Steamworks the end of Piracy and the next generation of Online entertainment.

Persistent identity framework

Achievements, leaderboards, profiles, and avatars make your game come alive, building your community and providing a strong incentive to play more and recruit others.

Multiplayer matchmaking

The same robust back-end that brings players together for Counter-Strike: Source, Team Fortress 2, and (coming soon) Left 4 Dead. You can customize these features to create specific matchmaking and lobby functions.

The Steam Community

Your game becomes the talk of the town as part of Steam's large and connected Steam Community. Friends will see friends playing your game and will be able to organize matches, compare achievements, and talk about the next match, sequels, favorite parts, or the best villain.

Anti-cheat

With true cheat detection, keep cheaters from ruining it for the rest of us. Extend the life and sales of your game by making sure that the game plays as you intended it to when you shipped.

Access from any PC

Your customers can sign in and use their game from any PC. Access to their games is based on a customer account, not tied to a computer. Plus, with built-in offline mode your customers can play on laptops when traveling or anywhere else.

Voice chat

With built-in voice chat, players can talk to each other both inside

Auto-updating

Be confident that all of your customers are running the most current version of your game. Update and expand your game as you see fit. Your community stays current, and your support burden will be significantly reduced. With no certification process, you're in control. Update as much as you want, with as much as you want-there is no charge for bandwidth.

Real-time sales data

Log on to your personal sales and data tracking site and see your product's statistics up-to-the-minute. Don't wait for weeks to find out where and how your game is selling. Real-time, worldwide activation and use reports give you the detail you need to make informed decisions about marketing and retail conditions when they need to be made.

Encrypted retail media

Protect your day one release by shipping encrypted media to stores worldwide. No worry that your game will leak early from the manufacturing path, because your game stays encrypted until the moment you decide to release it.

Anti-piracy

End-to-end anti-piracy solution. Steamworks provides both a wrapper to protect your application and online authentication. Your game is associated with a single customer account, which is used for multiplayer authentication (no more "shared" key lists on the Internet). Plus, the ongoing benefits of customers being current and connected on Steam make piracy an unattractive option.

Territory control

Open up new markets. Games can be set to authenticate only in specific regions, allowing you to go day-and-date worldwide without the worry of grey marketing of products intended for specific territories.

Key-based authentication

Easy, known, and proven path for customers to authenticate their game. Keys are the backbone for inventory control and sales data. Keys can be customized for region, content, language, and SKU.

Free Weekends and Guest Passes

Hold Free Weekends (or any length play period) to entice customers and promote your game. Then securely and efficiently turn the game back off at the end of the period. Also available is guest pass technology that allows you to promote your game through your community. Let friends give free, limited time passes to their friends. Proven tech that has been used with our games and third parties.

Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.farrell2k

you only need an internet connection for Steam the first time you start up a game.

Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.farrell2k

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

I've never met a person that uses Steam.Zero5000X

Pleased to meet you. Come hang around if you want with me and the other 15 milion users.

steam games are easily crackable...

anti piracy lol no

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.Arsuz

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

ehm.. Pac Steam..

Piracy will never die.

[QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.Rev3nger

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

LOL... are you suggesting, that if you connect your computer to the Internet, just to unlock or download a steam game... you have to worry about trojans, spyware, viruses, etc? hHAHAHAHA.... epic lulz.

[QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.Rev3nger

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

spyware,viruses,trojans ?

try getting a antivirus and not looking at bad sites or downloading bad files..

pretty easy to never get a virus and now adays its funny when the average person gets one..

[QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.Rev3nger

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

[QUOTE="Zero5000X"]I've never met a person that uses Steam.Arsuz

Pleased to meet you. Come hang around if you want with me and the other 15 milion users.

I also never met a steam user, although i am one!(use it o play CS:S two hours daily)

[QUOTE="Rev3nger"][QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.white45e

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

spyware,viruses,trojans ?

try getting a antivirus and not looking at bad sites or downloading bad files..

pretty easy to never get a virus and now adays its funny when the average person gets one..

I was just giving an example.

Perhaps it wasn't the best one, but there are various reasons a person could/would not have internet access, and requiring it to play an offline game isn't the way to go.

And there are people who do that, have a separate computer without internet access, just to be safe. Of course, getting a virus is rare (not so much for spyware/trojans), and almost impossible if you are careful, but having an unconnected computer is being 100% certain it won't happen.

[QUOTE="white45e"][QUOTE="Rev3nger"][QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.Rev3nger

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

spyware,viruses,trojans ?

try getting a antivirus and not looking at bad sites or downloading bad files..

pretty easy to never get a virus and now adays its funny when the average person gets one..

I was just giving an example.

Perhaps it wasn't the best one, but there are various reasons a person could/would not have internet access, and requiring it to play an offline game isn't the way to go.

And there are people who do that, have a separate computer without internet access, just to be safe. Of course, getting a virus is rare (not so much for spyware/trojans), and almost impossible if you are careful, but having an unconnected computer is being 100% certain it won't happen.

i agree internet access shouldnt be required

maby devs need to just start making better games and stop wasting money on anti piracy software

[QUOTE="Rev3nger"][QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.white45e

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

spyware,viruses,trojans ?

try getting a antivirus and not looking at bad sites or downloading bad files..

pretty easy to never get a virus and now adays its funny when the average person gets one..

Thats the problem, if you have internet, you will look at porn. No one can resist it(me included), its a drug!

[QUOTE="white45e"][QUOTE="Rev3nger"][QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.bigevil_rashek

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

spyware,viruses,trojans ?

try getting a antivirus and not looking at bad sites or downloading bad files..

pretty easy to never get a virus and now adays its funny when the average person gets one..

Thats the problem, if you have internet, you will look at porn. No one can resist it(me included), its a drug!

there are good porn sites you know that not only have the best content but dont have viruses

I've never met a person that uses Steam.Zero5000X

I just started using it the last month and its fantastic :)

too bad the people who pirate games are smarter than the people who are trying to protect them....I'd give this system a couple of months before someone breaks it.UnknownSniper65

steam alrdy uses this and it alrdy is cracked

too bad the people who pirate games are smarter than the people who are trying to protect them....I'd give this system a couple of months before someone breaks it.UnknownSniper65

This system has been out for around 4 years. Good luck trying to pirate a game that has it's the encryption keys changing every few days. Unless you plan on playing just the single player, of a hacked together pirate release, that is un-patchable, good luck.

[QUOTE="UnknownSniper65"]too bad the people who pirate games are smarter than the people who are trying to protect them....I'd give this system a couple of months before someone breaks it.rimnet00

This system has been out for around 4 years. Good luck trying to pirate a game that has it's the encryption keys changing every few days. Unless you plan on playing just the single player, of a hacked together pirate release, good luck.

cd key is more then enough to protect multiplayer..

the only reason anyone pirates games is for the singleplayer and no protection can stop people from doing so.

and pirated games CAN be patched and work flawlessly..

Thats the problem, if you have internet, you will look at porn. No one can resist it(me included), its a drug!bigevil_rashek

Omg...I wanna join. I am still reliant on my parents, though. :(Hexagon_777

i seriously hope you dont think that is a bad thing..

[QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.Rev3nger

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.farrell2k

[QUOTE="rimnet00"]

[QUOTE="UnknownSniper65"]too bad the people who pirate games are smarter than the people who are trying to protect them....I'd give this system a couple of months before someone breaks it.white45e

This system has been out for around 4 years. Good luck trying to pirate a game that has it's the encryption keys changing every few days. Unless you plan on playing just the single player, of a hacked together pirate release, good luck.

cd key is more then enough to protect multiplayer..

the only reason anyone pirates games is for the singleplayer and no protection can stop people from doing so.

and pirated games CAN be patched and work flawlessly..

You are right. However, a normal retail game on a DVD is easily cracked, and obtainable. A game on steam on the other hand, is very difficult to crack, and usually ends up being semi-functional and unpatchable... essentially making it a very big headache for anyone cheap enough to pirate.

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

Rev3nger

Racist? :| Nothing racist about that comment my friend. Politically incorrect? That's true. Not so nice towards our fellow man in need? Definitely! Did I hurt someone by making it? I don't think so. If I did, I apologies. It's just that Steam bashing is getting very old. It's so 2004.

[QUOTE="white45e"][QUOTE="rimnet00"]

[QUOTE="UnknownSniper65"]too bad the people who pirate games are smarter than the people who are trying to protect them....I'd give this system a couple of months before someone breaks it.rimnet00

This system has been out for around 4 years. Good luck trying to pirate a game that has it's the encryption keys changing every few days. Unless you plan on playing just the single player, of a hacked together pirate release, good luck.

cd key is more then enough to protect multiplayer..

the only reason anyone pirates games is for the singleplayer and no protection can stop people from doing so.

and pirated games CAN be patched and work flawlessly..

You are right. However, a normal retail game on a DVD is easily cracked, and obtainable. A game on steam on the other hand, is very difficult to crack, and usually ends up being semi-functional and unpatchable... essentially making it a very big headache for anyone cheap enough to pirate.

no your simply wrong..

all of steams games are easily cracked and can be patched with no problems and work without even having steam on your computer..

[QUOTE="Arsuz"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.Rev3nger

And if you don't have full internet access by this day of age you must be living in Uganda...so you shouldn't be playing games any way. You should buy food instead.

What if one wants to have an internet-free computer, so that one hasn't got to worry about spyware, viruses, trojan? Shouldn't that person be allowed to play a game in that computer?

And way to go on making a racist joke that is neither funny nor clever.

How is that racist what he said - its a fact of life people in uganda dont have high speed - dont speak if you don't really know what your saying.

Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.farrell2k

Welcome to the 21st century, you may want to get something beyond a 56k dial up..

Nothing is ever going to stop piracy completely, but the fact is that cracking a game using these steam systems is going to be more difficult than your average torrent + cdkey download. Your always going to have people that live to crack games, then your also going to have people that are so lazy they download a game because a drive to best buy is too much work for their kankles.

Regardless, its nice to see someone working for a better future for PC games. You can complain all you want but with the exception of WoW and the occasional PC blockbuster, the PC gaming industry isn't doing too hot. I'm all for anything to help bring some life back into it.

no your simply wrong..

all of steams games are easily cracked and can be patched with no problems and work without even having steam on your computer..

white45e

Easily cracked? You have no clue. It has taken weeks, instead of a few days to crack steam-based games? Then factor in the same time it has taken for the same process for patchs. Then factor in how most of these steam-based pirate jobs don't work for everyone, due to different environments.

Please, explain to me how it easier to decrypt game data that uses 256bit shifting keys, that change every few days. Versus a game that has static executables. Please enlighten me.

[QUOTE="white45e"]

no your simply wrong..

all of steams games are easily cracked and can be patched with no problems and work without even having steam on your computer..

rimnet00

Easily cracked? You have no clue. It has taken weeks, instead of a few days to crack steam-based games? Then factor in the same time it has taken for the same process for patchs. Then factor in how most of these steam-based pirate jobs don't work for everyone, due to different environments.

Please, explain to me how it easier to decrypt game data that uses 256bit shifting keys, that change every few days. Versus a game that has static executables. Please enlighten me.

They can't enlighten you. For some reason they seem to think that companies trying to stop piracy is bad. And that requiring an internet connection is horrible, because they aren't all using the internet on their computers right now.

[QUOTE="Hexagon_777"]Omg...I wanna join. I am still reliant on my parents, though. :(white45e

i seriously hope you dont think that is a bad thing..

It has its advantages and disadvantages.

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.sSubZerOo

Welcome to the 21st century, you may want to get something beyond a 56k dial up..

Didn't it say there is gonna be an offline mode??

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.the1stfandb

Welcome to the 21st century, you may want to get something beyond a 56k dial up..

Didn't it say there is gonna be an offline mode??

There has pretty much always been a offline mode..

[QUOTE="the1stfandb"][QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

[QUOTE="farrell2k"]Great! Now every game will require an internet connection when I want to play. Just one more reason to never look at PC gaming again.sSubZerOo

Welcome to the 21st century, you may want to get something beyond a 56k dial up..

Didn't it say there is gonna be an offline mode??

There has pretty much always been a offline mode..

Yes I know I use steam. I just talking about the update and I don't understand y ppl are complaining about nothing

that sounds likes a rip off of xbox live!

Persistent identity framework

Achievements, leaderboards, profiles, and avatars make your game come alive, building your community and providing a strong incentive to play more and recruit others.

Multiplayer matchmaking

The same robust back-end that brings players together for Counter-Strike: Source, Team Fortress 2, and (coming soon) Left 4 Dead. You can customize these features to create specific matchmaking and lobby functions.

The Steam Community

Your game becomes the talk of the town as part of Steam's large and connected Steam Community. Friends will see friends playing your game and will be able to organize matches, compare achievements, and talk about the next match, sequels, favorite parts, or the best villain.

Anti-cheat

With true cheat detection, keep cheaters from ruining it for the rest of us. Extend the life and sales of your game by making sure that the game plays as you intended it to when you shipped.

Access from any PC

Your customers can sign in and use their game from any PC. Access to their games is based on a customer account, not tied to a computer. Plus, with built-in offline mode your customers can play on laptops when traveling or anywhere else.

Voice chat

With built-in voice chat, players can talk to each other both inside

PCGA_FTW

that sounds likes a rip off of xbox live!

Bdking57

These features have been on the PC before XBL was even created. What's new is Valve giving this functionality to developers, both independent and corporate.

achievments say hello.. xbox live rip off

[QUOTE="Bdking57"]

that sounds likes a rip off of xbox live!

rimnet00

These features have been on the PC before XBL was even created. What's new is Valve giving this functionality to developers, both independent and corporate.

[QUOTE="rimnet00"][QUOTE="Bdking57"]

that sounds likes a rip off of xbox live!

Bdking57

These features have been on the PC before XBL was even created. What's new is Valve giving this functionality to developers, both independent and corporate.

achievments say hello.. xbox live rip off

anything = bad if u don't do it 1st;)

achievments say hello.. xbox live rip off

[QUOTE="rimnet00"][QUOTE="Bdking57"]

that sounds likes a rip off of xbox live!

Bdking57

These features have been on the PC before XBL was even created. What's new is Valve giving this functionality to developers, both independent and corporate.

You quoted his entire thread. Not one bullet point. Especially ironic, how XBL is simply taking PC concepts and implementing them on a console. While still only capturing a subset of functionality.

nice copy pasta

http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/gameservices.php

the end of piracy JA