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Posted

There is a new 'Steam' like method for distributing games that is available for licensing.

 

http://www.gamexstream.com/menus/prod2_game_xstream2.html

 

I think it could be especially useful to the small developer or niche market developer who wants to rapidly bring their product to market and distribute online.It would also solve the problem of Piracy as well, since the contents are encrypted and tied to a particular machine.

 

I think it's something worth looking into for ED and any other small developer out there. If someone knows of some good X-Plane forums then one could post this there as well.

 

The Game xStream system has a number of unique benefits for the gamer, the service provider, the game developer and the publisher.

 

Gamer:

• Instant gratification - no need for the impatient gamer

to physically procure game

• No need to wait for extensive downloads (as opposed to competing platforms)

• No need to search the web for updates, modifications, cheat codes - these become integral to the assets packaged for the game

 

Service provider:

• Easy to implement and maintain

• Provides new, highly profitable, revenue-generating service

• Reduces customer churn better than other services - gamer does not want to sacrifice level attainment or modifications purchased

• Multi-service platform that also supports VoD and TVoD

• Platform-independent delivery - PC, STB, game console

• Last mile broadband connection agnostic - copper, cable, wireless

 

Game developer and publisher:

• No additional development required - any off the shelf game can be profiled and ingested into the system

• New found revenue for old titles - game play can be charged on a weekly or “all you can eat” subscription basis when shelf-life has expired

• New distribution channel for new titles - game play can be charged on a daily or per-event basis (tournament play)

• Lowers cost of distribution - media, packaging, and middleman costs are eliminated

• Reduces losses due to pirating – subscribers have to be online and authenticated on the system to stream a game.

• Flexible, secure gameplay - subscribers may play on or offline while still maintaining fingerprinted digital rights management.

• Backup copy protection - ability to create individualized fingerprinted backup copy to CD/DVD

 

-Gel

Posted

Steam has its upsides and its downsides... There's only two things I like about it actually... A bunch of games are all together in one menu, and everything is autoupdating. Other than that, I dont like it. Also, I think using something like the site you linked to as the only way to buy it or activate it is a bad idea...

Posted
Steam has its upsides and its downsides... There's only two things I like about it actually... A bunch of games are all together in one menu, and everything is autoupdating. Other than that, I dont like it. Also, I think using something like the site you linked to as the only way to buy it or activate it is a bad idea...

 

uh huh.

 

What are the downsides of steam that this program shares?

 

Why is it a bad idea to use a secure delivery system to make the program available online? AFAIK it's going to be available online anyway.

Posted
Steam has its upsides and its downsides... There's only two things I like about it actually... A bunch of games are all together in one menu, and everything is autoupdating. Other than that, I dont like it. Also, I think using something like the site you linked to as the only way to buy it or activate it is a bad idea...

But if you are downloading it, authorization for the 1st time should not be onerous.

I bought PowerArchiver like that and haven't paid attention to it except for the pop-up reminders for free updates which is cool.

 

Buy it from a box and I can see the problem.

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Posted

But if you are downloading it, authorization for the 1st time should not be onerous.

I bought PowerArchiver like that and haven't paid attention to it except for the pop-up reminders for free updates which is cool.

 

Buy it from a box and I can see the problem.

 

Correct, and the website doesn't go into detail on the mechanics of authorisation etc. But it just seemed like an ideal way to distribute a niche market game such as Lock On 1.1

 

No one said that users would need to be 'locked in' to anything. Perhaps there is a way once the entire game is downloaded that no further contact with the Server needs to be initiated except to get upgrades.

 

I think it would be worth looking into at least :)

Posted

This from Gamasutra.com

 

Game xStream has announced a new high-profile customer for its streaming on-demand service for playing graphic-intensive PC games online. 3DRealms founder Scott Miller has indicated that the company intends to support the Games xStream digital delivery system with future games.

 

No doubt inspired by the notoriety of Valve’s Steam system, as well as its ability to send revenue more directly to the developer, Miller is quoted as saying: "Games xStream is the first and only online delivery platform that can satisfy a gamer's desire to buy a game on impulse and start playing minutes later, regardless of the size or complexity of the game. 3D Realms is extremely excited by this ground breaking technology, and we plan to use it to sell our future releases."

 

The Game xStream technology differs from Steam in that it sends only portions of a game at a time, allowing users to play the game almost immediately – without waiting for a single large download to be completed. Data can also be downloaded while the game is still playing, making the service appear more seamless to the customer.

 

In related news, Digital Interactive Streams (DiStream), the developer of Game xStream, has also announced the formation of an advisory board. The board will advise on company strategy, as well as contributing to the expansion of DiStream's network of potential customers and partners.

 

The new advisory board includes: Peter S. Sealey, former chief marketing officer of Coca Cola; Roger Hector, former executive with firms such as Walt Disney, Sega and Electronic Arts; Scott Miller, the founder of 3D Realms; Keith Boesky, former head of the video game department of International Creative Management; Clifford H. Friedman, the senior managing director of Constellation Ventures; Paul L. Brindze, an entertainment industry executive, and Michael L. Addicott, an executive with numerous online companies.

 

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=4986

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