When I visit most digital distribution stores I think damn this site is ace, I can get and play games quick and easy without screwing around with readme's (who reads them seriously!?) BUT.... where are the mods and user generated content in these stores? Why can't I post and read reviews on game pages and why can't the game developers provide a little behind the scenes insight like news, videos and images beyond a basic few? I'm a PC gamer dammit... I should be able to do things only PC gamers can!
Introducing Desura, our take on how we believe game digital distribution should be done. Our aim with Desura is to provide access to the latest, greatest and new/old games available on the market. We are 100% indie-friendly and the only digital distribution service out there with the ambitious aim of supporting user-made mods for games. While we only have a few titles available at the moment, we look forward to filling it with the best of the best (and encourage devs of all shapes and sizes to get in touch). Expect new games and mods daily, as we add great titles from years gone by and attempt to get all new releases on Desura.
Gamers, on Desura you have a voice, ranging from reviewing your favourite games, presenting ideas and criticisms (constructive ones) to the developers and interacting with the rest of the community.
Developers, you are in charge and have complete control over your games on Desura. Including but not limited to how you distribute, test, patch, market and support your games. Post news, images, videos and other updates regularly to engage with the community and build the biggest fan base you can, just as you already do on ModDB and IndieDB.
We still have a long road ahead (and a nifty list of features coming which really sets Desura apart) so expect to hear a ton from us as we integrate Desura into the ModDB and IndieDB and make it super easy to get games or mods on the service. Feedback is welcome, so grab the Desura installer today and start idling (+ getting games / mods of course!)
I'd also like to shout out to all of the indie developers (and mod teams) who have taken the time to get their game on the service. You should buy all of these games and support indies and the ModDB and IndieDB team. Your help goes a long way.
Finally, for everyone who has been involved since the launch of our private beta last year, thank you for your support. It turns out that creating a kick ass digital distribution service is a bit like racing a 300 pound gorilla while dressed in a banana suit. It’s not easy and we haven’t won the battle yet, but we’re pealing away and approaching the finish line.
All right! Way to go Desura team!
I personally love it. I've had Desura for a year in the closed beta and I have to say it's great. We make use of it with Half-Life 2: Wars :)
Thanks, we are going to work hard with the aim of adding +1 mod daily, adding an API, in-game stuff so playing a mod is easy as it possibly can be and more enjoyable.
The client boots so fast for my old XP rig. Love it. Great work and good luck!
Yea seriously. Steam takes a day to start-up compared to Desura.
Man, Desura is/will (be) the ****!
Very happy to have been apart of the beta, watching Desura turn into what it is today was nothing short of awesome. Thanks for letting us be apart of it :)
"...the only digital distribution service out there with the ambitious aim of supporting user-made mods for games." Doesn't Steam already do that?
true, they support a few mods and typically add one every 6 months. we are trying to support all high quality mods on all games (i.e. adding 1 a day)
If a mod decides to go the full 9 yards to fully get Steamworks in, Valve has been fairly OK with dumping them onto Steam.
Problem is Steamworks can be a hassle and a half to get in, and most good mods are going the indie route anyways to make money (or using Impulse from Stardock). Plus, most (i.e. all) of the mods they've let through are Steamworks standalone games that are free and use the Source Engine.
That being said, I have several mods that I launch through Steam.
Yea, like, 20.
They only support mods for Source games.
Desura works for all games (or will).
"Steam Only supports Source Mods"
Eternal Alliance Mod for Killing Floor is what then?
This is fantastic! I really like how it's like a moddb/indiedb condensed with downloading available which makes it much easier to download and maintain games. Looks really slick too guys great job. So this will not be a replacement/competition for steam? From the vibe I get and what is mentioned games like CoD will not be sold through Desura?
Major games like CoD probably won't be sold in the near future.
However, Desura aims to be an epic platform for mods and indie games. So, it will locate what you already have installed and give you a portal to load up all your mods and indie games.
And buy indie games of course.
Ah okay, that clarifies things. I think that is great, this way it feels like it compliments Steam much more, can't wait to see how it goes in the future :)
spot on. we actually aim to support all games from triple aaa to indies to mods. however if you have brought the games on another platform we shall still attempt to at least display them in the "play" tab for you and support mods.
I look forward to seeing the possiblites and potential of Desura upon its release. I have enjoyed the BETA thus far and look forward to the full release with anticipation.
Woo, nice work.
Now is the time you find out you don't have the server capacity to handle the public release of a large mod/game :P
time will tell, we have a lot of experience with moddb / indiedb so we should be ok once we start rolling out mods / games on desura. looking forward to the challenge.
So, Desura is basically ModDB in an application? Hmmm, does it compete with Steam... We shall see...
Unless Steam starts trying to support mods for every game instead of just a few mods for Source games I don't see where the competition is.
Downloading desura now. let's see :)
Oh, its like The*Joker said, but with some steam features. INtense!, you adding games/mods by yourself? Hope my mod will get to Desura.
Next stop, Mac support!
Next stop: Linux support :D
YES! BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!!
It seems I'm stepping over from steam to Desure :D
I have a problem. each mod i downloaded miss data :(
Congrats for releasing it. I really look forward on new possibilities and want to see more of the good indie games there.
I won't abandon Steam, I think I will use Desura for purely mod management... To be honest I believe that Desura will fail, not because of it's concept - it's good. But because of the large amount of competition in that paticular area.
It definitely won't fail since Steam supports mods "only" for steam games (and even that very flaky as I know from my own experience) while Desura supports "all games" and "all mods" in theory (practice comes over time). Furthermore it's fully open to developers. No bloodsucker Valve in between. So Desura can do quite a lot of things Steam can only dream off.
Hurray its opening. I'm lyke a shopper waiting for the mall to open
Having had the privilege of fiddling with Desura for a while now (many thanks to INtense! for putting up with my stuff and reports), I must say it really looks like a cool platform, and I wish lots of success to both the Desura guys and the games/mod developers!
We still need essential info such as system requirements. Would be nice to check out whether an indie runs on older laptops, etc.
Fair point feillyne. I would assume that in the interest of sales that such info would be included, but I think it's safe to say that many Indie's honestly haven't tested their games extensively enough to offer more than a best guess. That said, those specs should be definitely determined by the devs pre-release.
Lovely! Been a while since I tried it. This can make downloading mods even quicker!
now I just have to wait for the mac release!
-Start Desura
-Log on
-It's a Steam clone with nowhere near as many games with an embedded browser
-You still need to go to moddb.com to download anything
-Tries to merge the two together but fails catastrophically
-Uninstall.exe
cool story, bro!
The ModDB site itself started as a very very very small one back then several years ago... see ModDB now?
Your point is still made quite clear, but it completely misses the time factor. One just needs to wait, give Desura devs some time.
It is not like Steam was perfect from the start. I remember when there were only Valve games and later they added Darwinia and some other small games. That's it, and look at it now.
Sorry but that's bull. There is an install button on mod pages. Click that, wait a bit, play. No manual work involved for those games. Judging by the not-yet added games is total bull.
Yeah it doesn't have many mods yet, but your line about having to go to ModDB to download things is a total lie.
Macing speaks the truth, Desura Isn't that much of a deal, go with steam.
Also 26 dollars for a 2d indie game
Indiedb.com
how_about_no.jpg
When this gains access to all the mods in itself, It will be much better. I found it very limited, therefore useless.
But I love the idea and I cant wait for more.
DESURA! DESURA! DESURA!
Desura needs a better system for leafing through the available games and mods. If you plan on offering new content everyday its gonna get very crowded and the goods on offer will look they're offered at a carboot sale instead of presented as important goods. I understand why ModDB is a bit crowded looking because of all the WIP mods and games but if you're offering finished products on Desura they should be presented better. Using flash, bigger splash screens and avoiding too many clicks will help.
Perfect timing for us to release Off Limits on this next week!
I wouldn't have known how to release it otherwise, this is a very good platform. Great work People!
Comparing to Steam, Desura has a way better and more friendly interface. I love it.
good, i can will be speak on my blog azultain and profile azultain's fb. (and made publicity for desura)
Will this also distribute free games/mods? And what about source mods that require Steam?
Free mods are supported. Just go the the list of mods, pick one and hit the "install" button. Concerning steam mods the same. Go to "half-life 2" and click there the "mods" tab. Pick one and again hit "install". You can launch the game now either straight from Desura or through Steam if this suits you more.
There are already a few free games on it and multiple Source mods.