Steamworks is now fully and freely available to interested developers and publishers.
Valve has finally announced the release of the Steamworks software development kit originally hyped back in
January.
The Steamworks SDK is a suite of tools aimed at helping independant developers who want to help get their game off the ground using a similar digital distribution model to Steam. The SDK includes a whole host of tools for helping to get games published online and, best of all, is completely free to download and use.
Steamworks includes plenty of features considered key to Valve's Steam service, including anti-piracy product key authentication, copy protection services, auto updating facilities and anti-cheat software similar to VAC.
For gamers, the Steamworks SDK also includes a robust social networking framework, match-making tools and statistics tracking.
"
In working with developers on the pre-release SDK, our focus has been on making it as easy as possible for them to integrate Steamworks into their games," said Jason Holtman, director of business development at Valve.
"
They get access to these tools and services in a proven, scalable, and simple to work with package that has already been deployed to millions of gamers worldwide."
Planning on making a game?
We certainly are and Steamworks could be just the ticket. Let us know what you think in
the forums.
I can remember everybody in 1.6 servers talking about how they hated steam this, hated valve that, yet I would always be like "you people are morons, steam is going to revolutionize the online gaming community"
Of course it hasn't really "Revolutionized" the gaming community, it is getting really freaking close.
I'm just glad Valve had the balls of steel and were able to truck on through all the crap they were getting the first few years, and in a few more years, it will only be more polished.
Thanks Valve / STEAM for sticking in there!
Lots of interesting stuff to read, but you have to contact them to be able to download the SDK. (I guess a NDA might be involved)
https://partner.steamgames.com/documentation/running_on_steam Steam stuff explined and detailed (inner workings and developer/Valve relation)
https://partner.steamgames.com/documentation/api
Steam pretty much killed off my cs community, they should have made the change from cs1.5 to 1.6 mandatory completely fragmented the communities.
its had its ups and downs but they seem to be doing well with it now. I do find it easier than using cds/dvds etc.. lets hope they don't go down the pay to play route some companies have.
my point is can people find anything that is better than steam?
my answer is "NO!" you wont find anything that allows you to play your own games on vaction in another country :P
my 100 cents :D
I would make some joke about how the 90's want their technology back but I just feel too damn sorry for you.
Rejoice...the day you'll get broadband everything will be so shiny !! You won't have to live in every beta site, and you will enter straight into te Web 2.0 ! [/rubbish talk]
Steam is the way to go. If a game I want is on Steam or retail (for approx the same price) I'll take Steam without doubt.
My only concern is what type of info is actually collected by it...it is supposed to collect quite a bit.
I think the olive color scheme might be putting people off a bit.
I've found (and am using) a neat skin to counter that.