Retail threatens Steam ban

[gormonk]

me likey steam... simply because the annoices don't outway the positives

the annoiances.....

1. you need to be online to install any game...even from disk
   
2. you have to wait for any patches before you can play the game online or offline
   
3. dileup non friendly
   

the positives

1. the ablity to play any of your games on any PC theye are intsalled to...includeing all your presisous game saves
   
2. people networking friendly
   
3. most games dont require disk to play
   
4. PORTAL (what its fun as hell)
   

punkbuster... look under "prosesses" in windows task mannager.... then punkbuster a and b then click end prosses......this will end punkbuster

[Michlo]

Cracks for Steam games tend to be post release, cracks for physical media can be well before release. That initial day or so can make a huge difference to developers. Anyway this is complaining from high street stores who don't stock much anyway, online retailers don't seem too concerned.

 

The only people that buy games within the first day or 2 are the fanboy following, most people wait and see some reviews first before they dump money in a game, just for its name. My point is piracy within the first day or 2 of release still cuts out of the most substantial part of the potential sales of a game. So in the end, for all the trouble they are putting on the consumers who buy these games, it is unjustifiable in my book, and I won't buy ANY more Steam games. They aren't really doing a whole lot to stop piracy, and they really can't and them trying just makes them look like the gamer Gestapo to anyone to buys these games, likes the games, but hates Steam. I don't pirate games, but lots of people who feel the same way I do, end up just pirating and not paying.

 

Developers have said time and again that the first few days are very important, people get impatient and will buy if they have the money and there is no alternative. Copies of games that get leaked early will also have an impact on pre-orders, the temptation to cancel a pre-order must be great if that person already have a working copy of the game. I really don't see the problem with Steam, you can use it offline, you don't need a disk, you can download and play your games on any PC wherever you are in the world and it has a social network that is just as good as anything consoles have to offer. If I see someone on my list playing something and fancy joining them it just tales just a couple of clicks and I'm there, even the likes of XBL can't do that without the user inserting the correct disk. They are also very supportive of modding and indie titles, something we should all applaud. As DRM Steam is one of the lesser evils, there are far worse horrors to be found on disks. Using Steam as an excuse for piracy is laughable and flies in the face of the other common excuse "I don't want to have to keep putting the disk in the drive", people will always make excuses for stealing games but I've yet to hear a convincing one. While other retailers abandoned the platform Steam kept going, if these high street retailers who are crying foul had had their way PC gaming would be dead by now.

 

Steam is also excellent for developers/publishers. Steam pays promptly unlike other retailers, it also lets them see sales in real time and lets them adjust prices accordingly. It provides networking and social functions along with DRM so publishers don't have to do any of that. Inventory and distribution isn't an issue, Steam has infinite copies that take up no space and cost very little to deliver. What is good for developers/publishers is ultimately good for us, if they're happy they'll continue to support the platform. If high street stores push this then there'll only be one winner and it won't be the stores.

 

 

I fully agree. Also, if it wasn't for the great sales that Steam has I would never have bought the slew of games I did during the holiday season including the now beloved, Divinity Dragon Knight saga. :)

[JimboUK]

Divinity Dragon Knight Saga is worth every penny even at full price.

[ShirleyShine]

I strongly feel that games should have with Steam - non-Steam choice.

Retailers are complaining, it's nothing new. If their marketing was properly done they would know what stock would move fast.

It would also help if the staff know their product. Retail is challenging. Make improvements and improve your business.

Whinning isn't going to change anything.

In regard to the distribution of games, if download is the only viable option for a small gaming company, so be it.

In my humble opinion though, established larger companies should give people an option in the purchase of their games.

Wether the choice be Ubi-soft, Steam or any such 'creature', the consumer should have the choice.

It seems to me that a cetain level of skill has to be present to steal games. By what ever method used.

Just because 'pirates' release corrupted games my feeling is, that if you don't steal by accessing them you will not be affected.

Just stay honest. If you don't, pay the price of thieving.

For the record, I prefer a physical copy. The artwork and manual I find satisfying. I do use my manual, and if there is a map, I enjoy useing that too. [even if I just frame it and hang it on the wall in my library on the wall next to my 'game' corner!] One of my treasured posessions is my Boxed Oblivion Goty. Ditto Morrowwind.

Edited January 11, 2011 by ShirleyShine

[brokenergy]

I would like to point out that it has nothing to do with pirates or consoles what soever. It has to deal that they are selling a competetor retailer within their retailship and traditional retailers feel angry that these are exclusive deals Valve made with publishers and developers. Exclusive deals are nothing new but wouldn't you feel a little peeved if you are forced to sell your competeor's brand? That's why you never see the home brands of some competetors supermarkets in lets say Walmart.

[hircines alpha werewolf]

Hmm, somthing started me on steam earlier today and i can't get off the topic...

 

I HATE IT! i have dial up and i can't play steam games. Sure that would be fine if all the games i wanted to play didn't come out on steam. And i can't get a better internet connection, like i say to everyone, i can only get dialup here. Satalite does not even work out here. (funny story By the way)

I would have less of a hate towards steam if it was more frendly to REALLY slow internet connections. All the Steam fan-boys (Yes, i shall forever now call anyone who pleads Steam's side a Steam fanboy. Not to insult anyone i just need a term and it seems so fitting due to the PS2 Vs Xbox360 console war just because it has almost no relevence! (if you dont see the comedy there, you need to see a doctor, now.) Besides the fact that it's a Steam Vs no Steam war.) If they ironed out the glitches, made it dialup friendly by making maybe a "Steam lite" for those of us who purchase the game as a HARD COPY, OMGWTFBBQ?! You're crazy! a hard copy! it's so easy to scratch! I have a pile, about ten years old, almost toutching the celing! (Lol) not one of those games are scratched. Hell, i found a demo disk from 04 that still works. Unlike the steam lovers a lot of people can acctualy take care of their game disks. As i've stated before another thing i've always liked about having a case and disk is the smell, yes. it's weird but go open a game case take a smell, makes you remember when you first got the game. (note: Nostalgia works best with old games(once again lol)) But back to my point, Either make Non-steam versions you buy in store and Steam versions you buy from steam (It's unthinkable to buy something directly from the website, isn't it?) Or have a "Steam Lite" that does not require a fast internet connection. Just give us people with Dialup or no internet a chance to play, like we used to.

 

Also on the case of Steam Piracy, My friend once gave me a Cracked version of some game, i can't remember what one. But i never installed it,(i also hate piracy by the way lol, I hate the two things i really can't change, just like me to pick impossible fights. :P) turned out a week later it contained a funny virus that made your CD drawer Open and close when ever you pressed Enter or Backspace. And turned the comp off when you hit Shift or space. Endless fun for people watching, Hours of pain for the owner of the comp.

 

Still my MAIN point (i have a lot of points dont i? but trust me, this is the pointiest of all the points.) is the fact that steam and other similar systems are taking the key part of computer gaming away from computer gaming! Acessability and freedom. Would TES have gotten this far if you had to Register online for say Morrowind? Oblivion Maybe (when it was first released) No, people would have said bugger this. But now it's all about making it simpler and easier for the people with the money and the acess to high speed internet. How do you think Console Players would react to you forcing them to have a Connection to their respective Network and just to press a button to play the game without the connection, or Force you to download the lastest patch before playing. The answer is Badly. There would be riots. a lot of console players (myself included i have an Xbox but dont use Xbox LIVE) dont play Multiplayer over their Consoles respective network.

It seems the only reason this hasn't happend for Console games is the fear of the reaction. Thats why There are not MMOs for the Consoles yet. Because Monthly subscription would cause trouble, especialy for Xbox Live users, TWO monthly subs?! once again i smell fear. (see what i did there, i smell fear... I like the smell of a new game... Huh...Huh...Uhh forget it...)

 

By the way if i have insulted anyone here today i did not mean to nor to i really understand why, I find it IMPOSSIBLE to be insulted VIA the internet. Seriously... That would be like geting insulted at rock formation or a random person on the street. if you react you're going to look silly. and what does that Rock/random crazy know about you? It's why i find cyber-bullying Pathetic, both for the person Doing the bullying because they are attacking a person with text presented to you on a screen. And the People who get depressed Because of cyber bullying for the same reason, Their too pathetic to do somthing to you face to face. Seriously.

 

Once again i must apologise if i insulted anyone with my apology... Uhh... But i must point out i'm not a random stuck up weirdo i have been the subject of bullying, i just never took it seriously. When you can laugh at someone antagonisning you due to the flaws in their argument they tend to leave VERY fast. or start a brawl. Either way i have won 80% of the time... well 75% then... (there was 3 of them, 1.5 of us... My friend was "distracted" by nearby females.

(once again (for the final time) Lol.)

 

I can't even stay on the topic of me hating steam. When i get typing a wall of text insues. Most of it Incomprehensable. :)

 

P.s. No offence! ^^

Edited January 17, 2011 by hircines alpha werewolf

[urbex]

Hmm, somthing started me on steam earlier today and i can't get off the topic...

 

I HATE IT! i have dial up and i can't play steam games. Sure that would be fine if all the games i wanted to play didn't come out on steam. And i can't get a better internet connection, like i say to everyone, i can only get dialup here. Satalite does not even work out here. (funny story By the way)

I would have less of a hate towards steam if it was more frendly to REALLY slow internet connections. All the Steam fan-boys (Yes, i shall forever now call anyone who pleads Steam's side a Steam fanboy. Not to insult anyone i just need a term and it seems so fitting due to the PS2 Vs Xbox360 console war just because it has almost no relevence! (if you dont see the comedy there, you need to see a doctor, now.) Besides the fact that it's a Steam Vs no Steam war.) If they ironed out the glitches, made it dialup friendly by making maybe a "Steam lite" for those of us who purchase the game as a HARD COPY, OMGWTFBBQ?! You're crazy! a hard copy! it's so easy to scratch! I have a pile, about ten years old, almost toutching the celing! (Lol) not one of those games are scratched. Hell, i found a demo disk from 04 that still works. Unlike the steam lovers a lot of people can acctualy take care of their game disks. As i've stated before another thing i've always liked about having a case and disk is the smell, yes. it's weird but go open a game case take a smell, makes you remember when you first got the game. (note: Nostalgia works best with old games(once again lol)) But back to my point, Either make Non-steam versions you buy in store and Steam versions you buy from steam (It's unthinkable to buy something directly from the website, isn't it?) Or have a "Steam Lite" that does not require a fast internet connection. Just give us people with Dialup or no internet a chance to play, like we used to.

 

Also on the case of Steam Piracy, My friend once gave me a Cracked version of some game, i can't remember what one. But i never installed it,(i also hate piracy by the way lol, I hate the two things i really can't change, just like me to pick impossible fights. :P) turned out a week later it contained a funny virus that made your CD drawer Open and close when ever you pressed Enter or Backspace. And turned the comp off when you hit Shift or space. Endless fun for people watching, Hours of pain for the owner of the comp.

 

Still my MAIN point (i have a lot of points dont i? but trust me, this is the pointiest of all the points.) is the fact that steam and other similar systems are taking the key part of computer gaming away from computer gaming! Acessability and freedom. Would TES have gotten this far if you had to Register online for say Morrowind? Oblivion Maybe (when it was first released) No, people would have said bugger this. But now it's all about making it simpler and easier for the people with the money and the acess to high speed internet. How do you think Console Players would react to you forcing them to have a Connection to their respective Network and just to press a button to play the game without the connection, or Force you to download the lastest patch before playing. The answer is Badly. There would be riots. a lot of console players (myself included i have an Xbox but dont use Xbox LIVE) dont play Multiplayer over their Consoles respective network.

It seems the only reason this hasn't happend for Console games is the fear of the reaction. Thats why There are not MMOs for the Consoles yet. Because Monthly subscription would cause trouble, especialy for Xbox Live users, TWO monthly subs?! once again i smell fear. (see what i did there, i smell fear... I like the smell of a new game... Huh...Huh...Uhh forget it...)

 

By the way if i have insulted anyone here today i did not mean to nor to i really understand why, I find it IMPOSSIBLE to be insulted VIA the internet. Seriously... That would be like geting insulted at rock formation or a random person on the street. if you react you're going to look silly. and what does that Rock/random crazy know about you? It's why i find cyber-bullying Pathetic, both for the person Doing the bullying because they are attacking a person with text presented to you on a screen. And the People who get depressed Because of cyber bullying for the same reason, Their too pathetic to do somthing to you face to face. Seriously.

 

Once again i must apologise if i insulted anyone with my apology... Uhh... But i must point out i'm not a random stuck up weirdo i have been the subject of bullying, i just never took it seriously. When you can laugh at someone antagonisning you due to the flaws in their argument they tend to leave VERY fast. or start a brawl. Either way i have won 80% of the time... well 75% then... (there was 3 of them, 1.5 of us... My friend was "distracted" by nearby females.

(once again (for the final time) Lol.)

 

I can't even stay on the topic of me hating steam. When i get typing a wall of text insues. Most of it Incomprehensable. :)

 

P.s. No offence! ^^

cool story bro

[lostone1993]

Hmm, somthing started me on steam earlier today and i can't get off the topic...

 

I HATE IT! i have dial up and i can't play steam games. Sure that would be fine if all the games i wanted to play didn't come out on steam. And i can't get a better internet connection, like i say to everyone, i can only get dialup here. Satalite does not even work out here. (funny story By the way)

I would have less of a hate towards steam if it was more frendly to REALLY slow internet connections. All the Steam fan-boys (Yes, i shall forever now call anyone who pleads Steam's side a Steam fanboy. Not to insult anyone i just need a term and it seems so fitting due to the PS2 Vs Xbox360 console war just because it has almost no relevence! (if you dont see the comedy there, you need to see a doctor, now.) Besides the fact that it's a Steam Vs no Steam war.) If they ironed out the glitches, made it dialup friendly by making maybe a "Steam lite" for those of us who purchase the game as a HARD COPY, OMGWTFBBQ?! You're crazy! a hard copy! it's so easy to scratch! I have a pile, about ten years old, almost toutching the celing! (Lol) not one of those games are scratched. Hell, i found a demo disk from 04 that still works. Unlike the steam lovers a lot of people can acctualy take care of their game disks. As i've stated before another thing i've always liked about having a case and disk is the smell, yes. it's weird but go open a game case take a smell, makes you remember when you first got the game. (note: Nostalgia works best with old games(once again lol)) But back to my point, Either make Non-steam versions you buy in store and Steam versions you buy from steam (It's unthinkable to buy something directly from the website, isn't it?) Or have a "Steam Lite" that does not require a fast internet connection. Just give us people with Dialup or no internet a chance to play, like we used to.

 

Also on the case of Steam Piracy, My friend once gave me a Cracked version of some game, i can't remember what one. But i never installed it,(i also hate piracy by the way lol, I hate the two things i really can't change, just like me to pick impossible fights. :P) turned out a week later it contained a funny virus that made your CD drawer Open and close when ever you pressed Enter or Backspace. And turned the comp off when you hit Shift or space. Endless fun for people watching, Hours of pain for the owner of the comp.

 

Still my MAIN point (i have a lot of points dont i? but trust me, this is the pointiest of all the points.) is the fact that steam and other similar systems are taking the key part of computer gaming away from computer gaming! Acessability and freedom. Would TES have gotten this far if you had to Register online for say Morrowind? Oblivion Maybe (when it was first released) No, people would have said bugger this. But now it's all about making it simpler and easier for the people with the money and the acess to high speed internet. How do you think Console Players would react to you forcing them to have a Connection to their respective Network and just to press a button to play the game without the connection, or Force you to download the lastest patch before playing. The answer is Badly. There would be riots. a lot of console players (myself included i have an Xbox but dont use Xbox LIVE) dont play Multiplayer over their Consoles respective network.

It seems the only reason this hasn't happend for Console games is the fear of the reaction. Thats why There are not MMOs for the Consoles yet. Because Monthly subscription would cause trouble, especialy for Xbox Live users, TWO monthly subs?! once again i smell fear. (see what i did there, i smell fear... I like the smell of a new game... Huh...Huh...Uhh forget it...)

 

By the way if i have insulted anyone here today i did not mean to nor to i really understand why, I find it IMPOSSIBLE to be insulted VIA the internet. Seriously... That would be like geting insulted at rock formation or a random person on the street. if you react you're going to look silly. and what does that Rock/random crazy know about you? It's why i find cyber-bullying Pathetic, both for the person Doing the bullying because they are attacking a person with text presented to you on a screen. And the People who get depressed Because of cyber bullying for the same reason, Their too pathetic to do somthing to you face to face. Seriously.

 

Once again i must apologise if i insulted anyone with my apology... Uhh... But i must point out i'm not a random stuck up weirdo i have been the subject of bullying, i just never took it seriously. When you can laugh at someone antagonisning you due to the flaws in their argument they tend to leave VERY fast. or start a brawl. Either way i have won 80% of the time... well 75% then... (there was 3 of them, 1.5 of us... My friend was "distracted" by nearby females.

(once again (for the final time) Lol.)

 

I can't even stay on the topic of me hating steam. When i get typing a wall of text insues. Most of it Incomprehensable. :)

 

P.s. No offence! ^^

 

 

I agree with you I live in a area while we have satilite our download is extremly limited, I like half-life2 but atm I have to download 4gb of patches just to play it.It takes me an hour to download 100mb, steam I have promblems with, why force us to download these patches for an offline game, just let me play already

 

also the curious bugs are enough to drive a sane person mad, for example I got disconnected while downloading off steam and all my games diapeared only after much fiddling and tech support was I able to get them back

 

Plus with steam its alright, when it works but i rather have a disc and no real complicated install ie put disk in drive install 10min or so later play nice and simple but I can understand why a shop would not stock steam games. average game ones with cd keys or with out online activation can be returned generaly without much trouble no one is hurt and so on but with steam or games that have to be registed online you can't return if something goes wrong,

[antonkr]

If the retailers quit selling PC games that are steam only, Steam sales might go up some, but it will also just encourage more people to pirate the games. So the manufacturers will lose money if this happens. Steam is mainly used for a DRM, but its not slowing pirates down at all, they crack steam releases within 1-2 days of release, every time. Steam is basically the DRM Gestapo, and it only effects people who who buy the games, not the pirates.

Well its the only DRM that actually doesn't piss me off and makes me throw my keyboard out of the window

[minngarm]

Well personaly I think that the reason brick and mortar stores have lacked in pc games is because for years weve been able to get our pc games via direct downloads even as legal purchases. While console games have always been hard copy only. Now with the new console generation they have tested, and confirmed that they are able to download full games directly for them as well. Hell all 3 consoles have download exclusive games (fat princess, battlefield 1943, etc etc.)

 

This now puts consoles on a "even" playing field when it comes to shopping options, as well as opens up the console market to more indie games, a field that has previously been dominated by a pc only market. The reason for this is that individuals/groups/small starter companys can not afford the mass advertising and production needed for hard copy sells to take real effect.

 

Now with consoles finaly catching up to the more basic aspects of the larger gaming community stores have been and will continue to adjust their onsite stock accordingly. You will see more shelf space for PC games, more exclusive pre-purchase content based on retailer, and hopefully a increase in pc gamers in general; as more and more console gamers are exposed to viable alternatives.

 

Basicly what im saying is that consoles have been stuck in the 80s of gaming and have only now just gotten into the 90s with downloadable content and full game downloading. Next will be the ability to create mods for each console variant and download them via the legitimate consoles browser. The line between consoles and pcs is narrowing rapidly and leaving the only real distinctions between the two the user input devices and the shorter lifespam of consoles vs pcs (as you can upgrade parts like all hell on a pc to get a good 10yrs out of it as a excellent, and then decent gaming platform while a console will die soon as the next generation system hits the shelf.)