Really, Steam? I get *both* versions?!

[Catalyst6]

Um, if you buy a game in the shops, you'll generally have to buy it again when you switch computers.

So yeah, they're the heroes of the situation. Don't be such a dick to them.

But I had kind of assumed that buying one version of something would mean that you got to play all versions.

Really? That was stupid of you. Most other games that are multi-platform require you to buy bother versions. Heck, most games that aren't multi-platform require you to buy multiple copies for multiple computers.

Everyone seems to have missed my point. Yes, you have to buy it twice for PS3 because the systems that handle them are entirely different in interface and style, publishing-wise. You can't pop a blu-ray disk in a 360 and say "go".

However, Steam has made it so that the aforementioned blu-ray *could* go into something else, while using the same "disk". Yes, PCs and Macs use different coding, but they are still bound by the same service, Steam. I was just saying that it seemed odd that they would advertise that you could play it on both systems, which seems like it should be a given. I mean, they let you play it on different computers just like that, yes?

Don't get me wrong, I use Steam for everything except MMOs. TF2, L4D2, I even bought Splinter Cell: Conviction over it not too long ago (unfortunately... stealth-a-way). So I don't hate Steam.

 

[Void(null)]

Direct2Drive and Gamers gate force you to buy the Mac & PC versions of Games separately, even if the retail version supports both.

This is why Steam is advertising as they are, its a way to say "Look, we are better than the competition by treating our customers fairly, buy more games from us, you don't need Direct2Drive!"

 

[Catalyst6]

Direct2Drive and Gamers gate force you to buy the Mac & PC versions of Games separately, even if the retail version supports both.

This is why Steam is advertising as they are, its a way to say "Look, we are better than the competition by treating our customers fairly, buy more games from us, you don't need Direct2Drive!"

Ah, this might explain it, actually. Man, D2D are bastards... go Steam...

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Everyone seems to have missed my point. Yes, you have to buy it twice for PS3 because the systems that handle them are entirely different in interface and style, publishing-wise. You can't pop a blu-ray disk in a 360 and say "go".

However, Steam has made it so that the aforementioned blu-ray *could* go into something else, while using the same "disk". Yes, PCs and Macs use different coding, but they are still bound by the same service, Steam. I was just saying that it seemed odd that they would advertise that you could play it on both systems, which seems like it should be a given. I mean, they let you play it on different computers just like that, yes?

Don't get me wrong, I use Steam for everything except MMOs. TF2, L4D2, I even bought Splinter Cell: Conviction over it not too long ago (unfortunately... stealth-a-way). So I don't hate Steam.

While the baseline hardware arcitecture of the average modern PC and the average Mac are identical, the problem is games do not talk directly to the hardware. In fact, in both cases the design of the OS is such that even if a programmer wanted they can't write code at that level in anything approaching a convenient fashion. Instead, you have several layers of software in between your program and the hardware itself acting as an intermediary, and unfortunately for all, these are far from identical.

The result is simple - in order to make a product that works on both platforms requires a substantial duplication of effort. The end result is, naturally enough, because it takes extra work to make a different version it is packaged as a different product. To assume that purchase of one particular instance of a product automatically means you get another is folley at best. Purchase of a PC game does not net you the 360 version in spite of the similarities in hardware and interfaces. Purchasing a hot new graphic manipulation program for a Mac does not entitle the user to the PC version. Indeed, you will be hard pressed to find examples where the purchase of a product for one platform automatically entitles you to the version for another.

 

[thatstheguy]

I don't know what you're complaining about here. They did the obvious and not made you buy the game twice just to play it on a different OS. Sure, some other companies would have charged you, but you should still be glad VALVe didn't.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Wow. Not only did Valve port Steam and some rather good games over to the Mac platform (a woefully neglected one, I might state) but they made Portal, one of the best games released so far this decade, totally FREE for them AND the PC.

Those bastards!

 

[Anticitizen_Two]

ITT: How an incredibly minor complaint about Valve can still make the legions of fanboys pissed off.

Seriously, they're gonna take over the world some day.

(now watch someone respond with something like, "Well, at least if Valve took over the world, they would only make you toil in the salt mines for 20 hours a day! Activision or EA would make you work all 24! Valve at least cares about their slaves!")

 

[Catalyst6]

ITT: How an incredibly minor complaint about Valve can still make the legions of fanboys pissed off.

Seriously, they're gonna take over the world some day.

(now watch someone respond with something like, "Well, at least if Valve took over the world, they would only make you work in the salt mines for 20 hours a day! Activision or EA would make you work all 24! Valve at least cares about their slaves!")

Well, they are the superior form of game distrubution.

And yes, to the rest of you. I understand that a lot of work goes into making a PC game into a Mac game. But you already *bought* the game. I've just been saying that it seems like a purchase would be universal, regardless of what the status quo is for such things. Anyways, that's my opinion.