While 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.
stretch611 Feb 3, 2019
Quoting: GuestAnd now the Dev(s) from Metro are saying that the next Metro if there is a sequel probably wont come to PC when the sales are low. Sooo....there will be a PC version because lets be real everyone will buy it. NOW everyone is like bah epic and boycott but in the end they will buy it. Its always the same.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/412020/discussions/0/1780513643852520184/
From a different site:
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/4a-games-developer-if-metro-exodus-does-not-sell-on-the-pc-the-next-metro-will-not-come-out-for-it/
QuoteThis 4A Games developer with the nickname “scynet” admitted that it was a sudden decision to announce the timed-exclusive deal with Epic Games only one month prior to the game’s release and that it could cause some inconvenience to players. Scynet also claimed that those that decide to pirate the game would have done so, regardless of this timed-exclusive deal, and those are not the players that the developers target.
However, the developer went one step further and stated that if all PC gamers boycott Metro Exodus then the next Metro game (if there is one mind you) will not come out on the PC. Now I’m pretty sure that the developer was exaggerating here but it begs the question; how many PC sales can guarantee the continuation of the Metro franchise on the PC?
Of course, this is the opinion of only one developer and not of the entire studio or the publisher, however it shows how nervous some of 4A Games’ developers actually are. And, to be honest, we all know that the publisher actually makes the final decision. If the publisher wants to release a game on the PC, the developers will either have to develop it or let another team handle that version.
My Take:
- Developer writes a sequel to a massively popular game.
- At the last minute the developer says that they don't care how many pre-sales there are already, they are stopping support for the game on the popular game store to put it on a consumer unfriendly store that few people want to use.
- The reason for the sudden change less than 1 month before release: short term greed.
- Likely customers revolt. Literally thousands say they do not want to deal with the exclusive store for various reasons.
- Developer doesn't care what its customers are saying. Doubles down with the idea that they are doing the proper thing.
- More people complain. Story makes all the gaming news.
- Developer says that despite the criticism about their short sited mistake that if enough customers don't buy the sequel from the consumer unfriendly store that they will take their ball and go home.
Last edited by stretch611 on 3 February 2019 at 2:12 am UTC
Quoting: etonbearsThe developer then says that they do not believe all PC players are as closed-minded as those complaining and fans will buy the game. You also seem to think most people will buy the game, even if they complain.I would paraphrase this: "The devs say they can do whatever they want and you'll buy their product anyway. And you must so they could get money twice, from you and from Epic Games."
Quoting: etonbearsI find the aggressive and threatening attitude displayed by some gamers over not getting exactly what they want, when and how they want it, to be deeply disturbing.I find deeply disturbing Epic Games' aggressive and threatening way to promote yet another digital game store. They didn't developed Metro: Exodus, they didn't give money on the development, they just gave bags of money to the devs and took the game. People who pre-ordered a Steam key in digital stores will now get a key to EGS.
Epic Games could have made a PC port of some big console exclusive game for their store, like Bloodborne or Bayonetta 2, and everyone would be happy, but no, they decided to steal games from Steam.
Quoting: GuestAnd now the Dev(s) from Metro are saying that the next Metro if there is a sequel probably wont come to PC when the sales are low.Once again: the devs agreed to sell Metro to Epic Games only because Epic Games offered them more money than they estimated to get from Steam sales. So, if nobody buys it on EGS, they still make a profit. But if nobody buys it there, EGS will start thinking: does their strategy work? It works if everyone buys Metro on EGS, and in this case they will do this again with Sekiro or other anticipated games.
Quoting: kuhpunktIn the case of a corporate shuttering (e.g. bankruptcy), the company involved (Valve Corporation, CD Projekt, etc) may no longer have the time and resources to follow through on promises of making purchased games available to customers, nor, in so far as I am aware, have any of these digital distribution service providers contractually stipulated that you have rights to your libraries in the event of them going out of business or even in the event of them making some other stark change (such as moving to a monthly paywall service charge). I believe rights of access for these typically end at termination of the license agreement or the subscription itself (to which the license applies) and by agreeing to the current EULA you usually also agree to possible unilateral future changes, and of course, the license confers no title or ownership, more or less just access to the service as it exists (if you don't run afoul of EULA provisions and get booted off for other reasons).Quoting: iiariQuoting: scaine...you've raise the excellent point that a threat to Steam/Valve is indeed a threat to your carefully horded (and paid-for) steam library. We're just renting those titles (permanently) rather than owning them.Outstanding point... Good question about Epic, and I agree with you that given their history, draconian is what we could probably expect on DRM...
Is Epic running the same gig? Or can you download a DRM-free version of their titles for play without the need for the Epic launcher? Knowing Epic, I'd expect both a forced launcher AND draconian, bullshit DRM on everything.
http://i.imgur.com/4sa1Ln6.jpg
https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/18mzcn/i_asked_steam_support_what_happens_to_my_games_if/
The provided URLs seem to be primarily focused on what would happen if Valve went out of business. Of all possibilities, I would be least concerned about the larger digital distribution platforms going under. More so than closure, I am more concerned about how large (i.e. corporate-run) services can change (due to external or internal pressures), and sea changes can happen rapidly. Gabe Newell won't always be the head of Valve Corporation, someday CD Projekt might be bought out by a company that doesn't share its values (or perhaps CD Projekt might decide to divest itself of GOG Sp. z o.o. in order to focus solely on video game development and possibly other entertainment media creation), etc.
The service being shutdown isn't the only way you can lose access to your digital library temporarily or permanently. A security breach is one, and that can be a headache to clean up.
Even with great security protections in place, that won't protect you from EULA changes. For example, no matter how well-intentioned, an overreaching code of conduct being put in place, which you opt into by accepting the terms and conditions of the EULA, could result in an accused person being temporarily locked out of her/his account on a first or second alleged transgression, and being permanently banned if accused again. Affected users would really have little defense in that situation, other than trying to draw attention to the incident publicly, and on a matter such as this, you are unlikely to meet with much success speaking out.
If at some point a service adopts draconian bans based on perceived cheating, you could be banned if you trigger anti-cheat software with a false positive. Based on whether this has happened several times, this could result in a permanent ban.
The aforementioned are just a few hypotheticals. But even if all history and current evidence suggested that everything will remain status quo 'throughout the universe in perpetuity', just as a matter of general precaution, I would rather back up my games now rather than try to do so in the unlikely event of an emergency, and, as much as possible, I would prefer games not be code dependent on the features of a specific third-party service (e.g. Games for Windows Live). Changeable, default configurations are okay; e.g. a game relied on GameSpy multiplayer servers, GameSpy multiplayer servers were shut down, but if multiplayer servers used by the game can be manually configured by users, then it's not a big deal. If a game is so heavily integrated with one distribution platform's features that it would be gimped (e.g. no multiplayer) if offered through another distribution platform, that is lamentable and not very robust.
Quoting: ikirutoWill Metro Exodus ever return to Steam?
Yes - Metro Exodus will return to Steam and on other store fronts after 14th February 2020.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/412020/discussions/0/1743358239849378663/
Yes after a year of being exclusive on steam a year if a hell of long time to wait and avoid spoliers.
Quoting: Whitewolfe80Yes after a year of being exclusive on steam a year if a hell of long time to wait and avoid spoliers.Why are you afraid of spoilers?
Quoting: ageresBecause i play games for the storyQuoting: Whitewolfe80Yes after a year of being exclusive on steam a year if a hell of long time to wait and avoid spoliers.Why are you afraid of spoilers?
Mohandevir Feb 4, 2019
Didn't say I wouldn't buy it though. But I won't buy it on Epic Store. Period.
I waited more than 3 years to be able to play Witcher 3. I can wait at least a year for Metro: Exodus to come back on Steam and I may buy it if it works well with Proton (Gold or Platnium). I'd prefer a native build, but...
Unfortunately, on PC, game boycotts will only damage the industry. Just look at Deep Silver's answer. Instead of understanding that exclusives are a bad concept, they throw back the pressure on the customer's shoulders.
That's exactly what I was referring to when I said that Epic was exposing us to the destruction of PC gaming. Didn't know they would prove me right that fast...
Last edited by Mohandevir on 4 February 2019 at 1:57 pm UTC
Nevertheless Feb 4, 2019
Quoting: MohandevirDeep Silver decides to go the exclusive way and then talk about users being close minded and not coming back to PC platform... Yeah right!
Didn't say I wouldn't buy it though. But I won't buy it on Epic Store. Period.
I waited more than 3 years to be able to play Witcher 3. I can wait at least a year for Metro: Exodus to come back on Steam and I may buy it if it works well with Proton (Gold or Platnium). I'd prefer a native build, but...
Unfortunately, on PC, game boycotts will only damage the industry. Just look at Deep Silver's answer. Instead of understanding that exclusives are a bad concept, they throw back the pressure on the customer's shoulders.
That's exactly what I was referring to when I said that Epic was exposing us to the destruction of PC gaming. Didn't know they would prove me right that fast...
There is news again!
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/02/04/metro-games-to-continue-on-pc-despite-any-epic-store-boycott/
Quoting: MohandevirUnfortunately, on PC, game boycotts will only damage the industry. Just look at Deep Silver's answer. Instead of understanding that exclusives are a bad concept, they throw back the pressure on the customer's shoulders.
That's a common misconception. As long as a market is profitable someone will invest in it because there will be return of investment. PC gaming is in no way in peril (not until Gabe goes mad and follows Sweeney on the exclusive deals route at least)
Metro is in no way a small IP or an unknown one. If it had released on Steam it would have generated tons of revenues. These are not words from a revenue desperate indie that is starving and risking default. Deep Silver simply choose to be greedy and put Epic money above their customers. What the hell they expected out of from this? That they could shit on people heads and people would applaud them?
These outings "if you don't buy then we don't come on PC" are just vents coming out of bad managers. Which mentally sane person in this industry thinks that your can raise sales by blackmailing your potential customer? Those are the words of frustrated management that knows it took a healthy IP and ruined it for short term greed but doesn't want to admit its errors so it blames others (the consumers). It's nothing new, that's a common trait among powerful people (and I'm not playing anti elite populist here, it just happens that I have a passion for history from middle age to modern era in general, it's how human societies go... these are the kind of people that usually get in power :) )
So really. They don't want to sell nest Metro on PC because the shit they made? Who fucking cares. These are the golden ages of PC gaming. If they don't sell on PC then it's them deliberately choosing to lose money. And if THQ shareholders don't push to fire the guy who wrote that bullshit and start to mend the relationship with their customers but instead choose to go full kamikatze... bye bye! We won't miss them. Some another publisher will make sure that any gap they leave will be filled with new awesome IPs.
In all this story really we consumers are the strong side. We may lose a game or two true, but we simply cannot lose the war, unless as I said before Gabe goes nuts and Valve and Epic agree to make a monopoly cartel. Who I'm really sorry for are the devs that genuinely worked with passion on Metro games and now see their legacy ruined by people who has 0 interest in gaming but only think on make quick money. These are the sole helpless victims in all this affair. More so since it looks like Deep Silver decide to play dirty by using them as meat shields in their total war vs the whole PC gaming world. :(
Edit:
Ok looking at the last minute link of Nevertheless it seems that Deep Silver did not in fact played this dirty and is not using 4A games devs as meat shields. Nice to see that. Now I don't think they can just trash their exclusivity contract with Epic without paying a gazillion penalty so they won't just U-turn on this one. Let's hope they learnt something from this and don't further damage their own business. If publishers stop signing exclusive deals with Epic out of consumer rage backlash fear, Epic will be forced to abandon its monopolistic aims and switch to a healthy competitive strategy. To the satisfaction of everyone (except Epic itself I guess).
Last edited by Mal on 4 February 2019 at 5:57 pm UTC
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