An interview has appeared between Gabe Newel head of Valve and GoodGame http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/video/default.htm?pres=20090720_2030&story=5 Its all fairly interesting but the most interesting part is where Gabe starts talking about using steam as a platform to allow people to invest in the developers or the games which they think will do well. Is this a good idea? I really can't decide as it means greater support for developers with great ideas but a low budget. However i can see alot of small developers sucking in money then taking three years to decide the idea won't work or that they need even more money. It also raises the issue of the "SuperFanBoy" who will defend their title and advertise it everywhere because they have $100 invested in it. I live in Australia so tax and exchange rates are also an issue >.>. I would however give it a go if it ever did happen
will they pay us back our share of the profits? will we get regular progress updates? what protection is there for the investor if an "indie" decides to take the money and run?
I assume the same protection for other kinds of investments. You get your portion of the profits, "running" with the money is illegal but failing to release a finished product isn't (Depending on what system is put in place). Obviously there is risk and reward in any system like this. How often progress reports are released i guess is up to whoever you give your money to.
IMO this is just Valve trying to get good PR in light of the L4D2 debacle. Good idea, but it's like Hitler building the Autobahn. Yeah, great idea, but it doesn't excuse you from messing up.
