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PayPalWhile this might not be specific to Linux gaming, it's still something interesting I've wanted to talk about. Metro Exodus from 4A Games and Deep Silver has jumped ship from Steam to the Epic Store.
I waited for the situation to become clear before saying anything on this, as it got a little…ugly.
Last night, the team behind Metro Exodus announced the change saying that "the digital PC version of Metro Exodus will now be available to purchase solely through EpicGames.com". In their official announcement, nothing about it being a timed exclusive was mentioned and so a lot of people were left quite unhappy.
This led Valve, to actually put out a statement on the Steam store page, which reads:
Notice: Sales of Metro Exodus have been discontinued on Steam due to a publisher decision to make the game exclusive to another PC store.
The developer and publisher have assured us that all prior sales of the game on Steam will be fulfilled on Steam, and Steam owners will be able to access the game and any future updates or DLC through Steam.
We think the decision to remove the game is unfair to Steam customers, especially after a long pre-sale period. We apologize to Steam customers that were expecting it to be available for sale through the February 15th release date, but we were only recently informed of the decision and given limited time to let everyone know.
Soon after this, the Metro team put up an announcement on Steam where it does actually mention that Metro Exodus will come back to Steam "after 14th February 2020". To do this so close to release, feels really off.
I've seen a lot of arguments both for and against the Epic Store across the net, with wildly varying opinions on each side of the argument. For gamers, competition between stores can be a really good and helpful thing and we all know Steam could do with a little competition. Valve have dragged their heels on so many things over the years, I firmly hope this is a good kick up their backside to do better.
However, the way Epic is going about it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. I don't think forcing and annoying people into using another launcher is a good way to go, at all. Rather than compete on customer service, value for money, features and so on Epic are forcing people to look at them. For developers, the short-term gain might be good but do they really, honestly, expect the free to play Fortnite audience which is Epic's bread and butter to translate into sales for AAA games? I've become a lot more sceptical of this recently and I think it's largely the reason Epic is throwing money around to try and force a change.
As Epic Games continue throwing money at developers and publishers, I expect things to get even uglier as the year goes on. For us, it's not a good thing, as time and time again Epic Games have shown how little they care about Linux (we're not even on the damn roadmap) and that's sad as we will be the ones losing out.
For Valve, the more they lose like this the quicker they will need to react. I'm going to end up sounding like a broken record here, but they need to seriously get back into their own IP. Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal and so on. Especially after Artifact basically failed them, although they again said they're "Still in it for the long haul" in the most recent update to it.
Not just that, reducing their cut from developers may be inevitable too, it would certainly show they understand the market is changing considering how many developers feel Steam's 30% cut isn't worth it. The most recent "GDC State of the Industry report" showed that only six percent of developers thought Valve were doing enough for it. I don't think Valve need to match Epic on the cut either given how popular Steam already is, even a 5% reduction could be massive for smaller developers.
Linux gamers might think differently on that point though, since Valve help to fund various open source projects and that would likely reduce their ability or enthusiasm to do so. We're not a big enough audience for them to put more of their eggs in our basket—yet.
No matter what happens, I can't imagine Valve just rolling over and allowing Epic to set up shop on their lawn. I'm very curious to see what they have up their sleeves. A competitive Steam is good for everyone!
At least by the time Metro Exodus comes back to Steam, we will see if they made any sort of decision on Linux support (as they currently won't say—likely a no). If not, that's a long time for Steam Play to mature for those who use it.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
What makes me wonder is:
- the boxed editions will come with a Steam key, so...
- we might see an unprecedented interest in the boxed edition over the digital one, and...
- the game will probably weigh about 100GB, and...
- Valve will need to pay for all that bandwidth without getting anything in return, since the keys can be generated for free.
Actually, I read on multiple sites yesterday that the boxed editions will come with an Epic Games Store key, not Steam.
Well I read that: https://twitter.com/MetroVideoGame/status/1088438412422627328 but maybe it's not true any more...
Last edited by pb on 29 Jan 2019 at 4:59 pm UTC
Corporations don't want to compete...“People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.”
- Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
Nobody wants to compete, at least not for their living, if they can avoid it. Competing is hard, and you risk losing. One of the great myths on (and about) the pro-market side of the economic argument is that if you support free markets, you must support every business in every action it takes (or at least, refrain from criticism). Smith understood that, on the contrary, businessmen can be the greatest enemy of market freedom.
Baseline is that all sufficiently large business is evil. Which is why we'd need regulations against such practices, but they keep telling gullible people that regulations are bad, so what can I say?Sufficiently large anything is evil, including regulation and government. But sometimes it's a necessary evil. The problem lies in determining when.
The trouble with much modern regulation is that it starts from the premise that “corporations”, in general, are the enemy, thus raising the ire of businessmen themselves, who, like it or not, are powerful. But take this case as an example: if exclusive sales deals for videogames were illegal, it would help Valve, GOG, et al. here (in other cases, it might hinder them of course, but help others). Laws against “restraint of trade” aren't a new concept, by any means. A contract that forces other vendors to remove an item from sale sounds an awful lot like restraint of trade to me.
I can only hope that as a community(of steam users not linux users) we can restrain ourself from buying the game on epic but we all know we will fail miserable on this...
Last edited by mihaib on 29 Jan 2019 at 5:09 pm UTC
Actually, I read on multiple sites yesterday that the boxed editions will come with an Epic Games Store key, not Steam.
From the FAQ:
#3 - FAQ FOR PHYSICAL EDITION CUSTOMERS
I have pre-ordered a physical copy of Metro Exodus for PC. How will this news affect me?
This will not affect you at all. You will receive your packaged game with a key allowing you to play.
Heh, sneaky wording but I guess you're right.
Kimyrielle 29 Jan 2019
Corporations don't want to compete...“People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.”
- Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
Nobody wants to compete, at least not for their living, if they can avoid it. Competing is hard, and you risk losing. One of the great myths on (and about) the pro-market side of the economic argument is that if you support free markets, you must support every business in every action it takes (or at least, refrain from criticism). Smith understood that, on the contrary, businessmen can be the greatest enemy of market freedom.
That's correct. I find it funny when most supporters of unregulated free markets quote Adam Smith to support their position. Smith wrote something like (in short):
"Free markets produce optimal results... "
(that's when right-wing economics supporters stop reading)
"...in markets with perfect competition and perfect transparency."
It's too funny how these people not only don't have the slightest clue about economics, but obviously fail to even read the very book they base their entire line of reasoning on.
Kimyrielle 29 Jan 2019
Why is everyone bashing only Epic?
Epic is coercing people into exclusive contracts with them by offering them monetary incentives. They are the source of the problem. The Metro guys just fell to that temptation and took their money.
Mohandevir 29 Jan 2019
Why is everyone bashing only Epic? The Metro publisher are as bad as epic... And honestly I am shocked that all the comments bash Epic only(with very very few exceptions for 1 or 2 people) and Deep Silver gets a pass.. they are BOTH as bad but Deep Silver in the end is the one that did not think about their loyal customers who bought the earlier titles on steam and now are left with jacksh**.
I can only hope that as a community(of steam users not linux users) we can restrain ourself from buying the game on epic but we all know we will fail miserable on this...
In fact, from what I read... Many Steam users bought it before it was removed from the Steam store thus cutting Epic sales potential. It seems that it was the #1 sale, yesterday. These are sales that Epic won't see. For the rest, Deep Silver got 129 pages of hateful comments on a 3 hours span. Steam users are pissed off and a part of them will avoid the game.
I think that this move from Deep Silver and Epic will turn against them in some proportions. Games have tanked for much less than that, in recent history.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 29 Jan 2019 at 8:29 pm UTC
I can only hope that as a community(of steam users not linux users) we can restrain ourself from buying the game on epic but we all know we will fail miserable on this...
I have no intention of buying a Windows game at or close to full price. Ever. And with the complete disaster that is the Epic Launcher in Wine, it's wouldn't be a fun ride.
This is all so anti-consumer. And the developers and publishers try to spin it is something good for us. It's disgusting.
Nevertheless 29 Jan 2019
When Epic and Steam compete, then consumers will win. You can buy the game on the Epic store for $10 less than you would on Steam, and you can import into your Steam library and use Proton.
I usually don't feel like a winner when I'm pressured to do something..
In this case you probably won't have much luck using the game with Proton, as they will use Denuvo for it.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/412020/discussions/0/1743358239830198130/?ctp=35#c1743358239830104689
If they use Denuvo, then it wouldn't have mattered much if the game was on Steam or not. Having said that, this sounds more like an issue of supporting a non-consumer-friendly publisher than what store you buy this from.
I actually think it's both!
Last edited by Nevertheless on 29 Jan 2019 at 5:30 pm UTC
For the rest, Deep Silver got 129 pages of hateful comments on a 3 hours span. Steam users are pissed off and a part of them will avoid the game.
Yes well the internet has a memory span of a couple of hours, when the game is out the very people that wrote there will install the launcher and buy the game... not all of them, but enough of them for deep silver to still earn enough profit to sleep with Epic again...
Why is everyone bashing only Epic?
Epic is coercing people into exclusive contracts with them by offering them monetary incentives. They are the source of the problem. The Metro guys just fell to that temptation and took their money.
Did you read all my post? I am saying they are EQUALY at fault maybe DeepSilver even more...
Most of the users here I would say they are above average, but think of the average joe that is out there in the wild... We, unfortunately, are greatly outnumbered...I can only hope that as a community(of steam users not linux users) we can restrain ourself from buying the game on epic but we all know we will fail miserable on this...
I have no intention of buying a Windows game at or close to full price. Ever. And with the complete disaster that is the Epic Launcher in Wine, it's wouldn't be a fun ride.
Last edited by mihaib on 29 Jan 2019 at 5:31 pm UTC
I agree that it is very unfair to consumers. Changing something crucial right before the release, after taking pre-orders, is not cool. You can't just change your mind after advertising and selling your product.Honestly I don't see that as being the case here. They say the people who preordered on Steam will get the game, DLC and updates as expected. They're just no longer taking orders via Steam anymore. It's weird, and shitty by virtue of serving exclusivity, but at least no one is getting cheated out of their money. For those who bought it, the product remains the same. The only thing being taken away from anyone is the opportunity to buy it at a certain venue, for those who haven't already done so, and frankly that's the publisher's prerogative no matter the justification.
When Epic and Steam compete, then consumers will win. You can buy the game on the Epic store for $10 less than you would on Steam, and you can import into your Steam library and use Proton.I don't feel like giving money to the company that does nothing to support your market and using the free services of the company that does is a sustainable strategy. Yes Valve is a company that's out to make money, and no matter how frequently people make the assumption that Steam users worship Gabe and/or his company, I think we're all aware of that. But in a market of self-serving corporations, Valve still sets itself apart by supporting our market segment with more dedication than any other. That makes it easy for me to pick who gets my money.
What makes me wonder is:I can't cite anything on the matter, but I don't think publishers can generate keys at will anymore (if they ever really could). I seem to recall Valve making a change about that related to companies giving keys away to buy positive reviews or something. I doubt Valve would let any publisher sell thousands of keys without taking their cut, no matter if the keys come in a box or an e-mail.
- the boxed editions will come with a Steam key, so...
- we might see an unprecedented interest in the boxed edition over the digital one, and...
- the game will probably weigh about 100GB, and...
- Valve will need to pay for all that bandwidth without getting anything in return, since the keys can be generated for free.
Mohandevir 29 Jan 2019
Yes well the internet has a memory span of a couple of hours, when the game is out the very people that wrote there will install the launcher and buy the game... not all of them, but enough of them for deep silver to still earn enough profit to sleep with Epic again...
Before taking that as granted, I would like to see Steam's sales figure for this game. The damage might already be done. I can't say for sure, but add to this some form of boycott and Epic might not break even in this deal. Deep Silver might even come to the realization that the game sold much better on Steam.
Time will tell... That's my wish, at least. :)
Last edited by Mohandevir on 29 Jan 2019 at 5:45 pm UTC
Mohandevir 29 Jan 2019
Yes well the internet has a memory span of a couple of hours, when the game is out the very people that wrote there will install the launcher and buy the game... not all of them, but enough of them for deep silver to still earn enough profit to sleep with Epic again...
Before taking that as granted, I would like to see Steam's sales figure for this game. The damage might already be done. I can't say for sure, but add to this some form of boycott and Epic might not break even in this deal. Deep Silver might even come to the realization that the game sold much better on Steam.
Time will tell...
They will buy it. They dont have the "Willpower" to withstand it.
You don't get my point. If they bought it on Steam, they won't buy it on Epic. I just don't know the proportion. And if a quarter of the users that claim they won't buy it at all stand to their claims (being conservative) it's another blow.
Edit: By the way, the group on your pic has 31 pages. Taking the first page is not a significative sample, imo.
Edit2: This said, Modern Warfare 2 wasn't the most successful of the series either.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 29 Jan 2019 at 6:00 pm UTC
You can buy the game on the Epic store for $10 less than you would on Steam, and you can import into your Steam library and use Proton.
It was 59,99€ in Germany on Steam, it's 59,99€ in Germany on EGS.
Why is everyone bashing only Epic?
Epic is coercing people into exclusive contracts with them by offering them monetary incentives. They are the source of the problem. The Metro guys just fell to that temptation and took their money.
Those who take bribes are part of the problem as well.
Mohandevir 29 Jan 2019
Yes well the internet has a memory span of a couple of hours, when the game is out the very people that wrote there will install the launcher and buy the game... not all of them, but enough of them for deep silver to still earn enough profit to sleep with Epic again...
Before taking that as granted, I would like to see Steam's sales figure for this game. The damage might already be done. I can't say for sure, but add to this some form of boycott and Epic might not break even in this deal. Deep Silver might even come to the realization that the game sold much better on Steam.
Time will tell...
They will buy it. They dont have the "Willpower" to withstand it.
You don't get my point. If they bought it on Steam, they won't buy it on Epic. I just don't know the proportion. And if a quarter of the users that claim they won't buy it stand to their claims (just like on your pic) it's another blow.
Edit: By the way, the group on your pic has 31 pages. Taking the first page is not a significative sample, imo.
Just in case you didnt notice i did not made that Picture. Just google modern warfare 2 boycott and there are tons of those Pictures. I just used it to show that even when ppl say "i wont buy it" they will buy it. The same thing is with EA all say EA is so bad and their games are bad but they still sell like hot cakes.
Yep! But that's still not my point. What if the best sales figure was done during the pre-sale on Steam? That's my point.
I might be wrong, but harcore fans are usually more prone to pre-sales.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 29 Jan 2019 at 6:07 pm UTC
Thing is, judging by the wave of angry comments on the Steam page, 4A Games / Deep Silver seem to have hurt it's Metro fan base. Really bad move to pull it off like that, 2 weeks before release after having built such a hype for it. We now have a full year to discover if it's a good game. Who knows, we might have saved 60$.
Mmm yes plus not a good sign for a whole host of games given Deep silver is now owned by THQ Nordic and if they are going to pull this crap with everyone one of their franchises linux ports could be a long way off.
Hmm... I get it, competition is great, and even greater for us gejmers. But I wasn't expecting exclusives to come along with it. And epic really starts to get on my nerv.... with these exclusives and pre releases on there store.
But i also get it they need to compete in a market where valve is dominate would you have as many concerns about what epic was doing if Epics store was on linux as a native app and Metro had been confirmed as coming to linux (which it isnt and based on the exclusive period no linux port/proton work is going to start until 2020)
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