I think it's brilliant! It's got me back into PC gaming in a big way. I used to look into buying indie games direct from the devs but it's just so convenient being able to use Steam across various machines.
The only games I now buy on Steam are steamworks games, the rest I buy elsewhere like play, amazon, gog, gmg etc.
The SSA update last summer was a real wake up call for alot of users who realised Steam has them by the balls, since then I haven't bought a game on Steam.
What DRM? You don't have to be signed into LIVE or PSN to use them.
Taking that track, you don't need to be signed into Steam to play any of their games, they just use offline mode... Also, all the games have their own exe files and many games can be run without even using offline mode so... no signing in required at all in some cases.
I was making the point that Steam, PSN and Live are very similar systems... Well, maybe Steam has more in common with PSN due to there being no subscription fees... DRM along the lines of items purchased on either platform is then limited to that platform. That's DRM irrespective of whether you have to log in or not.
I understand why many places now want games on steam/origin/uplay but for me no. I have games on steam that many have said are great but for me I don't like them and im forced to keep them.
I hate DRM but as others have said Steam can get away with it. The sales they have on their games more than makes up for it. If they charged £30-40 for every game and refused to ever budge then obviously it'd be different. Point is that even for a triple A game they are cheaper than consoles by a good £10 sometimes.
Taking that track, you don't need to be signed into Steam to play any of their games, they just use offline mode... Also, all the games have their own exe files and many games can be run without even using offline mode so... no signing in required at all in some cases.
I was making the point that Steam, PSN and Live are very similar systems... Well, maybe Steam has more in common with PSN due to there being no subscription fees... DRM along the lines of items purchased on either platform is then limited to that platform. That's DRM irrespective of whether you have to log in or not.
Last time I downloaded a game off Steam I couldn't play it unless I opened Steam first, that's changed now? But you can buy games on XBL and play them on any 360, you are not restricted to that one console.
I've been using Steam since it started, and I've never had any fundamental issues with it's unobtrusive DRM.
It's got a very good offline mode and 99.9% of the time it just works.
It's a pity it's not the only system on the block though. I hate having to deal with UPlay, Games for Windows Live AND Origin.
Basically if you object to Steam on DRM grounds then you shouldn't use any of those other systems which are for the most part worse. That rules out everything by Microsoft, EA and Ubisoft, and many other major publishers, as well as a vast number of Indie games that use Steam/Steamworks.
Last time I downloaded a game off Steam I couldn't play it unless I opened Steam first, that's changed now? But you can buy games on XBL and play them on any 360, you are not restricted to that one console.
Yes, that has changed. Depending on how you open a game the most it will want you to do is sign in to Steam but you can go into offline mode with it that gets around that or, if you're on a machine that isn't connected, it'll just automatically go into offline mode anyway.
You're also not restricted to playing on one machine. You can also play Steam games on whatever machine you like as long as you have the Steam app on there, just like being able to play XBL games on any 360. I have some Steam games on 3 machines (2 Win PCs and 1 Mac)...
On top of that, and this is something that, AFAIK, can't be done on XBL or PSN, you can trade games between other Steam users. So, if you complete/get fed up of something you can trade it with your friends.
Yes. You could only log in if you accepted. People soon realised Valve could demand anything they wanted, and people would have to accept to play their games.
I'm glad GOG are now adding more and more newer games to their library,
I'm against the DRM of Steam, once you've bought a game you can't sell it on.
.
PC Gaming hasn't ever had the same kind of second hand market anyway largely due to the fact that its always been easier to make copies of PC Games than consoles so you haven't had the trade in retailers. As such its far from being the big loss it might be for Console
Comments
Strange, you need to install it!
Excellent system
Go to http://store.steampowered.com/about/ and install it.
For PC gaming it is an essential and very readily recommended.
Hi, I don't want to install it thanks....
I'm against the DRM of Steam, once you've bought a game you can't sell it on.
I was wondering how many other gamers are against the DRM as well.
There's a trading system in place between Steam users which is good enough for me. I only ever buy on Steam when there are offers on, anyway.
Yet Steam, just... works!
If you don't like the limitations then pay full price at a retail outlet. Simple.
It's not that "simple", if you are talking about the same game(s) on the store shelves at "full price", they to require steam.
The SSA update last summer was a real wake up call for alot of users who realised Steam has them by the balls, since then I haven't bought a game on Steam.
Do you mean this: http://m.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/valves-updated-steam-subscriber-agreement-bars-class-action-law/ ?
Like the Spring sale that is on at the moment? Dangerous stuff
What DRM? You don't have to be signed into LIVE or PSN to use them.
Taking that track, you don't need to be signed into Steam to play any of their games, they just use offline mode... Also, all the games have their own exe files and many games can be run without even using offline mode so... no signing in required at all in some cases.
I was making the point that Steam, PSN and Live are very similar systems... Well, maybe Steam has more in common with PSN due to there being no subscription fees... DRM along the lines of items purchased on either platform is then limited to that platform. That's DRM irrespective of whether you have to log in or not.
Oh not had a chance to look at steam atm i might have a look
The sale runs until the 29th, mainly indie stuff but some excellent games in there.
Last time I downloaded a game off Steam I couldn't play it unless I opened Steam first, that's changed now? But you can buy games on XBL and play them on any 360, you are not restricted to that one console.
It's got a very good offline mode and 99.9% of the time it just works.
It's a pity it's not the only system on the block though. I hate having to deal with UPlay, Games for Windows Live AND Origin.
Basically if you object to Steam on DRM grounds then you shouldn't use any of those other systems which are for the most part worse. That rules out everything by Microsoft, EA and Ubisoft, and many other major publishers, as well as a vast number of Indie games that use Steam/Steamworks.
Yes, that has changed. Depending on how you open a game the most it will want you to do is sign in to Steam but you can go into offline mode with it that gets around that or, if you're on a machine that isn't connected, it'll just automatically go into offline mode anyway.
You're also not restricted to playing on one machine. You can also play Steam games on whatever machine you like as long as you have the Steam app on there, just like being able to play XBL games on any 360. I have some Steam games on 3 machines (2 Win PCs and 1 Mac)...
On top of that, and this is something that, AFAIK, can't be done on XBL or PSN, you can trade games between other Steam users. So, if you complete/get fed up of something you can trade it with your friends.
Yes. You could only log in if you accepted. People soon realised Valve could demand anything they wanted, and people would have to accept to play their games.
I'm glad GOG are now adding more and more newer games to their library,
GOG have similar terms, though. I signed up with them a couple of weeks ago. They're very similar to what folk sign up for on XBL and PSN, too.
PC Gaming hasn't ever had the same kind of second hand market anyway largely due to the fact that its always been easier to make copies of PC Games than consoles so you haven't had the trade in retailers. As such its far from being the big loss it might be for Console