LAWLzoR

Given how they similarly attempted something new with the pre-load of MKX, I think that Steam is currently having a figurative mid-life crisis. By that, I mean they are constantly trying out new things and barely stopping to see how well it works. However, Gabe has said that it's their aim to give a better service than the pirates, and seeing the amount of backlash that has been received I don't think this will become a thing. Give it time, Steam's just trying out some new strategies to see how things work.

I feel like the effort that goes into creating mods shouldn't be overlooked, but I can see where people are coming from with the protest mods and the like. It'd be a little like TF2 going back to being $29.99 or whatever, in a sense.

What do you think on the subject, LAWL?

the pc master race crumbles

@ranger

I have mixed feelings on the issue. I agree that modders should be able to sell their intellectual property. People do it all the time and it has yet to become a serious issue (while the mobile app scene is abismal, would you call it serious?). But the issue with this case is that it has loophole-ish things to be done. For example companies could guise themselves as members of the community but actually be from companies selling a buggy game and put a mod to fix it up on Steam. Not to mention that the people who put their stuff on sale are given short shrift. Lets say that I put a Skryim mod up for $1. That's a lot considering I can get games for free on Steam. But I only get $0.25 because 30% of that dollar ($0.30) is given to Steam, which is fair, it's their system. But another 45% ($0.45) is given to Bethesda, meaning that 75% of the profits is not going to the creator. Say that what you will, but that means prices are going to be marked up very highly. For example I saw a mod called "Wet and Cold" which replaces three things: attire for travelers, attire for cold climates, and attire for rain/wet areas. That's it. Nothing else. It's price is $5 if I remember correctly. That price is competing with FULL games, 100% done games. But you can't blame the modder, he's only getting $1.25.

TL;DR - I think the idea is fine, but the implementation of it is causing and is going to cause high prices for basically nothing.

I think that if it was just about paying the modder, then the current way of donating what you think it's worth is fine. But it's making sure that the distributor and the original creator get a cut as well, which is similarly understandable. The problem is obviously that they're not getting the right ratio down, as you've said above. But is there really a good way to split it? You can't make a agreement that has two parties happy without the third getting a ridiculously small cut, can you?