Valve's Steam has over 12 million users. Sadface.

[Loop Stricken]

It really saddens me that in this day and age so many people would willingly sign up for DRM and praise it so much. In this day and age when people are clearly so worried about the ToS, why would they sign up for a service with one that's so vague?

Because Valve has built up a reservoir of goodwill over the years and should know by now that if they fuck up it's all over.

I used to think exactly like you. And then I actually started using Steam and thought it was actually a decent platform.

 

[rvbnut]

It really saddens me that in this day and age so many people would willingly sign up for DRM and praise it so much. In this day and age when people are clearly so worried about the ToS, why would they sign up for a service with one that's so vague?

Because Valve has built up a reservoir of goodwill over the years and should know by now that if they fuck up it's all over.

If that ever happens, it will be a very, very sad day in gaming.

 

[Ruwrak]

Haha, I see what you did there..

 

[Sgt. Dante]

Only 12 million? I am honestly surprised.

 

[dfphetteplace]

I have never had an issue with Steam. Everything seems to work just fine. One of my co-workers had a problem getting a game to run on his system, he called Steam, and they fixed immediately. They were very nice and helpful. And I don't know any software agreement that doesn't state the company is not responsible if something fucks up on your computer. There are too many variables for them not to have to make that a policy in the ToA.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Because I like Valve. I use Steam. But all the Origin hate from people who have pointedly said they haven't used it and won't makes me want to put my head through a wall and cause property damage.

Perhaps because they like Steam?

Perhaps because EA's advertising in the past has been little short of horrific?

Perhaps because Valve don't do the yearly IP release route?

Perhaps because Valve don't get in slagging matches with other companies?

Perhaps because Steam's TOS states that less information is taken, more security is given to it and the results are freely available?

Perhaps because Steam runs some damn good deals and gives away a lot of its stuff for free?

Perhaps because Steam doesn't change its TOS due to massive negative feedback but keep a clause in there to allow it to change back?

Perhaps because Steam doesn't force the customer to keep checking up on how the TOS has changed because they may be in breach of it?

Perhaps because Valve don't put draconian DRM on their games, just enough to keep it safe?

Perhaps because Valve support Indie companies, other platforms and charities and don't just get involved in pissing contests with Acti-Bliz?

Perhaps because Steam is totally up front with what they're doing and, to make up for it, they give you better offers?

Perhaps because even when people run up against Steam - like GOG and the Witcher 2 - Gabe doesn't get on a platform and slag them off?

Perhaps because when Gabe makes mistakes, he apologizes for them, unlike John Riccitello?

Perhaps because Valve print in a separate window all their changes, rather than stealth edit them in like Origin?

Perhaps because Steam doesn't "live where you live", stalking you from the bushes?

Perhaps because Steam is a known evil that has been well-honed to be as minimally intrusive as any DRM can be, while Origin stands over you tapping it's nightstick?

Perhaps because Steam lets you install games anywhere else as many times as you want?

Perhaps because Steam IS better than Origin?

Just a few reasons. I really don't have time to do a comparison between the two TOS's at the moment.

 

[PhoenixFlame]

Steam is awesome, but lets not act like it's some god figure and is infallible.

That's pretty much it, and yes, I saw what you did there with this thread.

I think gamers are at times extremely quick to judge products or services based on very little time or criteria, or on criteria that will selectively support their opinion without looking at the whole picture. That picture being - things take time to tweak, establish an identity, be competitive, etc.

The point that some people are missing is that people are used to Steam by now, which means they are also used to its quirks and problems and are therefore more forgiving than they would be for a new service. Thing is, Steam is not as perfect as people make it out to be - but Valve has always been all about knowing something isn't and working to tweak and fix it over time.

I'm ok with people liking or loving Steam, but let's not have selective memory about how well it works. Like any service, it has had its issues and problems. They've just been addressed well enough to maintain its 12 million+ user base.

 

[Sneaky-Pie]

Snippity snip

So we're comparing a eight year old system to one that's only a few months old?

Seems fair.

(That's in reference to saying Steam is better than Origin)

 

[Nulmas]

Snip

Driving to the store and my DVD drive on my computer are faster than 300 KB/s.

Also, I didn't know a duplicate CD key coming in a sealed package was my fault.

Thanks guy for being patronizing.

I can understand you perfectly I used to have this problem too.

Honestly, the only issue I have with Origin is the fact that they tried to cover their asses with lame excuses.

They made a business decision when they removed their games from Steam and they should have stuck with their guns. EA was actually gaining some good will with me up to this point.

Then they chickened out.

Oh, and I hate the name they chose for their digital distribution service: it reminds me too much of Origin Systems, a great developer that was (arguably and allegedly) ruined by EA

But the Origin debacle is nothing compared with Bethesda's lawsuits regarding Fallout Online and the word "Scrolls".

 

[DEAD34345]

Like Daystar said, it's because it is Valve that released Steam. I personally don't even like the games Valve has made (Half Life 1 being only real exception), but even I accept that they are a good games company which seems to treat its customers with respect.

 

[Loop Stricken]

Huh. It's funny when you at it like that, isn't it?

Not as funny as you slagging off Steam while having a Saxton Hale avatar.

That puts the AlanisMorrisettometer up to 11.

Because I like Valve. I use Steam. But all the Origin hate from people who have pointedly said they haven't used it and won't makes me want to put my head through a wall and cause property damage.

Steam is awesome, but lets not act like it's some god figure and is infallible.

Origin is EA, though. EA's reputation is in the shitter and with good cause.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Oh, and just as a small point.

Steam has 35 million accounts. They've stayed with Steam for 8 years.

Origin has 4 million. It's not even activated yet. And most of those are from people who didn't sign up to it.

ALL of Steam's are.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Snippity snip

So we're comparing a eight year old system to one that's only a few months old?

Seems fair.

Hey, the OP started it. I'm just filling in details.

But the eight year old system is voluntary, the new one is retroactively mandatory.

 

[Sneaky-Pie]

Oh, and just as a small point.

Steam has 35 million accounts. They've stayed with Steam for 8 years.

Origin has 4 million. It's not even activated yet. And most of those are from people who didn't sign up to it.

ALL of Steam's are.

Now hold on a second.

I was forced into Steam when I bought HL2 way back when.

At the time I wasn't pleased.

 

[Overlordkain]

Oh Frostbite you..

icwutudidthar!

 

[Frostbite3789]

Snip

Which is fine, don't use it. Bash it even. Also fine.

My point is there is a thread that's shitting on the people who would even dare to use Origin. As if people using Origin is an affront to all of mankind. While he hasn't used Origin ever. But it's existence offends him so much, everyone who uses it is an offense to humankind.

 

[octafish]

Yeah I bought HL2 on day one. The good thing about that is it gave me an extra month to enjoy Far Cry while Steam froze me out of my game. I hated Steam with a passion until just over a year ago when I got a decent internet connection, Windows 7 and Just Cause 2. Since then I have found it quite usable and the sales have been very helpful. Certainly I haven't had the problems you detail. That's probably because I avoided Steamworks games like the plague for six years. Well, I did pick up the Orange Box but I didn't install any of the multi-player at the time.

 

[GeorgW]

It's cheap and convenient. I love it. It has problems, everything does, but I think it's worth it for the cheap games. That's just my opinion, and I don't get why Steam is so hotly debated. Some like it, other don't. So what?
When it comes to Origin, I don't like it, I don't use it, but I don't care that other do. We've been over this, I thought it had blown over. Yeah, EA is stupid and it would be nice if they'd made some different choices about Origin, but what's done is done.

Because I like Valve. I use Steam. But all the Origin hate from people who have pointedly said they haven't used it and won't makes me want to put my head through a wall and cause property damage.

Perhaps because they like Steam?

Perhaps because EA's advertising in the past has been little short of horrific?

Perhaps because Valve don't do the yearly IP release route?

Perhaps because Valve don't get in slagging matches with other companies?

Perhaps because Steam's TOS states that less information is taken, more security is given to it and the results are freely available?

Perhaps because Steam runs some damn good deals and gives away a lot of it's stuff for free?

Perhaps because Steam doesn't change it's TOS due to massive negative feedback but keep a clause in there to allow it to change back?

Perhaps because Steam doesn't force the customer to keep checking up on how the TOS has changed because they may be in breach of it?

Perhaps because Valve don't put draconian DRM on their games, just enough to keep it safe?

Perhaps because Valve support Indie companies, other platforms and charities and don't just get involved in pissing contests with Acti-Bliz?

Perhaps because Steam is totally up front with what they're doing and, to make up for it, they give you better offers?

Perhaps because even when people run up against Steam - like GOG and the Witcher 2 - Gabe doesn't get on a platform and slag them off?

Perhaps because when Gabe makes mistakes, he apologizes for them, unlike John Riccitello?

Perhaps because Valve print in a separate window all their changes, rather than stealth edit them in like Origin?

Perhaps because Steam doesn't "live where you live", stalking you from the bushes?

Perhaps because Steam is a known evil that has been well-honed to be as minimally intrusive as any DRM can be, while Origin stands over you tapping it's nightstick?

Perhaps because Steam lets you install games anywhere else as many times as you want?

Perhaps because Steam IS better than Origin?

Just a few reasons. I really don't have time to do a comparison between the two TOS's at the moment.

I enjoyed this.