Experiences with Steam

ProPain · 13-06-2010, 18:46

Iirc at least Shabba uses steam, but maybe others do as well. I've always been more of the CD/DVD buying kind, but with junk coming out of my ear the idea of someone else storing my games for me doesn't sound bad at all.

Wondering how people experiences with Steam are and if you can tell me anything about the support period they handle. Will they keep your purchases online forever or will they terminate old games eventually?

Furiey · 13-06-2010, 21:28

I recently signed up for steam during the free portal offer. I also had a free copy of the new Alien v Predator with the graphics card on my new PC (activation code, no disc) and I then picked up a copy of Empire Total War for £7 (retail disc with activation code). So 2 games to download, one with an activation code and another to install from disc and activate. The disc certainly saved a big download, but otherwise all 3 games installed without a flaw on W7 x64. There is no stated limit to how long they will support the games and they say if they ever do no longer support the games they will unlock them to no longer need steam. Of course there's nothing to stop them changing their mind. The disc did save a large download which could be an issue if you have a slower connection. Considering the issues I had with the copy protection in Civ 4, it seems a less intrusive way. It can be a bit annoying in offline mode as it still checks for a connection and if it finds one asks you if you want to go online. I see so many issues in the technical support with damaged discs though, and one of my Civ 4 discs is very tempramental, so I can see I will be tempted when they have things on offer. Civ 3 complete for £2.99 is tempting at the moment.

Shabbaman · 13-06-2010, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furiey

There is no stated limit to how long they will support the games and they say if they ever do no longer support the games they will unlock them to no longer need steam. Of course there's nothing to stop them changing their mind.

It's not completely true. It's not set in stone (but then they could still change their mind), but Valve's Gabe Newell said that he suspected they'd remove the DRM from a game if they could no longer support it. Mind that he was speaking about Valve games, not about games using Valve's program. But if you check your EULA you could find out if there's a limit to your usage of your purchase.

ProPain · 13-06-2010, 21:57

Got myself a steam account and bought elder scrolls on the weekend offer. Added you both as friends, that is I;m sure I have the right Shabbaman but not sure if I got the right furiey

Furiey · 13-06-2010, 22:11

There's more than one Furiey?

Yes, right one. I hadn't activated my community profile though which I have now done.

akots · 13-06-2010, 22:38

Steam is not bad. A bit annoying but manageable after all. Biggest advantage is that no disc is needed.

Shabbaman · 14-06-2010, 15:34

You could join this steamgroup, then you're sure you're talking to the right people.

ProPain · 14-06-2010, 19:27

joined that steamgroup

ProPain · 15-06-2010, 23:34

So how's that planeswalker game Shabba?

Shabbaman · 16-06-2010, 17:53

Haven't started it yet. I only got it because some guys from my TF2 clan forced me.

13-06-2010, 18:46	#1
ProPain Customized Admin :) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sailing the seas of cheese. Posts: 5,852	Experiences with Steam Iirc at least Shabba uses steam, but maybe others do as well. I've always been more of the CD/DVD buying kind, but with junk coming out of my ear the idea of someone else storing my games for me doesn't sound bad at all. Wondering how people experiences with Steam are and if you can tell me anything about the support period they handle. Will they keep your purchases online forever or will they terminate old games eventually? __________________ I fed my Dog the American Dream Well, he rolled over and he started to scream He said, I dig the taste of salt but it don't keep me alive yeah, yeah

13-06-2010, 21:57	#4
ProPain Customized Admin :) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sailing the seas of cheese. Posts: 5,852	Got myself a steam account and bought elder scrolls on the weekend offer. Added you both as friends, that is I;m sure I have the right Shabbaman but not sure if I got the right furiey __________________ I fed my Dog the American Dream Well, he rolled over and he started to scream He said, I dig the taste of salt but it don't keep me alive yeah, yeah

13-06-2010, 22:11	#5
Furiey King Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bedfordshire UK. Posts: 1,031	There's more than one Furiey? Yes, right one. I hadn't activated my community profile though which I have now done. Last edited by Furiey; 13-06-2010 at 22:20.

13-06-2010, 22:38	#6
akots Nebuchadnezzar II Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Glover Park Posts: 4,459	Steam is not bad. A bit annoying but manageable after all. Biggest advantage is that no disc is needed. __________________ Cujusvis hominis est errare; nullius, nisi insipientis in errore perseverare Ciceron (Marcus Tullius)

14-06-2010, 15:34	#7
Shabbaman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Costa La Haya Posts: 8,493	You could join this steamgroup, then you're sure you're talking to the right people. __________________ "Our spam is backed with COMETS!"

13-06-2010, 21:28	#2
Furiey King Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bedfordshire UK. Posts: 1,031	I recently signed up for steam during the free portal offer. I also had a free copy of the new Alien v Predator with the graphics card on my new PC (activation code, no disc) and I then picked up a copy of Empire Total War for £7 (retail disc with activation code). So 2 games to download, one with an activation code and another to install from disc and activate. The disc certainly saved a big download, but otherwise all 3 games installed without a flaw on W7 x64. There is no stated limit to how long they will support the games and they say if they ever do no longer support the games they will unlock them to no longer need steam. Of course there's nothing to stop them changing their mind. The disc did save a large download which could be an issue if you have a slower connection. Considering the issues I had with the copy protection in Civ 4, it seems a less intrusive way. It can be a bit annoying in offline mode as it still checks for a connection and if it finds one asks you if you want to go online. I see so many issues in the technical support with damaged discs though, and one of my Civ 4 discs is very tempramental, so I can see I will be tempted when they have things on offer. Civ 3 complete for £2.99 is tempting at the moment.

14-06-2010, 19:27	#8
ProPain Customized Admin :) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sailing the seas of cheese. Posts: 5,852	joined that steamgroup __________________ I fed my Dog the American Dream Well, he rolled over and he started to scream He said, I dig the taste of salt but it don't keep me alive yeah, yeah

15-06-2010, 23:34	#9
ProPain Customized Admin :) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sailing the seas of cheese. Posts: 5,852	So how's that planeswalker game Shabba? __________________ I fed my Dog the American Dream Well, he rolled over and he started to scream He said, I dig the taste of salt but it don't keep me alive yeah, yeah

16-06-2010, 17:53	#10
Shabbaman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Costa La Haya Posts: 8,493	Haven't started it yet. I only got it because some guys from my TF2 clan forced me. __________________ "Our spam is backed with COMETS!"