Minecraft creator "constantly debating" Steam

Unlike a number of independent PC titles, Minecraft sits alone, preferring instead to self-distribute the game through its own website. In an interview with Penny Arcade Report's Ben Kuchera, Minecraft creator Markus Persson said that he's "constantly debating" whether Minecraft should go up on Steam.

"I'm constantly debating whether or not we should put it up on Steam anyway. Because the people could even get a Steam code if they buy the game, I don't know what they would really do. Or if we should just not do Steam at all and try to come up with our own thing, or whatever. Right now we don't know what we're going to do. We're just focused on the games still. It's an interesting opportunity, so we try not to waste it," said Persson.

Persson explained that while he likes Valve's service, there are some consumer issues and a lack of user control for developers.

"I think Steam is a very good service for the customers. The only thing I don't like is that they reserve the right to remove all your games and account, which is bullshit. I understand the legal reasons, and they have to do it for their partners, and I don't think they're going to do anything, they're not going to remove it," Persson said.

"But having that constant threat is not cool. I want to buy a game and be able to play it in 20 years. I still play Doom, I don't want it to be Valve closes down and I can't access my games, and then I have to do it through piracy. That's the only thing I don't like towards the players."

"But with us we have so many registered users, and with Steam we can't really control those users. So for us it can't really go on Steam. But for many other developers it makes a lot of sense."

The full, extensive interview covering a ton of topics is available over at the Penny Arcade Report.