Since launching Origin, Electronic Arts has pulled a number of titles from the reigning digital download service, Steam. Fans haven’t been happy about the removal, but neither company has been able fix the problem. Valve boss Gabe Newell told Develop that his company has a responsibility to show EA why having its games on Steam is the better option.
"I don’t think Valve can pick just one thing and think the issue would go away if we fixed that," he said. “We have to show EA it’s a smart decision to have EA games on Steam, and we’re going to try to show them that.”
EA has cited issues with Steam policies, with some believing that EA wants to host patches and DLC on its own servers instead of going through Steam. Newell explained that there was “a whole complicated set of issues” behind the split.
"Companies have to earn the right to install content on their customers' PCs on a regular basis," he explained. "The same thing is true of Steam. We have to prove we are creating value on an ongoing basis, whether it’s to EA or Ubisoft or whoever.”
"We really want to show there’s a lot of value having EA titles on Steam. We want EA’s games on Steam and we have to show them that’s a smart thing to do," he said. "I think at the end of the day we’re going to prove to Electronic Arts they have happier customers, a higher quality service, and will make more money if they have their titles on Steam. It’s our duty to demonstrate that to them. We don’t have a natural right to publish their games."
Do you prefer EA’s games on Steam or are you fine with EA’s new Origin platform?
