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GOG Galaxy could be Steam’s First Real Competitor

GOG Galaxy could be Steam’s First Real Competitor

I love Steam. Steam’s great. You get all your games in one place. A few times a year, major sales run for a week or two. Any indie game bundle worth buying includes Steam keys. All hail Valve, Gabe take my money, and all that. The status quo has been established. Desura, Origin, and Uplay look on in wonder, as peasants at the feet of the king.

Except now, Steam’s stability may not be so assured. The reason being, CD Projekt’s GOG.com made its big move. Instead of offering website-based access to all of people’s purchased PC games, the company has finally branched out with its GOG Galaxy client. A new challenger approaches, and for the first time Steam has a valid rival. In fact, this upstart has the best chance of usurping the established client’s position.

GOG Galaxy is already off to a strong start, because nobody will ever have to use it. If someone likes the way GOG.com works now, they can stick with the website. Should the client seem attractive, it can be used as well. There’s a sense of freedom there that fits well with GOG’s DRM-free approach, and is a delightful contrast to every other digital distributor’s means of operation. Steam is great and all, but you’re trapped within the client and it’s own variety of DRM. Perhaps it’s a minor inconvenience, but people who try GOG Galaxy may find they prefer the openness of that platform.

Building a library will be easy too, because GOG is as gungho about sales as Valve. Even free games are doled out on a rather regular basis and weekend bundles are rather common. One or two good seasonal or weekend sale events, and a person could end up with a sizable library for $20 or $30.

GoG Galaxy will offer the ability to pick and choose what you do and don’t use. As an example – I’m not a fan of achievements and trophies. I don’t care if I have or haven’t accomplished something in the game. All I want to do is enjoy the moment and not see a notice every few minutes saying something like, “Achievement Unlocked: Knock 3 Times! You knocked before entering a NPC’s home.” GOG Galaxy is important and could prove to be a force because the company realizes not everyone wants every feature. You decide what you do and don’t want to use. No other client offers that kind of customization.

GOG Galaxy could be Steam’s First Real Competitor

The fact that GOG Galaxy acknowledges other people primarily rely on Steam is important too. If someone purchased a game via GOG, it’s easy for them to enjoy cross-play with other people online, regardless of whether they purchased the title from Steam or GOG. GOG Galaxy is the only client that takes other clients into consideration and will hopefully make it easier to enjoy some multiplayer games together.

The customer service element is perhaps the most critical part. Valve isn’t exactly known for being on top of things in this area. If you have a problem with Steam and go to support, odds are it will take over 24 hours for someone to get back to you. (My current record is three days without a response.) GOG is the complete opposite. Sometimes it seems like the staff can’t do enough to help you. Which means you know GOG is going to be listening to people throughout the GOG Galaxy open beta. Feedback will be considered and a stronger product will come about as a result.

GOG Galaxy has potential. Most importantly, it has the time to take chances. GOG has a proven team that shows it listens to its customers. It isn’t trying to force anyone into anything. Rather, it’s offering a customizable and accomodating option, something Valve has never done with Steam.

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