Whether EA’s Origin is just a show of strength to open up a new revenue stream by prying DLC from Steam’s clutches or an earnest attempt at chipping away a few flakes off Valve’s granite foothold in the PC digital delivery market, the relationship between the two companies is growing… tense. Valve bossman Gabe Newell, however, seems to believe there’s still hope for a reconciliation, despite Crysis 2 and Battlefield 3 not putting in a Steam appearance.
The Origins of Origin
EA’s Origin platform was launched in June 2011 as a direct competitor to Steam, Valve’s highly successful digital distribution service. Origin was designed to provide a centralized platform for EA games, offering features such as cloud saves, automatic updates, and social networking integration. The move was seen by many as an attempt by EA to gain more control over the distribution and monetization of its games, which had previously been heavily reliant on Steam.
The launch of Origin was met with mixed reactions. While some gamers appreciated the additional features and the potential for competition to drive innovation, others were frustrated by the need to manage yet another digital distribution platform. The decision to make certain high-profile games, such as Crysis 2 and Battlefield 3, exclusive to Origin only added to the controversy.
Valve’s Perspective
Gabe Newell, co-founder and managing director of Valve, has always been a proponent of open platforms and consumer choice. In an interview, Newell expressed his desire to see EA games return to Steam, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating value to developers. “I think with any developer, the onus is on us to show them we have value, that we’re creating a set of services and capabilities and bringing an audience to them,” he said. “We want to do a good job showing EA that we have value on Steam. We’ll try to work hard with them.”
Newell’s comments highlight the competitive yet collaborative nature of the gaming industry. While Valve and EA are direct competitors in the digital distribution space, they also share a common goal of providing the best possible experience for gamers. This shared goal creates opportunities for cooperation, even amidst the tension.
The Impact on Gamers
The rivalry between Origin and Steam has had a significant impact on gamers. On one hand, the competition has driven both platforms to innovate and improve their services. Steam has introduced features such as Steam Workshop, SteamVR, and a revamped user interface, while Origin has focused on improving its social features and integrating with other EA services.
On the other hand, the fragmentation of the digital distribution market has created challenges for gamers. Managing multiple accounts, friends lists, and game libraries can be cumbersome, and the exclusivity of certain titles can be frustrating. For example, players who prefer to keep all their games in one place may be forced to choose between missing out on certain titles or dealing with the inconvenience of multiple platforms.
Looking to the Future
As the digital distribution market continues to evolve, the relationship between Valve and EA will likely remain complex. Both companies have strong incentives to compete, but they also have reasons to collaborate. For instance, cross-platform play and shared user data could enhance the gaming experience for players on both platforms.
Ultimately, the future of Origin and Steam will be shaped by the actions of both companies and the preferences of gamers. If Valve can demonstrate the value of Steam to EA, there may be opportunities for reconciliation and cooperation. Conversely, if EA continues to see strategic advantages in maintaining Origin as a separate platform, the competition between the two companies will likely intensify.
In the meantime, gamers can expect to see continued innovation and improvements from both platforms as they vie for market share. Whether this competition will ultimately benefit gamers or create further fragmentation remains to be seen.
Source Kotaku
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