The problem is not gamers but game developers/publishers.
I found myself a handful of times trying to get a game from GOG or Itch.io before realising I wasn’t writing the game’s name wrong, just that they didn’t bother publishing it in other platforms but Steam.
PC gamers are generally much smarter than console gamers. If Valve falls to enshittification like every single one of their competitors, we’ll figure it out. I damn sure don’t want to see that happen and it doesn’t look likely any time soon. They’re the last company out there actually making pro-consumer decisions. Valve has built decades of trust and they know how valuable that is.
The vast majority of console owners don’t understand how to install modded software or cracked games. PC players don’t have to pay for online gaming either.
The options are there, though. It is a restriction of knowledge rather than a walled platform sense.
I am certain that people who can install mods from Nexus for Bethesda games/Cyberpunk 2077 have the technical ability to install games from GOG, Epic, or other sources (just look at the Java Minecraft and Vintage Story communities).
The problem is not gamers but game developers/publishers.
I found myself a handful of times trying to get a game from GOG or Itch.io before realising I wasn’t writing the game’s name wrong, just that they didn’t bother publishing it in other platforms but Steam.
Yeah, seems like square enix also avoids the platform completely, which is a shame.
if steam goes to shit the games will go on these platforms. hopefully theyll survive til then if that happens and not turn to shit themselves.
PC gamers are generally much smarter than console gamers. If Valve falls to enshittification like every single one of their competitors, we’ll figure it out. I damn sure don’t want to see that happen and it doesn’t look likely any time soon. They’re the last company out there actually making pro-consumer decisions. Valve has built decades of trust and they know how valuable that is.
I wouldn’t call GOG shitty. I wish they’d better support Linux, and I’m sure some developers avoid them early release due to no DRM, tho.
GOG isn’t shitty, but it needs to provide better “at purchase” service to be more visible and seamless like steam, though.
(Although yeah the DRM issue does drive devs away, although notably steam doesn’t require DRM. Check any Toby Fox or Klei game.)
Yes, Steam doesn’t require DRM, but if a dev wants to check that box GOG ain’t gonna cut it.
PC gamers and console gamers are one in the same now. There’s just as much blind consumerism on both platforms.
The vast majority of console owners don’t understand how to install modded software or cracked games. PC players don’t have to pay for online gaming either.
I hate to break it to you, the majority of PC owners don’t either. PC hasn’t been a majority power-user platform for a long, long time.
The options are there, though. It is a restriction of knowledge rather than a walled platform sense.
I am certain that people who can install mods from Nexus for Bethesda games/Cyberpunk 2077 have the technical ability to install games from GOG, Epic, or other sources (just look at the Java Minecraft and Vintage Story communities).