Steam/Suggestions
This page contains suggestions for the Steam client.
Better management for files outside of GCFs
Some files (e.g. EXEs and DLLs) need to be extracted from the GCFs to work. This is currently done by extracting the specific files into SteamApps/<account>/<gamedir>. And that's quite inefficient as it's done for every game and every account even if it's a file like hl2/media/valve.avi, which is the same for all Source games. This process consumes time (when first starting a game) and disk space (as long as the game is installed).
In my opinion there should be a directory like SteamApps/shared that contains files which are needed by multiple games and/or accounts. This maybe even a good place to store custom content (e.g. maps) so that multiple accounts can use already downloaded maps. --Koraktor
NCF for media files
Red Orchestra uses a new system called NCF. This enables Steam to manage RO's files, which are now saved outside of the usual GCFs. This should also be used for Steam's media, because in the moment disk space is absolutely wasted by extracting the videos from the GCFs and saving them in SteamApps/media.
At least that's the most obvious way, but maybe there's even a way to enable Windows Media Player to use the Steam API. --Koraktor
Universal Game Saves
Have steam track and upload the most recent game save to the steam servers so that in the future when you decide to start playing a game again, or play a game on a different computer, you are able to pick up where you last left off in the game.--bugmenot
Steam for Linux and Mac
Current Steam games are already cross-platform compatible:
- Half-Life and Source Engine Server (Windows, Linux)
- Darwinia (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X)
- Red Orchestra (based on Unreal Engine Technology which is available for Windows, Linux, Macintosh)
- Jagged Alliance 2 (Windows, Linux)
- X2: The Threat (Windows, Linux, Mac)
so people [1] including myself, think the Steam platform should follow. -- Matthias 09:57, 3 Aug 2006 (PDT)
- Linux might just be on the way. :-) --TomEdwards 10:15, 3 Aug 2006 (PDT)
Steam "E-Mail"
I actually use the Steam client as one of my primary methods of communication with friends, as of course do my friends. It is inconvenient when a friend is logged out, as there is no way to leave them a message. I suggest that you add an offline message queue, or a "Steam-mail" apparatus in which to send long-term messages. You could even set up an integrated email server, giving people something like username@steam.com which would send directly to their Steam client.
Companies to Assimilate
These companies would make excellent content for the Steam platform:
- Blizzard Entertainment (Starcraft, Warcraft, WoW, etc.)
- EA Games (Battlefield Series, Command and Conquer Series, and more.. This would involve convincing them to abandon EA Link, their inferior platform for digital distribution.)