General Discussion

WOW!

I like that Gabe is very open about why Valve has become so vested in the future of Linux. It is the only way that Valve can retain complete control over the end-user experience.

Some wonderful points (still in awe of his honesty) I took from it:

- AAA publishers don't care about Linux because the revenue just isn't there - DEAL WITH IT! 1% isn't going to turn any heads.
- Proprietary systems and hardware only create exclusionary markets which lack the support of a strong community. It's obvious that Gabe values the community and he should because that's where Valve's revenue lies.
- Gabe seems almost humbled by the community support but understands how to cultivate it. "Properly enabled and supported" developers and users will thrive and can add value to any undertaking.
- Valve doesn't just think Linux is the future, they're invested in seeing that future become real. I didn't realize that Valve had such an active role in the development of SDL. SDL is a mature, cross-platform library that would help realize Gabe's stated goal of unification across platforms.

This excites me on two fronts. One, as a long time Linux user, and the other as a returning PC gamer. I have zero interest in the PS4 or the XBOX One as I've had both of their predecessors and they no longer hold any charm for me. However, if I can be promised the same or better experience when playing on my Steambox or my Linux rig, I'll throw more money Valve's way when their console comes out.

I like the idea that Valve will provide support for the device and that in exchange I'm providing support for that business model. Hardware support is a big deal to me. I have a 3 GHz quad-core processor sitting in the closet and I'm not sure if the motherboard or the power supply is bad. If it were a console with a warranty, I'd be running that instead of current system.

Like Jon, and obviously Gaben, I think that open platforms are future. Open platforms provide the freedom to let truly innovative companies continue to innovate. It also provides a framework for the "Grand Unification," where mobile, desktop and console gaming experience their Singularity.

When I saw this series come up as a recommended subscription in YouTube, my first reaction was "What the hell does PBS know about video games?" Watching this episode led me to subscribe.

Turns out that PBS (or at least those involved in Game/Show) know quite a bit and are willing to get gamers talking about the headier topics surrounding our favorite hobby/obsession. This episode helps provide some historical perspective for many people that may believe the issue began with GTA III.

To answer the question posed by the title: Yes. As long as humans continue to create games, they will reflect the culture around them and their own impulses. So these violent tendencies will wend their way into any competitive endeavor.

Jon, I like how you just mentioned the Kindle Lending Library as I was thinking of that as you're talking about Steam. I think that would be a cool thing to do, to be able to share games with people.

I already bought Fez after watching IGTM. So thankful that I don't have to reboot into Windows to play it. And the framerate is better in Linux.

Pleased to get Mark of the Ninja. Klei has some really good titles under their belt. Looking forward to playing more of that one.

Was pleased to see that all of the Steam keys validated and all of the titles were available for Linux within hours of the HiB being posted. I would have to dig a little deeper, but I believe this also the first time that ALL of the titles were available in Steam for Linux so close to release.

@Adym - Do yourself a favor and go snag a Logitech F310. With the exception of Bit.Trip Runner 2, games recognize it as an XBOX controller and I didn't have to configure a thing. Works way better than trying to use any number of methods to convince your computer the PS3 controller belongs there.

Unless you're doing wireless, then you'll want the F710. Sorry. I sit at my computer so I don't mind a wired controller.

It's the cords. As great as the XBOX breakaway design was, it was still annoying when someone would get up and accidentally sever the cord.

This new feature is not really new. It's just a repackaging of what @hardeyez and many others are already doing. The key difference here is that your credentials don't have to be entered in another user account or even on a remote machine.

Sadly, this doesn't parallel the ability of being able to loan games to a friend or family member. Understandably so. Somewhere in the decision-making for adding/revamping this feature is revenue generation. If players can share a title at a time, there's less incentive for the recipient to purchase a copy for themselves. Perhaps implementing something similar to the PlayStation Store's 60-minute trials would be a viable option.

The timing is right to make this announcement, though. With the XBox One and the PS4 launches right around the corner, Valve is wise to address some of the concerns that gamers have brought up to the current console manufacturers about digital distribution and DRM before the arrival of the Steam console.

I am curious to see how this feature develops, if at all, over the course of the next few months in the beta. If anyone gets in, please be sure to keep the rest of us posted.

You don't necessarily have to share your password. You could log in via TeamViewer or something similar and log in remotely, never providing your credentials to the other party. Saving them would then prevent them from knowing your credentials.

One area where this is better, though, is that the player sharing the library can't make purchases on your behalf. That is a marked improvement over the current system.

I guess the real question I mean to be asking is this:
Would you really step aside from your library of games long enough to let someone else play?

Would you let them play all three Mass Effects in one run-through? Would you let them take your library for three days?

I'll be perfectly honest: Nope! Not going to happen.

Timed trials ala the PS3 would still provide that benefit, too. Using Steam's already existent DRM structure would probably make that easily enforceable.

I don't deny that this is a feature that many will find use for. I just think the hype is overpowering the reality at the moment.

Also, from what I gather, Jon could just do a remote session via Hangouts or something similar and share said game, too. :)

lol, I think @Blue_Element wins best comment of the week.