Publishers 'are receptive to a Steam rival', research firm Baird says
The splintered relationship between Electronic Arts and Valve appears to have worsened, with Gamestop now claiming that Battlefield 3 will be blocked from Steam.
The upcoming EA DICE shooter will be available digitally on other platforms, including Gamestop’s, an unnamed executive at retailer also said.
Financial research firm Baird recently held a meeting with Gamestop’s management, and in its subsequent report says: “The upcoming EA title Battlefield 3 will be sold as a download through GameStop, but not through Steam.”
Baird has since told Develop that it had heard the claim directly from Gamestop executives. EA and Valve have been approached for comment.
“Given Steam's dominance – and insistence on users downloading a Steam client application – publishers are likely to be receptive to a competitive alternative,” the Baird report read.
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The new claims come amid widespread speculation that some future EA games won’t appear on Valve’s network.
Electronic Arts recently positioned itself as a Valve rival in the digital PC space, having launched its own Origin service.
David DeMartini, who heads up the operation, made assurances that EA is not inclined to block its games from any distribution platform.
The publisher also claimed that Valve removed Crysis 2 – an EA Partners game – from Steam due to imposed "business terms".
“This was not an EA decision or the result of any action by EA,” the firm claimed.
EA has for a number of years been the publishing partner for a number of Valve games.
about time game makers backed away from steam, they are ruining a great experience and making it twice as dear if you purchase from a store, then having stalled updates and no replies to email.well done EA hope activision follows suit.
I don't know what experience you have from Steam but my personal experience is good prices (when on offer or before/at release) and a semi-reasonable customer service (not the best but not the worst). Plus with pre-loading (if available for pre-order) I can have my game waiting for me the second it is available.
Yes it's true that retail will have cheaper prices because they can discount as they see fit, where as Steam is set mainly by publishers.
I was after Crysis 2 recently, it was about £12 retail limited edition, prior it being removed was £30 on steam and a massive £35 on Origin. You argue for direct2drive, etc. but why should I have to sign up to multiple services. EA are just hurting sales with this and the sooner they realise that the better.
Online retail boxes is cheaper, in store is not cheaper. It's ridiculously expensive.
Depending on where you live depends on what experience you get with STEAM.
In Europe (not the UK) prices are twice as much for a new PC game on STEAM compared to what you can buy it for on disc from Amazon.co.uk including shipping.
Direct2Drive on the other hand is priced comparitively with disc media and has a better alround service than STEAM.
Oh, EA you insufferable lot of idiots. Way to cut out a huge userbase.
@gav...how EA not being able to authenticate your game, online passes, and on disc DLC that's locked out for PC gamers. Oh yeah, Steams REALLY rubbish.
What a crock. I like having all my games in one place. I will never use EA's download service, not with the limit on how long you can download the games.
Well that's one game I can tick off my list!
Stupid EA. Why would you so blatantly insult all the steam users? There's over 30 million of them!
Good deal, steam is way over rated,vac doesn't and has never worked and you will buy bf3 no matter how it comes out. Steam is just another background process you dont need running in the background
Fuck EA. They should just stay away from PC gaming.
Is it just me, or does EA hire people to slander Steam? I mean, Battlefield costs 60 dollars. The Orange Box, containing Half life 2, episodes 1 and 2, tf2, and Portal for 20.
Plus Battlefield is incredibly shitty.
In short, EA is stupid, always has been, good riddance EA fanboys.
I bet this is rubbish. You have even said in the article that Valve pulled Crysis 2 from steam not EA.
No big gaming company like EA or Activision would NOT sell their game on Steam, that is the dumbest business decision ever.
I bet you will see BF3 on Steam, just like all other EA games coming out soon.
