most annoying thing about steam?

[lokialex]

I love Steam, such an easy way to access games and the community features are great.
I made an account in 2007 when I bought Half Life 2.
*sigh* good times.
But last year I got a permanent ban because of a misunderstanding between them and my bank.
So I lost all my games (around 30 of them). So now I have a new account and had to buy all the games again.
That kind of royally pissed me off, but I'm addicted to steam like I'm addicted to Facebook so I didn't stay away for long.

 

[GiantRaven]

You never do that, not with any piece of software you buy, digital or retail. You only buy the rights to use it, you never own it.

I can install my copy of, to choose a random example, Arcanum on any computer that I want, use it as soon as it installs (and any other time I wish to play it) and it will never be withheld from me.

In my experience, and from the experiences of other people, most of this (I concede that you can install the game on any computer) is not true with Steam, where a game can be withheld from being played, requires Steam to use and can occasionally be completely unable to play for reasons unknown.

You can argue that digital delivery platform and yadda yadda yadda, but, GOG.com.

Again, that can technically happen to almost every piece of software you "own".

Fact is, you never own the game you buy, you rent the rights to use the software. Steam has this, GOG.com has this, disc-delivered games have this and a bucketload of other software has this.

Given, it's easier to do so with Steam as every game you buy is automatically registered to a certain account.

You keep saying that I'm wrong without suggesting any examples as to why.

At what point can I be banned from playing a game that I purchased in a store, or from GOG.com?
At what point can I be told "This game does not work right now, come back later"?
At what point am I forced to use another piece of software to play a game (this can extend to a multitude of services, such as EA's stuff, of which I take issue with all of them)?

 

[Cowabungaa]

You keep saying that I'm wrong without suggesting any examples as to why.

At what point can I be banned from playing a game that I purchased in a store, or from GOG.com?
At what point can I be told "This game does not work right now, come back later"?
At what point am I forced to use another piece of software to play a game (this can extend to a multitude of services, such as EA's stuff, of which I take issue with all of them)?

Why I don't know, I was just responding to your statement that it never feels like you own a Steam-bought game. I was just saying that heej, you never really do own a piece of software, you just buy a license to use it [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software] so that doesn't matter much. And any license you have can be revoked.

As for your questions;
1: When you don't accept the EULA or break it. It just doesn't happen very often.
2: When a publisher takes it offline, though I don't see how that matters that much in the ownership-debate.
3: More and more games seem to like Games for Windows Live, sadly.

Thing is with Steam is that it's way easier to do so as the games are linked to an account, but isn't that also the case with GOG.com? You're right about Steam-bought games forcing you to run Steam to play it though, but that doesn't matter that much in the whole ownership spiel. It does in other regards and I guess it could be labeled as a downside. Afterall, it takes up computing power.

 

[GiantRaven]

Why I don't know, I was just responding to your statement that it never feels like you own a Steam-bought game. I was just saying that heej, you never really do own a piece of software, you just buy a license to use it [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software] so that doesn't matter much. And any license you have can be revoked.

I've bought and used games via Steam. Didn't enjoy it for the reasons I've outlined. I'm sure other people have different opinions and experiences but this thread is about your own person issues regarding Steam, which is what I was highlighting.

1: When you don't accept the EULA or break it. It just doesn't happen very often.

You are correct here, but I've read far more reports of peoples Steam accounts being banned (and thus losing access to all their games on Steam) for seeming innocuous reasons over people being unable to install a game from a disc due to breaking the EULA.

2: When a publisher takes it offline, though I don't see how that matters that much in the ownership-debate.

How exactly does a publisher take a game like, to use the example I did previously (although many MANY games apply), Arcanum offline? Especially when it has very little in the way of online capability in the first place. I really don't get where you're going with this.

Perhaps 'ownership' was the wrong word to use. I merely take issue with the way Steam asserts itself with the games you want to play.

3: More and more games seem to like Games for Windows Live, sadly.

I really, really wish they would stop. I could possibly get back into PC gaming if they did...

Thing is with Steam is that it's way easier to do so as the games are linked to an account, but isn't that also the case with GOG.com? You're right about Steam-bought games forcing you to run Steam to play it though, but that doesn't matter that much in the whole ownership spiel.

With GOG.com once you download the file, you have the file. You can do whatever the hell you want with it once you download it. I can't see the same with Steam. And having to use Steam matters to me. Isn't that what this thread is about?

 

[Cowabungaa]

Why I don't know, I was just responding to your statement that it never feels like you own a Steam-bought game. I was just saying that heej, you never really do own a piece of software, you just buy a license to use it [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software] so that doesn't matter much. And any license you have can be revoked.

I've bought and used games via Steam. Didn't enjoy it for the reasons I've outlined. I'm sure other people have different opinions and experiences but this thread is about your own person issues regarding Steam, which is what I was highlighting.

If you say so, alright, but all I could respond to was "I dislike the fact that you don't truly own the game." That's all you said about it.

You are correct here, but I've read far more reports of peoples Steam accounts being banned (and thus losing access to all their games on Steam) for seeming innocuous reasons over people being unable to install a game from a disc due to breaking the EULA.

You are correct there. I've heard about such reports, but I wonder how much of a percentage they represent of the entire Steam user base. Don't get me wrong though, any case is one too many.

How exactly does a publisher take a game like, to use the example I did previously (although many MANY games apply), Arcanum offline? Especially when it has very little in the way of online capability in the first place. I really don't get where you're going with this.

Never said it could happen to every game. I wasn't quite sure what you meant with it in the first place. I mean, craploads of games give errors every now and then, crash or are otherwise unavailable.

Perhaps 'ownership' was the wrong word to use. I merely take issue with the way Steam asserts itself with the games you want to play.

Fair enough. It does that yes.

I really, really wish they would stop. I could possibly get back into PC gaming if they did...

It's horribleness really manifests itself in matchmaking. GFWL really fucked up my Dawn of War 2 experience. It's meh-meh for singleplayer games as I could play Fallout 3 without being logged in. Sure no achievements, but who cares.

With GOG.com once you download the file, you have the file. You can do whatever the hell you want with it once you download it. I can't see the same with Steam. And having to use Steam matters to me. Isn't that what this thread is about?

I edited that part about the fact that it's a program can be labeled as a downside, but I think you're quite wrong about GOG.com there. GOG.com is a distributor, they don't own the game either they're just licensed to sell it. The publisher still owns that file. If you still have to accept a EULA before you install it it's still not yours. If what you are saying is true you could just put that file on the web, spread untold copies for free or sell it yourself, you'd be buying shareware. But I've got the feeling that that ain't really the case.

 

[ajemas]

There's not enough deals. It is pretty annoying.

Getting Portal for free seemed like a pretty good deal to me. They also had that one sale when Gordan Freeman was nominated as the most popular video game hero, and that Christmas sale.

My biggest problem is the fact that you have to launch Steam to play any of your games. I know that this has been said quite a bit, but it still irks me to no end. Of course, they need it to stop people from pirating their games, so perhaps the blame is being put on the wrong people.

 

[Hauer]

Still not a fan of the UI efficiency even though I have a great gaming PC. I've always disliked the fact that it needs to be running and using some memory when I'm playing a game.

 

[GiantRaven]

If you say so, alright, but all I could respond to was "I dislike the fact that you don't truly own the game." That's all you said about it.

Clearly I was overly vague (not to mention illustrating completely the wrong point). Fortunately, some interesting discussion has come out of it.

You are correct there. I've heard about such reports, but I wonder how much of a percentage they represent of the entire Steam user base. Don't get me wrong though, any case is one too many.

Oh it's probably a ridiculously low percentage but I'm still not willing to take that risk.

Never said it could happen to every game. I wasn't quite sure what you meant with it in the first place. I mean, craploads of games give errors every now and then, crash or are otherwise unavailable.

Crashes and the like are (I assume) most likely due to bugs within the game itself rather than Steam, where you get the message 'This game is not currently available' with no good reason as to why.

I edited that part about the fact that it's a program can be labeled as a downside, but I think you're quite wrong about GOG.com there. GOG.com is a distributor, they don't own the game either they're just licensed to sell it. The publisher still owns that file. If you still have to accept a EULA before you install it it's still not yours. If what you are saying is true you could just put that file on the web, spread untold copies for free or sell it yourself, you'd be buying shareware. But I've got the feeling that that ain't really the case.

You are right, the ownership is not mine, I can see that was poor wording on my part.

It seems our oppositional discussion is running a little dry on the opposition. I feel like I need to start yelling "STEAM IS TEH GHEY" in order to get things going again. =P

Of course, they need it to stop people from pirating their games, so perhaps the blame is being put on the wrong people.

It would be nice if people pirated less games. Then maybe publishers would stop punishing the people who purchase the game legally.

Stupid pirates... ¬.¬

 

[Cowabungaa]

If you say so, alright, but all I could respond to was "I dislike the fact that you don't truly own the game." That's all you said about it.

Clearly I was overly vague (not to mention illustrating completely the wrong point). Fortunately, some interesting discussion has come out of it.

Always a good thing right?

Oh it's probably a ridiculously low percentage but I'm still not willing to take that risk.

Well I'd have to look into those cases, but I'd reckon that if you just buy games and play them the risk of getting randomly banned is smaller than your PC just dying on you. They sound to me like freak occurences, makes me wonder what's behind them.

Crashes and the like are (I assume) most likely due to bugs within the game itself rather than Steam, where you get the message 'This game is not currently available' with no good reason as to why.

Hm, strange, can't recall that happening in the 4-ish years I've really been using Steam. Care to elaborate on that one?

It seems our oppositional discussion is running a little dry on the opposition. I feel like I need to start yelling "STEAM IS TEH GHEY" in order to get things going again. =P

Well it certainly has it disadvantages, I just feel that the advantages weigh up to them. The disadvantages don't affect me much to be honest. Never had the banning-thing, never had my games randomly blocked, and when I had no internet for a while I could just use the offline-mode.

Also remember that in the end Steam is just a distribution platform.

 

[Bobic]

The cheap sales keep forcing me to buy games.

 

[GiantRaven]

Always a good thing right?

Naturally.

Well I'd have to look into those cases, but I'd reckon that if you just buy games and play them the risk of getting randomly banned is smaller than your PC just dying on you. They sound to me like freak occurences, makes me wonder what's behind them.

I think, at least in some cases, it has something to do with changing payment methods or the card you use. I'm not sure because it hasn't happened to me personally.

Hm, strange, can't recall that happening in the 4-ish years I've really been using Steam. Care to elaborate on that one?

There isn't really much I can elaborate on. I would try and play a game and I would get a message stating that I couldn't and to try again later, no reason why. I think a couple of other people have mentioned this in the thread as well, so it isn't an isolated incident. It isn't something that would happen often (I could probably count the number of times it happened to me on one hand, although I didn't use Steam for very long) but being told you can't play the games you paid for, for an unknown reason, is particularly irritating.

 

[hazabaza1]

Too many sales. Making me poor!

 

[bob1052]

you have to update a game before oyu can play it, I can;t play my retail version of left4 dead because I just dont have 1.9gb of data to spare

Needing the most up to date version when playing an online game isn't something that is specific to steam. Also 2gb? You can buy a flash drive that can hold that with spare change.

 

[roostuf]

you cant delete your own account! never!

its fucking stress murdering annoying! i have 2 computers, one is a desktop to play games offline, and a laptop to do internet stuff like going on the escapist like right now.

my brother and i have 2 different steam accounts, so if i wanted play a game of his we'd need to connect the desktop with the internet box.

"why dont you just keep the internet box hooked up?" you'd say, but frankly i dont know why we arnt allowed. anyway if we were allowed that and we were allowed to delete our accounts, we wont be able to play our games because once you go steam you dont go back! }:<

 

[Jack Macaque]

Problem with Steam is it's trying to be some hybrid monster that just well isn't very good but it's the only easy way to play so many damn games that you just have to put up with it really.

More bugs that a beehive.(VGCats)

 

[mireko]

I've never had any trouble with Steam.

The only feature that I'm sorely missing is the ability to choose install directories. However, you can move your Steam folder to anywhere on your computer and it will still run (yes, really), so this doesn't become much of a problem if you've got an extra hard drive.

On the other hand, the Steam store can be a massive pain to navigate (JUST 'SHOW ALL', DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE 'NEXT 10' SIX THOUSAND TIMES), and there are a lot of mediocre titles cluttering up the lists.

Still, never any stability problems, and it doesn't use all that much memory.

 

[Cowabungaa]

I think, at least in some cases, it has something to do with changing payment methods or the card you use. I'm not sure because it hasn't happened to me personally.

That's odd. I wonder how those cases have been solved then. If they're obviously based on a misunderstanding you'd reckon they'd fix it.

There isn't really much I can elaborate on. I would try and play a game and I would get a message stating that I couldn't and to try again later, no reason why. I think a couple of other people have mentioned this in the thread as well, so it isn't an isolated incident. It isn't something that would happen often (I could probably count the number of times it happened to me on one hand, although I didn't use Steam for very long) but being told you can't play the games you paid for, for an unknown reason, is particularly irritating.

Odd indeed, I reckon the fact that have no idea what's going on is even more irritating. Games don't work more often, but usually you know why.

I wonder though, how long is this ago? Steam has changed a lot the past few years, maybe it's a stability thing they've mostly fixed by now.

I can see how both of those things don't put Steam in the most positive of lights, but seeing how often they happen and how easily some of them are solved (Steam support lists quite a number of solutions for the Unavailable error) I wouldn't say they're that problematic. And heej, if you can get Just Cause 2 for 6,25...yeah my mind is quickly made up. Once a Dutchie, always a Dutchie (us being cheap as fuck and all).

 

[GiantRaven]

I wonder though, how long is this ago? Steam has changed a lot the past few years, maybe it's a stability thing they've mostly fixed by now.

Within the last year/few months. It wasn't that long ago when I first tried using Steam.

I can see how both of those things don't put Steam in the most positive of lights, but seeing how often they happen and how easily some of them are solved (Steam support lists quite a number of solutions for the Unavailable error) I wouldn't say they're that problematic. And heej, if you can get Just Cause 2 for 6,25...yeah my mind is quickly made up. Once a Dutchie, always a Dutchie (us being cheap as fuck and all).

I can definitely see the positive aspects and, with a little tweaking on the things I don't like about it, I would be more than happy to use it but I guess it just isn't really for me in it's current state.