Comments on: How Valve Could Get Filthy Rich – Like Super Filthy Rich (And Make Us Too) http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/ I bake games. Indie style. Thu, 16 May 2013 13:23:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Chris http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-143651 Chris Sun, 16 Jan 2011 06:57:15 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-143651 Hey! Sorry for posting in '11, but reading this I had to comment. I actually found this with curiosity as to whether Steam did or did not have one, but here's what would seem to be the problem. Steam has a LARGE user base, right? Well, they make, I would imagine, millions, if not billions of dollars in profit. Well, an affiliate program would increase sales obviously, BUT, you have to find ways to not only create this system, but prevent users from cheating the system. Now, I see this as a problem because it also means they need support for their affiliate program. Steam has NO phone support, and VERY limited technical support. They have tech support via a ticket helpdesk system (send them a little note, they respond, etc, sorta like an email acct on their website straight to their helpdesk team). Well, their helpdesk plain sucks, ok? It really does, it's a joke. I had to deal with them and hated that experience. They obviously skimp on helpdesk for whatever reason and so opening helpdesk means hiring more employees and more training, etc. Maybe that wouldn't be a problem, but just a theory. On top of this, one might wonder why Steam NEVER advertises their products on TV, websites, etc. Or, do they? Because I've yet to see them do so. They seem to have no motivation at all to advertise themselves other than popular word of mouth. Plus, all their free games offered to ONLY their site (and their paid ones as well) give them a pretty good advantage. Now my final, and most important point, in my opinion, are the Steam sales and promotions. They will have huge sales sometimes, which can cause errors, ESPECIALLY when it's for a new game. Been here before so trust me when I say they sometimes sell more games then they're allowed to. They will sell you a game, then let you download it without a proper CD Key. Problem? They don't have enough! So they sell more copies than they have available, and users will sit there waiting for the CD Key to become available! What the hell right? They sell so many games that this has become an issue at times. Imagine if they had an even larger user base. I just see this becoming an increasing issue. I don't know, maybe I'm blowing shit outta my ass, but I thought I'd throw up a few of my honest opinions. Nice article though, I wish they had affiliate programs... I'd definitely tell my friends about it more. Hell, I'd force some of them onto it.... lol Hey! Sorry for posting in ’11, but reading this I had to comment. I actually found this with curiosity as to whether Steam did or did not have one, but here’s what would seem to be the problem. Steam has a LARGE user base, right? Well, they make, I would imagine, millions, if not billions of dollars in profit. Well, an affiliate program would increase sales obviously, BUT, you have to find ways to not only create this system, but prevent users from cheating the system. Now, I see this as a problem because it also means they need support for their affiliate program. Steam has NO phone support, and VERY limited technical support. They have tech support via a ticket helpdesk system (send them a little note, they respond, etc, sorta like an email acct on their website straight to their helpdesk team). Well, their helpdesk plain sucks, ok? It really does, it’s a joke. I had to deal with them and hated that experience. They obviously skimp on helpdesk for whatever reason and so opening helpdesk means hiring more employees and more training, etc. Maybe that wouldn’t be a problem, but just a theory.

On top of this, one might wonder why Steam NEVER advertises their products on TV, websites, etc. Or, do they? Because I’ve yet to see them do so. They seem to have no motivation at all to advertise themselves other than popular word of mouth. Plus, all their free games offered to ONLY their site (and their paid ones as well) give them a pretty good advantage.

Now my final, and most important point, in my opinion, are the Steam sales and promotions. They will have huge sales sometimes, which can cause errors, ESPECIALLY when it’s for a new game. Been here before so trust me when I say they sometimes sell more games then they’re allowed to. They will sell you a game, then let you download it without a proper CD Key. Problem? They don’t have enough! So they sell more copies than they have available, and users will sit there waiting for the CD Key to become available! What the hell right? They sell so many games that this has become an issue at times. Imagine if they had an even larger user base. I just see this becoming an increasing issue. I don’t know, maybe I’m blowing shit outta my ass, but I thought I’d throw up a few of my honest opinions. Nice article though, I wish they had affiliate programs… I’d definitely tell my friends about it more. Hell, I’d force some of them onto it…. lol

]]> By: steamin http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-142481 steamin Sat, 16 Oct 2010 07:44:35 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-142481 I want affiliate linking too for steam. I would like to tell a fraction of the other (6B - 20M) people about it. I didn't learn about steam until a year ago from coworkers. That's what I get for playing X-Box. Go Steam! I want affiliate linking too for steam. I would like to tell a fraction of the other (6B – 20M) people about it. I didn’t learn about steam until a year ago from coworkers. That’s what I get for playing X-Box. Go Steam!

]]> By: LOL http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-142174 LOL Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:25:21 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-142174 Why do any of you think they should have an affiliate program? There massive already and have so far managed to grow rapidly without the help of affiliates so why bother now? They get free exposure every day, I mean look at this article ;) Why do any of you think they should have an affiliate program? There massive already and have so far managed to grow rapidly without the help of affiliates so why bother now? They get free exposure every day, I mean look at this article ;)

]]> By: Thunderdrake http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-139058 Thunderdrake Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:51:53 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-139058 Oh good heavens, tell me about it! I concur so much with this. As an active TF2 and Gmod player and blogger, I've been frothing pretty much at the mouth for a chance for Valve to have an affiliate program. I wonder if Valve has ANY idea how much they're missing with this opportunity? I'm gonna drop them a line and inquire about this. Oh good heavens, tell me about it! I concur so much with this.

As an active TF2 and Gmod player and blogger, I’ve been frothing pretty much at the mouth for a chance for Valve to have an affiliate program. I wonder if Valve has ANY idea how much they’re missing with this opportunity?

I’m gonna drop them a line and inquire about this.

]]> By: Katherine http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-136740 Katherine Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:32:23 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-136740 So uh my point was that Steam should have an affiliate system if it wouldn't be a terrible business decision for them. So uh my point was that Steam should have an affiliate system if it wouldn’t be a terrible business decision for them.

]]> By: Katherine http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-136739 Katherine Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:31:34 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-136739 Steam offers demos but I think it is up to the game owners, not Steam. Steam has already started to offer a number of casual games recently, including (woot) the Cake Mania series. If you know who is associated with that series then you'll know who has been letting Steam sell a lot of their games. It's great because I already know and trust Steam, and they have good weekend deals and stuff, so it is easy for me to give them money. Not like other companies that don't tell you but you have to install their thing to be able to even try the games (I don't trust Big Fish Games at all). Steam offers demos but I think it is up to the game owners, not Steam. Steam has already started to offer a number of casual games recently, including (woot) the Cake Mania series. If you know who is associated with that series then you’ll know who has been letting Steam sell a lot of their games.

It’s great because I already know and trust Steam, and they have good weekend deals and stuff, so it is easy for me to give them money. Not like other companies that don’t tell you but you have to install their thing to be able to even try the games (I don’t trust Big Fish Games at all).

]]> By: Charles - Creative Lab http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-136726 Charles - Creative Lab Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:38:43 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-136726 I think they have to consider the cost of the new waves of traffic in terms of server capacity. My guess is they've figured out it wouldn't add up if they gave 30-50% to affiliates and have to buckle in to handle the new traffic, especially if they offer trials (don't know steam very well, do they offer trials?) I think they have to consider the cost of the new waves of traffic in terms of server capacity. My guess is they’ve figured out it wouldn’t add up if they gave 30-50% to affiliates and have to buckle in to handle the new traffic, especially if they offer trials (don’t know steam very well, do they offer trials?)

]]> By: Scurvy Lobster http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-136708 Scurvy Lobster Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:14:02 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-136708 How many registered users on Steam? 20 million? There could potentially be loads more. I would actually use it if their games weren't so expensive. Often I can find games at half their Steam-prize in regular shops in my town. Steam does offer some interesting bundles however. How many registered users on Steam? 20 million?

There could potentially be loads more. I would actually use it if their games weren’t so expensive. Often I can find games at half their Steam-prize in regular shops in my town. Steam does offer some interesting bundles however.

]]> By: Ovogame http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-136698 Ovogame Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:40:33 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-136698 Every PC hardcore gamers knows Steam. That's hardly everybody. JC Every PC hardcore gamers knows Steam.

That’s hardly everybody.

JC

]]> By: Oliver http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/09/how-valve-could-get-filthy-rich-like-super-filthy-rich-and-make-us-too/comment-page-1/#comment-136693 Oliver Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:41:06 +0000 http://www.gameproducer.net/?p=3655#comment-136693 @Stephen: Sure, everybody knows Steam, but the games ON Steam could be marketed and get more exposure. :) @Stephen: Sure, everybody knows Steam, but the games ON Steam could be marketed and get more exposure. :)

]]>