I enjoyed it, but I was slightly underwhelmed. Some sequels, like Portal 2, expand on the concept so well that they basically replace the original. But in this case, I sometimes felt like level design took a step back, and WoG 1 was overall better game.
World of Goo 2: now available
31–40 of 49 posts
Re: World of Goo 2: now available
#32Earlier quoted context omitted.
Happy that they went with Epic. Steam needs more legit competition.
Perhaps Epic should focus more on actually making their platform not hot-garbage (aka actually making a better competing product) instead of holding games hostage and forcing users into their beyond subpar platform, they've had plenty of time and people still go to the steam forums for an epic exclusive to ask questions and make guides about the game. Steam is simply the better product and the only way Epic can stay…
Store exclusives don't seem like too much of an issue to me. There's a bit of added hassle in the same way there is for games with their own launcher/account system, but for the most part you're still able to get any game (and I believe even add it as an external game to your Steam library, if that's the UI you prefer) without significant cost/barrier to switching like there is for platform exclusives.
In exchange, it can add some much-needed competition on the developer side - with multiple stores competing to give a better deal. I don't think it's particuarly healthy to have pretty much just one store, sitting on a large cut and not doing much in the way of funding new games.
I do wish Epic would also improve in areas of Linux support/input binding/etc. though.
Re: World of Goo 2: now available
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
Happy that they went with Epic. Steam needs more legit competition.
Competition implies that both offer the same service. If the product is not available in both stores they are not competing.
Say a developer wants to create and sell a game:
* Store 1 offers them 70% of profit and no funding
* Store 2 then offers them 90% of profit and significant developement funding, on the condition of exclusivity
The existence of competition (including a potential counteroffer by store 1) gives the developer a better deal, and possibly results in a better game or ability to produce games that wouldn't otherwise exist.
It's admittedly a little bit of a hassle for consumers to use multiple stores, same as with games that have their own launcher/account system, but there's no buy-in like with streaming services or console platforms. I think it's probably worth it for a form of competition that has been lacking.
Re: World of Goo 2: now available
#34Earlier quoted context omitted.
Isn't Steam itself also DRM?
No. Game devs can & frequently do distribute just plain binaries through Steam.
If they integrate Steamworks, these games usually (not always, but exceptions are rare) will not start up if Steam isn't running. I am speaking as someone who cares about and tests this.
Ironically, I have actually had far more success with stuff from the Epic Games Store. Lots of major titles such as Beyond Two Souls and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart function as completely standalone, DRM-Free binaries once downloaded, it's great.
Re: World of Goo 2: now available
#35Earlier quoted context omitted.
No. Game devs can & frequently do distribute just plain binaries through Steam.
If they integrate Steamworks, these games usually (not always , but exceptions are rare) will not start up if Steam isn't running. I am speaking as someone who cares about and tests this. Ironically, I have actually had far more success with stuff from the Epic Games Store. Lots of major titles such as Beyond Two Souls and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart function as completely standalone, DRM-Free binaries once downloade…
Okay, but I don't think poorly implemented server integration counts as DRM.
Re: World of Goo 2: now available
#36Re: World of Goo 2: now available
#37Earlier quoted context omitted.
What games have exclusive contracts with Valve, other than those published by Valve?
What games does Valve fund the development of? (And then let developers keep 100% of the profit?)
Sorry, I don't have the answer to this question, and I'm not sure why you are asking me.
Re: World of Goo 2: now available
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
What games have exclusive contracts with Valve, other than those published by Valve?
I don't know off-hand; I just know that, whatever the reason, tons of stuff is available only on Steam.
It's my understanding that Steam does not really do exclusivity deals, outside of games they self-publish, which is why I asked the question. I wasn't sure if I was wrong on that point.
I've read some blog posts by indie developers that break down the cost model and effort required to publish to various platforms (Steam, Epic, etc). I can't seem to find them now though... But the general takeaway was that Steam is where the consumers are, so you end up making the most amount of money there. They also have a really nice pipeline that covers every aspect of development, publishing, and payment. I suspect the benefit of publishing on multiple platforms may simply not be worth the effort when Steam has the pipeline, the storefront, and more importantly, the customer base.
I've seen similar things in the mobile app space. The Apple store is where the money is at, and there are many apps that are not on Android. This isn't because of an exclusivity deal with Apple, but rather a business decision made by each developer.