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Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

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Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#201

Post by soulofmischief »

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #133
brandall10 wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article glosses over what I'd have to believe is the biggest reason - some games, in particular older AAA games, are discounted so aggressively that it seems silly to not purchase. Like 5-15% of the original retail price.

It’s never silly to not buy something you’re not going to use. Particularly once you realize there will be an identical sale or discount in 6 months.

I like supporting the arts. Sometimes I like the idea of a game and want the studio to keep the lights on, even if it takes me years to get around to playing it. It's about signalling what kind of games I want to see in the world.

Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#203

Post by red-iron-pine »

egypturnash wrote: post #67
ASalazarMX wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Correlates with my experience. Sometimes sales are so attractive you buy several games for cheap, or even an entire franchise, but playing them all can take enough time that another sale comes again. Red Dead Redemption 2 has been collecting digital dust in my library because I'm still playing Fallout 76. I stopped buying more because it feels wrong.

Bundles contribute a lot too. Hey you can get these three games for dirt cheap because you own another game in this bundle! One of them’s interesting to you, maybe even already on your wishlist, the others are not, and the bundle is less than the full price of the one you think might be neat. The others just sink to the bottom of your collection, uninstalled, unplayed, unloved.

bingo. big sales and GoG deals, etc. mean I can get 5+ games for the same price as one moderately priced AAA game.

but usually I'm buying the bundle for one or two things, and the rest is just window dressing. maybe I'll get to em, maybe not...

Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#204

Post by toast0 »

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #133
brandall10 wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article glosses over what I'd have to believe is the biggest reason - some games, in particular older AAA games, are discounted so aggressively that it seems silly to not purchase. Like 5-15% of the original retail price.

It’s never silly to not buy something you’re not going to use. Particularly once you realize there will be an identical sale or discount in 6 months.

Sometimes games get pulled from the marketplace. In which case you can't buy it later.

That's not super common on steam though.

Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#205

Post by watwut »

MisterSandman wrote: post #187
crazygringo wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not why sales lead to more revenue. They do because people who can't afford full price will wait to buy on sale. Whereas people who can afford full price will often just buy it when they want it for instant satisfaction. So they get mostly full price from people who can pay full price, and make it accessible to people who can't afford it at full price.

Citation needed? Are you saying Amazon does Prime Day so people who previously couldn’t afford an air fryer can now afford one? Are you saying Black Friday is actually a massive charity event by companies so people can buy their products? I’m pretty sceptical of this whole “make it accessible” logic - I can only imagine very few parts of my life where a discount was actually the only way I could afford something (bac…

I was definitely waiting for sales when I was younger when the games were too expensive for me. And when my earnings went up, I became more willing to buy them full price.

No, I would not buy those games for full price. And not just games. And not just me.

It is the same deal with black Friday sales, with people who buy used stuff etc.

Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#206

Post by watwut »

bhattisatish wrote: post #142
kibwen wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is that I could recommend a hundred wildly different games that you might like, but playing a hundred games just to figure out which one is right for you doesn't sound like a good use of your time. Can you give more information? You like single-player games? Classic card games like solitaire (rec: Zachtronics Solitaire Collection)? Postmodern card games (rec: Balatro)? Deckbuilding roguelikes (rec: Slay T…

As I haven't tried many games, I am not sure what I really like. Card games are out unless I am playing in real life ;-) I haven't played board games much. I tend to zone out pretty fast. First shooters, feels immersive enough, but when they become fast paced and need quick reaction, I get overwhelmed and zone out. I guess I am looking for something that is immersive, but forgiving in it's gameplay. As I have RSI inj…

Wait for steam sales, buy a bunch of cheap stuff that seems interesting and figure out what you like from there. And ignore moralization in the article and comments.

It is actually ok to buy a bunch of cheap stuff without being sure you will like it. People always bought physical books based on few pages in the store and either finished them or not. People start netflix shows and figure they dont like them 15 min in.

Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#207

Post by crazygringo »

MisterSandman wrote: post #187
crazygringo wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not why sales lead to more revenue. They do because people who can't afford full price will wait to buy on sale. Whereas people who can afford full price will often just buy it when they want it for instant satisfaction. So they get mostly full price from people who can pay full price, and make it accessible to people who can't afford it at full price.

Citation needed? Are you saying Amazon does Prime Day so people who previously couldn’t afford an air fryer can now afford one? Are you saying Black Friday is actually a massive charity event by companies so people can buy their products? I’m pretty sceptical of this whole “make it accessible” logic - I can only imagine very few parts of my life where a discount was actually the only way I could afford something (bac…

There's no "citation", just go work at any business.

And you seem to be misunderstanding. They're not doing it out of charity. They're doing it because if something costs $50, they make more profit selling 20 at $100 and 20 at $70 than they do selling just 20 at $100.

> A game going from $80 to $60 doesn’t practically make it any more accessible to most people

I think you may be out of touch with some people's financial realities. $20 can very much be the difference between buying something and not buying it this month. And people will literally wait half a year to buy something on Black Friday because it's the only way they can afford it.

Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#208

Post by bhattisatish »

friedtofu wrote: post #172
kibwen wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is that I could recommend a hundred wildly different games that you might like, but playing a hundred games just to figure out which one is right for you doesn't sound like a good use of your time. Can you give more information? You like single-player games? Classic card games like solitaire (rec: Zachtronics Solitaire Collection)? Postmodern card games (rec: Balatro)? Deckbuilding roguelikes (rec: Slay T…

Kibwen gets it, not to knock the other user who suggested Subnautica, but that would likely be one of the last games I would think to recommend, its too much for a first game. Too many gameplay mechanics, too many objectives(and side objectives you set for yourself) I would think it would just be overwhelming for a "first" game. To go on top of kibwen's questions; what kind of game do you think you'd like? Do you lik…

I definitely like something that is long. I am an avid reader of SF/Fantasy series. In TV series I prefer Noir style, ...

You definitely have asked some interesting questions. What I am looking for is something I can enjoy :-) and not something that I missed out on It's been a stressful period for me personally for last few quarters, and I am trying to figure a way to wind down but that which keeps me engaged in some form. Something I can do in the weekends. Reading or Streaming is not cutting it right now.

Thanks for the reco, I will try exploring few of these titles.

As for headset I have DT 990 pro, Sennheiser BT (I don't recall which one), so I guess I am set there.

Similarly for monitor, though I don't have 120hz, but I have a 32inch setup, which I hope will be sufficient for now :-)

On the controller, I will consider your recos.

I guess the strategy for now will be:

- Download few titles recommended in this thread, especially if they have a trial / demo option. Play them. See if I vibe with them.

- Get a controller.

- Figure out my taste, and start exploring similar genres. Also keep some time aside for exploring other genres and titles.

- Rinse and repeat :-)

Thanks for the recos.

Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#209

Post by bhattisatish »

kibwen wrote: post #182
bhattisatish wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As I haven't tried many games, I am not sure what I really like. Card games are out unless I am playing in real life ;-) I haven't played board games much. I tend to zone out pretty fast. First shooters, feels immersive enough, but when they become fast paced and need quick reaction, I get overwhelmed and zone out. I guess I am looking for something that is immersive, but forgiving in it's gameplay. As I have RSI inj…

By "immersive" are you thinking of first-person games like Doom? Sadly most first-person games prefer to use a mouse to control the camera, and most also reward twitch reflexes. You said you were willing to buy a joystick, so maybe you would enjoy a flight simulator? And if you wanted something more game-y, then the Mechwarrior franchise is a very immersive, slow, ponderous first-person game that makes good use of a…

DiscworldMUD has definitely piqued my interest. I own the whole pratchett's set. Something I can see myself enjoying :-)

Moonring seems interesting. A title I will definitely try.

Re: Most people who buy games on Steam never play them

#210

Post by bhattisatish »

kibwen wrote: post #189
lantry wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I highly recommend Caves of Qud. It's great for keyboard-only. I think it's got controller support too. The game is very confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it you can really get sucked in. Runs great on ubuntu.

Though if they play Caves of Qud, I'd recommend playing in either Roleplay mode (which enables autosave checkpoints at settlements) or Wander mode (where most enemies in the game start off neutral to you, and you gain XP by exploring rather than fighting). Classic mode would be intolerable for anyone but a hardcore gamer.

Noted. Will avoid classic mode first time around :-)
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