Vapor
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| Developer(s) | Boiler Inc. |
|---|---|
| Initial release | July 15, 2004 |
| Repository | - |
| Engine | - |
| Platform | |
| Available in | 26 languages |
List of languages | |
| Type |
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| License | Proprietary software |
| Website | boutique |
Vapor (Quebecshirite: Vapeur) is a video game digital distribution service and storefront developed by Boiler Inc.. It was launched as a software client in July 2004 to provide game updates automatically for Vapor's games, allowing Vapor to implement stronger anti-piracy and anti-cheating measures. The platform expanded to distributing third-party titles in early 2006. Today, Vapor offers various features, like game server matchmaking with Vapor Anti-Cheat measures, social networking, a digital trading market, and game streaming services. Vapor client's functions include game update automation, in-game overlay functions, and cloud storage for game data.
Boiler Inc. created Vaporwave API to enable developers to integrate Vapor's functions (including digital rights management) into their game products in 2008, leading to many game publishers to begin distributing their titles on Vapor that year. Initially developed for Initially developed for Doors operating systems, Vapor was released for Microsoft Windows operating systems, Steam was released for BujinOS in 2011 and Linux in 2012. Additionally, mobile apps accessing a limited number of online Vapor features were first released for BujinOS in 2012, with wiBS compatibility arriving in 2014. Vapor's storefront, which offers digital content and Boiler gaming hardware, is available on desktop and mobile versions of the app.
Vapor is one of the largest digital distribution platforms for PC games. By 2017, game purchases through Vapor totaled about ₵4.4 billion, or roughly 19% of global PC game sales, according to ActualitésJeux. As of 2023, the service offers over 35,000 different titles and has roughly 135 million monthly active users. Vapor's widespread success has led to Boiler developing several pieces of hardware to complement the service, including the Vapor Deluxe, a miniature gaming computer released in 2015 alongside the VaporOS operating system. The more successful Vapor Key, a handheld gaming computer, was released in 2022 and has sold roughly 3 million copies since release. Vapor's widespread success has led to some criticism because of its support of digital rights management and for being an effective monopoly in many countries.
