An Alternative to Steam (Mass Effect 2 for $5!)

[AcacianLeaves]

I don't see Direct2Drive (IGN's digital distribution service) get a lot of press or attention, but it really is a great way to buy games digitally. It has tons of sales (just like Steam), a great selection, and most importantly - zero DRM! It's just old-school CD keys, activate it once and you don't have to worry about it. You don't even need system-hog background programs running while playing. I like Steam too, but really I prefer D2D.

This week's sales showcase why - one of the best games of all time (Mass Effect 2) for only $5, and the entire Sam and Max collection for only $11.

I know that EA is launching their own service, which I don't know much about and this sale may be in response to that. I'm worried EA is going to only sell future digitally distributed games from their own service.

Obviously we should all know about GOG.com too, which is my favorite online purchase site.

Anyway check out this link for the Mass Effect deal: http://www.direct2drive.com/9010/product/Buy-Mass-Effect-2-Download

 

[5mj7R7yf4Dwr3gdZyyu9PeGNwYjlNrjzuh3iTXQG]

EA ACCOUNT, REGISTRATION WITH ENCLOSED SERIAL CODE, INTERNET CONNECTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY

So much for no DRM.

238U.

 

[Aidinthel]

CD keys count as DRM. I do like D2D, though it's sales are not as frequent as Steam's they tend to be pretty good. Preordering Civ V from them got me one of the paid DLCs for free.

 

[TiefBlau]

Well, considering Bioware has been handing out ME2 PC copies like festive confetti these days with that Dragon Age 2 business, and ME2 is a single-player game anyways, it's not that big a deal to me.

I was bombarded in the face with Sam & Max though, which is pleasant, though really, adventure games get sales like they're going out of style all the time.

 

[Griffolion]

I use Steam for the social bit too, all my friends are on there, it's just a lot easier than moving over to something else.

 

[Hiphophippo]

I've bought stuff from D2D before. Quality service. Though I'm a steam diehard a good deal is a good deal right?

http://www.steamgamesales.com/stores.php?sort=savings&order=desc

Bookmark that. It's an RSS feed that collects sales from the top 4 or 5 digital distrubution sources. Nice to have all the sales on one simple page.

 

[AcacianLeaves]

EA ACCOUNT, REGISTRATION WITH ENCLOSED SERIAL CODE, INTERNET CONNECTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY

So much for no DRM.

238U.

That's developer side DRM, not distributor side. I always feel like Steam only requires you to be connected so they can bombard me with advertisements every time I want to play a game.

Point taken, though.

By the way the sale ended, but Steam is now having a huge summer sale.

My Ma told me, you better shop around...

 

[5mj7R7yf4Dwr3gdZyyu9PeGNwYjlNrjzuh3iTXQG]

That's developer side DRM, not distributor side. I always feel like Steam only requires you to be connected so they can bombard me with advertisements every time I want to play a game.

I used to be annoyed by the Steam ads, but then I realized I was acting on enough of them to be worth it (usually the ridiculous sales). I'm not sure if they can be turned off as can Impulse ads.

And it's been a while since Steam didn't allow me to go right into offline mode and play a game.

But a required account to some publisher service is a limit for me when it comes to DRM. I have enough accounts, thank you, and I don't need further services in my desktop tray (or running in my background), some of which also can't help themselves but pop-up advertisements at me.

EA has been particularly guilty of that. I suspect more so now with Origin.

238U.