As I'm sure many of you are aware, the Trading Card 'game' over at steam has been underway almost a couple of months now, and it appears to me that more often than not, people over there like it. I'm posting this here to get some "outside of steam" opinions on what you think about the STC system. Personally, I don't think it's fun, and I do think it's rather exploitative of steam's core user base. So, I wanted to see if this was a case of rabid fanboyism where steam can do no wrong, or if I just don't get it (I'm also willing to accept there are folks that genuinely enjoy it, and I'm just not one of them).

If you're not familiar with the system, your steam account now has a level. You level up by crafting badges. Badges are crafted by getting a full set of 'collectible' cards. Cards drop by spending time in participating games; but only about half the cards drop needed to craft a badge from time spent in game. The other half must obtained by trading the cards or purchasing them with real money from other players on the market. There are also a few levels that can be achieved without game time, like the "total game purchase badge". They have also recently introduced 'booster packs' but have not disclosed how they are dispensed, other than you must have logged into the steam client once in the last two weeks (this makes you eligible for them to show up randomly in your inventory, regardless of gameplay). It is not clear yet whether or not the booster packs make a viable way for you to get the other half of your card drops to craft a badge without trading or purchasing cards.

Some points I think are noteworthy:
-Your activity in game has no effect on card drops; just launch a participating steam game to the menu screen, go to bed, wake up with maximum card drops

-Unless booster packs are frequent, the only way to 'level up' is to trade cards fairly, but sacrifice one badge for another; trade cards 'unfairly' (getting 2 for 1); or purchase cards on the market. Individual cards do nothing to help you level; only the badges.

-Steam has essentially created a new artificial economy where consumers input real money and steam outputs digital products. Even if you just sell all your cards on the market, you contribute to steam's profit because some other person had to put money in their wallet to buy the card. The money transfers to your wallet, which of course steam still owns, much like when you purchase a gift card for a store.

-Steam level does not reflect your involvement with PC games. You could just go buy all the cards, have max achievable level, and not play any of the games. You could have all the achievements, high scores, or 'most fun' in 100 games and still have a steam level of 5.

To me, the system is just not fun. I like the general idea of achievements or 'gamerscore' where you and your friends have some fun tracking your game activities. But to me, this seems like steam is simply aware that it has a somewhat fanatical core user base that will readily give them money to somehow further demonstrate their allegiance. My biggest complaint is that this could have been a lot more fun by making the incentive to buy and play more games rather than just spend money to get a number by your name. Steam could have saved themselves a lot of trouble by just allowing users to buy one level for a dollar.

Anyways, just curious as to what the GOG'er perspective was. Thanks!

They're still working on what exactly gives you extra cards, it's not easy to make a system that can't be exploited.

Honestly though, in the long run, if you like it, participate. If you don't, don't. It's completely optional so I find it hard to consider it a bad thing.

I'm in the beta - it is pretty pointless and I do not really care about it. It is just another meta-achievement system. Ok for those that care about these things, they get an new meta game to play. For the rest - it has no impact so no need to care about it.

My opinion: I don't give a damn.

I really think they are just trying to capitalize on the "must own it all" mentality. I agree that it is a net money maker for Steam though since a large number of people will add real money to get the cards. I have nothing against it however, it doesn't seem all that different to me than the Magic cards. Yeah you can play a game with the Magic cards, however it seems people collect them just to say they have them.

Can you actually play with these cards in some way? Or do they just stay there on a virtual shelf with no particular use other than increasing that steam level thingy?

You can't, although they do like the idea, but at best it's a future thing. Yeah, at the moment I see it as more discount for my games.

I bought the Amazon bundle with 5 double fine games for $10, including the Cave and Brutal Legend, and I got a Foil drop from Brutal Legend that basically paid for the bundle, so can't complain :)

They just added cards to one of my favorite games.

Motherfuckers. I love the game so much that I want a Level 5 badge for it.

I never cared about achievements, I even make sure to delete the Steam's appcache\stats folder every time I need to switch Steam to online mode, so I am definitely not the "target audience", but even then, I can understand peoples wanting to have them as "meta" achievements whatever it is called, but be actually ready to pay for them!?

Well, if I can't play with them, I don't need them. I probably wouldn't need them even if I could play with them, but as it stands they are completely useless to me.

At which point you can either choose to let them sit there, or trade them away, either to a friend, or on the community market, and get some free Steam wallet for them.

The trading card beta has been good to me. Can't go wrong with $50 free Steam wallet.

That appears to be slowly coming to an end though. Except for the truly exceptional cards (foils) of course.

That makes sense. So you have to sign up or something for them? I might consider it, summer sale must be coming.

On the other hand, if the cards look neat, I may keep something from my favorite games... except I don't think they have Deus Ex cards