Going off from this post and adding a poll: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1490799-steam/ (dead thread)

Do you think it is beneficial for the game to be released on steam? It's funny when I saw http://www.vgchartz.com/game/70799/the-elder-scrolls-online/ on ESO and thought of reviving this topic.

For me, it's better for them to give a go on steam after the game's release. If the outcome of the game is positive in its first months release, then it would garner good publicity during steam release. I've actually gave someone a beta key in steam and said in reply that he was not interested in an MMO, and was hearing bad things about the game. If the game's release would prove otherwise, then it will possibly pull these people into thinking of buying.

And, think about the cut steam will get when the game is released over there. In a corporation's view point, it's better to milk people first with the most return.

For people who are against steam platform due to connectivity issues, there are games/MMORPG that you can run without even launching steam such as Path of Exile, but you can still connect with people who launched that game via steam.

It is beneficial for the game to be released on Steam, only question is, how much beneficial is it? How many extra users will Zenimax get from it?

Cause when it really comes down to it, there would be no advantage for the users at all by buying the game from Steam instead of directly from Zenimax, as all the client updates would be downloaded from Zenimax anyway and all the game traffic is handled by Zenimax as well. I suppose Valve/Zenimax could add some Team Fortress 2 ESO hat for those who buy the game on Steam, but that's kinda it.

if they ever tell me... FROM TODAY you will need steam.. I wont play again. The game has a laucnher, no need for steam... There is no mmo that opens with steam. Not even swtor that is the same company with ORIGIN, uses ORIGIN to open.

You may be able to buy it from steam, but not steam installed be able to use it. I dont feel safe with many application running in my background.

There is also another matter... Since steam will release their own console, companies will start to distant from steam. Because it will be unfair for microsoft, sony and nintendo.

I think they preparing a steambox or something?

I just said an MMO (Path of Exile) that opens with steam, but not its launcher though because that game has no launcher at all. I could play ESO when linking the launcher on steam.

No.

Most people only look to Steam for games on sale or budget/older games.

It is the publicity of the game that I'm telling about. That's the advantage of having it on steam. Don't forget about having a person to show off his/her achievements on it.

I voted don't care.

I've had some extremely bad experiences with Steam over the past year which has led me to abandoning it completely, I know I won't be using Steam for the foreseeable future.

Rome Total War II cost $60 upon release. There are a games that were released on steam that is not within budget/older games.

You don't have to play PoE with Steam though, and PoE is a dungeon crawler like Diablo or Torchlight.

EDIT:THIS IS ELDER SCROLLS... I mean what publicity does it need.

Exactly my point on connectivity issues in the first post.

If you've read the first post, there are some people one steam who have heard badly about the game, but they might turncoat once they hear positive news on steam. Again, I'm saying that release on steam should have been complementary on customer feedback.

You don't need to enlarge the font to prove a point.... Even FFXIV have released the game on steam FYI.

the last I liked was FFX all the rest FF was not my cup of tea

Preferably no steam ever please

True, but most games that people are anticipating or pre-ordering aren't Steam material, or aren't in consumers' eyes. Not saying that won't change, it may well be, I've had to link store-bought games to Steam immediately, but only because it was required (i.e. Civilization V).

I did purchase The Stick of Truth through Steam recently, only because it saved me a few bucks from buying the physical copy.

But, the only reason I did so, was that it did indeed save me a few bucks over the physical media. If Steam can offer lower prices than new release physical media, more power to them. But if the cost is equivalent, most people would rather have the convenience of a physical backup.

So long as I never have to touch that STEAMing pile of [censored], I don't care.

...only if it also releases on GoG.

I remember when FFXI started getting customers from Steam purchases......suffice it to say, i voted "No" .

I have over 40 games on Steam including AAA titles. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Steam. I also use Steam to launch ESO so I can chat with my friends over Steam via the Steam overlay.

Don't get me wrong, i have many games i got on Steam. IMO its a great service. I just don't think an MMO should be purchased through it. Just my personal opinion based on the havok it caused in an MMO i played for a long time.

No to Steam... Just no.

I think Steam is fine for the majority of games but when you have to open Steam, possibly wait for it to update the Steam launcher, then click on a line that opens a separate launcher, and possibly wait for an update to either the game or that launcher, it is getting stupid. I have my TESO launcher set to automatically open the game when the launcher starts and that's what I want, less mucking about and one click to game load.

Just leave it the way it is. If the people that have an all-consuming hardon for Steam aren't interested in a game that doesn't run through their 'hallowed portal' then at the end of the day, who friggin' cares?