First, check the LFS in-game entry screen at the bottom. The ALPHA tag isn't there anymore. This is what Scawen said (hmm, I see it's about 0.6A but still, thre isn't the tag anymore now as well):
Had LFS used Steam exclusively from the start, this wouldn't be the case. There's costs associated with distribution, even digitally, regardless of whether it's the LFS devs or Steam taking care of it.
It may have been a better decision to outsource distribution. It's one less thing for the LFS devs to maintain, so they can concentrate on making a good game, while Steam takes care of the retail side of things.
This isn't the case anymore, I think we've gotten to the point now where LFS depends on the distribution method it has too much to switch 100% to another. Especially given the violent feelings some people here have towards anyone even muttering the word 'Steam'.
If LFS were to adopt Steam as a distribution method, it would probably mean using both Steam and the existing distribution model simultaneously. And it's difficult to justify paying for/maintaining two distribution models at once.
In one sentence; Outsourcing the distribution right now doesn't have the same benefit it did on day 1.
I know this thread was dead for a while now, but I was thinking about the exactly same thing these days. Since there is this new Greenlight thing, couldn't the Devs think about it and at least to put it up to a vote? Obviously, by using Greenlight system.
It would definitely bring more people into this sim, but then again, majority of steam players are CoD kids and I can't think of what you have to obey/loose when signing an contract with Steam. I don't think they would profit, if you know what I mean.
What about greenlight? Since it's so popular these days... Anyone got some details on what the developer contract with Steam contains?
Only downside i can think of right now is entry fee, some 100 bucks i heard?
Then the problem comes, trolls will vote it down. Then you have the rest of the SIM community which is divided. Some will vote it down, some up, but in total I think it will be under the line sadly.
However, trying to get it there is there nothing wrong with, and if it comes there I will vote for it!
I'd love to have LFS on Steam. For some reason I love to see the time I have spent on a game. Also, would love to have all my games organized at one place.
I kind of fail to see the benefit of that. LFS has well established and perfectly working distribution system which is under full Scavier's control. Right now LFS is Scavier's property and they can do whatever they want with it. Once it's available on Steam, the devs will be bound by some contract with Valve and I can't see that being a good thing. Valve would also certainly keep some percents of the profit for themselves, so the end-user price of the Steam version would be higher.
What useful features LFS could benefit from that outweigh the cons does Steam offer?