Gabe Newell asserts that piracy is about convenience

[BaronBuffoon]

From the perspective of Valve, software piracy is caused more by convenience than it is by the cost of games.

That's according to co-founder Gabe Newell, who recently spoke at the North to Innovation conference in Seattle, giving a very frank and open outline of the modern economics of video games.

According to Newell, Russia -- which is often ignored as a market due to its high level of piracy -- is one of Steam's highest grossing countries.

Read more here...

 

[Nerfherder]

Russia -- which is often ignored as a market due to its high level of piracy

yep... and because you ignore the ruskies they pirate and share with the rest of the world.

Its pretty interesting listening to the things these guys say... they are a much bigger market and seem to pay the same for games as us and its as expensive for them.

 

[Messugga]

Gabe speaks the truth, I reckon. At the moment, it's not worth the hassle of getting pirated games to work, for me. I'd much rather just sit down, run an installer and play the game (Provided it is reasonably priced). If I have to pay for that, so be it. My Steam library's not too sparsely populated, as a result.

 

[HavocXphere]

(http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/valve-vs-most-gaming-companies-nugget-from-the-net.jpg)

 

[Fader4]

Newell needs to stfu and stop eating, i want half life 3 now.

Also... its all about cost or is he not aware of the second hand games market? steam specials? ffs just make half life 3 already.

 

[Chevron]

I must admit. I haven't pirated one game since getting Steam.

Now we just need Netflix.

 

[Reddevil10]

I must admit. I haven't pirated one game since getting Steam.

Now we just need Netflix.

Agree with this. I buy all my console games and my pc games come exclusively from steam. It can get expensive though, especially during this period with top games coming out every week.

Also our internet is no where near stable or fast enough for netflix.For most people the highest speed they can get is 4mb cause 10mb isnt available everywhere.