Tuesday, August 7th 2018
Bethesda Ditching Steam With Fallout 76 - Available Only via Bethesda.net
The ease of digital distribution means companies can always try to maximize their profits by cutting the man in the middle - saving in on any distribution fees that third party would demand for its services. Of course, this is easier said than done, and most small companies wouldn't be able to set up their own digital distribution service - Steam as a platform is a great alternative for these, since it couples simplicity with a grand user base, and Steam's own in-house publicity and user data allows these companies to achieve a much wider audience than they likely would should they try to use their own distribution platform.
Of course, Bethesda isn't a small company, to say the least; that's why it has the resources to pour into its own digital platform, and part of the reason why Fallout 76 won't make it to the PC's leading distribution platform, Steam. In the game F.A.Q., Bethesda has made it clear that Fallout 76 will only be available via Bethesda.net, meaning that users will be left in the cold with some of Steam's exclusive features. Of course, one might argue that those are all peanuts compared to the actual game.
Source:
Fallout 76 F.A.Q.
Of course, Bethesda isn't a small company, to say the least; that's why it has the resources to pour into its own digital platform, and part of the reason why Fallout 76 won't make it to the PC's leading distribution platform, Steam. In the game F.A.Q., Bethesda has made it clear that Fallout 76 will only be available via Bethesda.net, meaning that users will be left in the cold with some of Steam's exclusive features. Of course, one might argue that those are all peanuts compared to the actual game.
72 Comments on Bethesda Ditching Steam With Fallout 76 - Available Only via Bethesda.net
I sure hope they have some fixes hidden in a closet, cause it's still total garbage, which updates games not via patches, but by re-downloading the whole thing. It does not scale well on 2K/4K monitors, it bugs out if you play the game in exclusive full-screen at non-native resolution etc. etc. etc. etc.
Had to deal with this garbage all the way through closed beta of Quake Champions, and then quit for a few months, all the way 'till steam release.
Frankly I can't wait for Rage 2.
A "universal" solution would be game updates distributed through Windows Update, which would be ... interesting :p Likely not better in any way, shape or form.My backlog is way too long for me to contemplate what's coming. Still, Rage 2 does look very promising. Also, it's a game that doesn't try to be an MMO, an always-online competitive shooter and/or a Battle Royale game. Which is refreshing these days.
I agree we do NOT need another launcher. If this continues, we’ll end up with 20(+) launchers from different publishers. No thanks.
@cucker tarlson xDD it's ok... we can continue there *wink*
GOG already allows this. That’s the only way I install over a hundred games from there...I refuse to add another launcher, hence no Galaxy.
I hope there is a big enough outcry across the internet at this that Bethesda relent and change their mind. One thing they don’t have, thankfully , is a backbone, with the number of times they have given in to fans on stupid moves.
I think the decision to evade Steam is setting it up for a free-to-play in the not-so-distant future. Bethesda, like Blizzard, as their own platform to monetize the game through without giving a cut to Valve so they're going to do it.
BTW, you don't need the bethesda launcher for Fallout Shelter.