I would like to comment...
I resisted any steam game for years. But then I wanted to play Supcom2...
Wanted to to try Demo first, But you need steam to DL it, WTF?
Had some extra cash and had to decide C&C4 or Supcom2... Gave C&C4 the finger and blew $50.00 on Supcom2.
Got home and went to install it, first thing it does is install STEAM...
Look, I get that fact that you should get online at least once to REGISTER a game, but for someone like me who occasionally loses access to the internet cause of finances (I won't get into it but for example I once went without cable TV for 7 years cause Dail up internet was MORE IMPORTANT).
So now you have basically a control program demanding to be run before the game launches that forces you to be online.
I just turned off the net for a sec to run Supcom2, first thing it does is update steam and unless you're online that's where the process stops.
Following blacked out for the "sensitive" types.
If your game has a single-player mode and is not categorized as an MMO or a hybrid of one you have no right to force customers who paid you damn money to connect to anyone or anything just to play your game after they registered their legal copy.
All bull**** aside, yes I know I only own the physical disk and you developers "Own" the content on it. That's fine and should be like that.
But no one has the right to explicitly determine where or when an individual can access said content.
IF you buy MMO cards for time access that's ONE thing. That is an additional fee that some people save up for to treat themselves or others choose not to participate at all.
I used to be an EverQuest I player, but that $5.00 extra jump killed my finances back then so I had to give it up.
There are a few reasons I play AO occasionally. IT's FREE, It's fun, and as long as the servers are up it's game time. The paid functionality is optional for more content, not basic content, which is much more vast than any other "MMO" out there with a similar arraignment.
According to Funcom's C.E.O., the "Froob" marketing campaign is a success and has kept Funcom in the black as far as AO section is concerned. Good for them.
Now back to Steam.
I paid my money and entered my DRM code, that disk only works for me if you have one time registration on installation (same info even if I use another comp after an upgrade or visiting long term somewhere).
Having a user needlessly jump through an EXTRA hoop just to enjoy the software they bothered to pay for is just another feather in the pirate camp.
If some guy on the street had a steam cracked game for $25.00, (you know like the guy who comes around your workplace and has speakers or DVD's and what not, for sale every other month), I would seriously consider it for a moment.
Pros: No steam
Cons: No, or limited-lan, multiplay. If disk is damaged or causes some physical error can't return it to "store". You're hurting the developer.
Addition new Pro: You're hurting the developers. :drevil:
[let's just say a Pirate Emoticon for conversations here would be an interesting option...]
Rant ended.
Oh I just supported Atari and Bioware by buying the Witcher and DragonAge.
And BTW I just looked on the back of my Supcom2 box, VALVE is not listed on it! Unless you KNEW GPG is Valve's (censored), a customer would unknowing get saddled with steam and would be forced to keep it in this day and age of software. They could only return it for another disk of the same game if it were damaged.
"Cause of Pirates". So now every customer is a pirate the moment you buy a game, nice...
Thus the importance of trying demos before you buy any software. A costly lesson to learn each and every time you fail to do so. Grilling your local games merchant is mandatory now "Do I need steam to play this f-ing game? yes? Bye..."
I broke my boycott of Valve/steam this one time, never again...