Multiplayer and steam important questions

1. The game is currently being released solely on Steam because of practicality, but another medium is likely sometime in the future (For instance, on Good Old Games)

2. There will be a fully-integrated multiplayer 

3. Windows only for now

Beat you Tridus lol

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Yes, Steam is required.

No, they don't disable accounts for no reason. People who say that typically heard it third person or don't want to admit to doing something wrong. Actual issues occur but are pretty rare, the same as with any other service.

There is multiplayer. Don't expect a game balanced for competitive esport style play, though.

Only Windows. Maybe another platform some day, though.

It's not likely. They're using Steamworks. Putting it on another platform means disabling or replacing everything Steamworks is providing.

If it's put up in another store, they'll be selling Steam keys.

They will eventually place it on another service, if for no other reason than a lot of people want it. Remember those big threads a week ago?

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I don't want to do anything with Steam. I've only pre-ordered because I wanted a number of questions answered, and I figured I could find some of those hard answers by getting my hands dirty. Also if I find those answer, I can provide them to other people. Also if I'm involved in the development process, I could possibly steer GalCiv 3 in a better direction.

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Your questions:

1a. Steam will be required to download the game. Stardock have said that there isn't any digital distributor (at this time) that meets their needs as well as Steam.
1b. As to whether or not Steam is required to play GalCiv 3, it is not yet determined if is possible to play without Steam. Considering that Stardock is using a number of Steamworks features that will require Steamworks, you should be prepared to hear a definite yes. If you do manage make GalCiv 3 to run without Steam, then a number of features like multiplayer, mods, and learning AI will have to be disabled (as they need Steam to be running).

2. Multiplayer will require Steam to work. Steam offers the code to use their network infrastructure for free. The alternative is for Stardock to buy the code  or program it themselves, and build up the required network infrastructure.

3. Last I heard, they are still trying to figure out how difficult it would be make a Linux version. What we do know is you will do well with a Windows 7 64 bit edition, using DirectX 10 or 11. Games like GalCiv 2 were at the software limit to begin with. You couldn't use more than a gigabyte for the game for instance, so you could only play with so many units, and maps could only get so big.

There's an easy way to avoid this.  Stay away from their forums.  That should be easy to do since you hate them anyway.  I avoid their forums mostly out of indifference.

 

That's doubtful.  It would mean re-writing the code.  I'd like to see it somewhere besides Steam, but it just doesn't make sense from a manpower/return on investment angle.

That is the bait, trap, and lure right there. Steam offers a bunch of code for free that would take much much more than a few hours to develop yourself. The catch is you have to use Steam to use the said code.

Actually, I recall reading that Stardock said that if you had $20 million you could send him, he could use that money hire the people needed to make GalCiv 3 to be Steam free.

"A lot of people" is grossly overstating it. It was a few people. You'll also note the threads since then from people who would only buy if they were getting a Steam key.

The amount of sales it'd require to make a version that replaces Steamworks with something else viable is far beyond a few people on the forums. You're talking major numbers of sales. Steamworks has no real competitor in what it offers at the price it offers it.

Don't be surprised to see the game for sale on another store, but that version is going to still require Steam. The only way around that barring someone else releasing a competitive platform is for Stardock to make a "non-Steam" version that just turns off all the Steamworks stuff and replaces it with nothing. I can't see that going over very well.

 

You guys make me sad :'c

Sorry man, but it's the truth. A few people who won't buy a steam version simply aren't worth the cost of making a non-steam version. 

I use the facts as reasons to go support alternatives when possible. I try to use the facts to make me do something instead of sitting around and simply complaining.

Ideally, I would use the facts as fuel to motivate me to make a viable alternative, but I haven't been very successful thus far (I always seem to find something else to do other than work on this).

Millions use Steam ..... hundreds use the forums - there's a subtle clue there.

Moaners and groaners hit the Web, the other 95% happy bunnies just get on with life, wind Steam up, play a game and get on with life - you never hear from them. To think that millions use it thinking "I don't mind being screwed" is just fantasy.

Developers and distributors love it, its a massive cost saver, but still able to distribute their games, and frankly able to distribute more widely than doing it themselves.

Blaggers hate it as it vastly reduces the chance to blag and pirate games.

I was sceptical when it first started - new way of doing thinks - blah blah - but they soon proved me wrong - its fine, not perfect, nothing is, but they have the balance right, and it improves as time goes on. There is still much work to be done improving it (surprise surprise) which they do, cant do everything at once.

*shrug* ..... pays your money takes your choice ..... the bottom line is anyone who thinks millions of Steam Users stay with them because they love being screwed is living in a fantasy world.