I do think that the steam's fee of 30% feels strange, but all the infrastructure they provide is pretty sweet. How do you update the zip file you downloaded? Do you trust every developer to keep their download servers running forever so you can always download it later?
This is comparable to what every developer on every console has paid for over three decades in publishing, and still leagues better than what they were making from boxed retail sales.
I plan to publish my game on Steam soon. The 30% seems steep until you realise they're handling distribution, payment processing, forums and marketing if the initial traction is good. There are many great quality of life features in Steamworks that enhance my game greatly, and I do not need any server infrastructure. That being said, I would not enjoy having to pay a publisher as well.
Same here, Steam is not painful at all to install and manage. And I don't get how Steam is spyware, other than tracking when and for how long I run which Steam game, and what my hardware configuration is.
I do think that the steam's fee of 30% feels strange, but all the infrastructure they provide is pretty sweet. How do you update the zip file you downloaded? Do you trust every developer to keep their download servers running forever so you can always download it later?