How do you feel about PC games that require Steam installed?

[The Infinite]

Personally I think it's pretty cool beans, since you know if you do lose the disk and all you can just redownload from the steam server. No need for manual updates either which is very useful. Though I do know that a lot of people have had problems with the offline mode so I can see why some people don't like it, though I personally haven't ever had a problem like that. Also Steam deals are incredible in all seriousness.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Meh... as far as things go, it's the lesser evil, especially as I've already got several games that require steam.

 

[Audio]

I hated steam ever since it insisted on being installed for HL2. I can see how useful it can be but i'm not sold over it.

 

[Lekonua]

I wasn't crazy about it at first because I thought it was just one of those stupid things I would install just to play the Orange Box and not use for anything else.

Didn't take long for me to become unable to imagine PC Gaming without it. The convenience alone is unbelievable. No more worrying about losing or scratching discs, downloads are fairly speedy, compatibility for older games is never an issue, updates are automatically downloaded and installed, and online play is a breeze.

Long story short: I fucking love Steam.

 

[Jesus Phish]

I like the fact that they keep all my games for me and I can log in on any pc, laptop and just download them all.

Steam is great for that. However, the mandatory registration for Dragon Age on EA and Biowares websites was a pain.

 

[johnman]

I love steam, the chat and in built wed browser are useful, and auto- updates mean you dont have to dig for a crappy patch download.
And the deals on it are excellent, and it has uncovered some truely excellent titles I would have otherwise never heard of, such as mount and blade

 

[Ferrious]

I love it. Buying Dawn of War II for half price in a local retailer and then finding out it activated on Steam so I can use it on any of my computers until (possibly) the end of time was a great bonus.

On top of that, the Steam Cloud feature that synchronises your save games across multiple PCs is the feature I've been crying for for at least 3 years.

 

[Icehearted]

Dead set against steam. Too monopolistic, and the service isn't without it's problems, like that Bioshock lockout when it was released... for example. Just seems unreliable and has too much potential to rule the PC market with an iron fist. I just don't like monopolized distribution like these. :/

 

[Radelaide]

Well I use and love Steam, so I don't mind at all.

^^ This.

I like Steam. I like that games are updated regularly, the in-game chat client, love Steam cloud and that I can add my own games (like Sims 3 and Hitman) so I can access them in a nice, tidy place.

Saying that...
The client needs some improvement. I've had troubles logging in ("Your purchase is still being processed." Purchase? What purchase? I was logging in!) and my friend had Steam telling him that the Steam cloud wasn't synced to the game he was playing, while he wasn't in game. That and some other niggling bits and pieces need to be improved before I start thinking that it's perfect.

 

[icypain]

i wasn't a fan of it when i first got it by playing saints row 2. never realized how useful it would be.

 

[Dexiro]

Steam's a nice program, i don't have anything against it

Cheap games, in-game chat, download stuff to any computer and devs worry less about piracy.
There's a few occasions where the steam servers go down for a while but i'm never that desperate to play games, and sometimes you can just log into offline mode.

 

[Sebenko]

I like steam and all, but I don't like the feeling that the boxes I buy are worthless because I have to use steam with them.

If I want a game on steam, I'll buy it on steam.

 

[Fragged_Templar]

I love steam, though the new version has been a bit buggy... other than that I completely agree with Erbkaiser

I have no problem with that at all, since Steam is awesome. Yes, it does stop reselling, but in return you get a disc free launcher without the need for an active internet connection (only once needed per PC to download and authenticate), you can install it on multiple PCs at once, and it is auto-updated.

Many DRM schemes suck, but Steam actually adds value and does not punish the customer.

also some of the special deals you find at the steam store are freaking awesome, like the weekend offers and developer packs

 

[Yureina]

Well I use and love Steam, so I don't mind at all.

^^ This.

I like Steam. I like that games are updated regularly, the in-game chat client, love Steam cloud and that I can add my own games (like Sims 3 and Hitman) so I can access them in a nice, tidy place.

Saying that...
The client needs some improvement. I've had troubles logging in ("Your purchase is still being processed." Purchase? What purchase? I was logging in!) and my friend had Steam telling him that the Steam cloud wasn't synced to the game he was playing, while he wasn't in game. That and some other niggling bits and pieces need to be improved before I start thinking that it's perfect.

What I put in bold here. I love that part of Steam. Gone are the days of reguarly checking up on official websites to go looking for patches, updates, or fixes for my games. That was always so obnoxious.

 

[AHWaffle]

Games that required a Steam install depend on 2 things for me:
1. Updates are seriously crucial for me.
2. How much I really want the game.

 

[anian]

Yeah, games work, fun updates (especially for Valve's games), regular awesome disscounts, if you want you can make yourself a dvd with instalation files of a game so you don't have to download it everytime. Chat and meet people as a bonus.

Forcing someone to something though, always seems bad.

 

[CoffeeScamp]

I actually prefer my games to go on Steam, especially if there is any form of multiplayer as it's easier to hook up with friends through steam than messing around looking for a server.

I'm not saying Steam doesn't have problems though, seemingly worse with the new UI.

 

[-Samurai-]

I think having Steam shouldn't be required. Who are they to tell me what I have to have on my computer? If I buy a game in store, I expect it to work without being forced to get something I don't want.

 

[Kaymish]

i have no problem with it i admit i was a bit concerned when i bought empire total war and it made me install steam and so far i have only had one issue with steam and that was my fault and it was fixed in a few hours most of it i was playing games while waiting on stuff to download

tho concerns about steam disappearing are unfounded as far as i can see it has an offline mode that works and there are loads of pirates out there that will probably crack the DRM not long after valve cuts support

and the capacity for gamers to put up with being shat on by the publishing companies is amazing so nothing surprises me anymore

 

[Trebort]

I hate steam. I hate everything about it. I never, ever buy games that use/come with steam, I just can't stand it.