A publisher has creative control over the games, and can make you make changes for profitability and veto creatively risky games. There are definitely good publishers out there (e.g Annapurna the publisher of outerwilds seems pretty chill), this meme is about AAA studios and how the massive studios have all gone to shit.
What’s the difference between giving valve a 30% cut, relying on their algorithm for marketing, using their infrastructure, and a publisher?
A publisher has creative control over the games, and can make you make changes for profitability and veto creatively risky games. There are definitely good publishers out there (e.g Annapurna the publisher of outerwilds seems pretty chill), this meme is about AAA studios and how the massive studios have all gone to shit.
You mean the publisher owned and operated by the fascist Ellisons? The one that had its entire staff quit en masse in protest of management abuse?
The games are good though.
Tbf you can also get unlimited keys to sell and use elsewhere without issue. You’re paying for the audience, convenience and trust.
No ones stopping you from posting to itch.io or handing out USBs, but Steam will always be preferred because of the user experience.