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

[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)

 

[migo]

In principle it sucks. It shouldn't be necessary, and is as annoying as getting iTunes with QuickTime and all the other crap. I'm sure there'll be a crack in no time to install Civ V without Steam.

 

[strigoivii]

things that are compulsory are always acceptable to those who can see the virtue of being dominated, the weak willed, and the scared.... me I'm happy to join the resistance and fight big brother ever step. I have no problem in steps taken for anti piracy I hate being forced to do what I didn't buy into. Verify my purchase and give me an off switch.

 

[SwagLordYoloson]

Its an alright program but I just see it as unnecessary because I don't want to have to download a 500mb update before I play a game.. I know updates may be necessary but if I don't have any bandwidth left it sure does suck having to wait for the next month to play a game =/

 

[Alfador_VII]

Its an alright program but I just see it as unnecessary because I don't want to have to download a 500mb update before I play a game.. I know updates may be necessary but if I don't have any bandwidth left it sure does suck having to wait for the next month to play a game =/

You can turn off auto-updating. Unless you're going to be playing online multiplayer, you don't HAVE to update games before you play them

 

[SwagLordYoloson]

Its an alright program but I just see it as unnecessary because I don't want to have to download a 500mb update before I play a game.. I know updates may be necessary but if I don't have any bandwidth left it sure does suck having to wait for the next month to play a game =/

You can turn off auto-updating. Unless you're going to be playing online multiplayer, you don't HAVE to update games before you play them

I sure feel stupid for not knowing this earlier, thanks for telling me

 

[fix-the-spade]

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.

Of all the intrusive, always on DRM systems. It's the most reliable and it's the only one which offers it's users any kind of payback for their inconvieniance and for not actually 'owning' the games. It's also the only one that allows you to fiddle with certain settings to make it work properly offline.

I don't love it, but I can live with it.

 

[GideonB]

I don't mind steam at all. However I do wish that it wouldn't be so resource heavy. When I decide to upgrade, I think I might as well buy a 160GB HD spare just for Steam, because it's the only way it'll not rape my hard drive.

But games that require it... Hmm... I don't mind them as long as they don't impact the performance of the game itself. Steam is very useful and the DRM system is has is smart. If you buy a game, you can keep it forever. If you want to redownload it no jumping through hoops at all. Just redownload it. It keeps everything simple and smart in my opinion.

 

[Delusibeta]

@strigoivii: CoD: World at War was never a Steamworks game, and the PC port of Saints Row 2 was notoriously crap, so the lag you're complaining about would probably be unaffected if you cracked the game. I fail to see why you're complaining about Steam.