Valve considering video, music content through Steam
by Scott Jon Siegel 
{ Feb 25th 2008 at 6:15PM }
Specifically, Lombardi states that Valve has already begun reaching out to companies involved with those forms of digital media, and expects some small degree of non-game content on Steam before the year's end. Other forms of digital entertainment would place Steam in more direct competition with the diverse offerings of Xbox Live, but may also put the humble platform up against big-boy services like iTunes and Rhapsody. Whether that type of intense competition will be productive for the platform remains to be seen.
[Via 1UP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wootman @ Feb 25th 2008 6:20PM
better idea-rhapsody integration.
Fox318 @ Feb 26th 2008 1:37AM
No. RealNetworks shouldn't be allowed to do anything.
glitched @ Feb 25th 2008 6:25PM
go ninja, go ninja, go!
Shmil @ Feb 25th 2008 6:45PM
vanilla ice is that you? where did you go?
Nick the Hero of Canton @ Feb 25th 2008 6:27PM
A music store for the 360 would be awesome.
I wouldn't use it but people would
Fernando Rocker @ Feb 25th 2008 6:31PM
How much are the chances that the Wii 2.0 will have an alliance with Apple and create the Wii 2.0 with iTunes Store, Apple TV, etc?
=)
Mr.ESC @ Feb 25th 2008 6:33PM
Slim?
Sora267 @ Feb 25th 2008 7:17PM
@Fernando:
Why not just get a Wii and put it on top of your ATV? The colors match so it shouldn't be a problem, unless you're the masochistic kind of person who ENJOYS waiting for unannounced technology.
ApolloIV @ Feb 25th 2008 6:37PM
Valvee remember who your market is, you might be overstepping your limits. But if you spotlight underground bands and indie film makers that would be awesome! God trademark that shit.
jcd @ Feb 25th 2008 6:58PM
Damn right!
We dont need yet another itunes.
Indie rock and roll is what I want!
Josh Clark @ Feb 25th 2008 9:37PM
It's in my soul; it's what I need.
t_m @ Feb 26th 2008 9:23AM
there are already loads of sites for indie music and movies.
Shagittarius @ Feb 25th 2008 6:38PM
I really think the world isn't ready/doesn't want as much digital distribution as all these companies think. Its ok for renting things but I think most people prefer a retail package (beyond downloading music singles), and too many companies are throwing their hat in the digital distribution ring.
I wouldn't be surprised to see any company that invests too heavily in this venture to find itself filing for bankruptcy in the next couple years, due to lack of investment return and consumer apathy.
ZippyDSMlee @ Feb 25th 2008 7:07PM
At the prices(10$ above retail) and with the limitations (you must sing up lg on to play a game you bought at 10-20$ above retail).
If they gave you a option for a display case and a hard copy it would be nice but bbllaarrgghhhh nazisistic digi distro is on its way out DRM is begin dropped and they want to start a streaming server to sell music/film on...they are going to find out fast they don't have that kind of money...
Abscissa @ Feb 25th 2008 9:06PM
@Shagittarius: Very good analysis of the situation, IMO.
@ZippyDSMlee: I can't tell what the hell you're saying. Lay off the sugar packets.
Ted @ Feb 25th 2008 6:39PM
Yay! I've often mentioned to my friends that it would be great if we could buy films (HD preferrably) and music through steam. The great thing about steam is that everything you own is tied to your username and password, so all you need to do to access your stuff anywhere in the world is download steam and log in. You really feel like you *own* the stuff you buy on steam. If they extended the system they have with games to music and films I would be very happy indeed.
wickedpheonix @ Feb 25th 2008 7:24PM
Dear God YES! Agree with you 100% - being able to retrieve my media from wherever and having it therefore survive reformats is something that iTunes SORELY lacks. Combine it with nice quality codecs and it is very possible that Valve could have a winner on their hands - but I would not integrate it with Steam. Steam is about games and games only - adding music and movies dilutes that, but a seperate media service that follows Steam business ideals would be awesome.
Abscissa @ Feb 25th 2008 9:05PM
"You really feel like you *own* the stuff you buy on steam."
An ironic statement, since you have less ownership than if you just went out and bought a CD. And there's already a way to tie all your data to a username/pass and access it from any internet-connected computer: it's called an FTP server. Not hard to get one, either.
Jeff @ Feb 26th 2008 12:00AM
I have to agree that the convenience of getting all my stuff re-downloaded through steam over the course of a few nights when I feel like wiping my hard-drive or, god forbid, get a new computer would be amazing. Amazing to the point that I would be fine giving up freedom over my use of the content.
t_m @ Feb 26th 2008 9:26AM
I moved to japan, but anytime i want to play an old steam game i can install it and start playing within about 5 minutes... even if most of my cds are in the UK.
Personally I was really skeptical until i tried it, and now i love it. Its much easier than installing and uninstalling games from cds (even if i have them here with me).
I do agree that they could knock 5-10% of the prices though. Especially for some of the older games...
Organic_Shadow @ Feb 25th 2008 6:39PM
Hell yes SCREW ITUNES!!
Mills and Boom @ Feb 25th 2008 7:45PM
LOL you're a nutter.
iTunes going for years, the only (proper) transference app for the most sold MP3 player on the market. Against a service that isn't even THERE, who only have experience selling games on a clunky interface.
Very interesting. You nutter!
Organic_Shadow @ Feb 25th 2008 9:26PM
@Mills: You're basically saying that something won't be good because the monopoly in place is all that really exists/matters at the moment. So why exactly is everyone wetting their pants for Ubuntu and OS X if Windows is the wide majority currently?
If it works with something other than ipods, isn't a DRM whore, and doesn't install random crap on my computer like itunes/quicktime (the dumb and dumber duo) then im all for it. Currently enjoying Amazon's music and video download offerings and can't wait to see what Valve does.
brokenscope @ Feb 25th 2008 6:40PM
Please valve, for the love of god. Don't lose focus. Don't lose focus on what you are and what you are selling. Don't add things to steam that will bloat it and take away from what it is at its core.
A content delivery system for games, and things related to games.
Shagittarius @ Feb 25th 2008 6:49PM
A content delivery system for games, AND THINGS RELATED TO GAMES.
Too late...
Chris @ Feb 25th 2008 6:54PM
isn't the market already *flooded* with digital distribution of media?
StuScotsLazyEye @ Feb 25th 2008 7:10PM
Flooded? Yes. Flooded with quality codecs? No.
If Steam offers a large database in FLAC, I'm all over it like marinara sauce on noodles.
Ramifications @ Feb 25th 2008 6:54PM
This isn't a great idea. Let the music people deal with the music, and the tv people deal with people, and let Valve just keep bringing us great games. If they want to branch out then get a larger variety of games like more indie games, etc. But I think it's a waste of resources, time, and money for Valve to pursue this.
Killer @ Feb 25th 2008 7:07PM
Final nail in the coffins of Blu-ray and HD DVD? (Sarcasm intended) *Puts on Anti-Fanboy shield.*
Bucket @ Feb 25th 2008 7:26PM
Horrible idea. You're spreading yourselves too thin.
Mills and Boom @ Feb 25th 2008 7:43PM
I don't think I care about films or music on Steam. The interface and feel just doesn't suit such media.
Let iTunes and Steam rule supreme in their own places.
*shrugs*
Dan CiTi @ Feb 25th 2008 7:46PM
Valve will own the world.
Ken Seang @ Feb 25th 2008 7:59PM
I always wanted Steam to do movies, because they have such quick server to download from. I just want to rent HD movies without having to buy apple tv...
Mills and Boom @ Feb 25th 2008 8:30PM
Uh, you don't have to? Apple TV is not required to watch HD films from iTunes...
drsashamd @ Feb 25th 2008 10:26PM
Well, at least its great to see Steam flourish and start to reach new bounds. I remember when it first came out and the VAST majority of the people absolutely hated Steam and Valve's decision to force people to use it to play games (like counter-strike). It's great to see Steam become such a useful and great program for gamers everywhere. Kudos to Valve.
jaloonz @ Feb 26th 2008 6:53PM
I really doubt Steam's UI will function well for music albums or even video contents.
capt_carl @ Feb 26th 2008 9:16AM
Maybe what Valve should do is release a version of Steam that will run on 10.4 and higher, THEN worry about other things.
t_m @ Feb 26th 2008 9:29AM
Seems a good idea. Though maybe starting with game related music would be good.
They already have the distribution system, it would take almost no resources to extend it to other electronic media.
They need to improve the navigation system though. It was great when it was only valve games... but now its getting really hard to find games in there.
Donald @ Feb 26th 2008 9:37AM
They're already doing music distribution through Steam.
*e-points to his Orange Box soundtrack, courtesy of Audiosurf*