Glorious Alpha Two Testers!
Alpha Two Phase II testing is currently taking place 5+ days each week. More information about testing schedule can be found here
If you have Alpha Two, you can download the game launcher here, and we encourage you to join us on our Official Discord Server for the most up to date testing news.
Alpha Two Phase II testing is currently taking place 5+ days each week. More information about testing schedule can be found here
If you have Alpha Two, you can download the game launcher here, and we encourage you to join us on our Official Discord Server for the most up to date testing news.
Steam
Doctor
Member
Sorry if this question has been answered, but was wondering if ashes will be released on steam or will it just be on its own stand alone launcher?
0
Comments
I am not saying that Intrepid should not put the game on Steam. It would draw in a larger audience. I am saying I avoid buying MMOs on steam if there is an alternative.
This is my personal feedback, shared to help the game thrive in its niche.
I don't mind steam but I mainly use GoG , got to love no DRM
Would running Steam in offline mode fix that?
So like...every other launcher out there? You do realize no matter the launcher they're still getting data from you.
While I do get this point, if you look in to the details of the Apple vs Epic case, one of the things that came out is that Valve really don't use Steam to collect much data - arguably less than they should to just run Steam.
The bulk of the data they do collect is via the hardware survey they do, which they make 100% opt in, and make the results of it public.
Not saying it's perfect, but if you are using any Apple, Google or Facebook products or services at all, you really don't need to worry about Steam.
Wouldn't be bad if we didn't need to run steam or GoG just to launch a basic of line program.
Glad Intrepid has chosen to be professionals and use their own launcher.
I'm just happy we don't have to use my.com anymore
Why AoC NEEDS Steam to survive? Well just 2 examples: Crowfall and New World.
Crowfall tried to release on their own + in some countries they sold rights to local publishers. And game died before it really started due to insufficient online.
New World was released worldwide on Steam, and despite being of pretty questionable designs (at least, not really any better than Crowfall), they had almost a million concurrent online players at launch.
Almost 70% of NW players were from Steam. Only ~30%, according to their own reports, came from their own platform. And that platform, mind you - Amazon itself.
Steam is a major platform that brings the most crucial thing any MMO needs - PEOPLE.
You can release the game there without even synching Steam accs - as standalone launcher, just downloadable via Steam too. Not releasing any online game on Steam in 2k2x is like shooting yourself and your audience in the leg.
New World could have easily launched on an Amazon DRM and folks would have played it. However, Amazon has the luxury to pay the per unit % to Steam for a sale without a thought at that volume.
SWToR, FFXIV, WoW, RIFT, Neverwinter, DDO, LoTRO, AION, Tera, UO, EQ1&2, and GW2 all launched and lived on non-Steam platforms for years - in some cases decades.
So, no - Steam is not a requirement for success. A good game is.
And in generall i would say MMO players are willing to jump through extra hoops for their gaming experience, since the time investment is huge and the market is fcked.
I think steam launches are effective for cash grabs (like NW) and expansion marketing launches (like BDO).
If your project doesnt fall into those 4 categories there is no reason to give steam a huge share of your revenue, those costs may end up being pushed onto players and impact the long-term stability of Intrepid studios.
Within the 30 to 60 days post launch they
dropped to 357,000 peak a 60% loss of peak population
dropped to 155,000 average a 62% loss of average players
Within 60 to 90 days post launch they
dropped to 145,000 peak a 84% drop in peak population
dropped to 83,000 average a 80% % loss of peak population
So New World being on Steam did nothing for its population, player acquisition, or player retention.
Also, where did 30% of people get access to New World not via Steam?
Well I can only say "good luck with that". Because so far it is not.
AION, Tera and other games that were successful standalone, were launching in age before Steam was a thing, or when it was relatively obscure. Times changed. People no longer will bother with games that do not have representation in popular platforms.
:facepalm:
No wonder AoC marketing is repainting clown skins every month or so. Good fit for players like you lol.
Do not get my point wrong - I am not "salty" or "hate the game", I really wish for a good MMO to appear, and AoC still have all the good chances to be the one. But if they fail to attract people, no matter how actually good the game is, it will either die completely or just be reduced to "Mortal-like" with 1000 same diehard fans playing and empty spaces all around.
Hm… ok. 🤷♂️
I don’t see the harm in making this available via Steam as long as it’s not exclusive to it.
They'll pump up the marketing once they're ready to attract the final playerbase. What we get at the moment is to keep the first few ticking along.
I totally agree with you. I prefer standalone game rather than launching from a platform where all the games are congregated into a mess. Already games are demanding on the system, I don't need my resources being wasted on useless programs being run which do not benefit me. Not to mention I greatly dislike steam UI.
I do play Dota 2 which is on steam but that is because there isnt any other option.