GW2 on steam

xenpt

Who wants GUILDWARS 2 to buy on steam ?

TheDarkrayne

Don't see a problem with it being on steam.. but I certainly wouldn't buy it there myself.

xenpt

I would i buy all in steam, and i prefer it to have it digitally its safer.

Mephster

Not buying it on Steam but putting your game available on Steam is a good thing.

ariboersma

you need an "I want to see it on Steam but I am purchasing it elsewhere" option =P

PNM_Jennings

i would.... if i wasn't making them take my money on the 10th.

Paragus1

I'd prefer to buy it on Steam.

rojoArcueid

even if i dont buy it on steam i tend to add my pc games to my steam library (if supported of course)

Pilnkplonk

If GW2 were available on Steam it would definitely be a big plus for me.

tom_gore

I'll buy GW2 whichever way it's available, but I would prefer Steam. That's where most of my games are anyway.

 

Ezhae

Don't give a damn about Steam. 

Will either buy it directly from the developer or, depending on pre-purchase options, at local retailer. Steam tends to be unreliable and overpriced for me. 

heavyhebrew

I would definitely buy it off of steam. I love those guys.

BadSpock

Originally posted by Ezhae

Don't give a damn about Steam. 

Will either buy it directly from the developer or, depending on pre-purchase options, at local retailer. Steam tends to be unreliable and overpriced for me. 

Only way to get full beta access and 3 day head start is buying straight from Anet.

Fir3line

Originally posted by xenpt

I would i buy all in steam, and i prefer it to have it digitally its safer.

would hate having to buy it on steam, can't change which games I want on my SSD and which I dont, GW2 would definitly be on my SSD

Ezhae

Originally posted by BadSpock

Originally posted by Ezhae

Don't give a damn about Steam. 

Will either buy it directly from the developer or, depending on pre-purchase options, at local retailer. Steam tends to be unreliable and overpriced for me. 

Only way to get full beta access and 3 day head start is buying straight from Anet.

No. That's not exactly correct. To get 3 day headstart and beta access You have to pre-purchase, which means you have to pay in advance, pre-orders (pay on delivery) only gives You 1 day of headstart. 

While there aren't yet details yet on possible avability of pre-purchase at specific local retailers, GW2 FAQ says:

 

How does physical Pre-Purchase work?

Physical Pre-Purchase for Guild Wars 2 is only available at select retailers. The details of how this will work will differ slightly depending on which edition customers purchase and where they purchase it.

• 
  Standard Edition (North America)—Customers will buy the Standard Edition Pre-Purchase box and receive a Pre-Purchase serial code. They will then go to https://register.guildwars2.com and follow the on-screen instructions to create a Guild Wars 2 account and apply the serial code, which will give them access to Beta Weekend Events, the Hero's Band digital item, and three-day Headstart Access to the final game. WhenGuild Wars 2 launches, customers will need to return to the retailer with proof of purchase to receive the full Standard Edition box and retail serial code. They will need to apply this retail serial code to their Guild Wars 2 account within five days to continue playing without interruption.
• 
  Standard Edition (Europe)—Customers will buy the Standard Edition Pre-Purchase box and receive their serial code. This is the only serial code customers will receive and will grant access to the Beta Weekend Events, three-day Headstart Access, the Hero's Band digital item, and full access to the final live game. Customers will not need to return to retail to receive another serial code.

So yeah, there is a chance that there will be pre-purchase codes/physical standard edition copies avalible. 

heavyhebrew

Originally posted by BadSpock

Originally posted by Ezhae

Don't give a damn about Steam. 

Will either buy it directly from the developer or, depending on pre-purchase options, at local retailer. Steam tends to be unreliable and overpriced for me. 

Only way to get full beta access and 3 day head start is buying straight from Anet.

https://buy.guildwars2.com/collectors-edition

Because badspock is badass.

jondifool

Originally posted by BadSpock

Originally posted by Ezhae

Don't give a damn about Steam. 

Will either buy it directly from the developer or, depending on pre-purchase options, at local retailer. Steam tends to be unreliable and overpriced for me. 

Only way to get full beta access and 3 day head start is buying straight from Anet.

 Not true

as the FAQ says this

What do I get with a Pre-Purchase of the game?

Customers who pre-purchase the game in full will enjoy guaranteed access to our Beta Weekend Events, three-day Headstart Access to the final game, and the Hero's Band digital item designed to enhance your gameplay experience.

 

How does physical Pre-Purchase work?

Physical Pre-Purchase for Guild Wars 2 is only available at select retailers. The details of how this will work will differ slightly depending on which edition customers purchase and where they purchase it.

Homitu

I'd prefer to buy it on steam if possible, but wouldn't care at all if it's not available for it.  

Phry

i have no plans at the moment to buy it at all, but if i did, then through Steam would be my preferred option, i would also say though, that if a game is tied to a steam account, its less likely to be pirated, although obviously it would also mean that people wouldnt be able to resell their games, which, although some might disagree, i think game reselling is a bad thing, it probably does more damage than game piracy does.

Gorilla

I quite like steams offers but I really hate there bloatware client and non standard installs of games.

Dream_Chaser

It wouldn't be hard to get it on Steam. Look at how many MMOs sell their clients on Steam already (hint: a lot).

I'd also try and get it on Origin and places like Gamer's Gate, too. (I absolutely despise Origin because it's been nothing but problems for me, but I understand that some people like it and use it.) The reasoning behind this is that the more places people have to buy it, the better PR it provides for ArenaNet. It just shows that they're trying to be as open with their game as possible, and they want it to be 'just another game' rather than a crazy, restrictive MMO.

I think where you sell something has more of an impact on public perception than how you sell it. By having it available in as many retailers as possible, it immediately shifts to a different part of the psyche than, say, something like TOR which you absolutely have to buy through Origin. You can't buy WoW on Steam, and that immediately cements it in the minds of people in a certain way, it does alter perceptions.

Plus, getting it out to as many distributors as possible would be reinforcing their ideals. What I mean by that is that it would be telling casuals and people not so acquainted with MMOs that they're welcome there, that it's not just for the MMO elite. Again, where you sell it has more of an impact on public perception than how. That's just my opinion and it's largely anecdotal, but don't you feel that where something is sold reflects the mindset of the people selling it?

Even indie games can fall prey to this in bad ways, too. For example, there was one indie developer (I won't name names) who woudn't sell his game on Steam because he felt that it would be too intelligent for the average Steam user to understand, and thus it would result in complaints. He was wrong, because Dear Esther (by another indie dev) was quite pretentious and sold like hot cakes. And it was actually pretty good if you're into the whole immersion/explorable story thing.

But I digress.

The point is is that the more places you sell it, the more eyes you have on it, and the more people you have talking about it. So yes, Steam is a good idea, as are many digital distributors.

Shroom_Mage

Steam typically allows you to pre-purchase games, but I don't recall ever seeing a pre-order available on Steam. That is, they always charge you immediately but usually offer some bonus such as a discount or a hat.

I'm really hoping that Steam will be one of the select retailers. The real question, however:

Is there going to be a hat?

Dream_Chaser

I bet you there will be.

I also bet you that there will be a Rytlock hat.

Damn it... TF2 Rytlock hat. If that happens I'm probably going to end up buying this game twice and gifting an account to someone.

Jakdstripper

i like Steam, i friken hate Origin.

Dream_Chaser

You and me both. I really dislike Origin's poor security, too (16 character limited password, really?). But yet there are a lot of people who swear by it, and getting their eyes on GW2 as well is worthwhile.

Ezhae

Originally posted by Dream_Chaser

It wouldn't be hard to get it on Steam. Look at how many MMOs sell their clients on Steam already (hint: a lot).

I'd also try and get it on Origin and places like Gamer's Gate, too. (I absolutely despise Origin because it's been nothing but problems for me, but I understand that some people like it and use it.) The reasoning behind this is that the more places people have to buy it, the better PR it provides for ArenaNet. It just shows that they're trying to be as open with their game as possible, and they want it to be 'just another game' rather than a crazy, restrictive MMO.

I think where you sell something has more of an impact on public perception than how you sell it. By having it available in as many retailers as possible, it immediately shifts to a different part of the psyche than, say, something like TOR which you absolutely have to buy through Origin. You can't buy WoW on Steam, and that immediately cements it in the minds of people in a certain way, it does alter perceptions.

Plus, getting it out to as many distributors as possible would be reinforcing their ideals. What I mean by that is that it would be telling casuals and people not so acquainted with MMOs that they're welcome there, that it's not just for the MMO elite. Again, where you sell it has more of an impact on public perception than how. That's just my opinion and it's largely anecdotal, but don't you feel that where something is sold reflects the mindset of the people selling it?

Even indie games can fall prey to this in bad ways, too. For example, there was one indie developer (I won't name names) who woudn't sell his game on Steam because he felt that it would be too intelligent for the average Steam user to understand, and thus it would result in complaints. He was wrong, because Dear Esther (by another indie dev) was quite pretentious and sold like hot cakes. And it was actually pretty good if you're into the whole immersion/explorable story thing.

But I digress.

The point is is that the more places you sell it, the more eyes you have on it, and the more people you have talking about it. So yes, Steam is a good idea, as are many digital distributors.

Thing is often certain retailer set their rules of distribution, which can be hurtful for developer/customer. 

Some retailers expect exclusive DLC/pre-order bonuses, others slap a rather high mark ups and with digital distribution you also may have to adjust the files and make changes in coding to integrate the 3rd party software without messing up all the protection protocols between client and servers. I guess tho with Steam having previous NCSoft published MMOs it would be possible. 

I'm pretty sure if it was that easy every game would be avalible everywhere, but we know how the reality looks. It's the retailer that has the power to sell product and that means often publisher/developer has to sign a deal that they would prefer to avoid. Both sides want to profit after all.