Sorry for the lenghty question. I am building a computer, and I plan on purchasing several games once I get it all up and running. I had some question regarding Steam. When buying my games, would it be better to buy them from Steam or buy a hard copy? It is always nice to have a hard copy, but Steam has so many advantages. Buying off of Steam you do not have to wait to get it, and there are often good deals. Plus, if you lost a hard copy you would have to buy it again. As where Steam you always have it. I guess my question is, if I buy a hard copy of a game, will it register that I have it on Steam? So if I lost the hard copy, I would be able to still install the game through Steam. Also, can you still play games from Steam if you are not connected to the internet? I am trying to figure out if it would be better to buy games through Steam or just get hard copies. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Question about Steam..
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Personally, I prefer Steam. The download speeds are fast and I can have most games on my list ready to play in under 30 minutes. I feel like my games are a lot safer on Steam - so much so that I've actually rebought games I have hard-copies of for Steam specifically. There's something satisfying about being able to click a button and be able to play a fully patched version of a game with no head aches. If I didn't own Company of Heroes on Steam for example, I'd have to spend hours manually patching the game.
in short, steam defines present and future state of pc gaming.
u can buy a hard copy and use the cd key u get on steam.
steam will automatically update all ur game so u don't have to look for patches forever.
steam will keep your games forever so you'll never lose your games as long as u dont lose ur account id/pass.
steam will not require you to insert disk to play games. thus, the tedious disk switching won't be necessary.
That only works for some games. Probably only Valve games, and retail copies that require steam anyway.Captain__TrippsExactly. Please don't spread misinformation people. The only games that you can add to Steam are games that requires it in the first place. There may be a few exceptions but I mean it when I say few.
Sorry for the lenghty question. I am building a computer, and I plan on purchasing several games once I get it all up and running. I had some question regarding Steam. When buying my games, would it be better to buy them from Steam or buy a hard copy? It is always nice to have a hard copy, but Steam has so many advantages. Buying off of Steam you do not have to wait to get it, and there are often good deals. Plus, if you lost a hard copy you would have to buy it again. As where Steam you always have it. I guess my question is, if I buy a hard copy of a game, will it register that I have it on Steam? So if I lost the hard copy, I would be able to still install the game through Steam. Also, can you still play games from Steam if you are not connected to the internet? I am trying to figure out if it would be better to buy games through Steam or just get hard copies. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
CraniumSmasher
If you don't really care about collecting the box copy and have a decent Internet connection, I say go with Steam. You can play many Steam games in Offline mode - obviously, not the multiplayer ones. There are a handful of games which you can buy retail and register on Steam (listed here). Other games, you can't register on Steam, however, you can add them to your Steam game lists... but that's just really putting a shortcut of a game's .exe file.
Edit: err for some reason the my link does't work, so here's the list:
- Valve CD Keys in this format: ####-#####-####
- Valve CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- AI War CD Keys in various formats
- Aliensvs. Predator (2010 Release)CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Alpha Prime CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Audiosurf CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is not accepted on Steam
- Civilization V CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Commander: Conquest of the Americas CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Cricket Revolution CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Dark Messiah CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Dark Messiah CD Keys may also have been printed incorrectly, please see the Dark Messiah article
- Darksiders CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Note:The number 2 and letter Z may look very similar.
- Dawn of War II CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Defense Grid CD Keys in this format (Direct2Drive only): 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Empire: Total War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-DDEFGH3-IJK4L-MNOPQ-RST56
- F.E.A.R. 2: Project OriginCD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Football Manager 2009 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2CD3FGH456I7JK8LMNOP9Q
- Football Manager 2010 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2CD3FGH456I7JK8LMNOP9Q
- Front Mission Evolved CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Global Agenda CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- GTI Racing CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- GTR Evolution CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Just Cause 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Note: Please input all O's and 0's as Q's for Just Cause 2
- Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Killing Floor CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- King Arthur - The Role-playing Wargame CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- The Last RemnantCD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Lost Planet: Extreme Condition CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Lost Planet: Colonies Edition CD Keysare not accepted on Steam
- Mafia 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Metro 2033 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- MLB Front OfficeManagerCD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Mount & Blade CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Mount & Blade: Warband CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- NBA2K9 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Napoleon: Total War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Order of War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Prey CD Keys in this format: AAB1BB2C345CDD6E E7
- R.U.S.E.CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Note: R.U.S.E. keys from Ubisoft's Digital River service are not accepted on Steam
- RACE - the WTCC Game CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- RACE 07 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Ragdoll Kung Fu CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Railworks CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Red Orchestra CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Rogue WarriorCD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- SiN Episodes: Emergence CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Saint's Row 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Serious Sam HD CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Shattered Horizon CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- The Ship CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Ship Simulator Extremes CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Silent Hill Homecoming CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Sniper: Ghost Warrior CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Space Trader CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Speedball 2 - Tournament in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Star Trek: D-A-CCD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- STCC - The Game CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Supreme Commander 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Torchlight CDKeys in this format:1ABC-D3FG-4567-JK8L
- Unreal Tournament 3 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2-3FGH-456I-K8LM
- Velvet Assassin CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
- X3: Terran Conflict CD Keys in this format: 1ABC-D3FG-4567-JK8L
- Zeno Clash CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
Me, I prefer a hard copy, you lose it and it's all down to you, swordsman5Hardly. People typically don't live alone in a vacuum. You might - but most people don't.
[QUOTE="swordsman5"]Me, I prefer a hard copy, you lose it and it's all down to you, KHAndAnimeHardly. People typically don't live alone in a vacuum. You might - but most people don't. Its kind of funny hearing PC gamers complain about losing disks. Do you have problems losing your movies cd and books too? The console kiddies don't seem to have problems...
[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"][QUOTE="swordsman5"]Me, I prefer a hard copy, you lose it and it's all down to you, Captain__TrippsHardly. People typically don't live alone in a vacuum. You might - but most people don't. Its kind of funny hearing PC gamers complain about losing disks. Do you have problems losing your movies cd and books too? The console kiddies don't seem to have problems... Console games come in convenient durable cases - ideal for organization. PC Games comes in flimsy jewel cases of all different sizes (I've bought games that were broken before I've opened them) and some only in sleeves. There's no packaged standard, which is really a hindrance when it comes to organization. Then you have to factor in that PC Games don't all have their CD Keys in the same place. Some CD Keys are located on the cases, some CD Keys are located on the manual, and some CD Keys I have are just little flimsy stickers placed on the disc sleeve. Misplace your manual and you'll have to re-buy the game. I've been PC gaming for over a decade, so I probably have over 100 PC Games - and not even room to keep them all in the same location. But of course newbies wouldn't really know any of this and think it's the same thing as a book, movie, or console game. I don't know any long-time PC Gamers who haven't misplaced at least one CD or serial in their lifetime.
I know what you mean, Company of Heroes has become virtually unplayable because of all their stupid patches. It is such a hassle.Personally, I prefer Steam. The download speeds are fast and I can have most games on my list ready to play in under 30 minutes. I feel like my games are a lot safer on Steam - so much so that I've actually rebought games I have hard-copies of for Steam specifically. There's something satisfying about being able to click a button and be able to play a fully patched version of a game with no head aches. If I didn't own Company of Heroes on Steam for example, I'd have to spend hours manually patching the game.
KHAndAnime
So do you think it would be better to buy games through Steam or as hard disks?
Steam: Your account can be hackedSo do you think it would be better to buy games through Steam or as hard disks?
CraniumSmasher
Not ideal if you have a slow internet connection
No pretty box to smell... :(
No more lost discs!
No more scratched discs!
No more destroyed discs because you left them next to your dog!
No more hunting for patches!
Great company = great support = great service = great program
You can play offline with offline mode
You can install your games on any computer without any discs
Steam: Your account can be hacked[QUOTE="CraniumSmasher"]
So do you think it would be better to buy games through Steam or as hard disks?
Lox_Cropek
Not ideal if you have a slow internet connection
No pretty box to smell... :(
No more lost discs!
No more scratched discs!
No more destroyed discs because you left them next to your dog!
No more hunting for patches!
Great company = great support = great service = great program
You can play offline with offline mode
You can install your games on any computer without any discs
If your password gets hacked you can easily get your account back, Valve will have details about you which your hacker CANT get...so a couple of emails and they will give you your account back. Steam is Safe!Please Log In to post.
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