'STEAM' - steampowered.com - PC Games

Chalky87

Hi all,

Just thought I would take this opportunity to vent my frustration at the company that is 'STEAM'. If you don't know them their software allows for the verification of PC Games over the internet (intended to stop piracy), they also sell downloadable versions of full games, and allow a user to access games through their account from numerous PC's.

However, my gripe is that once you've installed the game through STEAM (which you must do to play it) it then cannot be transferred to anyone else's computer. So, for example, if you've completed the game and want to give it away to say a charity, or sell it on eBay as cash is a bit tight, you can't!

It's a software developers dream as people cannot resell the game (which they purchased from a shop) onto anyone after use. Nor are they able to give it away to charity so they can make a bit of dosh for a good cause.

Basically this keeps PC game prices artifically high as the (cheaper) second hand market is reduced to zero copies available.

I just find it extremely frustrating that a) we the customer buy a PC game (which we then supposedly own) and cannot sell on the tangible good should we wish to at a later date. Thereby forcing the consumer to purchase a new game at increased cost and b) disenabling the 2nd hand seller to make some cash for themselves. c) I think it will actually turn people to pirated games, why pay £30 and be stuck with a game when you can get it for £5 or even free. Where as before at least you could pay £30 and maybe get £15 back when you'd done with the game!

If this was an old TV or piece of furniture would it be OK if the shop told us 'no you can't sell that on'? Especially since we're likely to buy the new one from the same supplier/brand!!

Anyway, just my thoughts :beer:

Atermis

steam is the best thing to happen to PC gaming in ages.

As a content delivery system it is up there.

if it bothers you so much go buy a game in the shops, which will no doubt will be loaded with DRM.

marleyboy

I was forced into STEAM when installing Quake4, personally cant stand it, it grinds your system resources and as you state stops you from selling the game on. Fortunately STEAM is crackable

Jakg

Most games on steam are also available in CD form, and many are even available cheaper that way...

Chalky87

They are available in CD/DVD but you still have to register them through STEAM to play, and this is part of my argument. You buy the physical CD but it has no value once you've installed it because you cannot sell it on.

Marleyboy makes the perfect point, many people will turn to the 'cracked' versions because of it. It's simply for greed on the part of the software developers who dislike the 2nd hand market.

PopeSock

Jakg wrote: »

Most games on steam are also available in CD form, and many are even available cheaper that way...

But the ones that are done by Valve, still force you to use Steam. Which is interesting because I've seen pre-owned games like Portal for sale in Gamestation. Anyone who buys the game will find that they can't activate it at all, so they're up the creek.

Mister-D_3

A quick point regarding "ownership" of the game. You do not own the game you own the right to install and play it. Most TOC's have a clause that says no resale as many people out there buy a game use some system to circumvent any copy protection and then either return the game for a refund or sell it on whilst still playing.

I personally think that Steam is great, I bought HL2 set up a Steam account and now I can throw the CD away as if I ever move PC's I can just install again. I have also bought games through Steam and I enjoy not having loads of discs floating about.

Chalky87

In that case what's the point in having the CD at all....why don't we all just download the game, and reduce the outgoings of those nice people over at the gaming companies who are struggling to make ends meet.

Popesock also makes a good point, I know many a gaming store that won't allow returns incase you've made a copy (especially PC games) but in this case you're rather stuck because it genuinely cannot be installed.

Also maybe I'm a bit more old school but I like to have something tangible to show for my hard-earned cash.

There is of course one easy solution...I won't be buying games which force STEAM upon me.:T

sporedude

Valve = One of the worlds best game developers. The whole idea of Steam is pure brilliant. Steam might be crackable, But take a cracked game online and VAC2 will disable your ability to play games online

marleyboy

Fortunately I am not the type of person who plays on-line gaming, I think its wrong that once purchasing such games, you then have to pay a further fee to play them on-line, (as in many on-line games).

Some of us are left with no choice but to CRACK certain games (particularly if they have STEAM), if for example you have bought a second hand game.

Its more principle to me, I want to buy games that are STEAM free, I refuse to entertain STEAM.

As has been said, the solution would be to download the game directly. (PS3 have such options) however I don't play PS3 games on-line either for the same principle.

gaming_guy

marleyboy wrote: »

however I don't play PS3 games on-line either for the same principle.

The Playstation Network is free to sign up to & play online games

i think you may be getting confused with xbox live where you have to shell out monthly to play online