The reason why you should NOT buy Steam games

[Azulito]

Actually, I was in the United States a few week backs and all my games (That I had installed and bought in the UK) worked fine. I had difficulties buying games while there but Steam sorted it out by removing an IP limitation.

The games worked though before I contacted Steam so they should have worked for you.

 

[Nethank]

For those of us who don't travel between countries on a regular basis... Steam is God.

I had a TERRIBLE experience with EA Download Manager, and now I will never buy another digital game from anywhere other than Steam ever again.

For those of us who do travel, steam is God, when you remember to put it in offline mode before you travel, I'm just say'n you pack your suit case, and you put steam in offline mode. It's that easy.

Agreed though, I love steam with a fricken passion. Have yet to date to have a problem.

I wish I had your luck, I've had a plague of steam issue, certain games will at random points bug out and shut my computer down, this happened with over half my library of games. Contacted steam support and all the lazy *#&@*$ said was go to third party support. Steam sucks because their support system blows, they did nothing to help correct a major issue with their program.

 

[Azulito]

]

I wish I had your luck, I've had a plague of steam issue, certain games will at random points bug out and shut my computer down, this happened with over half my library of games. Contacted steam support and all the lazy *#&@*$ said was go to third party support. Steam sucks because their support system blows, they did nothing to help correct a major issue with their program.

Actually -- Steam isn't directly responsible for the games or the bugs, they're in charge of the Steam client and possibly Valve games.

The issue though does sound like it's a problem with your computer. Looks like a similar issue to a poor PSU.

 

[Trolldor]

For those of us who don't travel between countries on a regular basis... Steam is God.

I had a TERRIBLE experience with EA Download Manager, and now I will never buy another digital game from anywhere other than Steam ever again.

For those of us who do travel, steam is God, when you remember to put it in offline mode before you travel, I'm just say'n you pack your suit case, and you put steam in offline mode. It's that easy.

Agreed though, I love steam with a fricken passion. Have yet to date to have a problem.

I wish I had your luck, I've had a plague of steam issue, certain games will at random points bug out and shut my computer down, this happened with over half my library of games. Contacted steam support and all the lazy *#&@*$ said was go to third party support. Steam sucks because their support system blows, they did nothing to help correct a major issue with their program.

If the game is crashing then you have to contact the developers of the game. I know that's a bit complex, but it's just how things are.

My only problem with steam came when I lost my offline data when I didn't have internet for a year.
FFFFF----
Fairly easy to solve, really. $20 for portable broadband and boom steam is back, and I could use my portable for other internet-related stuff as well!

 

[ladefar]

There is your problem, Steam won't let people reactivate games again because if they did, it'd be easy to share games (piracy). So next time, buy your game when at home.

Just to be clear I was making the arguement that not only were my games attached to my Steam account I had the physical copy and was being barred from installing because of Steam. Also when I made the original purchases Singapore was home. I understand why region locks exist. Still, hypothetically you could be an avid Steam purchaser and be locked out from your ENTIRE game collection just because you made the mistake of moving country. Not saying that is what currently happens because some of the Steam games I purchased while in Singapore still work. It would appear only recent games seem to have this region lock. You would think Steam would be awesome for those that move countries as you don't have to physically move all those games around. But the opposite seems to be true. Also Steam support seem unable or unwilling to assist me

 

[CrystalShadow]

You see, this is why I buy Valve games from retail. Don't have an internet connection? Good thing I have this install disc handy. Hey! I has internetz naow!!1! Let Steam bring me my games.

How does that help? I got a disc copy of the Orange box, and it still expects you to activate it through steam even before it lets you install it.

In other words; No internet connection? = Install disc is useless.


OT: I guess that figures. I've had problems with offline mode in steam... But it's nothing compared to the crap I endured dealing with Atari's Digital downloads...

To this day, what I bought from them cannot be played without resorting to cracks. (And no matter what I say to them, Customer / tech support don't do anything helpful.)

 

[Aphex Demon]

I hate the in-game steam thing. Buggy as fuck.

As for Steam and its digital download side... itself I love it!

but seriously that sucks!

 

[GoGummiBear]

...Yes, Sandvich, I agree - it is somewhat suspicious that this thread turns up from a new user as the Valve versus Mojang round gets underway. But we must let him speak nonetheless - calling foul play at this stage would be wrong. Besides, let us see what Creeper has to say on such matters...

"...ssss...BANG!" (QuadrAlien goes flying across the room)

...Yes, yes, Sandvich, you did say talking to the pig would give a more reasonable and less explosive balance to the two sides, but I thought he would be worried due to your ham-based nature... Oh, well. (Om, nom, nom)...

(/QuadrAlien's lunacy)

Anyway - Welcome to the Escapist, and I'm told at this point I must state that whatever you do don't go into the basement. Trust me on this one. No-one told me of this rule when I arrived.

Why, what's in the basement I still haven't OH GOD THE HORROR, THE ETERNAL, UNFATHOMABLE HORROR

Sorry about the basement guys, I'll tell dad to stop doing that down there

 

[StormShaun]

Their "Ban him if we think he has hacked" policy is really F**KING UNFAIR! I got banned and lost all my frigin games!!

but now I have regained them EXEPT Garrys Mod.....*Sigh*

 

[The Rockerfly]

I don't download games because I won't actually own them, at least with a physical copy I do

 

[Jed Petty]

It sucks and i feel for this person.. It would seem that maybe Valve should be letting people know of this region blocking stuff. On the other hand though Its not like the internet in Singapore is any different than my internet here. If he logged onto his steam account anywhere in the world shouldnt the system know hes from the UK and games he buys should be compatible as such. I dont get why where he logs on from should matter. He made a UK steam account. Gah!#! it doesnt make sense!!!!

 

[mrF00bar]

For those of us who don't travel between countries on a regular basis... Steam is God.

Well I wouldn't say Steam is god but its defiantly useful. Personally I don't like Steam because they can seize all of your games/ban all of your games from MP because they want to. If I remember correctly the only person ever to have a VAC ban lifted was rich enough to threaten to sue Valve/Steam.

 

[LandoCristo]

Man, I looooovvveee Steam.

"Yeah, Steam's alright, I guess".

Because Steam is the only place I've seen that sells hot titles like Magicka, as well as the behatted majesty that is Team Fortress 2.

 

[Panayjon]

I've lived in the USA for most of my life and have a decent library of Steam games which I have bought from retail (Orange Box) as well as games I've bought over their store (Audio Surf, V:tM, X-Com, list goes on). However, I have since moved to Thailand but I have no trouble playing any of my games (latency aside).

So, I'm thinking this is more of an isolated incident. Possibly due to not registering the game while you were in Singapore or simply that the UK has more stringent laws about this kind of thing than the USA.

EDIT: Ah, just noticed the OP mention it being only recent games so I guess the first theory is out the window. So, if the second is true then the answer is to move to the USA! You'll like it there better

 

[Meestor Pickle]

Yes, as said Steam is a absolute wonder down here in Aus, especially considering how much EB games and the like overcharge.

I've used steam for 4-5 years and no problems to date.

 

[Rocking Thunder]

Oh, that isint good.
So, I am an American student, and am going as an exchange student to Turkey next year, do you think they will work over there. I can survive without it, but still, sad face.

 

[Dr. Chris]

I guess I'm in the small minority of people who haven't had trouble with Steam. :/