[Zhyl]

FWIW itch.io also runs on Linux and have developed their own 'Proton-alike' which automatically sets up Wine prefixes for Windows games.

They're standing on the shoulders of Giants, but I also don't see (m)any of the other stores doing likewise.

[ekianjo]

itch.io may be great and all but its missing good commercial titles. It feels like any kind of subpar game ends up there.

[Zhyl]

It's an indie store, the natural successor to the flash game websites of yore. Getting games from there sight unseen is like picking up some games from the bargain bin - a lot of rubbish but the occasional gem.

It doesn't need 'good commercial titles', it needs to be seen as the preferred option for supporting Indies over steam (i.e. if you are presented with the choice, go for itch. If you're already on steam then steam has earned its money).

[troyvit]

Do you think there's room in peoples' lives for Steam _and_ itch.io or do they overlap too much?

[Zhyl]

Most of the high end of itch is on steam, so you could life a happy and fulfilled life without hearing about itch at all.

On the other hand, if you're someone who is frustrated with the commercial nature of current stores and are pining for the simpler times - itch is very much going to scratch that... Itch.

I personally end up mostly on Steam, but on the occasion that I've really wanted to support a developer (usually puzzle games like Patrick's Parabox) I'll go to itch. The bundle for Ukraine recently also had some excellent finds in there.

tl; dr - if you are an indie connoisseur then yes, if you just want to game then probably not.