Where do I get PC-games, other than on Steam?

[kidigus]

This may sound like a noob question (probably because it is) but can someone welp me out here, on the off chance that VALVe doesn't have a complete monopoly on the PC-games market by now?

 

[ChickenZombie]

A store.

 

[Sassafrass]

Origin and gog.com could be a good place to look.

 

[Phlakes]

A store.

/thread

Or you could download Origin out of pity. EA wants to know it has friends, it's needy like that.

 

[Worgen]

gog.com is a really good place to get classic games, impulse is ok, stores still exist, there is origin if you want to buy ea games, there is the blizzard store thing if you want blizzard games, there are also other digital outlets who's names escape me

 

[Radeonx]

Origin, a store, GOG.com, Direct2Drive. Those are a few that would be pretty good.

 

[NathLines]

Well, I check these sites pretty frequently.

http://gamersgate.com/
http://www.direct2drive.com/
http://game.gamesplanet.com/

And GoG for older games. And retail stores of course.

 

[weker]

Gamer Gate and Direct to Drive are the best ones, but steam is still the best place.

 

[viranimus]

Ideally, retail so it supports the industry.

Beyond that, If your buying used console (and some PC) Amazon is fairly solid. There is also a new place called Glyde that I have yet to purchase from but looks fairly good thus far.

Digital distribution would be Games for windows live, Impulse(stardock/gamestop) Direct 2 drive, Origin (Electronic arts) GoG (good Old Games - CDprojekt) Gamersgate.
I would suggest bypassing Gametap due to metoboli.

There are also rental services like Gamefly and Blockbuster that allow you to rent games, as well as purchase them if you like them (though purchase prices will never go on sale)

Hope that helps.

http://www.amazon.com
http://www.glyde.com

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/PC?xr=shellnav
http://www.impulsedriven.com
http://www.direct2drive.com/
http://store.origin.com/
http://www.gog.com
http://www.gamersgate.com/

http://www.gamefly.com
http://www.blockbuster.com/games

 

[zehydra]

A store.

you sir, win the thread.

Yes, OP, go to Walmart, Best Buy, EBGames/GameStop(although I don't recommend), or Ebay, Amazon e.t.c.

 

[zehydra]

A store.

/thread

Or you could download Origin out of pity. EA wants to know it has friends, it's needy like that.

lol that's one way of putting it. yeah I don't really see myself using it, unless I actually end up getting Battlefield 3.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Or you could download Origin out of pity. EA wants to know it has friends, it's needy like that.

I really wouldn't recommend Origin. I'm sure that the program works fine and all, but as someone who has actually read the EULA I'm shocked by how many liberties EA takes with Origin.

After you install Origin it periodically scans your computer and sends information back to EA about which websites you visit, your habits when using your computer, and whether or not you have any kind of pirated software on your computer. The program watches EVERYTHING you do.

That is NOT COOL.

captcha:

The fuck is that?!

 

[00slash00]

gamestop....hahahahahaha oh man im sorry, i couldnt even type that with a straight face.

seriously though, if its not on steam i usually use ebay or amazon. if its a brand new game, i MIGHT be able to find it in a store, but i never hold my breath

 

[FreakSheet]

Ste- oh wait.

Really, thats the best place. Steam client, good prices, and a GOOD company behind it (looking at you, EA Origin >.>) and lots o games.

 

[GeorgW]

Origin!
Nah, just kidding.
There's impulse, if you feel like giving Gamestop money, and then there's the actual Gamestop if you feel like giving them even more money. Then there's GOG.com and a few other less knowns.

 

[V8 Ninja]

Amazon.com [http://www.amazon.com/]

Need I say more, other than '[/thread]'?

Oh yeah, there's also GOG.com if you're into old PC games. I guess I was lying. =P

 

[Wintermoot]

origin is like steam but bad so I reccomend a electronics store (like best buy) or a website (like Amazon).

 

[CBanana]

While we're throwing out links, here's a link that I check regularly for good PC deals:
http://www.steamgamesales.com/stores.php

Despite the fact the link says "steamgamesales", it also covers current sales from Gamers' Gate, Impulse, Origin, and Direct2Drive.

In my opinion, Gamers' Gate is the best of the services since it adds absolutely no DRM. However, Steam does offer social networking, automatic patching, achievements for specific games, and occasionally cloud saving.

There's also OnLive for playing PC games via streaming. I haven't tried it myself but it would obviate the need for a robust gaming PC.
http://www.onlive.com/

 

[MisterShine]

Outside of the special times when the game happens to be onsale, Amazon beats every other PC service 9 times out of 10.

Some examples:

AssCreed Bro:
Steam - 40
Gamersgate - 40
D2D - 40
Amazon boxed -30.47 dd - 15.95



Shogun 2:

Steam, Gamersgate and d2d - 50 bucks
Amazon - 29.99 box, dd- 49


Brink:

Steam, d2d - 50
Amazon - 20bucks


Oblivion:

GotY edition

Steam, d2d, gamers- 20 bucks
Amazon - 19


Downside being that if you get a boxed version you have to wait a few days if you don't want to pay the shipping costs.