http://xkcd.com/518/ On topic, i think integrating the game with Steam could net it many players that otherwise woulndt have known of it.
I'm sure with the right methods this game could easily become available on Steam. But since it is f2p, the only way I see that being possible is if after it's released, someone puts it up on Greenlight and the community votes for it to go through. Steam already has a lot of f2p games they offer downloads for, Eternal Crusade could be the same. The devs of course would have to figure out a way to work the whole 'pay to upgrade' system and everything else in there of course.
The biggest problem is the cut that Steam makes for EVERY micro-transaction, etc.... Of course it would be awesome for EC, but not for bE, that is the whole point of the discussion ^^
People ignore that a lot when they say "steam fuck yeah", steam, what does it take, 30% or something.
It was said before but yeah around 30% of ALL purchases. So it would be good to perhaps implement steam in like what? 2-3 years? Then it will give an additional boost to players and revenue rather than taking it.