Upon the release of Half-Life in 1998, Valve Software became one of the most important developers in the world pretty much overnight. Then, ushered in with the goliath that was Half-Life 2 in 2004, came an unexpected face - a digital download service, without which Gordon Freeman's continuing adventures could not be appreciated. There was confusion in some parts, welcome in others and a smattering of vociferous disappointment from those without internet connections. But change was here, and so was Steam - both here to stay.
Now the dust has settled, independent developers are beginning to thrive on the service and a new era of episodic gaming is in the offing. We're intrigued by the prospect and about what it means for the future of PC gaming. Should grumpy gamers let off Steam? Let's find out as we chat with Valve Software's Doug Lombardi...
At what point and why did Valve decide to make the leap into digital distribution?
Doug Lombardi: After shipping a number of multiplayer games, like Counter-Strike and Team Fortress, we wanted to solve a number of issues to improve customer experience. We'd done simple advancements such as including a server browser within the game itself that, at the time, was a nice step forward in putting players together. But, as online gaming grew, it was obvious that features like auto-updating and more sophisticated anti-cheat measures were going to be requirements. We couldn't find an existing solution for these issues, so we started development internally.
To an outside observer it seems that Valve saw which way the wind was blowing in terms of digital distribution, and got in before the competition. How important was it to become the first developer/publisher to fully embrace internet game delivery?
Doug Lombardi: For us it was really just a set of things that were necessary, things that would make the overall experience of playing (and developing) our games better. Before we began development on Steam, we contacted many other companies to see if anyone had something similar to Steam already in development. We were surprised to find that, while folks were pursuing some of the individual features such as delivering bits via secure, online commercial means, no-one was pursuing the collection of the pieces we had in mind. What's odd is that statement might still be true today.
As a developer and now self-publisher, what are the main benefits of having a service like Steam?
Doug Lombardi: In the 16 months or so since Half-Life 2 was made available, we've delivered a litany of new Counter-Strike: Source content, Half-Life 2 Deathmatch, new Half-Life 2 Deathmatch content, Lost Coast (which added HDR and Commentary to the Source engine), Day Of Defeat: Source, and new Day Of Defeat: Source content. The majority of this was free of charge to any owner (retail or Steam) of Half-Life 2.
Right now you may be saying, "Well, Valve released a bunch of free stuff for Half- Life owners - what's the big difference?" Simple. For the Steam customers, the existence of these new games was made readily apparent via their Steam Games menu, and they could be accessed and launched by simply double-clicking on their respective icon. That's light years from, 'Issue press release, place file on FTP, pray everyone hears about it and gives it a try'.
Is it feasible anymore to be an established gamer without an internet connection?
Doug Lombardi: In certain genres and on certain platforms, I'm sure it is. But in an age of integrated wireless on the majority of new devices, and service charges becoming more and more affordable, I think the idea of gamers not being connected is pretty quickly becoming about as common as gamers without 3D acceleration.
So what's the process by which a game is marked out for digital distribution? What's the quality control?
Doug Lombardi: Folks contact us, or sometimes we'll hear about something and make the first approach (Rag Doll Kung Fu, for example). There's a group of folks here at Valve that work with the studios and publishers from that first encounter, through launch and into the post-launch phases. We're simply looking for games of interest.
In your opinion, what does the introduction of services like Steam mean for talented independent game developers?
Doug Lombardi: Rag Doll Kung Fu was shown at last year's GDC as an independent project that Mark and his friends were pursuing at weekends. It was launched on Steam and soon found its way into retail boxes on many European shelves. Tripwire shopped Red Orchestra: Osfront 41-45 to every publisher under the sun: no takers. The company signed on to offer the game via Steam, issued a press release and publishers started calling; now it's heading to retail shelves as well. These examples (and some more on the way) say it all.
Is it a good feeling having a gaming legend like Warren Spector on the Steam roster?
Doug Lombardi: C'mon... A baby could answer that one!
What's the next major update we'll see in the Steam Service?
Doug Lombardi: More games. Additional payment methods. More things like the DOD: Source Free Weekend.
And in five years' time? What kind of things will be on offer?
Doug Lombardi: I'm not sure - it's really hard to say. But we're going to find out...
I have to give it to Vavle they have finaly come thru & made steam what it should be now friends system works too, shame it took so long but it has obviously proved a massive task. However i would like they to explain what they expect players who brought Half-Life 2, having owned the original but not playing it for years, so not having steam installed purchased the game on release day from my local retailer & no i discover that not only do i not get Half-Life:Source included when it was released like steam purchasers did but i couldnt even buy it without having to buy Half-Life 2 again, on steam & creating a new account! I am dissapointed they could not find a price for products like this on there own at a minimum, thou that doesnt help the people who either dont have a card they can use on the steam because of age or card type etc. For those people you just have to go without. I think now with most gamers having steam it wouldnt be such an issue my i think they overlooked alot of loyal customers & think it would be a nice gesjure for them to either price the game as a HL2 Addon or give in & give it to retail owners too!
Its not that they dont give it to us for free with retail that annoys me, its the fact that its only a release of an old game with new effects, I own Half-Life & Half-Life 2 yet have no way on earth to buy Half-Life:Source just because they ONLY sell it with Half-Life 2 Gold Package & after spending Ł35 on the retail version they dont even give us the option to upgrade, they could simple allow users to upgrade to the gold package for a fee, but no, you have to reorder the whole package again at full cost, and because only 1 version of each game can be registered to a steam account you need to create a new one too.
The Answer: Make Half-Life:Source availible on it own (Via Steam or Retail) or allow users to upgrade to Gold Package again Via either, but i think Steam would definatly be the choice in that situation.
Steam is a hackers wet dream, it is so insecure, and credit card theft SO common on there, that you would think that Microsoft themselves had designed it.
Plus you have to keep the damn games installed on your hard disk for Steam to be of any use. No chance to delete the game once you have finished it because if you do then you will have to re-install many Gigs of updates next time you install it. And if you have to format your HD then....oh I don't even want to think about it, give me a good old CD/DVD, something physical and tangible that I actually OWN.
Not everyone wants to play online, unlike the Valve stiff in the interview said. Online games are (over) populated by people with a complete lack of manners, respect and maturity. Anyway. look at the total sales figure of HL2, and then look at how many are online each day. A TINY percentile.
Steam is a hackers wet dream, it is so insecure, and credit card theft SO common on there, that you would think that Microsoft themselves had designed it.
Plus you have to keep the damn games installed on your hard disk for Steam to be of any use. No chance to delete the game once you have finished it because if you do then you will have to re-install many Gigs of updates next time you install it. And if you have to format your HD then....oh I don't even want to think about it, give me a good old CD/DVD, something physical and tangible that I actually OWN.
Not everyone wants to play online, unlike the Valve stiff in the interview said. Online games are (over) populated by people with a complete lack of manners, respect and maturity. Anyway. look at the total sales figure of HL2, and then look at how many are online each day. A TINY percentile.
Yout not wrong, but half of that is down to the fact that its an old game now, lucky if you catch me on it once a month, however when it came out i was on it for hours every night. I agree with the overpopulated bit entirely thou. Either way thou, HL kicks bottom HL2 pretty good, still best FPS but HL:Source gimme, gimme, gimme. I played the original all the way thru countless times so the chance to do it again in the source engine oh yes please.
As for Episode 1, well first of all its been too long, i rather be thinking of a new version of HL3 18months after release, it can be done, look at those EA pumping out sequels every year. (THOU I WOULD NEVER ASK FOR THAT!) 18months to 2years should be enought for them to have a sequel at least in the pipeline, not an Addon for an Old game, i mean seriously guys, you think HL2 is gona look anythink on Huxley or UT 2007. No it aint & we know it, so why they wasting our time, Valve knuckle down & get me a new game! Not just "part of the original story from HL2" that was removed before release, what a con!
I haven't heard of any instances of credit card theft over Steam. I've personaly purchased 3 games over Steam with no problems. I think there was a problem with phishing attemps a few years ago, but that's not real hacking, just scaming.
I've never bothered to try it, but there is a way to back up your Steam games on a DVD if you don't want to re-download the whole thing again. Just open Steam, go to file, backup games. Ta da! Your e-purchased game now has a hard-copy DVD.
EA puts out games at such a hideous rate because they have massive budget and eat up developers like a monster (and promptly fire their staffs after games are completed, of course). I am SUPREMELY glad that Valve is nothing like EA, especialy since I finaly bought BF2 on clearance. The game, like most EA-sponsored games, is buggy, rushed trash. They sent it out the door before it was anything near ready. It's inefficient and it crashes and hangs all over the place. Now they're recycling the engine, animations, and almost the whole game for a second cash grab. Please, for the sake of the gaming hobby, don't support EA games' bulls**t by purchasing their products. I want gaming to be a fun, healthy hobby still when I'm an old fart. Don't let these cashmongers ruin it.
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M and Half Life : Source. 
