Over the last few years, as I’ve accepted the digital download future, I’ve come to rely on Steam. It isn’t just because the digital distribution platform is reliable, constantly there as a backup in case a computer died. The attractive summer and winter sales, with their ridiculously low prices, helped build the bond as well. But what really made Steam my one-stop-shop was the quality control.
For years, I had a mindset that if a game was on Steam, there had to be something redeeming about it. Even a terrible game like Bad Rats: The Rat’s Revenge had merit, as it was the perfect “prank” gift for people during Steam sales. Not every PC game was there, and while it may seem a bit elitist or pretentious, I liked it that way. It gave the impression that Valve cared about the content it made available and wasn’t going to just let anything slip through the cracks.
Except now, thanks to the Steam Greenlight and Early Access programs, all semblance of quality control is gone. From the batches of 50-100 games getting green-lit at once, to Early Access titles turning out to be mostly mediocre at best, and frauds at worst, the store has become tainted.
I first realized there was something wrong a few weeks ago. I like to stop by the Steam storefront once or twice a week, to see what kinds of new games and sales are available. On one occasion, when going through the 100 most recently released games, I was shocked by a block of casual games. Fairy Tale About Father Frost, Ivan and Nastya, Farm Frenzy 4, Farming World, and games starring Freddi Fish and Pajama Sam are not what I expect to see when I come to Steam. There are plenty of fantastic casual games out there, and sure, many of us grew up with kids games starring Pajama Sam and Freddi Fish, but this isn’t the place for them.
Though, at least these games are functional and work. The same can’t be said for all Steam Greenlight games, as many didn’t deliver on their promises. Towns is a big one. It launched on the store as an incomplete product two years ago. Flash forward and it’s still unfinished and the developers have just announced they’re ending support for the game. AirBuccaneers is another greenlit game with a shadowy past, as it promised cross platform support. Two years later, it’s still a Windows exclusive and people just aren’t playing. Steam Greenlight isn’t only at fault for the store’s reputation taking a hit.
An influx of bad, Early Access games has been just as damaging. For every Kerbal Space Program, Starbound, and Prison Architect , there’s also an Earth: Year 2066 or Starforge . The problem with Early Access is that some of the less scrupulous developers are getting on Steam, then halting development. Earth: Year 2066 is a perfect example, as it was a glitchy, broken mess and the developers falsely advertised it. Which led to Valve offering refunds, thankfully, and pulling the game.
Still, Earth: Year 2066 isn’t the only Early Access offender, and other games are part of the program and sullying Steam’s good name. I mean, look at i>Galactic Civilizations III. It’s $99.99 on Early Access. Yes, the Galactic Civilization games have a fantastic track record, but $100? Block Story is questionable as well, despite its low price, as there are quite a few balance issues. (Not to mention, it’s tarnished reputation as a Minecraft clone.) And while Castle Story has always had potential, progress is proceeding so slowly that it’s slipping into the group of Early Access rejects.
Because of the flawed Steam Greenlight process and apparent rush to clear out the queue, we’re starting to see cookie cutter hidden object games and shovelware. Add to that the Early Access games that are providing low quality games with false advertising and few patches, and the store is getting spoiled. Yes, there were bad apples on Steam before, but they’re appearing with far greater frequency. Valve is a company and out there to make money, yes, but it shouldn’t give up its reputation for quality in the process. It’s time to be more discerning.