RE: Steam sale

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RE: Steam sale - 10/5/2010 1:56:41 PM

LarryP

Posts: 3783
Joined: 5/15/2005
From: Carson City, NV
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Another spammer ****.

Post #: 121

RE: Steam sale - 10/5/2010 3:43:07 PM

diablo1

Posts: 994
Joined: 2/27/2010
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And a thread necromancer as well

(in reply to LarryP)

Post #: 122

RE: Steam sale - 10/6/2010 6:07:06 PM

sysrkm

Posts: 112
Joined: 2/16/2005
From: Fairchild, TX USA
Status: offline

Hello all,

Having read all the Pro Steam and Con Steam posts, I'll just post my feelings here. I'm 52 and UP UNTIL about March of this year, was a FIRM BELIEVER in having that DISC either in my hand, library or drive tray. Then my son called me a sissy and dared me to try Steam. After chasing him around the house threatening to beat him to death (I COULD have caught him, still have my linebacker speed, but wanted to prolong his fright) I finally sat down and bit the bullet. Hmmm I says to myself, this isn't bad. Oh, and I see I can monitor how much TIME he spends playing on steam? I love computer tattle tails.

What? Steam automagically updates my game as well??? One more point in it's favor. Especially after dealing with EA horrendously screwing up one of my favorite games with update hell, Battlefield 2142...

Hey waitaminute, I can get actual games that don't rely on fast twitch speed? Recently downloaded the Civ 5 demo, the first Sid Meier game I have played since Alpha Centauri, and loved the demo so I'll buy that for me and my son ('cept I'll probably buy it in a store) knowing full well he'll NEVER RTFM and I'll beat his brains out being two eras behind him, to add to his embarrassment.

I think we have used the Steam chat client, and I hear, if they don't have it already, voice support is coming, so all in all it's a nice one stop place to shop.

Gary, I know you feel. I was a "what if" guy big time. But I look at it this way: if and when that time comes, when Steam bites the big one, will I have gotten all my dollar's worth of play out of the games I have bought or installed through Steam when it goes under? My answer right now would have to be a resounding YES.

Last notes: I have 4 gaming rigs here at my house, 3 of them currently active. For a long time, when the boys were younger, they were my baby sitters, being a single dad at the time AND for a long time, it was the only thing we could ALL do together where size and speed didn't matter, where the youngest could whip my arse but the old guy could stomp the living daylights out of the young because they didn't RTFM or I employed a tactic they didn't see coming. The problem was, keeping the disks AND the FREAKING CD\DVD keys with the correct machines. I don't have to do that anymore because Steam does it for me.

I hope some of you fence sitters will get something positive out of this. I won't call myself a complete convert because I still plan on buying Civ 5 in the store, as old habits die hard. But there are some bargains on Steam to be had, especially where expansions or update packs are involved (Company of Heroes comes to mind) where I could NEVER afford for myself and or my sons to all play together if they didn't have a sale on said games.

Ending, I hope I haven't offended anyone, but just imparted some findings I've experienced dealing with Steam.

Best regards to all, Rob, aka sysrkm

PS: looks like I have to light up the 4th gaming rig again... Turns out my newly acquired 8 year old stepdaughter Emily has a knack for playing Battlefield Bad Company 2. Now just have to come up with a killer nickname for her.
There's just something special about seeing the following on your screen:
"You were killed by an 8 y.o. schoolgirl...."
Hopefully she'll develop an interest in Civ 5 and Empires of Steel !!!

(in reply to Fallschirmjager)

Post #: 123

RE: Steam sale - 10/6/2010 6:27:56 PM

wodin

Posts: 10762
Joined: 4/20/2003
From: England
Status: offline

pammers are more offensive than steam....doesn't bother me....tis what people call progress....in the future physical copies of games will be a nostalgic memory...and the way Steam operates will be seen as the normal state of affairs...though I imagine IF say a company like Steam messed up in a big way and users lost access to their games then I expect someone will go to court and win (we are all protected by consumer rights and this is where laws will come into play if things went badly wrong)...something like this may change the current progressive path...

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(in reply to sysrkm)

Post #: 124

RE: Steam sale - 10/6/2010 10:27:46 PM

Jevhaddah

Posts: 626
Joined: 11/24/2005
From: Scotland
Status: offline

Why would anyone want to buy Steam when yoo can make yoor own with a kettle

I'll get my coat

Jev

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Post #: 125

RE: Steam sale - 10/7/2010 1:25:57 AM

L�tzow

Posts: 1517
Joined: 7/22/2008
From: Germany
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Purchasing from Steam means supporting the copyright industry. The guys who turned gaming into the mainstream market, dispelled hardcore titles from vendor shelves, dumbed down strategy and rpg's, dictate what version has to be played in a particular country and don't care about anything but maximizing shareholder profits. Why on earth would I give them my money?

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Post #: 126

RE: Steam sale - 10/7/2010 4:54:52 AM

parusski

Posts: 4804
Joined: 5/8/2000
From: Jackson Tn
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"Why one earth would you give them your money?" HMMMMMMMMM, well, unlike totalitarian states this nation's citizens can demand what they want and someone will produce it. Now, I really do not give a rats behind if I make anyone at steam or Fireaxis or Sid or the Road Runner a lot more money. If you want the game then you pay for it. If you don't, your loss. I am not in love with the Steam operation. I accept as we all must that some things do change.

Now Lutzow this is no personal attack, but maybe living in Europe blinds you to the strength of this Nation and the wealth it produces. Those shareholder's you denigrate by not wanting them to have more money are tens-of-millions of Americans, and citizens of other nations, who buy stock in company's-even game companies if they are not private. Several trillion dollars are invested in stocks and mutual funds by "shareholders"(those evil devils). In 2008 huge numbers of American individuals; rich, poor, middle class all have money in the market. The benefit, which of course the EU can't grasp, is those "shareholders" will more than likely retire with a decent addition to the pitiful return of our social security system. WITHOUT shareholders sir, there would be many fewer games, pc's, cars, televisions.....of course that would be great for some, because we might save the planet a few more billion years.

That's the logical argument. Not wanting "shareholders" to make any more money is the lamest reason not to buy CIV 5 through Steam. I have had many games through Steam. Yes I have had a few, very few, problems. But it was easier to resolve than buying the disc version at at store, getting home and finding it broken or just not working. Or ordering a disc version and it arrives unusual. At least this way some measure of control can be used against the thieves committing theft. And I do not need to drive to a store(well, haven't bought pc's or games from stores in years) nor do I need to return the item and wait longer just to play a game. It is not a big deal.

Yeah, great idea. Stop giving your money to people who create things or services. Then when you must start designing and producing those items you might understand, or maybe appreciate, the EVIL American way.

Now that I have trolled around looking for ways to act like a second grader I must get back to CIV V, which is fantastic. So far Steam has not burned down my house nor beaten my wife(I do that)/

< Message edited by parusski -- 10/7/2010 5:10:56 AM >

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Post #: 127

RE: Steam sale - 10/7/2010 5:43:25 AM

ilovestrategy

Posts: 3611
Joined: 6/11/2005
From: San Diego
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I've read everyone of these posts in this thread and I still have to say that I love Steam. I'm using the disc for Rome Total War in my laptop and I find myself thinking about buying it off of Steam so I don't have to keep track of that damn disc.

I'm at war with the Brits if anyone wants to know. I'm having a challenge with them. Damn Senate won't let me declare war on the German barbarians!

_____________________________

After 16 years, Civ II still has me in it's clutches LOL!!!
Now CIV IV has me in it's evil clutches!

(in reply to parusski)

Post #: 128

RE: Steam sale - 10/7/2010 7:51:37 AM

parusski

Posts: 4804
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From: Jackson Tn
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[THE SENATE BE DAMNED. DO YOUR DUTY MAN, FOR THE SAKE OF US ALL.

HMMMMMMMM. D, since you joined a few years ago I can never, never, EVER tell just how serious you are. Sometimes it looks as if you are beating someone about the head with that tiny hatchet of your avatar.???

RIGHT. Since my rant about capitalism went off course I agree with you about keeping up with the cd's/dvd's. That's been a problem since I started playing back in the late 80's. I have had two distinct issues I can recall with Steam, both related to getting another shiny Alienware(soon though Falcon Northwest will bring on a 9th mortgage). Anyway, so when I tried to sign in, get the games ready to play---loud buzz. No biggie, contacted customer service and that's all she wrote. Oh yea, take that game disc you scratch or break and see if you can have it replaced...really try, that has got to be soooo much easier than having a digital version-YAWN.

Do your bloody work David

< Message edited by parusski -- 10/7/2010 7:52:28 AM >

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Post #: 129

RE: Steam sale - 10/7/2010 11:31:05 AM

L�tzow

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Joined: 7/22/2008
From: Germany
Status: offline

Parusski,

there is no need to turn this into a political slant and hence I won't respond to your little side-blows. We could argue about if Germany isn't the more wealthy country in regard to it's smaller pouplation and you might also take into consideration that by far not everybody here in Europe goes along with the EU. But then again, that was not the point I wanted to make. I'm not anti-capitalist, I don't mind if anyone earns his money at the stock market, but I do care about my hobby.

In this context I rumble about an industry which shifted their focus from customers to shareholders over the past decade. They replaced lavishry packaging for cheap DVD boxes, printed manuals for .pdf files, bypass retail commission through digital distribution and outsource content to DLC. They continuously deliver less in order to max their profit but don't give anything back to their customers in return. Wouldn't even get upset here if I at least had still fun with these products, but since modern games are adjusted to rather simple-minded folks, there is barely anything left to purchase for me anymore. That's why I loathe this shareholder policy.

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Post #: 130

RE: Steam sale - 10/7/2010 8:11:34 PM

joeblack1862

Posts: 106
Joined: 10/5/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: parusski

Oh yea, take that game disc you scratch or break and see if you can have it replaced...really try, that has got to be soooo much easier than having a digital version-YAWN.

What you mean like I can get from Matrix, GOG, Slitherine, GG, D2D, Impulse? Heck, I even OWN ALL the games I get from Matrix, Slitherine and GOG (I always download my purchases and back them up).

I am having a whale of a time!

That's just pointing out my view of things. I fully respect your view and understand you have found something that suits you. Be a sad day if we were all the same

< Message edited by Joe Black -- 10/7/2010 8:13:07 PM >

(in reply to parusski)

Post #: 131

RE: Steam sale - 10/7/2010 8:16:11 PM

joeblack1862

Posts: 106
Joined: 10/5/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: L�tzow

Parusski,

there is no need to turn this into a political slant and hence I won't respond to your little side-blows. We could argue about if Germany isn't the more wealthy country in regard to it's smaller pouplation and you might also take into consideration that by far not everybody here in Europe goes along with the EU. But then again, that was not the point I wanted to make. I'm not anti-capitalist, I don't mind if anyone earns his money at the stock market, but I do care about my hobby.

In this context I rumble about an industry which shifted their focus from customers to shareholders over the past decade. They replaced lavishry packaging for cheap DVD boxes, printed manuals for .pdf files, bypass retail commission through digital distribution and outsource content to DLC. They continuously deliver less in order to max their profit but don't give anything back to their customers in return. Wouldn't even get upset here if I at least had still fun with these products, but since modern games are adjusted to rather simple-minded folks, there is barely anything left to purchase for me anymore. That's why I loathe this shareholder policy.

Agree with this. I find myself playing more of the old games.

(in reply to L�tzow)

Post #: 132

RE: Steam sale - 10/7/2010 8:44:14 PM

Arctic Blast

Posts: 1168
Joined: 4/4/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: L�tzow

Parusski,

there is no need to turn this into a political slant and hence I won't respond to your little side-blows. We could argue about if Germany isn't the more wealthy country in regard to it's smaller pouplation and you might also take into consideration that by far not everybody here in Europe goes along with the EU. But then again, that was not the point I wanted to make. I'm not anti-capitalist, I don't mind if anyone earns his money at the stock market, but I do care about my hobby.

In this context I rumble about an industry which shifted their focus from customers to shareholders over the past decade. They replaced lavishry packaging for cheap DVD boxes, printed manuals for .pdf files, bypass retail commission through digital distribution and outsource content to DLC. They continuously deliver less in order to max their profit but don't give anything back to their customers in return. Wouldn't even get upset here if I at least had still fun with these products, but since modern games are adjusted to rather simple-minded folks, there is barely anything left to purchase for me anymore. That's why I loathe this shareholder policy.

However, I would also point out that the switch to digital distribution has actually been more of a boon for independent developers. Now they can get their games out to customers without having to either band up with a big publisher, or worry about how in the Hell they're going to find the money to print manuals, ship boxes, and get those boxes actually displayed on a shelf.

_____________________________

Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily.

(in reply to L�tzow)

Post #: 133

RE: Steam sale - 11/1/2010 7:56:31 AM

ilovestrategy

Posts: 3611
Joined: 6/11/2005
From: San Diego
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: parusski

[THE SENATE BE DAMNED. DO YOUR DUTY MAN, FOR THE SAKE OF US ALL.

HMMMMMMMM. D, since you joined a few years ago I can never, never, EVER tell just how serious you are. Sometimes it looks as if you are beating someone about the head with that tiny hatchet of your avatar.???

RIGHT. Since my rant about capitalism went off course I agree with you about keeping up with the cd's/dvd's. That's been a problem since I started playing back in the late 80's. I have had two distinct issues I can recall with Steam, both related to getting another shiny Alienware(soon though Falcon Northwest will bring on a 9th mortgage). Anyway, so when I tried to sign in, get the games ready to play---loud buzz. No biggie, contacted customer service and that's all she wrote. Oh yea, take that game disc you scratch or break and see if you can have it replaced...really try, that has got to be soooo much easier than having a digital version-YAWN.

Do your bloody work David

Oh, you mean me! I was looking for a member with the user name David and never realized you were using MY name!

My 17 year old girl is always going off about Emos and when I saw this somewhere i started laughing and copied it!

UPDATE!!!!! I started playing again for the first time in a couple of weeks. I conquered Hispania but the Brits have most of Germany and have sent two huge armies into Gaul. The Senate wants me to take over Dacia but the senate is is just gonna have to wait. The Brits are knocking on my door and they won't go away!

_____________________________

After 16 years, Civ II still has me in it's clutches LOL!!!
Now CIV IV has me in it's evil clutches!

(in reply to parusski)

Post #: 134

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 12:01:12 AM

Anthropoid

Posts: 3107
Joined: 2/22/2005
From: Secret Underground Lair
Status: offline

I got a question for you Steam guys: games like Civ5 which are initially distributed as Steam compulsory, do they ever get switched to be Steamless?

Here is my beef with Steam, or rather Valve. Cannot remember how long it has been, and some of the details have got a bit fuzzy, but I do remember that I felt I got poor service and I was really steamed. So much that I've stayed away devoutly and remained quite skeptical and leery.

The game was Half-Life, Platinum (included Blue Shift, and Opposing Force, and it seems like one other). I think I must have bought it circa 2003. Installed it, played it a lot, enjoyed the heck out of it. That computer died, I moved on. Then one day in 2005 or 2006 (Half-Life 2 came out in 2004) I decided I'd reinstall Half-Life!

I had never actually finished the whole game (took me a lot of practice to become good at FPS games for some reason) and I was looking forward to progressing farther.

Long story short, the game encountered a totally game-locking bug at the elevator where you first emerge up to the New Mexico surface, i.e., not to far into the game. So I sought their help. It seems like the bug was somewhat known about as having been linked to a more recent XP service pack . . . cannot recall for certain. As I say, details have become foggy but, after a prolonged emails exchange back and forth with the Valve/Steam guys, what I was told was "We no longer support that game. There is a new version of Half-Life out; why don't you play it instead? We will fully support it." It is hard to believe today in 2010 that a game maker would say such a thing, but at that time that is what I was told. As I understand it Half-Life is now available on Steam again? I was sufficiently upset by the interactions I had with Valve that I made a pact with my self to never again patronize Steam or Valve.

Now here is what I'm willing to do (I'm not a askeered!

) I've still got those disks in my basement. Unless one of you Steam lovers thinks it is a bad idea for some reason, I will install those disks on this gaming machine, and try to register it, and see what happens.

The way I see it: I bought that game. Seems like I even have the serial keys written down in an old CD carrier. Now I realize that CD copies are becoming like dinosuars, and as such Valve may not want to honor the contract we agreed to long ago when I bought that game from them, but the way I see it, I bought it once, I shouldn't have to buy it again.

What do you think? Will I be able to install it on this rig and get it running?

If so, I'll renounce my Steam Skepticism and become a Steam Convert. If not, I remain UnSteamed.

_____________________________

The x-ray is her siren song. My ship cannot resist her long. Nearer to my deadly goal. Until the black hole. Gains control...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkIIlkyZ328&feature=autoplay&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CocLGbd6tpbuQRxyF4FGNr&playnext=3

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Post #: 135

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 12:43:30 AM

Scott_WAR

Posts: 1020
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If you have ever played the game on steam you should not have to register it again.
Once you download and run the steam app all games you have ever purchased or registered through steam, should be in your games library. All you have to do is click on the game you want to play and install it.

edit- you can try using the discs to install, but you dont have to. I have half life 1, blue shift etc in my library so I know they are there.

< Message edited by Scott_WAR -- 11/4/2010 12:44:10 AM >

(in reply to Anthropoid)

Post #: 136

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 2:02:15 AM

Anthropoid

Posts: 3107
Joined: 2/22/2005
From: Secret Underground Lair
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I'm a little concerned by these two sections of the EULA I have to agree to to install the Steam Client on this machine.

quote:

6. Limitation of Liability. VALVE, ITS SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE IN ANY WAY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF GOODWILL, WORK STOPPAGE, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, OR ANY AND ALL OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES. ANY WARRANTY AGAINST INFRINGEMENT THAT MAY BE PROVIDED IN SECTION 2-312(3) OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE AND/OR IN ANY OTHER COMPARABLE STATE STATUTE IS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. Valve CANNOT AND WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE FAILURES OR ANY OTHER EVENT WHICH MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF DATA OR DISRUPTION OF SERVICE. Some states/jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply.

7. Equitable Remedies. You hereby agree that Valve would be irreparably damaged if the terms of this License Agreement were not specifically enforced, and therefore you agree that Valve shall be entitled to appropriate equitable remedies with respect to breaches of this License Agreement, in addition to such other remedies as Valve may otherwise have available to it under applicable laws. In the event any litigation is brought by either party in connection with this License Agreement, the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to recover from the other party all the costs, attorneys' fees and other expenses incurred by such prevailing party in the litigation

So, some of you guys who are Steam users who already agreed to this, can you explain to me what that part about "ANY WARRANTY AGAINST INFRINGEMENT THAT MAY BE PROVIDED IN SECTION 2-312(3) OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE AND/OR IN ANY OTHER COMPARABLE STATE STATUTE IS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED" really means?

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Post #: 137

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 3:58:39 AM

Scott_WAR

Posts: 1020
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Nobody knows what that stuff means,...not even the lawyers who wrote it.

(in reply to Anthropoid)

Post #: 138

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 4:44:12 AM

V22 Osprey

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From: Corona, CA
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http://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/2/2-312.html

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Post #: 139

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 5:52:17 AM

Scott_WAR

Posts: 1020
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Seriously- more people use steam than frequent this forums by an extremely large margin with no troubles or issues at all. I am sure you dont have any memory stealing, virus spewing or PC damaging conspiracies to worry about when you use steam. Otherwise my business selling hi-tech PC shenanigan shields (high tech metal thats paper thin and able to be formed into any desired shape.......similiar to aluminium foil, but its not we swear. Shiny side out for wireless connections,...shiny side in for wired connections) would really be doing well.

< Message edited by Scott_WAR -- 11/4/2010 5:56:04 AM >

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Post #: 140

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 6:19:48 AM

ilovestrategy

Posts: 3611
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From: San Diego
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Over the years I've had a good 4 or 5 computer with the same Steam account and same games and I have had only one problem in all those years, and that was just a glitch in Steam starting up. And that was maybe a day. I don't what all that lawyer lingo means but I haven't had any performance issues with any of my comps that used Steam.

You know what I've had problems with over the years? Lost CDs. Scratched CDs. CDs stuck in the back of a closet somewhere. For example I loved this game called Birth of the Federation and lost the CD while moving and the game was out of production. If it would have been a Steam game I could have just downloaded it again like I did Half Life 2.

Rome Total War update. I just conquered a Spanish city in North Africa but the "encouraged to be happy" populace is starting to rebel. If I have to take over that city a second time I may have to use the "Exterminate the local populace" option.

I wish these forums had some sort of Roman emoticon!

_____________________________

After 16 years, Civ II still has me in it's clutches LOL!!!
Now CIV IV has me in it's evil clutches!

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Post #: 141

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 6:32:32 AM

Bison36

Posts: 480
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Personally I wish Matrix had a digital library that stored my games like Steam, Impulse, gog, gamersgate. I know I can burn a cd, but there really is something comforting to knowing a backup is stored online.

(in reply to ilovestrategy)

Post #: 142

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 8:11:00 AM

ilovestrategy

Posts: 3611
Joined: 6/11/2005
From: San Diego
Status: offline

Actually, I downloaded Distant Worlds to my laptop after buying it for my desktop. I can't remember how i did it though. The other members here are a lot more better than i am.

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After 16 years, Civ II still has me in it's clutches LOL!!!
Now CIV IV has me in it's evil clutches!

(in reply to Bison36)

Post #: 143

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 8:33:35 AM

diablo1

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bison36

Personally I wish Matrix had a digital library that stored my games like Steam, Impulse, gog, gamersgate. I know I can burn a cd, but there really is something comforting to knowing a backup is stored online.

They do sort of actually. You can goto Digital River and use "Find my order/game" then put in your account information (credit card, order number stuff like that) and it will bring up your Matrixgames downloads. Then there is the Matrixgames "Members" section that keeps a record of all your games as well but you have to register them there and it's a new user name usually and password separate from the forums unless of course you register with the same name etc.

The key thing is you have to remember the credit card(s) you used when searching for your information or have saved the order numbers and the email address you used. It's kind of a pain for those of us who change credit card numbers by the year (to protect against identity theft) I've since started keeping a record in my email folder.

Granted Steam is so much easier since they just have an account page (much like Matrixgames members area) that has all your games stored whether on your hard drive or not. It would be nice if Matrixgames could get away from Digital River and get with more of the modern day storage system of the other guys. Gamersgate, D2D, Impulse and GOG all have the same system pretty much like Steam as well. You just goto your games page and there are all the games you own even if they aren't on your hard drive.

(in reply to Bison36)

Post #: 144

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 12:58:53 PM

L�tzow

Posts: 1517
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From: Germany
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Fallout New Vegas just reminded me why I hate Steam so much. Since the title got bound to this "service", it's not possible to rent it from video store anymore. Purchasing from Steam is not on option though, as they only sell censored versions at my place. However, the Austrian (uncut) Fallout is way overprized here and most digital download distributors don't even offer it. With the exception of D2D, which again want my phone number to call back for verification purpose, and I don't like that. So no New Vegas for me.

That's not even the worst. In case of the latest CoD spin-off Steam doesn't allow to register a UK/US version from Germany anymore. Off course, one could probably still outwit them by using a VPN (or asking a friend from over the pond). On the other hand, violating their license agreement would entitle Steam to ban your account and that might be a huge loss for those who purchased a lot of games there.

Playing video games for 20 years now and every ban in this country could be still circumvented by imports or digital distributors. However, with Steam becoming a to-be standard, it won't be possible anymore. This is not a service, but rather a tool to enforce censorship and copyright policies.

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Post #: 145

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 1:20:36 PM

diablo1

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In the sound of Arnold Swartzeneager (probably sp) You cannot stop the future of Big Brother. We vill always be bach! Resistance is futile! You vill all be assimulated!

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Post #: 146

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 6:47:00 PM

Anthropoid

Posts: 3107
Joined: 2/22/2005
From: Secret Underground Lair
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Scott_WAR

Nobody knows what that stuff means,...not even the lawyers who wrote it.

Which is why I'm skeptical about agreeing to it. That EULA, just to agree to use their client strikes me as being a lot more involved than most EULAs.

When I combine that with the fact that: some of the games require you to be logged in to play, else to log in in order to "switch to offline mode" (which also seems to be somewhat temporary, and eventually to require relogging) I'm hesitant to make any use of Steam. Add to that, they seem to like to make some of the better selling games Steam compulsory, now that just rubs my fur the wrong way.

Selling it to me via e-commerse: hey cool. Distributing it to me via digital download: neat, I'm there. Keeping track of what I've bought so I can easily reDL the games I've bought in future: absolute a nice perk.

Thing is, other digital distributors offer those exact same functions and services (Gamersgate & Matrix I know do, and I suspect others too), but without (a) a long and incomprehensible EULA just to install the client app; (b) requiring networking to play; (c) creating deals of exclusive distribution with some publishers that also necessitate (a) and (b).

It feels coercive, intrusive, and imposing. Add to that, they guarantee absolutely nothing, and clearly in their EULA have made the user agree that Valve/Steam has zero obligations to the user and the freedom to discontinue users as they see fit . . . not giving them my money.

I realize Steam is one of, if not the biggest in games these days = lots of people who did agree to their EULAs and who did give them their money. That proves nothing about the soundest, the ethicality, the fairness, the quality, the consistency, the predictability or the general goodwill of their services and business practices, which I am arguing are not sufficiently impressive for me to patronize them. At least not as long as there are other games I am perfectly happy with that I can get without getting into the Steam pipe.

ADDIT: for example Gamersgate "Strategy Week Sale" . . .

Wow, might have to do some stocking up . . .

< Message edited by Anthropoid -- 11/4/2010 6:53:07 PM >

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Post #: 147

RE: Steam sale - 11/4/2010 9:09:58 PM

LarryP

Posts: 3783
Joined: 5/15/2005
From: Carson City, NV
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Have you ever seen a EULA agreement that benefited the end user? I have never even seen in my 55 years of life, a contract made by an opposing party that benefited me. It's always about them.

< Message edited by LarryP -- 11/4/2010 9:10:30 PM >

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Post #: 148

RE: Steam sale - 11/5/2010 12:50:15 PM

Anthropoid

Posts: 3107
Joined: 2/22/2005
From: Secret Underground Lair
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Not saying I'm an expert on EULAs, but that one for the Steam Client does seem more "good for them" than most of them. I'd be curious to hear what somebody like Erik thinks of the terms of service that Steam imposes.

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