Are low prices the only reason you use Steam?

[ShotgunZombie]

I have never really cared for Steam, seeing as how I am primarily a console gamer that being said I bought the PS3 edition of Portal 2 and took it on it's offer of a free PC copy of the game I could play via Steam, that and also Team Fortress 2 went Free to Play which gave me that last little pushed needed to finally dip my toes into Steam...
And do you know what I've come to realize? I despise Steam. I won't go into a rant because frankly I don't want to but suffice to say I am less than pleased with the service but most of my friends with Steam accounts can't get enough of Valve's money printer. So here's my question Escapist: If Steam's prices were a little more in line with everyone else's would you still use it?

 

[NoBlueFood]

I don't use Steam a whole lot but I would suspect quite a few people use Steam for the ease of use and the fact that it keeps all of your games right there for you to scroll through without looking everywhere. Plus, there are hundreds of games to choose from so whatever you like is likely to be in the store. And yeah, the cheaper prices is a major thing too. I tried Origin for a little while and was disappointed by the number of choices it had.

 

[Stainlesssteele4]

To me, Steam is a user interface for my PC gaming experience. It has a very easy to use message system, allows for group calling, and lets you customize you own profile page down to the url. Its just overall a good system. Its more than just a friend list, or a launch pad full of shortcuts, Its a full community, a place where you can interact with others. I don't care that games are on sale all the time, I have no problem buying a game at full price, and if I'm actually interested in it, I'll get it launch or get a hard copy form a local Gamestop or Bestbuy. I enjoy Steam, and prefer it to PSN or XBL.

 

[Shockolate]

Not really, since I lack much disposable income (IE I beg my parent(s) to buy them).

Other than gaming, I mostly use it as a way to interact with my friends, since I do not go out much.

 

[Vidi Kitty]

I would still use it. Good for keeping track of friends and I have bought more than a few games at full price anyway on it.

 

[thom_cat_]

Well, I can download my games to anywhere, they get automatically updated, chat is awesome and streamlined, the community features are really well done.
It's easy to buy stuff and yes, it's cheap.
The game overlay is good and so is the server implementation.
There's not many things I can fault apart from the way it has region locks.

 

[Krantos]

Honestly, probably not. However, I don't see the big issue. It's not an onerous system. Yes, I've had some problems with changing my password in the past, but there's really nothing negative about.

It's convenient and cheap. What's the issue?

 

[aarontg]

I like steam for it's convenience and of course the low prices. I'm also sort of obligated to use steam because that's what all my friends use. So that leads into the other question: yes I would still use steam if the prices were static even if I only ever get cheap titles that are hard to find a box copy for.

 

[Fanfic_warper]

I use steam for the cheap prices. if it went to more in line pricing, I'd probably shut down my account. However I'm not much of a pc gamer. In my entire pc gaming career, I've probably spent a total of 50 bucks in the last 10 years.

 

[ScrubberDucky]

It's cheap, it has a nice selection of both indie/low profile and old games, and is one of the few places to buy PC games without weathering the exorbitant shipping cost hailstorm that is Amazon and Ebay.

So more or less, that's the main reason. There's no boxes or manuals (unless you count the shitty ones they only give you 1/3 of the time in pdf format) and nothing physical to collect, which to a lot of people is half the fun, and let's face it, Steam is DRM in and of itself. So no internet connection, no games. If it wasn't so cheap and practical, I likely wouldn't use it.

 

[Mouse_Crouse]

I first used Steam because when I bought Supreme Commander 2 it requires it. However after using it, I love it. Auto-update, integrated chat, good deals, and never having to keep physical copies of my games are all features I love.

Edit:

Steam is DRM in and of itself. So no internet connection, no games.

I never understood this point. Steam can be booted in offline mode and you can still play your games.

 

[Crazy Zaul]

Only the offers are good anyway. The normal prices are a massive rip off.

 

[Signa]

I certainly would for the Valve games, but I probably wouldn't have bought so many other games if they weren't as cheap as they are.

When Steam was first released, I fought tooth and nail to not use it. I even avoided buying HL2 because of it. Once the Orange Box came around though, I reluctantly said "ok". Now I can't even be bothered to use the Windows game launcher for anything because all my games are in Steam now.

 

[Glerken]

It's cheap, it has a nice selection of both indie/low profile and old games, and is one of the few places to buy PC games without weathering the exorbitant shipping cost hailstorm that is Amazon and Ebay.

So more or less, that's the main reason. There's no boxes or manuals (unless you count the shitty ones they only give you 1/3 of the time in pdf format) and nothing physical to collect, which to a lot of people is half the fun, and let's face it, Steam is DRM in and of itself. So no internet connection, no games. If it wasn't so cheap and practical, I likely wouldn't use it.

You don't need an internet connection to play games on Steam.

 

[viranimus]

AThats pretty much the only reason to use Steam. The exchange of lack of ownership for a lower than retail price.

There is honestly no advantage outside of pure laziness to steam other than the prices and access to indie titles you would not have access otherwise.

 

[Iron Lightning]

Well, if it wasn't for Steam I would've never got my two favorite games: The Void and Zeno Clash. So, I suppose the indie support is a definite plus. However, I always try to get hard copies of games since Steam is going to go out of service eventually and I still want to play most of my games in a post-Steam error.

 

[ScrubberDucky]

You don't need an internet connection to play games on Steam.

Only if you switch into offline mode beforehand. If you start up the computer one day and your connection has kicked the bucket, Steam won't even start. However, there could be a roundabout solution to this that I've forgotten, and I am open to the chance of me being wrong.