Steam Rental Service? SRS

BravO))) · 11-02-2009, 02:11 PM

Since steam is a online store plus gaming console, I feel that it would make since for steam to do a subscription based rental service. I know there are some challenges with this, but with some help from developers this system I feel could create a lot more revenue for Valve.

1) Have a rental tab on the store page.
2) Have options such as one game cost X dollars for so many days.
3) Have a subscription program for say unlimited gaming for xx dollars a month with a limit of two games at a time.
4) This can be used in place of demo's
5) This helps out with piracy as people are able to play the game without pirating it in order to see if they like the game.
6) Puts pc on a more level playing field with consoles.
7) Builds an even more loyal fan base for the system (if done right).
8) One thing to learn about a rental system is that if people like the game they will usually buy it after renting it. This provides for more revenue. Let's say 5 dollars for 5 days on a game. They like it then they buy it for 50 bucks. That game just made 55 instead of 50. If the rent it for 5 dollars for five days and hate it, You just made 5 dollars rather then them not play it at all.
9) If steam were to do this, this would be one of the only options for game rentals on the pc. What this tells me is that more people that don't have steam would switch to the program as there aren't hardly any others.

I hope my points are valid to the point we can discuss this further.

BravO))) · 11-02-2009, 09:01 PM

I hit up one of my forums about suggestions, what seems real popular is like a trial rental to own. Basically the system would be for example: Pay five dollars to play it for say five days. If they like it and decide to buy it, that five dollars they just spent would go towards the purchase of the game. Even though this would cut sales for crappy games, if it were to catch on I could see this as a window for even more steam users in the future. For the mmo's that need subscriptions, the five day period would cover that. All info such as settings and saves would still carry over if the person decides to buy it. I would like input from you guys on this subject so do not be shy.

Biskmatar · 11-03-2009, 04:36 PM

Personally, I get past this by doing a bunch of research before I purchase a game, and in all the years I've bought, I've only ever regretted 3 purchases. Many games these days have demos, and with Metascore and various rating sites, it's pretty easy to decide. I understand that some people would want a rental system, but think about how easy it would be to abuse this, especially on a PC. It'd be interesting to see that others think, though.

P.S. People who are going to pirate a game don't need a demo/rental- they'll just delete it if they don't like it. If they do like it, they won't buy it anyway.

BravO))) · 11-04-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biskmatar

Personally, I get past this by doing a bunch of research before I purchase a game, and in all the years I've bought, I've only ever regretted 3 purchases. Many games these days have demos, and with Metascore and various rating sites, it's pretty easy to decide. I understand that some people would want a rental system, but think about how easy it would be to abuse this, especially on a PC. It'd be interesting to see that others think, though.

P.S. People who are going to pirate a game don't need a demo/rental- they'll just delete it if they don't like it. If they do like it, they won't buy it anyway.

Really? The hardcore pirates will pirate any game, with a rental system it will at least help lower the number of people that are the casual pirates. Reviews don't mean anything to me. Ratings are flawed and biased with the eyes of money (look ate kain and lynch). There are a lot of games out there I would like to try, but I am not going to spend 50 dollars because I don't want to waste that much money on a game I might hate. The latest games I would have not bought if there was a rental system are arma 2, operation flashpoint, borderlands, mass effect, and a lot more. No matter how many reviews you look at, it will never reflect your personal views. What would be so bad about a rental system anyways? Steam already has free weekends, it would be just like that but it would cost money and you could pick the games you wanted to try.

>X< · 11-04-2009, 05:01 AM

1. Multiplayer: If you cheat you can't get banned if you used an account with no games (on consoles the consoles themselves are banned)

2. Singleplayer: Many games can be finished in a day and after playing them, not many will buy them.

3. General: There would be less impulse buying, it would make games more expensive due to less sales.

4. Downloads: The download servers would get much heavier load and that would make purchasers downloads and reinstalls slower, it would provide a download service for pirates.

Sorry but that is how it is.

BravO))) · 11-04-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by >X<

1. Multiplayer: If you cheat you can't get banned if you used an account with no games (on consoles the consoles themselves are banned)

2. Singleplayer: Many games can be finished in a day and after playing them, not many will buy them.

3. General: There would be less impulse buying, it would make games more expensive due to less sales.

4. Downloads: The download servers would get much heavier load and that would make purchasers downloads and reinstalls slower, it would provide a download service for pirates.

Sorry but that is how it is.

1. Ban the person hash as it can not be changed.
2. Devolopers need to come out with better games if that is the case.
3. Might be true, but getting five dollars as opposed to people not buying period and getting nothing is imo better.
4. Have it to were during the trial period the game has to be actively on the internet to play it. As far as piracy goes, piracy is like the swine flu... it might be some what of an issue, but it does not effect the majority. People pirated the hell out of Cod4 and it still sold very well. Point is that devolopers use piracy as an excuss to not release game or do it half ♥♥♥ on the pc. It's better to get five dollars than to get nothing.

11-02-2009, 02:11 PM	#1
BravO))) Join Date: Oct 2009 Reputation: 0 Posts: 8	Steam Rental Service? SRS Since steam is a online store plus gaming console, I feel that it would make since for steam to do a subscription based rental service. I know there are some challenges with this, but with some help from developers this system I feel could create a lot more revenue for Valve. 1) Have a rental tab on the store page. 2) Have options such as one game cost X dollars for so many days. 3) Have a subscription program for say unlimited gaming for xx dollars a month with a limit of two games at a time. 4) This can be used in place of demo's 5) This helps out with piracy as people are able to play the game without pirating it in order to see if they like the game. 6) Puts pc on a more level playing field with consoles. 7) Builds an even more loyal fan base for the system (if done right). 8) One thing to learn about a rental system is that if people like the game they will usually buy it after renting it. This provides for more revenue. Let's say 5 dollars for 5 days on a game. They like it then they buy it for 50 bucks. That game just made 55 instead of 50. If the rent it for 5 dollars for five days and hate it, You just made 5 dollars rather then them not play it at all. 9) If steam were to do this, this would be one of the only options for game rentals on the pc. What this tells me is that more people that don't have steam would switch to the program as there aren't hardly any others. I hope my points are valid to the point we can discuss this further.

11-04-2009, 05:01 AM	#5
>X< Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Reputation: 475 Posts: 3,321	This is why game rentals will not happen on PC. 1. Multiplayer: If you cheat you can't get banned if you used an account with no games (on consoles the consoles themselves are banned) 2. Singleplayer: Many games can be finished in a day and after playing them, not many will buy them. 3. General: There would be less impulse buying, it would make games more expensive due to less sales. 4. Downloads: The download servers would get much heavier load and that would make purchasers downloads and reinstalls slower, it would provide a download service for pirates. Sorry but that is how it is.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-02-2009, 09:01 PM	#2
BravO))) Join Date: Oct 2009 Reputation: 0 Posts: 8	I hit up one of my forums about suggestions, what seems real popular is like a trial rental to own. Basically the system would be for example: Pay five dollars to play it for say five days. If they like it and decide to buy it, that five dollars they just spent would go towards the purchase of the game. Even though this would cut sales for crappy games, if it were to catch on I could see this as a window for even more steam users in the future. For the mmo's that need subscriptions, the five day period would cover that. All info such as settings and saves would still carry over if the person decides to buy it. I would like input from you guys on this subject so do not be shy.

11-03-2009, 04:36 PM	#3
Biskmatar Join Date: May 2009 Reputation: 0 Posts: 8	Personally, I get past this by doing a bunch of research before I purchase a game, and in all the years I've bought, I've only ever regretted 3 purchases. Many games these days have demos, and with Metascore and various rating sites, it's pretty easy to decide. I understand that some people would want a rental system, but think about how easy it would be to abuse this, especially on a PC. It'd be interesting to see that others think, though. P.S. People who are going to pirate a game don't need a demo/rental- they'll just delete it if they don't like it. If they do like it, they won't buy it anyway.