaining them as long term consumers once they move away from brand fanaticism with Apple.
You claim they all want their hands help and aren't smart or interested enough to properly configure a PC. They would say to you that you shouldn't have to know exactly how everything works in order to use it properly. How many people out there use a car every day, but can't explain to you how an itnernal combustion engine actually works. Hell, how many use a PC every day (even those who play games on them) but refer to the tower as a whole as "the CPU"?
I could see indie games being huge hits with Mac users. Their tendency to be smaller, less complicated, and with a focus on distinctive styles is something I believe could find a very welcome home with the Mac market.
That depends on whether indie developers want to deal with Apple's bullshit. You don't put a thing on an Apple product unless you go through their portals and abide by their rules and payment structures.
Indie music on iTunes is just a tiny fraction of total indie music, because indie bands don't like dealing with Apple or their exploitative pay structures. I don't see indie developers being much different.
Well, seeing as this is going through Steam instead of an Apple store (unless there is some sort of Apple-Steam relationship I missed) I don't think Apple would have much say in it. I'd say the biggest hurdle is whether indie developers would want to put forth the effort to make their game cross-platform (or Mac-only and miss the established PC base).
Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
I'm sorry, but it's true. That is the way Apple looks at their customers, and that is the way the rest of the industry looks at Apple customers. There's entire MBA courses in Marketing focused on how to tap into the demographic that Apple did. It's not pretty, its condescending and exploitive.
Facing that truth, we have to wonder what kind of developers will make games for OSX, and what games they will create. Will they be deep, thought provoking games? Or will they be the kind of shovel ware we see so often on the Wii.
I, personally, don't see any major studios banking on Apple consumers as anything more than an easy and quick way to make some money. Good for them, I say. Exploit the fuck out of them, use it to subsidize their PC/360/PS3 ventures, and focus on attaining them as long term consumers once they move away from brand fanaticism with Apple.
You claim they all want their hands help and aren't smart or interested enough to properly configure a PC. They would say to you that you shouldn't have to know exactly how everything works in order to use it properly. How many people out there use a car every day, but can't explain to you how an itnernal combustion engine actually works. Hell, how many use a PC every day (even those who play games on them) but refer to the tower as a whole as "the CPU"?
Not a valid comparison, sorry. In the car world more money generally means better performance. Apple, historically, has charged more money for weaker hardware.
I'm not here to argue whether people should buy Apple or not. I'm simply looking at the issue from an industry marketing perspective. Apple customers are a minority demographic that are willing to pay more for less so long as its marketed in a certain fashion. Any game developer that can tap into that will find a gold mine to exploit.
I could see indie games being huge hits with Mac users. Their tendency to be smaller, less complicated, and with a focus on distinctive styles is something I believe could find a very welcome home with the Mac market.
That depends on whether indie developers want to deal with Apple's bullshit. You don't put a thing on an Apple product unless you go through their portals and abide by their rules and payment structures.
Indie music on iTunes is just a tiny fraction of total indie music, because indie bands don't like dealing with Apple or their exploitative pay structures. I don't see indie developers being much different.
Well, seeing as this is going through Steam instead of an Apple store (unless there is some sort of Apple-Steam relationship I missed) I don't think Apple would have much say in it. I'd say the biggest hurdle is whether indie developers would want to put forth the effort to make their game cross-platform (or Mac-only and miss the established PC base).
I can almost guarantee that Apple will exercise some control of any distribution portal that connects to their devices. They are notorious for it, and I don't think they're going to do a sudden 180 degree shift on their multi billion dollar business just because Steam said "sup, guys!".
This is the company, mind you, that told RECORD LABELS to go fuck themselves unless they agreed that Apple could take 30% of every song sale, and agreed to give Apple control of all pricing and distribution strategies on iTunes.
You really think Steam has more bargaining power than the entire record label industry?
Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
I'm sorry, but it's true. That is the way Apple looks at their customers, and that is the way the rest of the industry looks at Apple customers. There's entire MBA courses in Marketing focused on how to tap into the demographic that Apple did. It's not pretty, its condescending and exploitive.
Facing that truth, we have to wonder what kind of developers will make games for OSX, and what games they will create. Will they be deep, thought provoking games? Or will they be the kind of shovel ware we see so often on the Wii.
I, personally, don't see any major studios banking on Apple consumers as anything more than an easy and quick way to make some money. Good for them, I say. Exploit the fuck out of them, use it to subsidize their PC/360/PS3 ventures, and focus on attaining them as long term consumers once they move away from brand fanaticism with Apple.
You claim they all want their hands help and aren't smart or interested enough to properly configure a PC. They would say to you that you shouldn't have to know exactly how everything works in order to use it properly. How many people out there use a car every day, but can't explain to you how an itnernal combustion engine actually works. Hell, how many use a PC every day (even those who play games on them) but refer to the tower as a whole as "the CPU"?
Not a valid comparison, sorry. In the car world more money generally means better performance. Apple, historically, has charged more money for weaker hardware.
I'm not here to argue whether people should buy Apple or not. I'm simply looking at the issue from an industry marketing perspective. Apple customers are a minority demographic that are willing to pay more for less so long as its marketed in a certain fashion. Any game developer that can tap into that will find a gold mine to exploit.
It's not just "more for less" though. Yes, looking just at hardware you're getting less bang for your buck, but it is also possible that some folks out there just prefer the Mac interface. To keep my car analogy going it feels like Windows is the manual transmission to Apple's automatic. You pay more for ease of use.
Hell, I'm not even a Mac guy, and I can see the appeal of them. Steam on Mac sweetens that deal, too. I'm done buying desktop computers, run Linux on my netbook, and will most likely seriously consider a MacBook for my next primary computer.
EDIT: And to fight anecdotes with anecdotes I know several software engineers who prefer Macs. My office is probably a 50/50 split between folks who use Windows at home and folks who use Macs at home. And we all know our way around a computer.
I could see indie games being huge hits with Mac users. Their tendency to be smaller, less complicated, and with a focus on distinctive styles is something I believe could find a very welcome home with the Mac market.
That depends on whether indie developers want to deal with Apple's bullshit. You don't put a thing on an Apple product unless you go through their portals and abide by their rules and payment structures.
Indie music on iTunes is just a tiny fraction of total indie music, because indie bands don't like dealing with Apple or their exploitative pay structures. I don't see indie developers being much different.
Well, seeing as this is going through Steam instead of an Apple store (unless there is some sort of Apple-Steam relationship I missed) I don't think Apple would have much say in it. I'd say the biggest hurdle is whether indie developers would want to put forth the effort to make their game cross-platform (or Mac-only and miss the established PC base).
I can almost guarantee that Apple will exercise some control of any distribution portal that connects to their devices. They are notorious for it, and I don't think they're going to do a sudden 180 degree shift on their multi billion dollar business just because Steam said "sup, guys!".
This is the company, mind you, that told RECORD LABELS to go fuck themselves unless they agreed that Apple could take 30% of every song sale, and agreed to give Apple control of all pricing and distribution strategies on iTunes.
You really think Steam has more bargaining power than the entire record label industry?
Well, the record labels were trying to get onto iTunes, which is an Apple run store. Steam is a Valve run store, so it's kind of different. Apple has a lot more control over what goes on within their own store than they do on their OS.
I could see indie games being huge hits with Mac users. Their tendency to be smaller, less complicated, and with a focus on distinctive styles is something I believe could find a very welcome home with the Mac market.
That depends on whether indie developers want to deal with Apple's bullshit. You don't put a thing on an Apple product unless you go through their portals and abide by their rules and payment structures.
Indie music on iTunes is just a tiny fraction of total indie music, because indie bands don't like dealing with Apple or their exploitative pay structures. I don't see indie developers being much different.
Well, seeing as this is going through Steam instead of an Apple store (unless there is some sort of Apple-Steam relationship I missed) I don't think Apple would have much say in it. I'd say the biggest hurdle is whether indie developers would want to put forth the effort to make their game cross-platform (or Mac-only and miss the established PC base).
I can almost guarantee that Apple will exercise some control of any distribution portal that connects to their devices. They are notorious for it, and I don't think they're going to do a sudden 180 degree shift on their multi billion dollar business just because Steam said "sup, guys!".
This is the company, mind you, that told RECORD LABELS to go fuck themselves unless they agreed that Apple could take 30% of every song sale, and agreed to give Apple control of all pricing and distribution strategies on iTunes.
You really think Steam has more bargaining power than the entire record label industry?
Apples and Oranges. You're comparing one of Apple's distributions services to a platform that is distribution service independent. I'm pretty sure you can just use MP3's like normal on a mac and say "Fuck you" to Itunes.
Steam going to Mac is a pretty important move for the industry. Mac users only make up 10% of the US, or 6% of the world, but they represent people who are willing to spend more for marketing. That's an extremely attractive marketing segment. If game developers can work with Apple on a few games, it's a guaranteed buy for hundreds of thousands of people. The game could be complete ass and it doesn't matter.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
I'm sorry, but it's true. That is the way Apple looks at their customers, and that is the way the rest of the industry looks at Apple customers. There's entire MBA courses in Marketing focused on how to tap into the demographic that Apple did. It's not pretty, its condescending and exploitive.
Facing that truth, we have to wonder what kind of developers will make games for OSX, and what games they will create. Will they be deep, thought provoking games? Or will they be the kind of shovel ware we see so often on the Wii.
I, personally, don't see any major studios banking on Apple consumers as anything more than an easy and quick way to make some money. Good for them, I say. Exploit the fuck out of them, use it to subsidize their PC/360/PS3 ventures, and focus on attaining them as long term consumers once they move away from brand fanaticism with Apple.
You claim they all want their hands help and aren't smart or interested enough to properly configure a PC. They would say to you that you shouldn't have to know exactly how everything works in order to use it properly. How many people out there use a car every day, but can't explain to you how an itnernal combustion engine actually works. Hell, how many use a PC every day (even those who play games on them) but refer to the tower as a whole as "the CPU"?
Not a valid comparison, sorry. In the car world more money generally means better performance. Apple, historically, has charged more money for weaker hardware.
I'm not here to argue whether people should buy Apple or not. I'm simply looking at the issue from an industry marketing perspective. Apple customers are a minority demographic that are willing to pay more for less so long as its marketed in a certain fashion. Any game developer that can tap into that will find a gold mine to exploit.
It's not just "more for less" though. Yes, looking just at hardware you're getting less bang for your buck, but it is also possible that some folks out there just prefer the Mac interface. To keep my car analogy going it feels like Windows is the manual transmission to Apple's automatic. You pay more for ease of use.
Hell, I'm not even a Mac guy, and I can see the appeal of them. Steam on Mac sweetens that deal, too. I'm done buying desktop computers, run Linux on my netbook, and will most likely seriously consider a MacBook for my next primary computer.
EDIT: And to fight anecdotes with anecdotes I know several software engineers who prefer Macs. My office is probably a 50/50 split between folks who use Windows at home and folks who use Macs at home. And we all know our way around a computer.
I know my way around a computer. Granted, not at an expert level but certainly more than an average consumer. I greatly prefer OS X to Windows. I have used WIndows for the majority of my life and recently but an iMac in May. I feel it suits what I want out of a computer. In the end it really just is personal preference.
Eh, as mac vs pc debates go, this is probably one of the least annoying ones I've ever seen. Even the standard arguing points (no virus's on macs; macs are expensive; market shares) are being debated relatively civil and are actually be put forth as real arguments instead of just talking points. At least for the most part.
EDIT: I mean, hell, we haven't even attracted a linux zealot to tell us that both OS's are crap and that THIS will be the year of linux!
Eh, as mac vs pc debates go, this is probably one of the least annoying ones I've ever seen. Even the standard arguing points (no virus's on macs; macs are expensive; market shares) are being debated relatively civil and are actually be put forth as real arguments instead of just talking points. At least for the most part.
EDIT: I mean, hell, we haven't even attracted a linux zealot to tell us that both OS's are crap and that THIS will be the year of linux!
Right?
What's wrong with you guys? Nobody has even been compared to Hitler yet!
Posts
This is the sort of movie I want to see in the source engine with a whole lot Mirror's Edge.
http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=16534
Sorry, I'm at work at the moment.
I'm optimistic about this. Developers need a reason to put their games on PCs, not just the 360/PS3. If getting the Mac-drones on board to empty their wallets is the way to do it - so be it. It's good for everyone (except the drones, but who cares!).
I mean, it'll be nice that the few mac games that exist to have a distribution channel in Steam, and Valve's games being available to mac users is good. But, really how much farther will it go? Blizzard's supported the mac forever now and that hasn't suddenly lit a fire under other developers' asses to get some love in for Apple.
Not only that but it's important for Apple because you will likely see a subset of consumers that will feel safe in switching over completely to the Mac since gaming is arguably OS X's only true downside.
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
The people I see using Macs were the people who didn't trust or don't understand technology. They need to be told exactly what to buy and how to use it, and they're willing to pay more for that privilege even if the device limits them.
The gamer demographic and the Mac demographic is about as far apart as I can imagine. If they can find some synergies, great, but I just don't see them. Better to focus on draining their wallets, and worry about them as a long term consumer once they make the switch to main-steam or open source technology.
There was a time when I felt the same. After being completely destroyed by Mac World of Warcraft players, however, I reconsidered my position.
Twitter 3DS: 0860 - 3257 - 2516
I'm sorry, but it's true. That is the way Apple looks at their customers, and that is the way the rest of the industry looks at Apple customers. There's entire MBA courses in Marketing focused on how to tap into the demographic that Apple did. It's not pretty, its condescending and exploitive.
Facing that truth, we have to wonder what kind of developers will make games for OSX, and what games they will create. Will they be deep, thought provoking games? Or will they be the kind of shovel ware we see so often on the Wii.
I, personally, don't see any major studios banking on Apple consumers as anything more than an easy and quick way to make some money. Good for them, I say. Exploit the fuck out of them, use it to subsidize their PC/360/PS3 ventures, and focus on attaining them as long term consumers once they move away from brand fanaticism with Apple.
That depends on whether indie developers want to deal with Apple's bullshit. You don't put a thing on an Apple product unless you go through their portals and abide by their rules and payment structures.
Indie music on iTunes is just a tiny fraction of total indie music, because indie bands don't like dealing with Apple or their exploitative pay structures. I don't see indie developers being much different.
Well, seeing as this is going through Steam instead of an Apple store (unless there is some sort of Apple-Steam relationship I missed) I don't think Apple would have much say in it. I'd say the biggest hurdle is whether indie developers would want to put forth the effort to make their game cross-platform (or Mac-only and miss the established PC base).
Not a valid comparison, sorry. In the car world more money generally means better performance. Apple, historically, has charged more money for weaker hardware.
I'm not here to argue whether people should buy Apple or not. I'm simply looking at the issue from an industry marketing perspective. Apple customers are a minority demographic that are willing to pay more for less so long as its marketed in a certain fashion. Any game developer that can tap into that will find a gold mine to exploit.
I can almost guarantee that Apple will exercise some control of any distribution portal that connects to their devices. They are notorious for it, and I don't think they're going to do a sudden 180 degree shift on their multi billion dollar business just because Steam said "sup, guys!".
This is the company, mind you, that told RECORD LABELS to go fuck themselves unless they agreed that Apple could take 30% of every song sale, and agreed to give Apple control of all pricing and distribution strategies on iTunes.
You really think Steam has more bargaining power than the entire record label industry?
Hell, I'm not even a Mac guy, and I can see the appeal of them. Steam on Mac sweetens that deal, too. I'm done buying desktop computers, run Linux on my netbook, and will most likely seriously consider a MacBook for my next primary computer.
EDIT: And to fight anecdotes with anecdotes I know several software engineers who prefer Macs. My office is probably a 50/50 split between folks who use Windows at home and folks who use Macs at home. And we all know our way around a computer.
Well, the record labels were trying to get onto iTunes, which is an Apple run store. Steam is a Valve run store, so it's kind of different. Apple has a lot more control over what goes on within their own store than they do on their OS.
I know my way around a computer. Granted, not at an expert level but certainly more than an average consumer. I greatly prefer OS X to Windows. I have used WIndows for the majority of my life and recently but an iMac in May. I feel it suits what I want out of a computer. In the end it really just is personal preference.
Hey, I have a blog! (Actually being updated again!)
3DS: 0860-3240-2604
EDIT: I mean, hell, we haven't even attracted a linux zealot to tell us that both OS's are crap and that THIS will be the year of linux!
Validation.
i just think a lot of assumptions get thrown around and it really goes nowhere no matter how civil
either way, i would hope most people can agree that steam coming to macs can only bode well
It's a proven fact that people will always defend what they spend their money on.
Hey, I have a blog! (Actually being updated again!)
3DS: 0860-3240-2604
Right?
What's wrong with you guys? Nobody has even been compared to Hitler yet!
Twitter 3DS: 0860 - 3257 - 2516
See this chocolate bar I'm eating? It is the best one out there! All the other chocolate bar companies are spawns of Hitler!
There it is!
Twitter 3DS: 0860 - 3257 - 2516
I SO don't have time to add Dragon Age to my backlog, but $24.95 is tempting.
Hitler would have bought Dragon Age at half off.
So I decided to try it out, hoping to get SupCom1. Turns out my 30gigs of hard-drive space aren't enough? Whatever.
NOTHING like Steam at all. I'm never trusting another digital service. Fuccckckckckkk
Yeah. Its good stuff.
PLEASE DONT BE IGNORANT!
The Hitman pack is only a few dollars more though, think it's worth those few bucks?
Anyone?
I'm not a fan of caps lock, but when Snake Pliskin is endorsing DRM-free cheap games I have to agree.
"Read twice, post once. It's almost like 'measure twice, cut once' only with reading." - MetaverseNomad
I'm home now. Steam name is Undead Scottsman