Community MetaSteam | March 2019 - The Core Values of One-Handed Fighting

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Le Pertti

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I actually appreciate the response valve gave,they are right that they only have to try and enable Devs to express themselves and not make too big of a value judgement on what that expression entails, because they can't possible have insight into all kinds of niches, unless of course it goes so massively over the line like now.
 

Copons

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The fact that a blog post is needed is a bit worrying. Why all the publicity?
I guess because a bunch of major gaming sites decided to randomly pick this story giving it much unnecessary and undeserved publicity in the first place.

This is a bit weird as well. It takes 1 minute to check the store page and understand this game is illegal. Why is there sugar-coating about this ban?
I guess that's because the game is not illegal (I guess?), and therefore is not strictly against Steam's T&C.
I'm more inclined in thinking the game was banned because of the "straight up trolling" clause which, judging by the video and screenshots, seems definitely possible.

This said, their post is really dumb.
Like, ok, you're a business and you check "costs and risks" for everything you do, but it's not necessary to mention it all the times, and especially not in a case like this in times like these...

And I feel 2x annoyed by all this, because instead of discussing about Valve continuous shortcomings, I've spent the last couple of days arguing with a guy from Activision (actually ex employee, he got fired in the recent layoffs) who was all like: "Valve curation sucks, thank god there is the Epic store now <3", which, wtf, what the connection even is?
Oh well, I guess he's trying to land a job there, who knows ¯\(ツ)
 

Wok

Wok
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I guess that's because the game is not illegal (I guess?), and therefore is not strictly against Steam's T&C.
A similar game was banned, at least in Japan, Australia and Argentina. And it is a game which was not supposed to be sold outside of Japan in the first place. So, I don't know, it might break some laws. Maybe it is just a grey zone and laws have not been actually written.

Critics of violent imagery in video games, such as British Member of Parliament Keith Vaz, have cited games involving rape as an example of why video game content needs to be more strictly regulated.[4] RapeLay in particular had come to Vaz's attention in 2009, three years after its initial release, as it was sold on Amazon.com, despite not being officially distributed nor supported outside of Japan, and he vowed to bring the issue into the British Parliament to prevent the game from being sold. Amazon subsequently removed the game from its website.[5] Equality Now urged activists to write to Illusion and then-Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in protest, arguing the game breaches Japan's obligations under the 1985 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.[6] In May 2009, these actions culminated in the restriction of the sale and production of RapeLay by the Ethics Organization of Computer Software (EOCS), an independent Japanese ratings organization for adult games, making it impossible to purchase the game even in Japan.[7]
The distribution of RapeLay has been banned in Australia due to a campaign run by Women's Forum Australia, under the directorship of Melinda Tankard Reist.[8][non-primary source needed] RapeLay is also the only video game to be effectively banned in Argentina.[9][10] Citing RapeLay as an example, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, in his concurring opinion vis-à-vis the case Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association wrote, "It...appears that there is no antisocial theme too base for some in the video-game industry to exploit."[11]
Articles in defence have also been written, many noting that rape is considered a lesser crime than murder, yet there are thousands of legal video games in which the goal is to kill enemies.[12] Illusion's response to the controversy was one of bewilderment and a reiteration that the game passed Japanese laws and is not sold outside Japan.[6] Illusion later removed references to the game from their website and ceased distribution of the game, citing concerns over the impact on the industry.[13]
 
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Copons

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A similar game was banned, at least in Japan, Australia and Argentina. And it is a game which was not supposed to be sold outside of Japan in the first place. So, I don't know, it might break some laws.
Maybe the "costs and risks" remark means that, since laws are not exactly clear, it's simpler to get rid of this crap now than respond to a lawsuit in a few years.
 

prudis

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indie RTS' are still alive and releasing from Early Access


Crazy Monkey Studios and Warcave have announced that Warparty, their prehistoric RTS, will be released on March 28 for PC, Mac, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch.


After a few months of “fine-tuning” on Steam’s Early Access, Warparty is almost ready to be released worldwide, including its full Story Campaign mode. The campaign will include unique maps, factions, and missions set “against a backdrop of cinematic cutscenes.”

Inspired by classic RTS’, players will be able to play as three factions: the ‘proud’ Wildlanders, the ‘menacing’ Necromas, or the ‘vengeful’ Vithara. Each race has its own units, buildings, playstyles, and unique talents in order to secure the battlefield. Each race will be able to tame dinosaurs and mythical creatures in order to win the day, fighting through Survival, AI Skirmish, and Custom Online Multiplayer modes for up to six players.


The Survival mode allows players to pick their preferred faction and fight against increasing waves of enemies. Survive for as long as you can and see how you fare against the world.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Path To Die available on Steam on March 8.

Become a samurai, travel to Feudal Japan and slay your enemies with your right stick as your own katana.

The Path To Die is a top down pixel art game with action, adventure and a lot of exploration. In this game you will travel to Feudal Japan and visit different areas of a large Imperial Palace with its huge gardens, pagodas, cemeteries and villas where you will have to infiltrate and face a large number of enemies guarding it.
The combat system is one of the most important aspects in The Path To Die, unlike other games where you attack by pressing buttons, here your right stick will be your trusty katana and you will kill your enemies performing your attacks moving it. Keep your sword sharp and your bow taut because you will face a lot of enemies that will stand between you and your destiny. Your weapons will be your best allies along your way.
But you will not survive with only your weapons. Explore to the last corner because you will need food, drinks and bandages in addition to other vital items to keep yourself alive and fighting

Key Features
  • Unique combat system, handle your weapons with your right stick.
  • Traditional Japan places represented in pixel art.
  • No health restoration, bleeding and stamina system, katana sharpness wear...
  • Manual save system, no checkpoints.
  • Different looting items indispensable to survive.
  • Variety of enemies with different weapons and fighting techniques.
  • Different bosses who will give their lives to stop you.
 
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Anteater

Hentai Specialist
Sep 20, 2018
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I admit DMC5 is reviewing better than I expected, I was expecting a lot would be negative about how "linear" and "archaic" it feels, comparing it to souls and god of war games
 
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Alextended

Segata's Disciple
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It's not been that long since a character action game (Switch Bayo duology) or a DMC re-release (HD collection, 4 SE), that would have been a dumb 180.

I'm pleasantly surprised the preload is only ~30GB :)
 
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There are some insane people posting messages in that Steam announcement that they're going to leave because of that sensible decision....
It's perplexing, but you know what, just ignore it.
We live in crazy times, and if one thing's for certain is that there are a lot of very, very, very stupid people around, and unfortunately easy internet access and social media/forums bring out the worse in them. ;)
 
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prudis

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ScourgeBringer is a fast-paced free-moving roguelite platformer. Help Kyhra to explore the unknown and to slash her way through the ancient machines guarding the seal of her past, and maybe the redemption of humanity.



  • Get the raw feel of a metroidvania through a fast paced rogue-lite
  • Slash and shoot your way smoothly with fluid platforming controls
  • Sharpen your skills with a frantic combat system focused only on attacking
  • Dash forward with other-worldly adaptive music
  • Defy a dozen giant bosses holding the secrets of the Scourge
  • Explore the infinite depths of an ever changing dungeon
  • Uncover mysteries and alternative routes to find mementos of previous explorers

 

Ex-User (307)

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Maybe the "costs and risks" remark means that, since laws are not exactly clear, it's simpler to get rid of this crap now than respond to a lawsuit in a few years.
I assume one cost had they allowed it to sell would have been spending time and resources figuring out which regions it could legally be sold in. And then an additional cost in keeping an extra eye out to see if any countries changed their laws to address that content later.

Which, alongside with the whole "trolling" aspect certainly makes it seem like an easy thing to boot off the store.
 
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Tizoc

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ScourgeBringer is a fast-paced free-moving roguelite platformer. Help Kyhra to explore the unknown and to slash her way through the ancient machines guarding the seal of her past, and maybe the redemption of humanity.



  • Get the raw feel of a metroidvania through a fast paced rogue-lite
  • Slash and shoot your way smoothly with fluid platforming controls
  • Sharpen your skills with a frantic combat system focused only on attacking
  • Dash forward with other-worldly adaptive music
  • Defy a dozen giant bosses holding the secrets of the Scourge
  • Explore the infinite depths of an ever changing dungeon
  • Uncover mysteries and alternative routes to find mementos of previous explorers
Wish the dev best of luck because looking 8 bit/pixel art and rogue-lite? Yeah there are enough already on steam that theyd need good word of mouth from influencers etc.
 
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lashman

lashman

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Shows how often I upgrade my phone.XD I like with the authenticator for battle.net, you have a recovery number and security code. Super easy.
yeah, i have no idea why volvo didn't let people just use authy for codes or something ... so silly
 
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Tizoc

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How do i turn the giant fencers in edf 4.1 into the fastest units in the field? They move too slow for my tastes ToT
 
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lashman

lashman

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oops ... a bit early ;)

 
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prudis

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Kartridge has partnered with some stellar indie game studios to curate ‘Premiering on Kartridge,’ a set of limited-time PC exclusive titles! Starting in early Q2, Kartridge users will be able to play some of the best upcoming games before anyone else.

The first batch of games includes:
Also, Kongregate is teaming up with Damp Gnat to announce the sequel to the indie hit Wonderputt!

The games are the first of Kongregate's "Premiering on Kartridge" timed exclusives, and will eventually make their way to other platforms; in fact, all but the Wonderputt sequel are already listed on Steam. The exclusivity period will vary from game to game, but a rep said it will typically be 30-45 days.
Anodyne 2 and the Wonderputt sequel will debut exclusively on Kartridge
 
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lashman

lashman

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The exclusivity period will vary from game to game, but a rep said it will typically be 30-45 days.
THIS i can live with ... it fucking sucks as well (because fuck exclusives on an open platform) ... but 30-45 days is even better than discord ..... at least it's not 12 fucking months

and on that note: FUCK EPIC!!!
 

Ge0force

Excluding exclusives
Jan 12, 2019
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I'm getting sick of shitty stores/clients forcing us into using them by moneyhatting 3rd party devs for exclusivity. Of course 30 days is not too bad, but I hate to see how this moneyhatting crap is becoming the new norm on PC.

Edit: I do like that Kartridge has a "Monthly Staff Picks" section tho.
 

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I'm getting sick of shitty stores/clients forcing us into using them by moneyhatting 3rd party devs for exclusivity. Of course 30 days is not too bad, but I hate to see how this moneyhatting crap is becoming the new norm on PC.
Well, you can always skip these titles, and not support these practices. ;)

Even if I'm not particularly bothered by waiting 3 months or so, I haven't purchased a single game that was time-exclusive to Discord.

Bad North would be a day one purchase. But, by the time it launched on Steam, I simply went ahead and purchased something else. Maybe I'll play it, when it ends up on a cheap bundle.
And this coming from a guy that usually buys indie games that I'm interested in on day one.

Life is made of choices, and these indie developers made the choices they thought best for them.
But, they can't possibly expect to launch their games elsewhere 3/6/12/24 months later, usually at full price, and expect the customers of those stores to keep the same interest, considering the game in no longer "new".
 
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EdwardTivrusky

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Dec 8, 2018
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edit: dammit, took too long to type! RE: Funktion's post...

Eh, good luck to 'em but it's not something i'll remember about in a few days so ultimately it's of little impact to me. At least it looks like Kon-Kart aren't money-hatting AAA-Indie devs like Epic so i can forgive them and as FunktionJCB said I can't blame devs for making these choices but they must be aware that it will lower visibility and possibly interest? Also will many people see this exclusivity window as a form of Early Access as in the extra time it take to come to other store the game will be more polished? That itself encourages me to wait a bit longer, there again i have rarely been someone who roams with the herd so Day One for me means nothing really... which is what kills my interest in GAAS too, by the time i'm ready to play the game it'll be months later and is there any point jumping in when everyone else is geared up or has moved on?

I wish these lot well though, good luck!
 

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Allow me to make yet another grumpy post, and say: if these news came 2 months ago, I would be ecstatic, and I would be first in line to buy these tables, since I own all the previous ones.
But, after beta testing their upcoming new game on Steam, only for them to announce a one year exclusivity to the EGS for the game, Zen Studios can suck it. I'll play these tables on Pinball Arcade. :p
 

RionaaM

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Allow me to make yet another grumpy post, and say: if these news came 2 months ago, I would be ecstatic, and I would be first in line to buy these tables, since I own all the previous ones.
But, after beta testing their upcoming new game on Steam, only for them to announce a one year exclusivity to the EGS for the game, Zen Studios can suck it. I'll play these tables on Pinball Arcade. :p
Funnily enough, I bought every Pinball Arcade pack when they announced their removal, and I still haven't launched the game once. I like pinball, but I suck so much that I never feel like playing it :(
 

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Funnily enough, I bought every Pinball Arcade pack when they announced their removal, and I still haven't launched the game once. I like pinball, but I suck so much that I never feel like playing it :(
You start improving by playing. :)
I bought all the Pinball Arcade packs as well, and I've been having a blast playing these classic tables.

When you start playing, you always suck.
But, after a few tries, you start to understand how the table works, and you greatly improve your playing.

In all honesty, I don't even particularly care about leaderboards or scores, I've just been having fun playing the tables. :steam_pigblanket:
 
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Ge0force

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Well, you can always skip these titles, and not support these practices. ;)
That's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm not supporting any games involved in paid exclusivity deals. Not now, and now when they arrive on Steam later. There are plenty of other great games to play, my wish list is huge already.

*looks at lashman's wish list on Steam'

Okay, not THAT huge :p

Allow me to make yet another grumpy post, and say: if these news came 2 months ago, I would be ecstatic, and I would be first in line to buy these tables, since I own all the previous ones.
But, after beta testing their upcoming new game on Steam, only for them to announce a one year exclusivity to the EGS for the game, Zen Studios can suck it. I'll play these tables on Pinball Arcade. :p
Same here. I've bought the previous two Williams packs at full price on day one. But I'm very disappointed in Zen that they are helping Epic to establish paid store exclusivity deals on PC. Don't feel like giving them my money anymore.
 

RionaaM

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You start improving by playing. :)
I bought all the Pinball Arcade packs as well, and I've been having a blast playing these classic tables.

When you start playing, you always suck.
But, after a few tries, you start to understand how the table works, and you greatly improve your playing.

In all honesty, I don't even particularly care about leaderboards or scores, I've just been having fun playing the tables. :steam_pigblanket:
I get what you mean, but even after reading about the basics I didn't feel I'd learned anything. It's discouraging, to be honest.
 
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Deleted member 113

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I get what you mean, but even after reading about the basics I didn't feel I'd learned anything. It's discouraging, to be honest.
I never read any guides about tables, or how to score in them.
But, to be truthful I previously owned a physical pinball table many years ago, so I know the basics.
If you want to know a few tricks, there's plenty of videos on youtube.

And since you have all table packs, try out different tables, and see which ones you enjoy.
I personally "clicked" with Who Dunnit, a table that's rarely talked about, but I rather like it.
 
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RionaaM

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I never read any guides about tables, or how to score in them.
But, to be truthful I previously owned a physical pinball table many years ago, so I know the basics.
If you want to know a few tricks, there's plenty of videos on youtube.

And since you have all table packs, try out different tables, and see which ones you enjoy.
I personally "clicked" with Who Dunnit, a table that's rarely talked about, but I rather like it.
I'll have to try this someday. It'd be great to become good at pinball, even though I'm not deaf, dumb nor blind and I can't play by sense of smell.
 
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