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

[ffs-dontcare]

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.

 

[Kingjackl]

Because of my shitty internet, I can't actually buy anything on Steam without having to leave my computer on for a week while the thing downloads. Also I don't use the community system because none of my friends use Steam. Basically, I would never install it deliberately, but if it's the only way I can play the Orange Box, then I don't mind.

 

[Jekken6]

I think more games shoul take adantage and piggyback on it with cloud support, autopatching, stats, etc. Then getting into a server in borderlands on PC would've been much less of a nightmare.

 

[Petromir]

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.

 

[mightybozz]

I don't like steam. I've not got a good internet connection at home (rural area) and I can't get it on my university network. So I've had to spend hours sitting in the Union and in coffee shops waiting for Empire Total War and DOW2 to download. Why this is necessary when I could just buy a disk is beyond me. I like owning a disk with some actual software on it, rather than a mere licence to download it at some point in the future.

Basically, I can see why Steam would be an option that appeals to some people (though not many around where I live at the moment). But that doesn't mean the rest of us PC gamers should be screwed because we haven't got easy access to a fast connection. There's no reason not to have both Steam copies and proper boxed copies available. People talk of the PC market suffering: well here's where developers are shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[ffs-dontcare]

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.

 

[Petromir]

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.

Does it not? Fairly sure used it to allow me to play some games occasionally on the in-laws PC and it never seemed to mind, and it didnt connect for at least 6 months....

Every so often Steam did used to have a habit of changing the update preferences, but that seems to have been sorted out.

Best way to manage the two is to log into online when you can mearly to keep steam happy, but check before you do, using offline mode your update settings are ok?

As far as I can tell steams online mode is very tollerant of shit internet as long as your not using the chat, store or using it to d/l.

Edit: Waryness is fair enough, and most of your concerns are fair, but should be fairly minimal risks these days.

 

[strigoivii]

Personally I hate steam with a vengeance, call of duty waw took 2 days to install, even though I had a disc it kept trying to download through my steam account.... infinity ward and activision were overwhelmed by the amount of hate mail from users of steam who'd bought the game and I check every game in the shop to see whether the word steam appears on it. I have just bought several games from e-bay and unfortunately the one I most looked forward to, Saints row 2 (a game based on scarface) is completely unplayable... the driving lags or turns so fast it's impossible to see whats happening. I realise that some people don't want to buy 2nd hand games and like to download a game they've bought and it is supposed (ha ha) to stop piracy but the option should still exist for us that want to buy a game and play it in our own homes. I wonder if I'm entitled to my money back because I have purchased a product that is not fit for its intended use because of steam.... now THAT would be a great law case......

 

[Anah'ya]

It will be funny to wake up one day and find out that Steam and Skype banded together to form Steamy Skype Net and enslaved us all...

...

Okay, that was very unrelated.

But anyway.

No, this Taffer does not mind having to use Steam to play a game. I like Steam. Sometimes I dream about Steam. They are nice dreams.

 

[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.