Valve confirms: no exclusive games for SteamOS

Valve's Greg Comer confirmed: "you won't see an exclusive killer app for SteamOS from us. We're not going to be doing that kind of thing."

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Valve was able to launch an entirely new digital distribution platform by making Half-Life 2 exclusive to Steam. With SteamOS around the corner, gamers were curious: would the company do the same and make an exclusive game for their platform? The answer is "no."

Valve's Greg Comer confirmed: "you won't see an exclusive killer app for SteamOS from us. We're not going to be doing that kind of thing."

Sorry conspiracy theorists, it doesn't seem like Half-Life 3 will be a SteamOS-exclusive.

Third-party games are also unlikely to go exclusive to Valve's Linux-based OS. Anna Sweet told IGN: "Whenever we talk to third-party partners, we encourage them to put their games in as many places as possible, including not on our platforms," she said. "Because we think that customers are everywhere, and they want to put their games wherever customers are. That would go against our whole philosophy, to launch something that's exclusive to SteamOS or Steam machines."

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    November 4, 2013 10:45 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Valve confirms: no exclusive games for SteamOS.

    Valve's Greg Comer confirmed: "you won't see an exclusive killer app for SteamOS from us. We're not going to be doing that kind of thing."

    • reply
      November 4, 2013 10:48 AM

      That's awesome of them ... although, if HL3 was a SteamOS exclusive, I would definitely buy a Steam Box.

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        November 4, 2013 10:53 AM

        They did what was necessary to build an initial install base. Now they have it and they don't need these tactics. Good on them!

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        November 4, 2013 11:11 AM

        Steamos will be a free linux distro that can be installed everywhere. It's not the steambox.

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          November 4, 2013 11:17 AM

          I know, but SteamBox would be an easy way to get it since I don't have a gaming PC at the moment.

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      November 4, 2013 11:14 AM

      I don't know why anyone ever thought they would have exclusives. It's the whole point of them building steam box, so they wouldn't have their hands tied by MS/Sony and they can offer a more open platform in the living room for other developers.

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        November 4, 2013 11:19 AM

        For the same reason HL2 was a Steam exclusive for a while.

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          November 4, 2013 11:52 AM

          Not really platform exclusive though. To me, that's a bit different. Orange box was released for everything and they had their hands tied in how they updated/added content. I think that was the catalyst for finding a way to bring a more open platform to the living room.

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            November 4, 2013 11:57 AM

            The fact that the were willing to ransom a flagship title to promote their initiative isn't anything like like ransoming a flagship title to promote their initiative?

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              November 4, 2013 12:21 PM

              Anyone with a PC could play HL2. HL3 will be no different. You won't be required to buy new hardware or download a new OS.

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                November 4, 2013 12:34 PM

                You could only play Half-Life 2 if you signed up for Steam and installed the Steam client. That's the definition of online platform exclusivity.

                Locking into SteamOS is a different matter, and I applaud Valve's stance on making sure that there are no SteamOS-exclusive games, or SteamMachine-exclusive games. But that's not the same as Steam-exclusive.

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                November 4, 2013 12:51 PM

                Yes, but you could see why some people may have had some trepidation regarding exclusivity considering their history?

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                  November 4, 2013 4:51 PM

                  It's as close as they've come to exclusivity, yes. They have always said they want it to be open for developers in that after they've made a sale they can support their game however they choose. Give as much free content as tehy want or choose the paid DLC method. I could see them making their games exclusive to the PC if steam boxes take off. But you'll still be able to choose your hardware/OS.

                  It's not quite the same as MS having Halo locked to the XBOX for the most part. They're creating a more open platform for people to market their games as they see fit. They're free to come up with their own pricing or release F2P. It has the potential to be a great platform for gamers.

                  I'm optimistic.

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          November 4, 2013 7:24 PM

          Yeah but making it exclusive to a linux-based OS is very different.

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      November 4, 2013 11:30 AM

      [deleted]

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        November 4, 2013 11:33 AM

        "This thing will never sell without exclusives, don't these guys know anything about teh marketplace? My phone has more exclusives, snort!"

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        November 4, 2013 2:40 PM

        really pissed off we wont get to see a cool 'VaLVe" branded retail game box design. fucking stupid shit, such a godamn waste of time GABE U FAT MAN. FUCKING STEAMBOX MORE LIKE STUPIDBOX

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      November 4, 2013 11:34 AM

      Thank Valve you guys own so when is HL3 coming out :(

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      November 4, 2013 12:41 PM

      I was sort of hoping they would have a timed exclusive for Steam OS. I really want that to become the primary PC platform. I'm tired of Windows and their .1 updates to DirectX.

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      November 4, 2013 1:07 PM

      Combine: Source2 engine + BF liked size/gameplay and I'm buying that on whatever platform it's delivered to.

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        November 4, 2013 2:41 PM

        Still got hopes somewhere in the back of my heart for Counterstrike 2 someday, and it being basically what BF/COD were to the original Counterstrike.

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      November 4, 2013 4:33 PM

      The quiet confidence of the platform with the best services and (theoretically) the best hardware.

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      November 5, 2013 10:43 AM

      valve, the company that actually follows, "don't be evil"


      until they give our gaming records to the nsa.

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