[Novotny]

this 'worried this forum will devolve' thing; are you talking about something that may happen in the future? For brother, I have news. This forum was born punching itself in the head from both sides. We're not happy unless we're disagreeing. As you can see, I'm disagreeing with you right now, even though I may agree with you. It's just not the point.

Ack, Blackdog you've only gone and posted around 6 billion points in one bloody post again. I'd like to consider and respond to them all but I'm nearly 40 for christ's sake.

Suffice to say, you have some interesting points but the main ones can be summarised as such: wrong, wrong, wrong, right - no, sorry - wrong, wrong and wrong.

tee hee.

Actually, I'll give it a go.

Regarding Steams' demographic: Steam hosts over 1250 games from ass-hurting turn-based strategy bore-fests (I have several) to mental shoot-em-ups (I have several). It's not some sort of 'community', rather thousands of ickle small ones, so clearly something as niche as this will fit in.

Steam's server browsing is a thing of beauty and much admired and copied throughout the industry. Hyperlobby, whilst it serves its purpose, looks and feels like something from the 1980s in comparison and cannot compete in terms of features or innovation. I know, for I was in the 1980s. It was a small part. We will be able to host any old sort of server we like.

Steam has protection for hijacking of accounts and all that sort of nonsense.

The integration of Steam is an added abstraction, this is true. But with that comes many benefits. Our games are much more like other games than some of the games on Steam. Sound like a silly statement? You started it.

I think I've responded to your main points, though just going wrongwrongwrong was easier.

At least you're probably going to try it. What a mad mentalist you are in comparison to our brothers and sisters skulking elsewhere around the church. Pray for them.