Do we really own our steam games?

[Vault101]

Well I guess we do, because they are always linked to our account

But lets say that steam goes under, and I know the answer to that is then steam will release a patch allowing them to work offline or somthing

BUT then those games are on that computer, what if you want to uninstall them? I doubt you could get them back, or if you switch machines? or if you bought retail could you put in the disk and install the game? because usually most steam titles require some downloads before you can play them

at least with other non steam games you have the physical copy, then when the apocolypse comes youll be set..unless it has online activation then your screwed

yeah Well if I do get a feeling the world is going to end first thing ill do is rush off and loot and console and a nice big TV

 

[Aris Khandr]

I'm reasonably sure that I'll either be dead or the PC will have advanced so far that none of the games will be compatible anymore anyway before it's any sort of concern.

 

[CCountZero]

Steam allows you to back-up all files, and that is what I do.

For one, it means I won't be faced with the problems you describe, but it also means that I don't have to re-DL an older game if I feel like a re-play.

If memory serves, they'll even reinstall in OffLine mode, which means Steam dying won't mean a thing.

 

[Vault101]

Steam allows you to back-up all files, and that is what I do.

For one, it means I won't be faced with the problems you describe, but it also means that I don't have to re-DL an older game if I feel like a re-play.

If memory serves, they'll even reinstall in OffLine mode, which means Steam dying won't mean a thing.

oh well that dosnt sound so bad,

if I uninstall a steam game which Im not 100% sure how to do Then is there anyway I can reinstall it without having to download those extra files?

 

[Kilgengoor]

You could always save your games to Steam backup files and stow them away in your DVD library, and install them offline, but I guess they still need to be activated once to work. So yeah, if Steam goes under, all but your correctly installed and activated games will function properly. FOREVER!

...until five minutes after Valve going bankrupt some industry giant like Microsoft, Bliz-Activision or whatever buys the Steam license at a bargain cost, migrating all the accounts. Really, Steam is too big of a feature to be ignored ever. Only services that really-REALLY die off (Tabula Rasa and Matrix Online come to mind) is that they become totally useless to their companies, profit-wise. I can safely predict Steam won't ever run out of profit when having a 3 million user-base. Hell, even AOL still has users.

 

[CCountZero]

If I uninstall a steam game which Im not 100% sure how to do, then is there anyway I can reinstall it without having to download those extra files?

Not sure how you could miss it.

If you right-click on a game in Steam, there's an option called "Backup Game Files" and another named "Delete Local Content".

The back-up function is even rather slick, as it allows you to take any number of installed Steam games and cook them down to one massive file, or even split them into multiple files of any size you like. That in turn allows you to store them on one massive unit, or multiple smaller ones.

Once you want to reinstall them, you then just hand your PC the files one by one, just like a multi-disc game install.

Easy as pie.

 

[Leg End]

No. If I remember correctly, I think it it stated some way in the Terms of Service. You technically have no ownership, just a licence to play.

Everything else I was going to say has already been said. :/ Thanks Guise.

 

[CommanderKirov]

Just a licence to use them. Nothing else

 

[SeaCalMaster]

No. If I remember correctly, I think it it stated some way in the Terms of Service. You technically have no ownership, just a licence to play.

Everything else I was going to say has already been said. :/ Thanks Guise.

This is correct. It should be noted that this is the case for every game you "own", not just the ones on Steam.

 

[Sansha]

When the apocalypse comes, I believe I'll have much bigger concerns than the status of my gaming library.

 

[Wintermoot]

if steam where to go under you can probably sue them, you never own the game but a copy, you buy rights to use it on steam, since you wouldn't be able to use it anymore you can sue them for making it impossible to use those rights

 

[Nova Helix]

I feel like I own them more. I don't have to hold onto the cases and they are available on any pc I happen to be using. (Also I get games dirt cheep)

About steam going under: When steam or google go under the internet dies.

 

[Vault101]

If I uninstall a steam game which Im not 100% sure how to do, then is there anyway I can reinstall it without having to download those extra files?

Not sure how you could miss it.

If you right-click on a game in Steam, there's an option called "Backup Game Files" and another named "Delete Local Content".

The back-up function is even rather slick, as it allows you to take any number of installed Steam games and cook them down to one massive file, or even split them into multiple files of any size you like. That in turn allows you to store them on one massive unit, or multiple smaller ones.

Once you want to reinstall them, you then just hand your PC the files one by one, just like a multi-disc game install.

Easy as pie.

oh tnaks for the help, so what does "delet local content" mean? is that liek uninstalling?

 

[CCountZero]

So what does "delete local content" mean? Is that like uninstalling?

Yes.

 

[Fappy]

When the apocalypse comes, I believe I'll have much bigger concerns than the status of my gaming library.

Heretic! With everyone dead I will finally have enough to play all my games! Lets just hope my glasses don't break.

 

[zfactor]

When the apocalypse comes, I believe I'll have much bigger concerns than the status of my gaming library.

Heretic! With everyone dead I will finally have enough to play all my games! Lets just hope my glasses don't break.

There was a Twilight Zone episode like that. Some guy really liked reading and took breaks from his work at the bank in the vault.

Spoiler

Then everybody nuked each other and he was the only survivor.

After picking out all the books, his glasses broke and he was doomed to roam around not able to see...

 

[Fappy]

When the apocalypse comes, I believe I'll have much bigger concerns than the status of my gaming library.

Heretic! With everyone dead I will finally have enough to play all my games! Lets just hope my glasses don't break.

There was a Twilight Zone episode like that. Some guy really liked reading and took breaks from his work at the bank in the vault.

Spoiler

Then everybody nuked each other and he was the only survivor.

After picking out all the books, his glasses broke and he was doomed to roam around not able to see...

You do realize I was actively referencing that right?