"Steam - Why?" Topic

I used to play the XCOM games many (many) years ago. Victoria bought me XCOM Enemy Unknown, I put the disk in my drive and run the install and now this "Steam" nonsense tells me that I can play in another seven and a half hours.

What is all this about? Why can I not just install from the DVD supplied?

Because those days are over, for the most part.

There are some advantages to the system, but the primary reason is that Steam has worked out some sort of deal with the manufacturer.
-Kle.

Most of the big games are run through Steam now. I don't like it, but there's not much choice. It's an IP protection thing. You can copy your software around, but you can't play without a unique key and a Steam account.

On the positive side it's mostly trouble free, unlike the old MSN gaming Zone.

If you're looking for games to install and play off line check out any of the 7 Humble Bundles. humblebundle.com There are several decent games in there.

I don't know about trouble free, my games would lock up and then Steam would tell me I had to deal with the manufacturer.

That is odd. Steam is a GREAT service (I have pretty much stopped buying Hardcopy) because once you own a game, you have it Forever. New computer? Install Steam, download from your library and you are Off to the races!

Never worry about lost disks, etc. Write an email to Steam Customer Service to find out why the delay. they are usually pretty responsive.

-Mike

Streitax, it is likely the problem is the Manufacturer, not Steam. Making PC games is tough, as you have to support a myriad of hardware configs.

Steam has been pretty good to me so far, would not call them great, but that is quite unachievable anyway :). It is nice not having to worry about updates and such…
Kind regards
Anthon

so how do you play if you don't have internet?

Steam has an "offline mode"

I'm not sure that offline capability works unless you have already registered the game with Steam. You have to be on the lookout when you buy a DVD game. Those that have to be run through Steam will usually say so in very fine print somewhere on the box.

Steam is a pretty good service. The best part is that they automatically load any patches or upgrades and alert you of any new downloadable content that's been released.

They also have a lot of sales and you can sometimes "steal" a good game for a fraction of what you would pay for the hard version.

So it's not all bad. In fact, I would say that it is on the whole a good thing.

I bougt the Total War for the Black Powder era (forget the exact title) hard copy thinking I would not need steam since it is a hard copy right? Wrong. That is what really got my goat.

Steam sucks. I will never buy another game that I have to use steam to play. I bought Age of Empires III. Loaded it. Got an account on Steam, and have never been able to get on to play. I always receive an error message. I try to get help from Steam. Nothing. I will never pay $50 USD again for a game that I need permission to play every time I pull it up. I guess my $50 USD was to rent the game, not own it.

Me and the missus got CiV 5 but went back to 3 because we have to log in to steam to play it.
Offline mode?where ,how?
Feel same as Who asked the joker about getting anything again.Real shame as it was a dam fine game.

Offline mode works fine for all games that support it, I just wish that I could buy a disk based game from a shop that works without steam.

If I can steam it why would I go to a shop to buy it, and what happens if steam goes belly up?

"I guess my $50.00 USD USD was to rent the game, not own it."

You got it. That's why you should read the licence agreement. Not that anyone ever does.

Steam sucks. I will never buy another game that I have to use steam to play.

So, you're quitting computer gaming, then.
-Kle.

I also bought Civ V and had a very bad experience with
Steam.

I haven't bought a new PC game since that episode, nor
will I.

I paid to have an old desktop refurbished so I can still
play older, non-Steam games.

Glad some folks find Steam useful and good to use.

But it's not for me. Apparently, Customer Service isn't
in their business model.

Odd I have like 30 odd games and never had a problem wIthaca any of them. I love it I don't like offline mode though

So, you're quitting computer gaming, then.

Not necessarily. There are several wargame companies out there that don't use Steam. Matrix/Slitherine, Battlefront.com, HexWar. Those are all Wargame Companies mind you but that's what I am all about!

Never had any issues with Steam personally…