Steam (Moved from Skyrim thread)

[El Fangel]

I really struggle to think of a reason why he would say that.

Steam is one of the best things to happen to gaming.

[Pintint]

Originally Posted by Fallen Angel I really struggle to think of a reason why he would say that. Steam is one of the best things to happen to gaming.

I dont like Steam because I dont like how it takes complete control over copies of the game I own. Now obviously, I don't own the game, but I do own a copy of the game that I have certain rights to.

First, Steam ties them to an account. If I lose my password or access to my account for whatever reason (for example, losing access to the email account, which has happened in the past with forums), then all the game copies I "own" are gone.

Basically, with Steam, I no longer "own" a copy of the game. Steam owns everything, I'm just renting it. Eventually programs like Steam and the movement for games to come in digital format only (for the same or higher price!) are going to lead to an END of a $59.99 game copy and a monthly fee for every game you want to play.

I know they want to fight piracy, but this is NOT the way to do it. I want a physical copy of the game. I want a manual, box etc. I dont want to pay the same amount of money and get even LESS control over what I bought, when the game ends up getting tied to a steam account that I might lose over the years. I still pull out and replay PC games that arent 15 years old...in 15 years, its very plausible that I would lose access to Steam and I wouldnt be able to play the games I paid for. I could UNDERSTAND Steam, if games on Steam cost half the price of retail games, accounting for the fact that you lose out on having a box, documentation etc.


I dont know where you guys live, but I dont live in a closet. I'm not rich either, but I have room to have...THINGS in my house, like games on the shelf, CD's on a rack and books on a bookcase. These days, it seems everyone complains about "DURR I DOESNT HAVE ROOM FOR ANYTHING IN PHYSICAL FORMAT". Are people living in closets?!? And scratching game discs? I own, probably around 70-100 PC games, and counting the ones on CD rom, (I own some floppies!), I have NEVER scratched a single CD. Everything is in pristine condition, neatly on a shelf. If you have a problem "scratching" CD's, maybe you shouldnt use them as coasters or use them to slide around on the floor. I dont understand how people can "scratch" CDs so often and easily.

As far as Steam "features" like achievements, I couldnt care less about. I dont need those features, I just want to be able to play the game I paid money for without running some program that steals control of it from me.


If they think programs like steam will help reduce piracy they are wrong...very wrong. Because right now pirates look a whole lot better in contrast when a person can pirate a copy of a game that doesn't require steam and be able to play it with no problems. I bought Morrowind and Oblivion. I'm not buying Skyrim.
Steam is junk, and the movement to all digitized games, is a movement to take more away from the consumer. You're paying more for less.