I have heard a lot of dreadful stories about their customer service etc, but since I don't have any experience myself I can't comment to much. Their prices are pathetic beyond belief, when they changed to euro from dollar in the eu they screwed us europeans over big time. Its still more expensive to buy games her than in the us. You would be quiet mad and rich to buy a game on steam without it being on sale for at least 50% or more, thats how bad the pricing are. But when they have 75% offers, I sometimes take advantage of them. A few games on steam have no or bad mod addons support, which is disappointing.
Say... anyoe play EvE through Steam? I've been havin' problems starting Eve with steam since Tyrannis. Eve wants to dowload a patch but I thought Steam was supposed to handle all that and update automagically?
Gettting 13 games for $45.00 back in December is a good thing. Not getting discs and hardcopy manuals for that price is almost acceptable. Having to rely on Steam remaining in business and keeping the same corporate mindset of unlimited download allowances is a negative. I'm not exactly thrilled I have to have Steam and Punkbuster running in order to play those games though.
It's a wash.
Ok i buy a box copy and I don't register through Steam is that going to fubar my game up or do I still have to register it with the Big Brother of gaming if I have Steam on my system?
There is NO WAY that devolopers are going to go for that, I wouldn't if I was them. If you spent years making a game would you put it on a DVD with no copy protection on at all ?? I agree with 1,2,3,5,6,7.
...
Rampant piracy is only going to kill the PC Gaming market, people pirate, hell I have done in the past, but if it gets too out of control there wont be any games for us to play, and thats a loose-loose situation, so you can't blame developers for wanting to protect there games.
The world is changing, and so is the gaming market, consoles get more attention now than PC gaming, as crap as that is since PC games are better consoles are easier and people like easy. Steam, D2D etc may just be our saving grace and if that means I have to go trough the "hastle" of installing and running steam to play then bring it on.
Actually, Stardock publishes their own games, and they've followed those ten commandments so far, including no DRM. Galactic Civilizations, Sins of a Solar Empire, Demigod, and currently in beta, Elemental. And they're profitable, and actually made some impressive sales on their games. So there's still a little hope there.
I have no beef with Steam personally, as they're what I would consider DRM done mostly right, but I try to get my games from Stardock when possible, simply because I don't like the idea of a single download service completely dominating the market, no matte rhow benevolent they may seem.
A Modest Proposal for MMORPGs: That the means of progression would not be mutually exclusive from the means of enjoyment.
I find it funny because even after purchasing games through steam, non mmo mind you because I'm not much for sinking my time and money into a game for grind. I play them for leisure and enjoyment. I have never had issues with steam. Find it strange so many others have issues with steam. Then again only a moron would want to socilize with the steam community any more so then a flame infested forum known as mmo forums. Oh shit were all retarded.
When did you start playing "old school" MMO's. World Of Warcraft?
Ok i buy a box copy and I don't register through Steam is that going to fubar my game up or do I still have to register it with the Big Brother of gaming if I have Steam on my system?
Currently thier aren't many games that require steam.
I know COD: Modern Warfare 2 and Just Cause 2 do... as well a all Valve games.
I'm sure there others.
On the back of the box it will say if it uses steam or not...
If it does you have to use Steam and you have to add the cd-key for the game into your steam account.
There was someone a while a go who posted on these forums about a problem he had with a game recently purchased through Steam. The game wouldn't run, tech support didn't help, etc. He asked for a refund, was refused, and threatened to do a chargeback. Valve basically told him that if he did that, they'd cut off his access to every single game he had purchased/registered through Steam.
Now, I don't know about you folks, but that seems just a bit dishonest to me, not to mention borderline illegal. I'm not 100% sure this is true, but it at least gives me some food for thought. This one company controls your access to every game you buy through them, and can revoke access at a whim should you displease them. That does not sit well with me, as well it shouldn't with anyone.
Sorry, but I'll access the games I've paid for when I wish, on my terms, not somebody else's. I've only dozen games or so through Steam (mostly budget titles) and I will not be purchasing any more. I'll stick with Impulse.
Originally posted by Trioxic Is Steam a handy dandy service for downloading games or a savvy marketing rape tool for the gaming industry? I have never used Steam but I would like to hear what people think of it.
There was someone a while a go who posted on these forums about a problem he had with a game recently purchased through Steam. The game wouldn't run, tech support didn't help, etc. He asked for a refund, was refused, and threatened to do a chargeback. Valve basically told him that if he did that, they'd cut off his access to every single game he had purchased/registered through Steam.
Now, I don't know about you folks, but that seems just a bit dishonest to me, not to mention borderline illegal. I'm not 100% sure this is true, but it at least gives me some food for thought. This one company controls your access to every game you buy through them, and can revoke access at a whim should you displease them. That does not sit well with me, as well it shouldn't with anyone.
Sorry, but I'll access the games I've paid for when I wish, on my terms, not somebody else's. I've only dozen games or so through Steam (mostly budget titles) and I will not be purchasing any more. I'll stick with Impulse.
I remember that post.
It was Silent Hunter 5,
it wasn't so much the game but Ubi-soft stupid DRM (which is still there on the steam version) which requires you to but online to play even single player. The Ubi login servers were borked and he couldn't play because of it.
I like to have boxes and manuals... and not pdf manuals...
I used to feel the same a while back too, then in the past year or two suddenly more and more games started requiring steam to play. So i went with it and tried it and i must say, although you don't have a nice physical copy of the game, something you can pick up and say "i own this game". You can pretty much open your steam window and at one glance say "I own ALL these games". Plus even since way back when there never used to be such thing as steam, i don't think even then i used to read the manuals for any game. Manuals was pretty much just something interesting to read sitting on the toilet or something.
Nevertheless, i remember reading recently on a major gaming site (can't remember, probably IGN) that Steam is pretty much keeping PC gaming alive. Without it everything would be muddled and lost. I'm starting to think that there may be some truth in this.
Steam is one of the best things to happen to PC gaming in my opinion. I've purchased all my PC games from Steam since maybe 2008. I like having all my games in one spot where I can download/uninstall them whenever I want. Installing them from the disc may be faster, but I'm not THAT impatient about things. Steam sales are also the greatest thing ever.
I've done the same, minus a few games that they don't carry. And if they don't have them, I pick it up on Direct2Drive's website, usually during either one's amazing deals (picked up the Oblivion Game of the Year Deluxe Edition for $8.50 on steam and never have to have the CD in the drive again). My steam library is huge, same with all of my close friends. Nothing beats the convenience of being able to log into my account and redownload any game I own without having to search for the disc.
On top of the gaming platform, it's the only communication tool I've used for 3 years now since I can talk to friends while in game. The very question of this thread title is just silly.
Steam is amazing. Not only does it have great deals on games but the fact that I can install my games on any PC if I happen to switch over is huge. D2D is not a bad service but I find it a lot more annoying to have to go through their website to get what I want, not to mention that I would be missing out on all of the community features.
I tend to actually run even non-steam games through just so I can use the steam overlay.
Honestly the attachment to a boxed copy is something I don't really get anymore. I understand some of the older folk are cautious of this idea that you may not technically "own" a physical copy of what you buy. Personally I've embraced the idea of digital downloads and much much prefer it to having to deal with something like gamestop.
Also the reason why some games require steam is that it makes certain things a lot easier for the developer. You have a platform which allows you to set up automatic patching and allows you to join a friend automatically through the friends list. Not to mention you also would get access to steamworks and steam cloud which for developers is huge.
Steam is amazing. Not only does it have great deals on games but the fact that I can install my games on any PC if I happen to switch over is huge. D2D is not a bad service but I find it a lot more annoying to have to go through their website to get what I want, not to mention that I would be missing out on all of the community features.
I tend to actually run even non-steam games through just so I can use the steam overlay.
Honestly the attachment to a boxed copy is something I don't really get anymore. I understand some of the older folk are cautious of this idea that you may not technically "own" a physical copy of what you buy. Personally I've embraced the idea of digital downloads and much much prefer it to having to deal with something like gamestop.
Also the reason why some games require steam is that it makes certain things a lot easier for the developer. You have a platform which allows you to set up automatic patching and allows you to join a friend automatically through the friends list. Not to mention you also would get access to steamworks and steam cloud which for developers is huge.
I am one of those that likes to have a copy of their PC games. Since I dont use Steam though, doesnt mean that if I was still playing on PC I wouldnt use them...just am used to having a copy of my games.
Guess it would be something to look into.
Wanted to comment on the Gamestop mention. I have gotten in the habit of just going ahead and pre-ordering everything there. Chances are if there is going to be a pre-order bonus, it is coming thru Gamestop. I would prefer to buy my stuff thru Best Buy due to their one month price guarantee. I wont miss out on bonus content though for a chance to save 5 or 10 bucks due to exclusive contracts.
Gamestop has us by the short hairs.
Asking Devs to make AAA sandbox titles is like trying to get fine dining on a McDonalds dollar menu budget.
Originally posted by Khalathwyr If a game comes with STEAM software I don't buy it. It stil makes no sense to me to have to log in online to play a game single player. Luckily the only game line I'm interested in that comes with it is the Total War series. I bought Empire TW and that introduced me to Steam. I didn't purchase the next two nor will I purchase the revamped Shogun Total War coming out next year if they continue to package it with STEAM.
You mean, luckily, Steam does not require you to be online to play single-player games. You can play offline whenever you want.
"Gamers will no longer buy the argument that every MMO requires a subscription fee to offset server and bandwidth costs. It's not true you know it, and they know it." Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet, 2007
I was hesitant at first when it initially had issues. But over the last couple of years, this service is just awesome. Almost never down, the friends list has approved 10000x over (used to be down ALL the time), and I now have all games loading through steam. Its nice to have all my friends see what I got fired up in case they wanna hop in too.
Comments
I have heard a lot of dreadful stories about their customer service etc, but since I don't have any experience myself I can't comment to much. Their prices are pathetic beyond belief, when they changed to euro from dollar in the eu they screwed us europeans over big time. Its still more expensive to buy games her than in the us. You would be quiet mad and rich to buy a game on steam without it being on sale for at least 50% or more, thats how bad the pricing are. But when they have 75% offers, I sometimes take advantage of them. A few games on steam have no or bad mod addons support, which is disappointing.
Say... anyoe play EvE through Steam? I've been havin' problems starting Eve with steam since Tyrannis. Eve wants to dowload a patch but I thought Steam was supposed to handle all that and update automagically?
damn I forgot all about http://store.steampowered.com/app/39500/
What game should I try?
I want something cheaper then 20, but is a fantasy RPG
Philosophy of MMO Game Design
Ok i buy a box copy and I don't register through Steam is that going to fubar my game up or do I still have to register it with the Big Brother of gaming if I have Steam on my system?
Actually, Stardock publishes their own games, and they've followed those ten commandments so far, including no DRM. Galactic Civilizations, Sins of a Solar Empire, Demigod, and currently in beta, Elemental. And they're profitable, and actually made some impressive sales on their games. So there's still a little hope there.
I have no beef with Steam personally, as they're what I would consider DRM done mostly right, but I try to get my games from Stardock when possible, simply because I don't like the idea of a single download service completely dominating the market, no matte rhow benevolent they may seem.
A Modest Proposal for MMORPGs:
That the means of progression would not be mutually exclusive from the means of enjoyment.
I find it funny because even after purchasing games through steam, non mmo mind you because I'm not much for sinking my time and money into a game for grind. I play them for leisure and enjoyment. I have never had issues with steam. Find it strange so many others have issues with steam. Then again only a moron would want to socilize with the steam community any more so then a flame infested forum known as mmo forums. Oh shit were all retarded.
When did you start playing "old school" MMO's. World Of Warcraft?
Currently thier aren't many games that require steam.
I know COD: Modern Warfare 2 and Just Cause 2 do... as well a all Valve games.
I'm sure there others.
On the back of the box it will say if it uses steam or not...
If it does you have to use Steam and you have to add the cd-key for the game into your steam account.
There was someone a while a go who posted on these forums about a problem he had with a game recently purchased through Steam. The game wouldn't run, tech support didn't help, etc. He asked for a refund, was refused, and threatened to do a chargeback. Valve basically told him that if he did that, they'd cut off his access to every single game he had purchased/registered through Steam.
Now, I don't know about you folks, but that seems just a bit dishonest to me, not to mention borderline illegal. I'm not 100% sure this is true, but it at least gives me some food for thought. This one company controls your access to every game you buy through them, and can revoke access at a whim should you displease them. That does not sit well with me, as well it shouldn't with anyone.
Sorry, but I'll access the games I've paid for when I wish, on my terms, not somebody else's. I've only dozen games or so through Steam (mostly budget titles) and I will not be purchasing any more. I'll stick with Impulse.
Why can't it be both?
I remember that post.
It was Silent Hunter 5,
it wasn't so much the game but Ubi-soft stupid DRM (which is still there on the steam version) which requires you to but online to play even single player. The Ubi login servers were borked and he couldn't play because of it.
I used to feel the same a while back too, then in the past year or two suddenly more and more games started requiring steam to play. So i went with it and tried it and i must say, although you don't have a nice physical copy of the game, something you can pick up and say "i own this game". You can pretty much open your steam window and at one glance say "I own ALL these games". Plus even since way back when there never used to be such thing as steam, i don't think even then i used to read the manuals for any game. Manuals was pretty much just something interesting to read sitting on the toilet or something.
Nevertheless, i remember reading recently on a major gaming site (can't remember, probably IGN) that Steam is pretty much keeping PC gaming alive. Without it everything would be muddled and lost. I'm starting to think that there may be some truth in this.
Received my first Free UGC code!
Claim your Free UGC code Here
I've done the same, minus a few games that they don't carry. And if they don't have them, I pick it up on Direct2Drive's website, usually during either one's amazing deals (picked up the Oblivion Game of the Year Deluxe Edition for $8.50 on steam and never have to have the CD in the drive again). My steam library is huge, same with all of my close friends. Nothing beats the convenience of being able to log into my account and redownload any game I own without having to search for the disc.
On top of the gaming platform, it's the only communication tool I've used for 3 years now since I can talk to friends while in game. The very question of this thread title is just silly.
Steam is amazing. Not only does it have great deals on games but the fact that I can install my games on any PC if I happen to switch over is huge. D2D is not a bad service but I find it a lot more annoying to have to go through their website to get what I want, not to mention that I would be missing out on all of the community features.
I tend to actually run even non-steam games through just so I can use the steam overlay.
Honestly the attachment to a boxed copy is something I don't really get anymore. I understand some of the older folk are cautious of this idea that you may not technically "own" a physical copy of what you buy. Personally I've embraced the idea of digital downloads and much much prefer it to having to deal with something like gamestop.
Also the reason why some games require steam is that it makes certain things a lot easier for the developer. You have a platform which allows you to set up automatic patching and allows you to join a friend automatically through the friends list. Not to mention you also would get access to steamworks and steam cloud which for developers is huge.
I am one of those that likes to have a copy of their PC games. Since I dont use Steam though, doesnt mean that if I was still playing on PC I wouldnt use them...just am used to having a copy of my games.
Guess it would be something to look into.
Wanted to comment on the Gamestop mention. I have gotten in the habit of just going ahead and pre-ordering everything there. Chances are if there is going to be a pre-order bonus, it is coming thru Gamestop. I would prefer to buy my stuff thru Best Buy due to their one month price guarantee. I wont miss out on bonus content though for a chance to save 5 or 10 bucks due to exclusive contracts.
Gamestop has us by the short hairs.
Asking Devs to make AAA sandbox titles is like trying to get fine dining on a McDonalds dollar menu budget.
I get preorder bonuses all the time from steam :P.
You mean, luckily, Steam does not require you to be online to play single-player games. You can play offline whenever you want.
"Gamers will no longer buy the argument that every MMO requires a subscription fee to offset server and bandwidth costs. It's not true you know it, and they know it." Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet, 2007
WTF? No subscription fee?
I was hesitant at first when it initially had issues. But over the last couple of years, this service is just awesome. Almost never down, the friends list has approved 10000x over (used to be down ALL the time), and I now have all games loading through steam. Its nice to have all my friends see what I got fired up in case they wanna hop in too.