Content creation :: Suggestions / Ideas

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Wolfium 2 Aug @ 5:57pm

Content creation

You can post videos on Steam, but there's no proper tab to view all of them, nor any way to get recommended videos. You can view all of one person's artworks, screenshots and videos, but beyond finding another person's profile to look at their stuff, you cannot go from someone's artwork page to anyone else's artwork pages, there's simply no "recommendation" system.

Now we all know YouTube has been experiencing enshittification for quite a while, and it practically has a monopoly over content creation, and for basically ever, it's just been tough luck, right? I think there's room to fly in and steal the show, as... Well it's not really hard to make a better platform than YouTube, you just need enough money, they've taken countless decisions that have actively made the platform worse. Now... Valve is well known for being excellent at putting customers first, which is to say, I trust them a lot more than any other company to make a proper competitor to YouTube that would actually be bearable.

Now for ideas for this hypothetical extension to Steam (or maybe even its own separate platform):

Ads are pretty annoying, maybe money would be gained through memberships instead? Kind of like how some YouTubers lock some stuff behind their Patreon. Essentially a built-in way to lock some content (pictures, entire videos, steams, emoticons, maybe even the ability to play with the content creator?) behind a membership.

Built-in support for sponsorships, while YouTube does have that, it's not... Amazing. Maybe it could be another perk of memberships to automatically skip sponsorships? And maybe some other built-in stuff in relation to that.

If ads were ever added, it'd probably be nice to not have them interrupt videos, and maybe ads would even be completely contained to Steam (or this platform), in that only games (or movies) that have been put up on Steam could buy advertisements to showcase (in a hopefully not interruptive way) on this platform. It'd keep advertisements on-topic too.

The content, as Valve is known for involving themselves with basically only gaming, would likely be almost entirely gaming-oriented. And so perhaps this new thing might be advertised as such.

This idea has been dangling around in my head for ages, ever since YouTube started being incredibly disruptive. There seems to be plenty of people wanting a better platform, YouTube has simply been the most convenient platform with the most people for a while. This idea would probably take a while to fully take off as it's hard to convince people to change platforms. Valve, of all companies, likely knows this. As it has been a huge factor to their overwhelming success. Convenience. But I do think that if this platform was made to be more convenient, and due to coming from probably one of the most trusted companies in the world (Valve), It could absolutely be a strong competitor to YouTube if the idea was pulled off correctly.

To TLDR as much as possible, my idea is creating a competitor to YouTube.

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Showing 1-15 of 40 comments

cSg|mc-Hotsauce 2 Aug @ 6:01pm

Originally posted by Wolfium:
To TLDR as much as possible, my idea is creating a competitor to YouTube.

Guess where the videos are actually hosted.

Wolfium 2 Aug @ 6:05pm

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:
Originally posted by Wolfium:
To TLDR as much as possible, my idea is creating a competitor to YouTube.

Guess where the videos are actually hosted.

:nkCool:

YouTube, I'm guessing? If so, great. If Valve went through with this idea, they would obviously add the ability to host the videos on this new platform. Also are you just fast at reading or did you only read the TLDR because I practically JUST posted this >.>

No hate if you didn't read all of it, though it does make it quite odd that you're interacting with this if you didn't even bother to read it properly.

76561198407601200 22 hours ago

Originally posted by Wolfium:
Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Guess where the videos are actually hosted.

:nkCool:
YouTube, I'm guessing? If so, great. If Valve went through with this idea, they would obviously add the ability to host the videos on this new platform. Also are you just fast at reading or did you only read the TLDR because I practically JUST posted this >.>

No hate if you didn't read all of it, though it does make it quite odd that you're interacting with this if you didn't even bother to read it properly.

You provided a tldr which is exactly what happened. The rest of the post is regarding creating a platform to host videos, I'm not saying Valve won't do that however it is extremely unlikely they will. For now youtube is what you will need to use.

Mad Scientist 21 hours ago

Originally posted by Wolfium:
To TLDR as much as possible, my idea is creating a competitor to YouTube.

There's already some sites dedicated to being exactly that, why would Valve want to be yet-another one of those?
Meanwhile, Steam is a video game store.

Wolfium 21 hours ago

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Originally posted by Wolfium:
To TLDR as much as possible, my idea is creating a competitor to YouTube.
There's already some sites dedicated to being exactly that, why would Valve want to be yet-another one of those?
Meanwhile, Steam is a video game store.

Because those other sites have zero traction because nobody cares about them (and quite frankly they kind of suck), Valve have Steam which is literally the most popular video game storefront in the world, they have the resources and popularity. This isn't about being "another one of those", it's about being a proper contender to YouTube, because as I said, they have the resources to make it happen.

And Steam being a video game store front doesn't really clash with the idea at all, simply due to let's plays and general being super popular on YouTube. Content creation and video games are inherently linked in many ways. And well, it's not really JUST a storefront, it's also a community hub, it has forums and many things that let people form communities, there's even Steam groups and stuff. Steam isn't just a storefront, it's in its own way a social media.

Wolfium 21 hours ago

Originally posted by The Living Tribunal:
Originally posted by Wolfium:
YouTube, I'm guessing? If so, great. If Valve went through with this idea, they would obviously add the ability to host the videos on this new platform. Also are you just fast at reading or did you only read the TLDR because I practically JUST posted this >.>

No hate if you didn't read all of it, though it does make it quite odd that you're interacting with this if you didn't even bother to read it properly.
You provided a tldr which is exactly what happened. The rest of the post is regarding creating a platform to host videos, I'm not saying Valve won't do that however it is extremely unlikely they will. For now youtube is what you will need to use.

Well the TLDR thing is that this user appears to post a lot on many suggestions, so it seemed a bit weird that they barely talked about what I was suggesting.

And about it being unlikely, well... It's about a million times more unlikely if they never get suggested the idea, might've never crossed their minds. But if they were to read my post, it'd mean that 1. They would now have thought about it, and 2. They would know that there's demand for it. I agree that yeah, Valve doing this is unlikely, but also I'd really like if they did, and... Although the comments have been a bit dry on support so far, I'm sure plenty of others would too. If even just being the prospect of having an alternative to YouTube that is actually worthwhile.

Last edited by Wolfium; 21 hours ago

Nx Machina 21 hours ago

When this has being suggested before people rightly pointed out that Valve would not host the videos. When Valve later added game recording they did not forget to host the videos they choose not to add it as YouTube and other sites exists.

Last edited by Nx Machina; 21 hours ago

Mad Scientist 21 hours ago

Originally posted by Wolfium:
Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
There's already some sites dedicated to being exactly that, why would Valve want to be yet-another one of those?
Meanwhile, Steam is a video game store.
Because those other sites have zero traction because nobody cares about them (and quite frankly they kind of suck), Valve have Steam which is literally the most popular video game storefront in the world, they have the resources and popularity. This isn't about being "another one of those", it's about being a proper contender to YouTube, because as I said, they have the resources to make it happen.

So this comes down to "they have money, make it"? Typically you're not going to get everything you want on a single service; want a video uploading platform, go to one. Valve has basically 0 experience compared to the existing competitors.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
And Steam being a video game store front doesn't really clash with the idea at all, simply due to let's plays and general being super popular on YouTube.

Steam relies on their own systems and CDNs. They sell video games.
Youtube relies on their parent company Google which owns enormous datacenters. They typically sell user data, ads, tracking software etc.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
Content creation and video games are inherently linked in many ways.

Doesn't mean Valve should try to make yet-another competitor to youtube.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
And well, it's not really JUST a storefront, it's also a community hub, it has forums and many things that let people form communities, there's even Steam groups and stuff. Steam isn't just a storefront, it's in its own way a social media.

The optional extras that are barely taken care of properly as-is. They're not a social media company. They're not a content creator platform, they're a video game store with a library client and optional forums/community sections, the closest they'll get to literal content creation is the workshop for customers of games.

If you want to be a content creator without youtube or want a competitor to youtube, pick an existing competitor that has significant experience compared to Valves 0 experience. They already branched out with the Steam Deck, and that is better than trying to be the next youtube competitor.

Wolfium 21 hours ago

Originally posted by Nx Machina:
When this has being suggested before people rightly pointed out that Valve would not host the videos. When Valve later added game recording they did not forget to host the videos they choose not to add it as YouTube and other sites exists.

Well assumedly, if they were to go through with this idea, and actually care about being a competitor and not just adding video-related stuff without the intention to actually be a competitor. They would likely host them.

There's no reason to host videos if they're just gonna add game recording. There IS a reason to host videos if you're actually trying to make a content creation platform. I think the only thing stopping them from hosting videos is that there's simply no need or utility to. This idea would have a need and utility for it. Since you can't really be a valid competitor to something you are actively reliant on. That'd be more like a glorified theme than its own app.

Wolfium 21 hours ago

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Originally posted by Wolfium:
Because those other sites have zero traction because nobody cares about them (and quite frankly they kind of suck), Valve have Steam which is literally the most popular video game storefront in the world, they have the resources and popularity. This isn't about being "another one of those", it's about being a proper contender to YouTube, because as I said, they have the resources to make it happen.
So this comes down to "they have money, make it"? Typically you're not going to get everything you want on a single service; want a video uploading platform, go to one. Valve has basically 0 experience compared to the existing competitors.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
And Steam being a video game store front doesn't really clash with the idea at all, simply due to let's plays and general being super popular on YouTube.
Steam relies on their own systems and CDNs. They sell video games.
Youtube relies on their parent company Google which owns enormous datacenters. They typically sell user data, ads, tracking software etc.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
Content creation and video games are inherently linked in many ways.
Doesn't mean Valve should try to make yet-another competitor to youtube.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
And well, it's not really JUST a storefront, it's also a community hub, it has forums and many things that let people form communities, there's even Steam groups and stuff. Steam isn't just a storefront, it's in its own way a social media.
The optional extras that are barely taken care of properly as-is. They're not a social media company. They're not a content creator platform, they're a video game store with a library client and optional forums/community sections, the closest they'll get to literal content creation is the workshop for customers of games.

If you want to be a content creator without youtube or want a competitor to youtube, pick an existing competitor that has significant experience compared to Valves 0 experience. They already branched out with the Steam Deck, and that is better than trying to be the next youtube competitor.

1. They have the money to make something that will make them more money. And there's clearly demand for it, it's business 101. If they can pull it off, they have no reason not to. Aside from just not wanting to.

2. Steam has their own stuff, and they can make more stuff, of their own. It'd be costly but this doesn't really take anything away from the idea.

3. Valve should make a PROPER competitor to YouTube. That's my point. Not "just another". One that actually has the capacity to give YouTube proper competition. YouTube has been utterly unaffected by the "other" competitors, so clearly they ain't doing anything. If a competitor was actually good, they could actually have a gain from this.

4. Valve only run a video game storefront, right? So what about consoles and VR? Seems completely out of their element to make hardware, right? Yet they did. It was gaming related, sure. Content creation is also gaming related if we're talking let's plays and stuff. You're basically saying "oh people already did it before so let's just give up and never try again". That kind of thinking goes nowhere in life. Innovation. The same idea can be done multiple times in multiple different ways, and YouTube's "competitors" don't have the funding to be even remotely a threat to YouTube. Valve has the potential to be.

#10

Nx Machina 20 hours ago

Originally posted by Wolfium:
Well assumedly, if they were to go through with this idea, and actually care about being a competitor and not just adding video-related stuff without the intention to actually be a competitor. They would likely host them.

You are making the assumption that Valve wants to be a competitor to YouTube.

When this has previously being suggested, game recording and video hosting, Valve did not forget about video hosting they chose not to implement it.

Game recording does not require servers and the cost of running them. Google on the other hand can afford to host videos as a company worth $2.290 Trillion USD.

Last edited by Nx Machina; 20 hours ago

#11

Mad Scientist 20 hours ago

Originally posted by Wolfium:
1. They have the money to make something that will make them more money.

Google barely maintains youtube even with ads and they're significant compared to Valve.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
And there's clearly demand for it

Which is why people already go to competitors but typically they do so while still on youtube because it's more established. Kind of like Valve vs GOG.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
2. Steam has their own stuff, and they can make more stuff, of their own. It'd be costly but this doesn't really take anything away from the idea.

They don't have google money, and as said, google barely maintains youtube - look at how desperate google is to stop people being able to use adblockers and tracking blockers. Having money doesn't mean they should be reckless making everyones whims.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
3. Valve should make a PROPER competitor to YouTube. That's my point. Not "just another".

Those. Already. Exist.

For the rest it comes down to the usual that people aren't getting everything desired from one service, and if something is personally desired to such an incredible extent one can create the very thing they desire and try to get investors or try to make it succeed with their own effort as proof of concept. Steam deck, handheld console, for a video game store a device to play games for games on a video store makes more sense than "make a competitor for youtube".

#12

Wolfium 20 hours ago

Originally posted by Nx Machina:
Originally posted by Wolfium:
Well assumedly, if they were to go through with this idea, and actually care about being a competitor and not just adding video-related stuff without the intention to actually be a competitor. They would likely host them.

You are making the assumption that Valve wants to be a competitor to YouTube.

When this has previously being suggested, game recording and video hosting, Valve did not forget about video hosting they chose not to implement it.

Game recording does not require servers and the cost of running them. Google on the other hand can afford to host videos as a company worth $2.290 Trillion USD.

I'm saying there's money to be earned in being a competitor to YouTube.

Unrelated because "video hosting" does not mean "make an entire video hosting platform". The idea itself was way smaller in size, mine is a lot bigger, and so would be worth the effort.

Google has $2.290 Trillion USD. Which means clearly they're not using it and don't need that much money to run it. That money is how much they got FROM it (and other things), not how much they need to run it. And either way, YouTube has been running for decades and so has a LOT of videos on the platform, meaning they actually need to spend a lot more money than Valve would to keep all that data archived. Of course Valve would need to spend more money over time, but if the idea actually becomes a success, then they'd likely be earning more income, and so would be able to afford spending more money. They spend money and get money.

#13

Nx Machina 20 hours ago

Originally posted by Wolfium:
I'm saying there's money to be earned in being a competitor to YouTube.

You are making an assumption there is.

Are you willing to watch ads to pay Valve for the servers? No, based on your opening post.

Are you willing to pay Valve $12.99 per month for ad free videos to pay for the servers?

Google makes money from ads on YouTube or from YouTube Premium subscriptions but that is only a percentage of the income they generate from other sources which makes them a company worth $2.290 Trillion USD.

Last edited by Nx Machina; 20 hours ago

#14

Wolfium 20 hours ago

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:
Originally posted by Wolfium:
1. They have the money to make something that will make them more money.
Google barely maintains youtube even with ads and they're significant compared to Valve.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
And there's clearly demand for it
Which is why people already go to competitors but typically they do so while still on youtube because it's more established. Kind of like Valve vs GOG.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
2. Steam has their own stuff, and they can make more stuff, of their own. It'd be costly but this doesn't really take anything away from the idea.
They don't have google money, and as said, google barely maintains youtube - look at how desperate google is to stop people being able to use adblockers and tracking blockers. Having money doesn't mean they should be reckless making everyones whims.

Originally posted by Wolfium:
3. Valve should make a PROPER competitor to YouTube. That's my point. Not "just another".
Those. Already. Exist.

For the rest it comes down to the usual that people aren't getting everything desired from one service, and if something is personally desired to such an incredible extent one can create the very thing they desire and try to get investors or try to make it succeed with their own effort as proof of concept. Steam deck, handheld console, for a video game store a device to play games for games on a video store makes more sense than "make a competitor for youtube". :BL3Facepalm:

1. So just because Google has more money, it's not gonna work? Are Google going to pay the devil to give Valve bad luck or something? No matter how much money you have, if someone does it better, people are gonna want to go to that other thing.

2. There's tons of people who don't go to competitors because they're not as good as YouTube. But they would if it was as good, or even better than YouTube. And even the people who already go to competitors would probably move to Valve's if it was better.

3. I never said Valve should do this just because I want it, I'm trying to get this idea into a room with high-ranking individuals in Valve so they discuss it and decide how to implement it if they do decide to, none of my ideas here are set in stone, I'm trying to evoke discussion. And also, Google are running YouTube with pure greed, Valve... At the very least aims their greed in the direction of pro-consumerism, and at best actually care about their consumers. They can pull it off better since they know their audience. YouTube's been doing nothing but pissing off their audience for the past decade.

4. So just because they already exist, nobody else should try?

And also just because people can give it a shot via investors doesn't mean Valve can't..?

And sure, maybe it doesn't make AS much sense as the other things they've done, but it does make some sense. I'm not asking a pig to fly here.

#15

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Date Posted: 2 Aug @ 5:57pm

Posts: 40

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