Aynone else hate this Steam obsession?

I do not like anything about steam, in fact I hate it and everything it stands for. Basically it is a program that you need to have to be able to play your games that YOU PAID for. Why do I need to ask for permission to play a game.

I am angry with my whole experience with Empire Total war, I essentially gave up playing it because of steam and it's updates and it's servers, and the fact that I could not play my game offline somewhere else. Now I hear Civilization 5 will be a steam game. This made me upset because I really like Civ 4 a game I can uninstall, and install freel whenever I want. Now I need to have steam's consent before I do anything with that game.

I HATE steam so much right now. It's unfortunate that Steam is becoming the future of PC gaming and I have not been playing many PC games because of Steam. I miss the days when I paid for a game it would be mine COMPLETELY and all I needed to input was the CD key, and I could play it whenever I wanted to. It looks like I will be strictly a console gamer now. I mean I have always been a Pc gamer and a Console gamer, I have always been both and it was great. Especially during the Gamecube's dry spells, I knew I could always turn to PC games, now Steam is taking over. I hate you steam I hope you die.

The only thing I don't like is being charged the same for a digital download as I am for a physical game. Steam has no storefront costs, no cashiers to pay, no merchandise to have in supply, why aren't we getting a break in prices compared to box?

Other than that I haven't had any real issues with it. You do know you can use offline mode right?

The only thing I don't like is being charged the same for a digital download as I am for a physical game. Steam has no storefront costs, no cashiers to pay, no merchandise to have in supply, why aren't we getting a break in prices compared to box?

Other than that I haven't had any real issues with it. You do know you can use offline mode right?

vfibsux

With Empire Total War I had to be online to use offline mode. It made no sense. If I were to travel to a rural area I would not be able to play my game on my laptop because of Steam.

steam is awesome....You can play offline and its super simple to figure out, if you're not a dumbazz.Also you can delete and install just like anyother game wth you going on about anyways?This whole topic is a complete fail.

I don't think Steam cares about you, nor does anyone here. Blog it? There's plenty of Steam hate threads already. There's nothing to discuss based on your topic either.Vfanek

I know Steam does not care about me. It also does not care about you or any of it's customers. How can you enjoy having to get permission to play a game you paid for? I don't understand this Steam obsession.

I like Steam's weekend deals and some of the other various sales that they have, but I agree. There's a lot of Valve / Steam fanboys around here, though, who will defend everything about Steam to the death. Put up your flame shield.After all, there are worse DRM schemes out there....like that's supposed to make it all better or something.

I love monopolies as long as they are from Valve. Gabe Newell is my lord and savior! When Valve does stuff that clearly makes business sense if you understand how Valve makes money, I see it as charity because I'm gullible! :P

(Yeah, I know they are not a monopoly, but I get the general impression that a lot of people would be more than happy if they were.)

steam is awesome....You can play offline and its super simple to figure out, if you're not a dumbazz.Also you can delete and install just like anyother game wth you going on about anyways?This whole topic is a complete fail.

xconbud

You are a liar. Youhave to verify your games before you do anything with them. Many times I had Steam FAIL on me with some arbitrary problem, I could not figure out. I simply think Steam is too much of a hassle. I do not need someone or something updating my games for me, nor do I need someone or something updating itself before I can play my games. I liked the way things were before, simple, and free.

For me, PC gaming is about choice; freedom to do what you want. While I enjoy the conveniences of Steam, I dislike the fact that it is becoming a "standard" like some sort of Xbox Live for PC. I don't want to HAVE to use it, but I do like having the choice. Basically it's a grand service, but I prefer choosing it on my own accord rather than being told I must use it. Ideal situation: a game is launched with a steam version and a plain version.-Feath-

Exactly, choice. I am very strict about what I want running on my computer, and I never like having something forced into my computer. Not even EA's download manager andSpore systemwasas intrusive.

I am angry with my whole experience with Empire Total war, I essentially gave up playing it because of steam and it's updates and it's servers, and the fact that I could not play my game offline somewhere else.

RECON64bit

What?

I love Steam! I just now got Company of Heroes for $2.49, actually.

I haven't bought a lot of games from Steam,

• Gothic 2

• Gothic 3

• Broken Sword II & III

• Stalker combo - SoC and CoP

- and I've never had any problems. It's a great place to get games you can't find in the stores.

Oh - I play "offline" all the time

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

I am angry with my whole experience with Empire Total war, I essentially gave up playing it because of steam and it's updates and it's servers, and the fact that I could not play my game offline somewhere else.

Baranga

What?

Another thing I had to get a new router because of Steam, because mine would keep disconnecting. I did not have much of a problem with this back then because I did not play online much and It was barely noticeable when surfing the web, but on Steam if my internet went out I could no longer play. I just do not like something on my comp restricting me from doing something I want to do. I just don't.

With Empire Total War I had to be online to use offline mode. It made no sense. If I were to travel to a rural area I would not be able to play my game on my laptop because of Steam.

RECON64bit

Then that's probably additional DRM for Empire:TW, not Steam's fault. I've had no problem playing Bioshock, Portal, or STALKER offline on Steam.

It's true, Steam does validate the game every time you start it up. The offline mode actually requires you to be connected to the Internet first before you disconnect. Yes, it's a great hassle.

But, everything does work as advertised. You should check with support.

Oh, so now your router going bad is Steam's fault too? This is too much, lol!

Trolling is fun, huh?

Oh, so now your router going bad is Steam's fault too? This is too much, lol!

Trolling is fun, huh?

mkaliaz

I never said it was Steam's fault?

I said I HAD to get a new router and that decision was influenced by Steam, not that it was it's fault.

I love when I hear people complain about nothaving a CD and a box. In my opinion,the future of gaming is an all download industry. I can see gaming compaines doing away with physical property of video games in the next few decades.Our entire lives arebeing pushed into an all "Online" life and has been since the internet was invented by Al Gore.(He'll neverescape that).Stop trying toswim upstream becuase it just aint going to happen and you better get used to the idea.

[QUOTE="Baranga"]

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

I am angry with my whole experience with Empire Total war, I essentially gave up playing it because of steam and it's updates and it's servers, and the fact that I could not play my game offline somewhere else.

RECON64bit

What?

Another thing I had to get a new router because of Steam, because mine would keep disconnecting. I did not have much of a problem with this back then because I did not play online much and It was barely noticeable when surfing the web, but on Steam if my internet went out I could no longer play. I just do not like something on my comp restricting me from doing something I want to do. I just don't.

At least its not as bad as GFWL.

I love when I hear people complain about nothaving a CD and a box. In my opinion,the future of gaming is an all download industry. I can see gaming compaines doing away with physical property of video games in the next few decades.Our entire lives arebeing pushed into an all "Online" life and has been since the internet was invented by Al Gore.(He'll neverescape that).Stop trying toswim upstream becuase it just aint going to happen and you better get used to the idea.

l0ner_1

The future looks bleak to me as well.

I wasnt aware that Total War required a persistent internet connection. I thought that was only a few Ubisoft games. Otherwise you can start Steam in offline mode. If your internet is down when you try to start steam, it will ASK YOU if you want to start in offline mode. Furthermore, if your internet drops while playing a game, Steam does not shut your game down. I know this because it has happened to me many times.

A couple of weeks ago our cable and internet went down for 24 hours - - I played Steam games no problem during that time - it automatically started in offline mode because there was no internet connection.

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

[QUOTE="Baranga"]

What?

Vfanek

Another thing I had to get a new router because of Steam, because mine would keep disconnecting. I did not have much of a problem with this back then because I did not play online much and It was barely noticeable when surfing the web, but on Steam if my internet went out I could no longer play. I just do not like something on my comp restricting me from doing something I want to do. I just don't.

That is all good for you but, not all solutions are the same. Mine, I had to get a new router whatever maybe I had to get a new router eventually but why should Steam of all things influence that decision. It is too intrusive, that may seem like an overused way to describe Steam butit really is.

I wasnt aware that Total War required a persistent internet connection. I thought that was only a few Ubisoft games. Otherwise you can start Steam in offline mode. If your internet is down when you try to start steam, it will ASK YOU if you want to start in offline mode. Furthermore, if your internet drops while playing a game, Steam does not shut your game down. I know this because it has happened to me many times.

mkaliaz

Excuse me? If it were not for the problems I described I would still be playing Empire Total war instead of ROME. Steam has made my games crash on me on several occasions and has made them stop working. You may not believe me but It has happened to me and I don't care if you say otherwise.

I love steam... In fact I wish more games supported it... I understand where you people are coming from in terms of being forced to use it when you don't want to... But I love Steam... I have been using it for years with no issues and I wish all of my games could be on Steam, especially my older games... I have really old games I bought on disc a long time ago (Rome: TW, GTA4, Mass Effect)... Well I can't install GTA4 anymore because one of the disc's got scratched, I can't install Rome:TW because I can't find one of the installation discs for it... And I lost the little card that came with Mass Effect and had the CD key on it...

On steam I don't have to worry about anything like that...

And I don't understand why you would need to play offline and why you people are complaining about it? It is 2010, every building in North America and Europe has internet... And since you are on a damn gaming computer playing video games, obviously you have money... So saying you don't have access or can't afford it is ridiculous... If that is the case you shouldn't be playing computer games in the first place...

Also, if you have to dig out a DVD and put it in the computer to play a fully installed game in order to satisfy the game's anti-piracy checks, is that any different then Steam "asking for permission?"

...which isnt even true about steam anyways (as many people have already stated on this thread) because you do NOT need an active internet connection to start steam or play 99% of the games on it.

I love steam... In fact I wish more games supported it... I understand where you people are coming from in terms of being forced to use it when you don't want to... But I love Steam... I have been using it for years with no issues and I wish all of my games could be on Steam, especially my older games... I have really old games I bought on disc a long time ago (Rome: TW, GTA4, Mass Effect)... Well I can't install GTA4 anymore because one of the disc's got scratched, I can't install Rome:TW because I can't find one of the installation discs for it... And I lost the little card that came with Mass Effect and had the CD key on it...

On steam I don't have to worry about anything like that...

And I don't understand why you would need to play offline and why you people are complaining about it? It is 2010, every building in North America and Europe has internet... And since you are on a damn gaming computer playing video games, obviously you have money... So saying you don't have access or can't afford it is ridiculous... If that is the case you shouldn't be playing computer games in the first place...

Buttons1990

First of all Steam is NOT needed to play games without the CD. I remember a patch came out forDOW and I was able to play that game without the CD, and all it's future expansion paks. Spore also did not use steam and I was able to play without the CD.

Second, If you lose the CD key you can always call tech support, I have done so for Spore and I got a new CD key, you just need to register the game and verify that you own a copy. SIMPLE.

Third, I have internet connection in my home but not all places in the world have internet connection. What if I were in a desert and I felt the need to play Civ 5? I would not be able to. There are areas in the US that do not have and cannot haveinternet. (rural areas)

There are better systems than Steam.

[QUOTE="mkaliaz"]

I wasnt aware that Total War required a persistent internet connection. I thought that was only a few Ubisoft games. Otherwise you can start Steam in offline mode. If your internet is down when you try to start steam, it will ASK YOU if you want to start in offline mode. Furthermore, if your internet drops while playing a game, Steam does not shut your game down. I know this because it has happened to me many times.

RECON64bit

Excuse me? If it were not for the problems I described I would still be playing Empire Total war instead of ROME. Steam has made my games crash on me on several occasions and has made them stop working. You may not believe me but It has happened to me and I don't care if you say otherwise.

....right of course. STEAM crashed your program. There is no way it could have been anything else, huh?

Its funny because my internet has dropped many times while playing Steam games and my game never crashes because of it.

Also, if you have to dig out a DVD and put it in the computer to play a fully installed game in order to satisfy the game's anti-piracy checks, is that any different then Steam "asking for permission?"

...which isnt even true about steam anyways (as many people have already stated on this thread) because you do NOT need an active internet connection to start steam or play 99% of the games on it.

mkaliaz

Putting in a DVD is the norm, I mean really it can't get anymore simple than that. Steam is a third party that is FORCED upon you.

99% percent of games? You are obviously a blind supporter of Steam so it's a waste of time to even argue with you, lol. Just enjoy your Steam, man really.

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

[QUOTE="mkaliaz"]

I wasnt aware that Total War required a persistent internet connection. I thought that was only a few Ubisoft games. Otherwise you can start Steam in offline mode. If your internet is down when you try to start steam, it will ASK YOU if you want to start in offline mode. Furthermore, if your internet drops while playing a game, Steam does not shut your game down. I know this because it has happened to me many times.

mkaliaz

Excuse me? If it were not for the problems I described I would still be playing Empire Total war instead of ROME. Steam has made my games crash on me on several occasions and has made them stop working. You may not believe me but It has happened to me and I don't care if you say otherwise.

Why is it that, whenever someone says their computer crashes it HAS to be the owner's fault? That's not always the case. I KNOW %100 that Steam causes the problems.

....right of course. STEAM crashed your program. There is no way it could have been anything else, huh?

Its funny because my internet has dropped many times while playing Steam games and my game never crashes because of it.

Why is it that, whenever someone says their computer crashes it HAS to be the owner's fault? That's not always the case. I KNOW %100 that Steam causes the problems.

A game is never yours. When you purchase it you purchase the user agreement and the rights to use it. You never had it.MrLions

Oh? At least I could play the game whenever I wanted to and wherever I wanted to without a third party such as Steam. I prefer it that way.

[QUOTE="mkaliaz"]

Also, if you have to dig out a DVD and put it in the computer to play a fully installed game in order to satisfy the game's anti-piracy checks, is that any different then Steam "asking for permission?"

...which isnt even true about steam anyways (as many people have already stated on this thread) because you do NOT need an active internet connection to start steam or play 99% of the games on it.

RECON64bit

Putting in a DVD is the norm, I mean really it can't get anymore simple than that. Steam is a third party that is FORCED upon you.

99% percent of games? You are obviously a blind supporter of Steam so it's a waste of time to even argue with you, lol. Just enjoy your Steam, man really.

OK, why dont you give me a list of the steam games that require a PERSISTENT internet connection to play. Obviously multi-player only games dont count.

I can think of about 3-5 Ubisoft games and thats it. Yes, so 3-5 games out of hundreds (i think the total on steam is over 600 now ). That is why i say 99%.

edit: actually its got to be over 1000 titles because they have 688 games for sale under $10.

Clearly you still dont believe all the people in this thread who are telling you INTERNET CONNECTION NOT REQUIRED to start up steam and start your games.

[QUOTE="Vfanek"][QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

Another thing I had to get a new router because of Steam, because mine would keep disconnecting. I did not have much of a problem with this back then because I did not play online much and It was barely noticeable when surfing the web, but on Steam if my internet went out I could no longer play. I just do not like something on my comp restricting me from doing something I want to do. I just don't.

RECON64bit

That is all good for you but, not all solutions are the same. Mine, I had to get a new router whatever maybe I had to get a new router eventually but why should Steam of all things influence that decision. It is too intrusive, that may seem like an overused way to describe Steam butit really is.

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

[QUOTE="mkaliaz"]

Also, if you have to dig out a DVD and put it in the computer to play a fully installed game in order to satisfy the game's anti-piracy checks, is that any different then Steam "asking for permission?"

...which isnt even true about steam anyways (as many people have already stated on this thread) because you do NOT need an active internet connection to start steam or play 99% of the games on it.

mkaliaz

Putting in a DVD is the norm, I mean really it can't get anymore simple than that. Steam is a third party that is FORCED upon you.

99% percent of games? You are obviously a blind supporter of Steam so it's a waste of time to even argue with you, lol. Just enjoy your Steam, man really.

OK, why dont you give me a list of the steam games that require a PERSISTENT internet connection to play. Obviously multi-player only games dont count.

I can think of about 3-5 Ubisoft games and thats it. Yes, so 3-5 games out of hundreds (i think the total on steam is over 600 now ).

Clearly you still dont believe all the people in this thread who are telling you INTERNET CONNECTION NOT REQUIRED to start up steam and start your games.

[QUOTE="mkaliaz"]

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

Putting in a DVD is the norm, I mean really it can't get anymore simple than that. Steam is a third party that is FORCED upon you.

99% percent of games? You are obviously a blind supporter of Steam so it's a waste of time to even argue with you, lol. Just enjoy your Steam, man really.

eyelickED

OK, why dont you give me a list of the steam games that require a PERSISTENT internet connection to play. Obviously multi-player only games dont count.

I can think of about 3-5 Ubisoft games and thats it. Yes, so 3-5 games out of hundreds (i think the total on steam is over 600 now ).

Clearly you still dont believe all the people in this thread who are telling you INTERNET CONNECTION NOT REQUIRED to start up steam and start your games.

That is a Ubisoft game. I can also think of AC2 and Splinter Cell Conviction. All newer ubisoft games.

[QUOTE="mkaliaz"]

Also, if you have to dig out a DVD and put it in the computer to play a fully installed game in order to satisfy the game's anti-piracy checks, is that any different then Steam "asking for permission?"

...which isnt even true about steam anyways (as many people have already stated on this thread) because you do NOT need an active internet connection to start steam or play 99% of the games on it.

RECON64bit

Putting in a DVD is the norm, I mean really it can't get anymore simple than that. Steam is a third party that is FORCED upon you.

99% percent of games? You are obviously a blind supporter of Steam so it's a waste of time to even argue with you, lol. Just enjoy your Steam, man really.

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

[QUOTE="mkaliaz"]

Also, if you have to dig out a DVD and put it in the computer to play a fully installed game in order to satisfy the game's anti-piracy checks, is that any different then Steam "asking for permission?"

...which isnt even true about steam anyways (as many people have already stated on this thread) because you do NOT need an active internet connection to start steam or play 99% of the games on it.

mkaliaz

Putting in a DVD is the norm, I mean really it can't get anymore simple than that. Steam is a third party that is FORCED upon you.

99% percent of games? You are obviously a blind supporter of Steam so it's a waste of time to even argue with you, lol. Just enjoy your Steam, man really.

OK, why dont you give me a list of the steam games that require a PERSISTENT internet connection to play. Obviously multi-player only games dont count.

I can think of about 3-5 Ubisoft games and thats it. Yes, so 3-5 games out of hundreds (i think the total on steam is over 600 now ). That is why i say 99%.

Clearly you still dont believe all the people in this thread who are telling you INTERNET CONNECTION NOT REQUIRED to start up steam and start your games.

Maybe I am not believing them but, the upcoming CIV5 is going to need persistent internet connection, and I can only asume future games will have this system as well. I can only verify my experience with Steam, and I simply did not like it because of Empire Total War. Maybe you had a better experience since you claim your games don't require persistent internet but, the fact is there are some games that do.

Maybe every Total War game will require persistent internet and that sucks. Maybe every 2K or Firaxis game will require persistent internet connection, and it very well seems like it from what I have been following of the company.

Also you have to consider that these games are $50(full games) which makes it even harder for me to trust Steam. It may be easier with a $20 or $30 game but not for a complete one.

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

[QUOTE="mkaliaz"]

Also, if you have to dig out a DVD and put it in the computer to play a fully installed game in order to satisfy the game's anti-piracy checks, is that any different then Steam "asking for permission?"

...which isnt even true about steam anyways (as many people have already stated on this thread) because you do NOT need an active internet connection to start steam or play 99% of the games on it.

guynamedbilly

Putting in a DVD is the norm, I mean really it can't get anymore simple than that. Steam is a third party that is FORCED upon you.

99% percent of games? You are obviously a blind supporter of Steam so it's a waste of time to even argue with you, lol. Just enjoy your Steam, man really.

I don't understand why people are comparing the act of putting in the disc that you legally own and verifying your game via a third party software. I really do not.

Also I am not lying because Empire total war I had to verify, I had to be online to use offline mode. Can you explain the logic in that please?

Yeah even if steam wasn't required those games would require you to be connected to the internet just using their own home made program so hate the publishers not the distributer.

Maybe I am not believing them but, the upcoming CIV5 is going to need persistent internet connection, and I can only asume future games will have this system as well. I can only verify my experience with Steam, and I simply did not like it because of Empire Total War. Maybe you had a better experience since you claim your games don't require persistent internet but, the fact is there are some games that do.

Maybe every Total War game will require persistent internet and that sucks. Maybe every 2K or Firaxis game will require persistent internet connection, and it very well seems like it from what I have been following of the company.

Also you have to consider that these games are $50(full games) which makes it even harder for me to trust Steam. It may be easier with a $20 or $30 game but not for a complete one.

RECON64bit

Well, we can finally agree on one thing I suppose. I also hate games that require an internet connection that might fail. Personallly, my internet is great, but I would be really pissed if we had a storm roll through here and my game shut down because the internet dropped.

One other thing though, the crappy things Ubisoft or maybe other companies in the future are doing with the internet ALWAYS ON requirements are not limited to steam only. These companies are requiring it for every copy of their software sold, including retail DVDs.

There are lots of very vocal people on this board who disagree with what Ubisoft is doing. I hope they change their stance on it.

[QUOTE="guynamedbilly"][QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

Putting in a DVD is the norm, I mean really it can't get anymore simple than that. Steam is a third party that is FORCED upon you.

99% percent of games? You are obviously a blind supporter of Steam so it's a waste of time to even argue with you, lol. Just enjoy your Steam, man really.

RECON64bit

I don't understand why people are comparing the act of putting in the disc that you legally own and verifying your game via a third party software. I really do not.

Also I am not lying because Empire total war I had to verify, I had to be online to use offline mode. Can you explain the logic in that please?

[QUOTE="RECON64bit"]

Maybe I am not believing them but, the upcoming CIV5 is going to need persistent internet connection, and I can only asume future games will have this system as well. I can only verify my experience with Steam, and I simply did not like it because of Empire Total War. Maybe you had a better experience since you claim your games don't require persistent internet but, the fact is there are some games that do.

Maybe every Total War game will require persistent internet and that sucks. Maybe every 2K or Firaxis game will require persistent internet connection, and it very well seems like it from what I have been following of the company.

Also you have to consider that these games are $50(full games) which makes it even harder for me to trust Steam. It may be easier with a $20 or $30 game but not for a complete one.

mkaliaz

Well, we can finally agree on one thing I suppose. I also hate games that require an internet connection that might fail. Personallly, my internet is great, but I would be really pissed if we had a storm roll through here and my game shut down because the internet dropped.

One other thing though, the crappy things Ubisoft or maybe other companies in the future are doing with the internet ALWAYS ON requirements are not limited to steam only. These companies are requiring it for every copy of their software sold, including retail DVDs.

There are lots of very vocal people on this board who disagree with what Ubisoft is doing. I hope they change their stance on it.

I heard about that, and I just put blame on Steam for that. Not saying it is rightbut I stopped liking Ubisoft a long time ago, and I am actually boycotting their Wii/X360 productsat the momment, lol. I do not like what is happening with online verification. I simply want to OWN my games the way it was before.

But I guess we can put the blame on piracy.