Valve Would "Love" to Put Steam on 360s

[vansau]

Valve Would "Love" to Put Steam on 360s

Valve wants 360 owners to know that it'd like to bring Steamworks to the Xbox, but Microsoft's closed control of Xbox Live won't let this happen right now.

Valve's announcement that it was <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102932-Valve-PlayStation-3-Incredibly-Important-to-Us>bringing Steamworks to the PS3 via Portal 2 was a pleasant surprise for console owners last week. As it turns out, the PS3 isn't the only console that Valve would like to bring the development suite to.

According to Valve Project Manager Erik Johnson at Gamescom last week, "we think customers would like [Steam on Xbox 360]. We think, anyway. We'd love to try that." However, despite Valve's wishes, Johnson also stated that Steam appearing on 360s is "not up to us." It turns out that Microsoft's closed regulations on Xbox Live don't allow developers to include their own services that provide things like mods, quick patches, and community content.

This isn't the first time that Microsoft's control of Xbox Live has been an issue for big-name developers. Final Fantasy XIV's release has been <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102874-Square-Enix-360-Version-of-Final-Fantasy-XIV-Just-on-Hold>substantially delayed while Square-Enix tries to work things out with Microsoft, and Champions Online's Xbox release was <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/101640-Final-Fantasy-XIV-Not-Coming-to-360s-Because-of-Xbox-Live>delayed several times before it was finally canceled due to issues Cryptic encountered with Xbox Live.

Microsoft doesn't seem to realize just how bad it's starting to look thanks to situations like this. There aren't many bigger names in the business than Valve and Square-Enix, and the fact that Microsoft doesn't seem to even be trying to meet them halfway probably makes Sony look a much better working partner for smaller developers. If I were running a videogame studio, I'd be much more inclined to give Sony an exclusive title for the PSN because of the inflexibility Microsoft is showing with Live.

According to Final Fantasy producer Sage Sundi, though, there's a possible solution for getting Microsoft to allow this sort of content on Xbox consoles: "If 200,000 people maybe send an e-mail to Microsoft asking to give us access to the other side of Xbox Live then there's a possibility."

Source: <a href=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=261636>CVG

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[microhive]

I'm guessing those "200.000"(The article says 200) would have to be XBox Live users otherwise it would make no sense.

If this were to happen I can easily see Battle.net as well as OnLive(it's a streaming service) somehow get into the platform.

 

[CezarIgnat]

I was hoping Steam would remain for PC only...I keep getting the feeling the big game companies (even Microsoft) try to ignore the PC. Steam is the biggest argument against that (IMO).

 

[silver wolf009]

I think they awlays wanted to, but that microsoft wouldnt let them. Really vavle try to be generouse to us console scrubs. If this got through I would cry tears of joy.

 

[VirusHunter]

Oh god, Microsoft. Look at what you're missing out on.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Really vavle try to be generouse to us console scrubs. If this got through I would cry tears of joy.

They're trying, but as usual...

 

[ItalianPaddy]

I don't understand how other companies releasing patches and community content would hurt the 360...

 

[HTID Raver]

cmon microsoft!

 

[Hammer_Wizard]

It's stuff like this that tells me Gabe Newell is a master when it comes to getting his way.
I mean, he stonewalled Sony until they gave in, EA practically has to beg to carry their games, and nearly all of PC gaming goes through them.

Gabe is a flipping badass.

 

[craddoke]

Gabe is a flipping badass.

Hmmmm.... I used to feel the same way whenever Google stuck it to Microsoft/Apple/Whomever. After the Google/Verizon plan to carve up the internet was revealed earlier this month, though, I'm feeling more wary about lionizing these "giant-killers" who happen to be giants themselves.

 

[Vilcus]

This is why I love Valve. They're willing to branch out to other platforms with their service, and I think they'll be successful if they can get their foot in the Microsoft 5000 pound steel door of doom.

I would love to have Steamworks on my 360, and I hope they can manage to get it done.

 

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

Microsoft, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were haxors or noobs. Why we bitched, or why we complained. All that matters is that today, we wanted Steam. That's what's important! Money pleases you Microsoft, so grant me this one request. Grant me Steam! And if you do not listen, then to hell with you!

 

[SextusMaximus]

Fuck off, Valve. PC is enough, I'm going to be a very sad fanboy

 

[ArMartinez02]

were can i sign up for the future fan movement? I want steam on xbl nao!!!!!! plz hears uz m$, but since when u care bout ur comunity anyways?

 

[8bitmaster]

It sounds like microsoft in charge of xbox live is like apple. They hate every other developer thats not them.

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

Oh god MS this would be possible the best thing you could do for us. I mean we sort of deserve it. I mean you gave us kinect and while we're thankful you tried, we would like steam instead.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

If it means getting the L4D DLC and actually having the TF2 DLC on the 360, by all means, go right ahead. Who knows? We could also see mods on the console versions too. If Valve actually shafts Microsoft like they did with EA and Sony, well then, this could be entertaining.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Microsoft and Apple are rivals, but damn if they don't have similar isolationist business practices.

 

[Nouw]

I was hoping Steam would remain for PC only...I keep getting the feeling the big game companies (even Microsoft) try to ignore the PC. Steam is the biggest argument against that (IMO).

Microsoft has Games For Windows Live. What do you mean try to ignore? They fully support the PC!

DO IT MICROSOFT! DO IT!