That's why all distribution networks take a percentage of sales. It feeds itself. And in the end there is no additional cost to developers.
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Steam Arrggghh
- Thread starter Washac
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That's why all distribution networks take a percentage of sales. It feeds itself. And in the end there is no additional cost to developers.
For the OP it depends on what games you want to play.
I use it, but overall I dislike the idea and implementation of Steam. I put up with it because it offers me games I can't otherwise play, but I hate its interference on my daily routine. I have gotten those messages about a "game not being available" which really sets me off. Restarts and futzing with my computer usually gets the game in question going. However, honestly, most of the time my games start without issue. Most commodities/products can be resold. I see no reason why software can't be handled in a similar manner. I like being able to sell used games which is impossible with a service like this. And although I like Skyrim, I am unhappy that Bethesda decided to distribute it this way. If I could find an alternative, I'd ditch Steam in an instance.
I use it, but overall I dislike the idea and implementation of Steam. I put up with it because it offers me games I can't otherwise play, but I hate its interference on my daily routine. I have gotten those messages about a "game not being available" which really sets me off. Restarts and futzing with my computer usually gets the game in question going. However, honestly, most of the time my games start without issue. Most commodities/products can be resold. I see no reason why software can't be handled in a similar manner. I like being able to sell used games which is impossible with a service like this. And although I like Skyrim, I am unhappy that Bethesda decided to distribute it this way. If I could find an alternative, I'd ditch Steam in an instance.
Yet with physical media I have the advantages I described above. But a steam game or a movie bought from iTunes I can't resell or lend to a friend, yet it costs the same as the physical media does, even though discs and packaging don't have to be manufactured. Of course it's understandable why content distributors love digital distribution.
In my opinion physical media and online distribution can and should coexist. Both have advantages and disadvantages, one can not say one is the future and the other isn't.
Ahh I see, however I've never paid full price for a steam game, I have always waited for the sales and deal weekends, I stopped buying games on day of release years ago, wait a month or two and you can pick them up half price or less, still new . As for lending or selling, I never did that anyway, couldn't trust my friends to return my disks in working order (all my games are "as new " even my spectrum and Amstrad games )
At least steam price mirror or are cheaper than store prices , ea seems to think origin will work selling games at srp , greedy fooks
This exactly. I haven't purchased a "new" game in many years. Why, I only get a few hours a month to play, so no need to have new anyway. But I'm cheap. I rather spend money on other things. My kids have learned this also, wait for a few months, does two things. 1) game drops in price A LOT, and 2) friends have play tested it and determined if it really is all that good or not. Saved me a ton buying them cheaper, or avoiding games that just didn't live up.
Sounds like you may have a corrupted .blob file. I had the same issue with L4D2 at one point, and found instructions via Steam's online forums (and a quick google search) on how to correct the issue.
That is what I kept getting (sorted now all working)
I also like having the actual product not just a bunch a files of files stored somewhere, it is mine I paid for it, if I want to sell it on when I have finished with it I cannot. What you are paying for is not so much a game but a license to play that game it is not yours you own nothing. Pretty soon there will be no secondhand games market, but then that is what they want I think, they want to be the only ones making a pound/dollar etc from something you do not have. Did not think that I would see the day when people are willing to hand over cash only to get the privilege to play a game and then only if there are no problems.
To all those you posted, you are a troll messages, I am sorry to have an opinion on something, why should I not post about the bad experience I have had/get about a service I pay for ? Well used to pay for........
I also think that if you wish to discontinue using Steam in anyway and want to remove it from your machine you should be able to download those games you have purchased, I think I will go drop them a mail on that one to see what they say.
I got a reply from Steam regarding my games.
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Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
Games purchased through Steam are non transferable and cannot be moved or removed from a Steam account.
Purchased licenses are bound to the Steam account.
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As I said you purchase a license you OWN nothing.
So if I leave Steam I have NOTHING to show for my money paid out.
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Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
Games purchased through Steam are non transferable and cannot be moved or removed from a Steam account.
Purchased licenses are bound to the Steam account.
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As I said you purchase a license you OWN nothing.
So if I leave Steam I have NOTHING to show for my money paid out.
Can't tell if you're intentionally being silly here... This is the case with all digital distribution platforms, even iTunes, mac app store, iOS app store.
Do you expect to get all your money back if you close an account?
This is why I avoid purchases on iTunes unless it is just one song on an album I want. Otherwise I purchase a CD so I physically have a copy of my music in my possession not dependent on DRM. Honestly for new purchases I'm not sure about the status of DRM on CDs. I know most of my CDs can be copied for backup purposes.
No I do not think I am being silly as you say.
IF I pay for something on iTunes which it not often I download the actual files and do NOT have to be logged into iTunes to listen to it, the Apple App store, IF I purchase something I download the Game/App/Program and do NOT have to be logged into the Apple App store to play the game or use the App/program I have them on my machine to do with what I want at anytime.
If I choose to no longer have an iTunes or the Apple App store account I have the products that I have paid for, but if I choose to stop using Steam I have NOTHING I have paid for nor will they hand over anything I have paid for.
Actually your being very silly, what you are saying is that if you own a product, say a DvD, and decide to throw the DvD away, you should still be able to access the Film/game/software magically somehow.
Steam/itunes/origin/mac app store are the delivery methods for the content, same as a CD/DvD/Blueray/VHS/Betamax or other physical media, if you no longer have the delivery method, you can't expect to have access to the content on it.
Not to sound argumentative, but there is a distinct difference between having a file on your computer that can be backed up independently (minus DRM, or limited DRM) and an online subscription that verifies you every time you try to access an item you have supposedly purchased. This is a reason to dislike onerous DRM, which is the reason why Steam exists and why it is onerous. As I said previously, I use Steam only because I have too. This would be similar to every time you start up your car, ownership would have to be verified via network prior to allowing you to drive it.
This is a philosophical discussion. Lots of people love Steam for its convenience. However you pay for that convienence by loss of real ownership rights. Some entity is always sticking it's nose between you and access to your property.
You don't have to verify with Steam. Otherwise you'd never be able to play offline, which you can.
Steam verifies YOU every time it is started up and log in. And to play off line, unless they've changed it, you have to take steps while online to make the game playable when offline. There are several games I play on Steam and rarely am I off line, so I admit I could be wrong about this now.
Reference: Using Steam Offline Mode on a Mac.
Admittedly, it's been a while since I've played in offline mode. If they changed it again, I apologize for misinformation, but thankfully they did change it. You no longer have to be online and go into offline mode. You can still play your games if you're unexpectedly without internet access, all without having to be online first. Last time I did it, it worked in Windows as well as OSX.
That was the case with me. Lost my internet for a day but I was still able to load up Steam in offline mode and play games. Just be careful with games that use Steamcloud so you don't end up possibly losing save files.
So if you are in offline mode and play the game creating new saves, I imagine the next time you get online, the new saves would automatically go to the cloud?
Good to know. Thanks!
Occasionally what I see that reinforces my negative views on Steam is when a game I have been playing produces a game is not available message, GAD!
I haven't tried it yet. I assume it uses timestamps to only use the latest save if there is a conflict. I'm sure it asked me once which save file to use.
Heck my game uses Steamcloud but I don't fully know how their magic works
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Not really. I often found older games in retail stores for 5-10 that cost 20+ on steam. Sometimes Steam is cheaper, sometimes the disc from the store is cheaper.
Steam offers products at a discount after awhile. And it's often cheaper than buying, pirating, and selling a game if you are willing to wait awhile.
Apple has been selling DRM-free iTunes music for many years.
Apple has been selling DRM-free iTunes music for many years.
I stand corrected! I guess my prejudices towards physical media got the better of me.
At the hotel. I've got internet, but Steam won't connect. I believe many hotels have restrictions that might effect something like Steam. Regardless, it is one of several major reasons why I dislike a service like Steam. I use it, but curse it. It's effecting me with both Skyrim and Portal2.
At the hotel. I've got internet, but Steam won't connect. I believe many hotels have restrictions that might effect something like Steam. Regardless, it is one of several major reasons why I dislike a service like Steam. I use it, but curse it. It's effecting me with both Skyrim and Portal2.
What exactly is it doing to you/preventing you from doing? Isn't offline mode, well, intended for gaming offline?
Is it refusing to launch the game, or just screwing with your achievements?
Normally I use online. Apparently you have to know in advance when you want to use off line mode. There is a menu selection for "offline" mode, but it's not working. Steam never launches...
That's absurd. What if your cable connection goes out for a day or two (I've seen this). You can't use any of the hundreds of dollars worth of games that you purchased?! Uhg, the mentality behind these design choices is all wrong, and it's spreading. See - Diablo III.