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

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

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.

can't say much more than this, for being free its a very well functioned and smooth process now, and literally thats where i always go now to check out any new games or any deals, as valve has deals like no crack dealer has ever seen before on there for us gamers.

so really, bring it on to encourage steam usage even more!

 

[Danny Ocean]

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

I don't either. It's such a useful tool.

And is that Feynman? I vaguely recognise your avatar.

 

[EPolleys]

I don't really mind games requiring steam, but I hate it when you can't play unless you're online. The servers tend to go down from time to time for whatever reason and kills whatever game I'm trying to play with friends.

 

[strigoivii]

The nightmare that was COD world at war which I completed in one tenth of the time that it took to install was the worst experience of my computing life.... yes including hard drive failures, complete system destructions and severe viruses... nothing compares to those 2 wasted days thanks to steam. If people want the functions that it offers then fine it should be optional, personally I never play online, of all games I've played (owned a computer since mid 80's) I've only ever returned to 12 all time greats and have sold on my second hand games to recoup some of the outlay (not possible with steam games). If I have ever wanted to replay a past game that I have sold, they're usually on ebay at 99p upwards and they do not slow down and ruin my gameplay like steam does. It goes against all my principals but I may resort to seeking a way around this infernal steam (via a patch etc) in order to be able to play saints row 2 minus the lag.

 

[Pearwood]

I have to say Steam is the best bit of DRM I've come across. It's not perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than the nightmare Ubisoft came up with.

 

[brodie21]

i buy games from steam, so i like it.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

No. I like it. It means that I can then install that game anywhere without the disc. Plus I've never re-sold a game I've bought in my life. So not being able to Ebay a game doesn't bother me either.

I like the games, but I hate Steam.

1 - I don't care about updating my games unless I play multiplayer or want to get rid of some pretty glaring bugs. Usually I just want to install my game and get to playing. When I installed Dawn of War 2, I was not happy to have to wait for it to update on my crappy internet connection. Nor was I happy about having to wait for games like Half-life 2 and Portal and such to finish updating when I just want to get into the single-player. I want to choose whether I update or not. Developers deserve to get paid for their work, but they (and the publishers) shouldn't get to control when I get to play and what version I play single-player with.
2 - I like to be absolutely certain that I can play my games anywhere at any time. I paid for my games, so I should be able to play them whenever I want, wherever I want.
3 - I want to be able to play my games in the future, ages from now. Even if I end up not doing so, it's great to have that option. I'm thankful to be able to play old classics like Z, C&C, Total Annihilation, Dark Reign and Duke Nukem 3D even today without having to deal with any DRM whatsoever. I want the same option with today's games. Again, I paid for it, so it's mine.

I realize that Steam has its uses if you're the sort of gamer who buys games via digital distribution, plays online regularly and perhaps just likes to update automatically on a fast-ass reliable connection, but it doesn't appeal to me personally.

1. Once its installed you can prevent a game frome ever updating again, with about 3 mouse clicks. Yes it can be annoying on installing especially for a SP game. Compared to some of the set up hoops from the days of C&C and Duke Nukem 3D, this is minor.

2. You can, as long as a games already installed offline mode doesnt care where you are. Its only installing them that casues any problems, and there are ways round even that.

3. You can, and will be able to just make sure that if steam goes bust you get the patches they have released (they already have made them, they just keep updating them as time goes by just in case).


Seriously you state some pretty old skool gaming there (much of which using an original copy causes far more heartache than steam does if you try on a modern PC). For example a few years ago i managed to get an original copy of C&C working on my PC, the only problem was the processor was so overpowered that the game ended before it had finished saying transfering battlefield control. It took me about as long to sort that problem out as it did to download empire total war, when that came out a year or so later.

In regards to number 3, you're probably right but I'm a cautious, wary person by nature.

As for number 2, Steam's off-line mode doesn't last forever, it requires you to log in online every few days or so. However, if what you say about turning off auto-updating is true, then that shouldn't really be an issue for me anymore. What does matter, however, is where I am. Even if Steam lets me play my games without updating them, there is still the issue of having to log in every few days or so and in a place with a bad connection or some dodgy filtering, that may prove to be a significant hurdle. But like I said, I'm wary by nature.

I've had issues with the auto-update (and disabling of) in the past. I suppose I can try it again at some point and see where that leads.

I've had my spare computer in offline mode for a few months now. Just thought I'd put that out there. Plus, if steam ever goes bust, you can be sure that Valve won't abandon us. I bet the last act of Steam will be to give us a patch so it won't matter.

 

[Hiphophippo]

Pretty indifferent because I'm always online and connected to steam anyway. I guess I can kinda see the problem people might have with it, but the concept is so draconian that I just can't get down with it.

 

[Signa]

I don't like how some games force its use, but better that than 95% of other DRM schemes, especially GFWL or UbiDRM.

Now that I'm using it though, I couldn't be happier. I don't open the Steam client feeling like I'm initiating a spyware program. I just wish the store would allow you to gift redundant games when you buy a compilation pack.

 

[SimuLord]

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.

Often at a deep discount from retail. If you wait for a sale (and Steam loves sales like Mario games love stars), you can build an impressive collection for a few bucks a pop.

Steam has one other major benefit---it's good for the economy! Gamers complain about their internet connections, ISPs have compelling reasons to offer faster downloading for more money, which raises their revenues and lets them hire people and those people then spend their newly-earned money at other businesses which make more money and hire more people and next thing you know we're all rich until Wall Street fucks us over again but hell, my credit card interest rate's wicked low because interest rates in general are, so bring it on!

All because someone bought a game on Steam and wanted to download it faster. Save America and the world. Buy games from Valve.

 

[Megacherv]

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.

They say on the box that you require Steamworks, and want it then you shouldn't buy the game

Steam is a wonderful and convenient service, and is a real money vacuum (the amount I spent during the summer sales was ridiculous) because of the fantastic deals that they have

 

[Paularius]

I dont really like binding all my games to steam. If my steam account gets hacked I loose all my games :/
A few times when installing games that had to be bound to steam i'd get a msg saying it needs to be verified and i was waiting hours before i could actually play the game.
I mean seriously :/
I go out and buy the game my self and i cant even play my own game until steam dicides its ready :/
Steam may be good for online gaming but i wish they'd get over them selfs when it comes to games that dont even need the internet to play.

 

[AmayaOnnaOtaku]

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

same here especially nice after my old POS computer died. I could re-add all my purchased games to my new computer without a massive headache

 

[strigoivii]

If you like steam and it does things useful to YOU then thats great.... it only does terrible things to me and I do not have any choice in the matter... THAT is what makes it wrong... it is not optional!!! once you have installed and it has verified your purchase it should be optional to completely turn off... personally I'd like to completely remove the software as well but I'd settle for turning it off.... steam may well be the best DRM there is but if it was mandatory for you you have to suck a lemon while playing and you don't like lemons, then it doesn't matter even if this is the best lemon in the world... in todays world no one should dictate to me what I do with my own possessions.

 

[AhumbleKnight]

I recently heard that Civilization V will require Steam in order to access exclusive content like the Babylonian empire, soundtrack, and video featurettes? Is anyone bothered that certain games require a third party client like Steam installed.

For example, in order to play Modern Warfare 2 on the PC, you need to install Steam and link your game key code to your account. Apparently it means they can't sell it later.

I like steam. I think it is a great tool that provides me with a valuable service.
However, I do not like this growing tend in game publishers requiring you, the paying customer, to go out of your way to try and access all the features that you payed for in the game. Creating addtional DLC for purchase is ONLY ever acceptable if it is not part of the main game/story. This bs with chopping a game up into DLC to combat pircay is blatent revenue raising.

 

[Reshkar]

Steam is a great trustworthy 3rd party software, they're always up with some discount on games and downloadable content.

 

[blankedboy]

I used to like Steam, but I've come to hate it, with the Mac port, the new UI, the stability issues, the constant updates that only solve petty Mac crashes, my mum's credit card being declined on every purchase, it DEMANDING a state, even though I live in New Zealand and that isn't even kept on your personal records, recent price raises, and it being ridiculously slow since the UI update.

The games being on Steam, though, I can see that Valve wants to encourage community and discourage piracy, and obviously make more money so they can make more games for us all. I don't mind.

The games themselves, well, they just kick ass.

 

[strigoivii]

Steam is a great trustworthy 3rd party software, they're always up with some discount on games and downloadable content.

thats great for you I don't want discounts or downloadable content so why do I HAVE to have steam?

 

[strigoivii]

Steam is a great trustworthy 3rd party software, they're always up with some discount on games and downloadable content.

That is great and I couldn't be happier for you... I don't want discounts OR downloadable content OR to be connected to the internet while playing games.... so what about my right of choice ?
if you want to play certain games you are being forced into an isp contract

 

[AlphaOmega]

Steam fan here.

I rather not, but I do see it as one of the least annoying DRM methods (after a simple cd check)