The awesome guys at ModDB just announced they are launching a new digital distribution platform called Desura. A lot of Steam competitors come and go, but Desura is definitely one that we are going to be heavily supporting.
What is Desura?
First let's look at ModDB: ModDB is essentially a giant community-run site that tries to catalog all video games and their mods. Every game has its own page with screenshots, video, and a fully mirrored archive of mods and other files. We try to keep our Overgrowth page relatively up to date, and we are always blown away by the support we get from the community -- we are up to 1,041 "trackers" at the moment.
Desura takes ModDB to the next level. It is essentially a more advanced and professional iteration of ModDB, powered in conjunction with a Steam-like desktop app. You can browse Desura like you would ModDB, but when you find a mod you like, one click will tell Desura to automatically install it on your computer.
Furthermore, you can purchase games through it and perform most of the things you can do in Steam. For instance, it keeps your games and mods up to date, and even has an achievement system. The most exciting feature for me is the awesome mod support, which will hopefully let us use ModDB as a backend for our mod browser system.
How is it different from Steam?
Of all the PC digital distribution sites, Desura shares the most in common with Steam. It's still in private beta, so it is too early to see exactly what niche it finds, but it differs in at least a few fundamental ways.
- Like on ModDB, discussion between the developer and the community is encouraged.
- The barrier for games and mods to be entered is much lower and more community filtered, rather than selectively curated.
- Desura is community oriented, so almost all of the screenshots, comments, and media is provided by the gamers themselves.
- Desura sits on top of the largest database of mods for most games.
I'd like to say that it's also different because it supports Mac and Linux, but unfortunately it does not (yet). They are gradually working on it though. I think this will prove to be a really big deal, when it goes cross platform. I hear someone wrote a blog post on why you should support Mac OS X and Linux.
A screenshot of the Desura website.
How do I get my hands on it?
Desura is currently in private beta, but if you would like to try it out, just track Overgrowth on ModDB, and the Desura staff will add 25 people at random in the coming week.
To find out more you should visit the Desura Introduction and Desura FAQ.
We have been talking to the Desura guys for a while (long before it was officially announced), and it is definitely one of the most exciting new digital distribution platform we've seen. We hope to be one of the premiere titles to support it!
Track us on ModDB (visit our page)
Please join us here too:
I'm already tracking Overgrowth.. the beta keys are for new watchers only? ):
Nah, it's for everyone! :)
Yay!
Cant wait to test this out, gana be good.
Same here!
Hmmm, I like the idea, but more for the mod support than adding another digital distributor.
The developer API make it really attractive to me, but it would be cool for the ModDB guys to finally start making some money if this takes off. ;)
that might mean no more ads :D
Correct, Desura has no ads and if Desura is a success ModDB will go ad free as well, as we would prefer to earn money by selling and supporting indie games!
Just don't go overboard like steam did...
I don't like the idea of Installation DRMs on most of steam's games list now...
Sure steam lists them before you can buy, but the existence of em are making gamers miserable...
The DRMs are forced by publishers such as EA, I've read in an interview that Valve doesn't really want these DRMs, but when negotiating with publishers to sell their games on Steam, they often doon't want to throw their own DRM overboard.
If the Indie developers don't go DRM-crazy like EA did, I don't think Desura will be equipped with that crap.
Really? I don't think any indie developer has ever wanted DRM.
Actually EA never forced it, If you buy say Mass Effect, Mirror's Edge or Dead Space from Steam your getting it SecuROM free. Ubisoft and 2k are a different matter however, amongst others of course.... The Borderlands DLC and FarCry 2 both come with the 5 install limit, which is fking ridiculious.
Never? Ea did it on Spore, no?
Moddb has ads?
i barely noticed
They are not that bad in Australia but in the states they are worse
Come to think of it I barely notice them either. I'm in Canada.
Glad to hear that you are taking the time to support Desura, as I feel its some thing that all mods and Indies that can should support.
Will we see the overgrowth page be approved for Desura during the beta?
I'm not too sure on the details but it will be there soon, if not already. We've got some really neat stuff cooking behind the scenes though!
But, say i have Hl2 on steam, would the mods work if i got them of Desura?
Yes, Desura is like steam, you download it and you download the mods. The mods go into your Sourcemods if you have hl2 or any other source game. So pretty much its like Moddb without having to download and the manually install the mods?
This is some of the most exiting news I've ever heard!!! Go ModDB!!!
must.. remember.. my Steam passord O_o
anyone know if Desura is going to be client based, like steam, or only though a web browser?
Its an application like steam is.
If you want a web based Desura, go to Moddb.com
It's pretty cool :)
I would use it if two things happen: 1) It works WITH Steam, not just in parallel to it. Game detection would be a good first-step.
2) It's not as heavy-duty as Steam; running both at the same time may actually slow a game down, if even just the smallest bit.
Well, the first part shouldn't be no problem, at least for Source mods (especially considering the fact that most Source mod installers I've used already auto-detect your Steam install). Not all third party games downloaded via Steam will work, however. (see: GTA San Andreas)
One question Jeff, this game looks amazing and all but I'm not to keen on buying games without demos. So my question is, will this game have a demo?
Most definitely. We have to finish it first though ;)
Oh good! Great to see developers who care about their community and reply to the little questions that people might have. Keep doing that, it will get you a long way.
Awesome, ive just bought a mac that supports windows :P (got windows ultimate 64-bit too lol) :D
Great news - think it should be interesting to see how well this works in comparison to steam, along with if it offers a better deal to developers.
Desura, have my babies.
Good idea. I wander what will happen to Steam when Desura comes out.
I think there is more than enough room for both services. :)
No offence, but I don't think something that extends steam games can be labelled as a competitor, since without steam, there would be no steam games to mod.
Hmmmm, not sure I follow
Its not just for steam games tho, its for any game that supports mods or an Indie game.
I hope i get a invite since im a real ModDB addict.
I hope I get one as well.
Overgrowth + Linux + Desura = Mega love from me
Shame I'm broke at the moment so I cant pre-order overgrowth just yet.
Let's try this.
interesting idea....but, steam is something i trust, and garentees fast speed downloads amongst other things.
I dont know why, but when i use steam my download speed goes at max, i never reach that speed with anything else, including torrents/basic downloads.
Digital distribution platforms are useless without speed of download.
The Moddb servers are really fast from what I've witnessed. Had 4 mb/s o a download last time I checked. From Steam I usually get around 1 mb/s.
This is something easily solved, if it's a problem. Check this out: Blog.wolfire.com
Im guessing Desura will match what steam has to offer, well the potential is there, it can... i think Desura may actually be a worthy competitor to steam =] and Mac and Linux support (Whoohoo!!!)... Rome wasnt built in a day, so im not expecting something extra special... but in time it will grow, and grow, and grow =] What I do expect is to see steam coming up with a strategy, would be interesting to see what a threat they make this out to be...
I think what needs to change in this world is the shift in power...
Currently it's all the big corporation pushing the smaller ones to do their bidding... And the sad part is that it's a part of our humanity too...
Once developers has the power to create, publish, and sell their own games, with their own might, and not rely on other companies, I really doubt games would cost around 60 dollars average...
Looking forward to it