VALVe and DRM

[ssj12]

Soleron said:

vlad321 said:

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Why would you want to copy games other than for backups, which you don't need? Why would you cheat in a VAC secured server, do it in single-player or in non VAC servers? You consent to the data gathered when you accept the ToS, if you read it. If you can't meet Valve's min requirements then you REALLY can't run the games they make, they are extremely lax as they are. Again, the point is for you not to copy and resell games, reselling is equivalent of pirating except that it's legal. I haven't heard of out of region playing to be honest so I don't know how big of a problem that is.

 

Some of which are valid points. But DRM is anything that restricts freedom to use the purchase within the law, no matter how well-intentioned it is or how much you personally can't see the problem. It's still a contradictory position to criticise EA and DRM in general while having a platform that relies on it.

Now, as to what level of DRM is "acceptable", we can debate forever. I can see why Steam isn't a problem to most people, including you or me; that doesn't stop me from being against it in principle.

 

Steam's DRM is not intrusive like SecuROM. This is Gabe's entire thing. He is attacking SecuROM and SecuROM like DRM.

And what is this about that you couldnt install Portal on your GF's computer? I have Steam installed on 3 different computers at my house. As long as you arent logged in to Steam on one of the other computers your free to use your account where ever you want to. Download and install the games where ever you want to. For single player games as long as you have the main files backed up you can use offline mode. Steam is not the DRM anyone should have real issues with as its just there to protect the body of the games installed using it unlike SecuROM which embeds itself into you OS kernal making it so that its nearly impossible to get rid of unless the publisher releases an uninstaller for the game's SecuROM files, go through 20 steps of removal that if you screw up one step you will be reformatting your PC, or you just plain reformat the OS to get rid of it.

 

here is one of the comments at GamePolitics about this.

yeah steam IS a form of drm... but i find the BENEFITS i get from steam FAR outweigh any negatives. Thats the point. What benefit do consumers get from securom? None...

 

What benefits do i get from steam?

With steam, i can buy a new computer, install steam and *wham* like 15 games i own are all Downloaded for me without having to go through each box installing them pulling out CD keys, and changing discs for several hours.

I can quickly and easily see if my friends are playing a game, and, from windows, click join game, and stick back and let steam do the work.

I can play ALL my games offline. ( I havent experienced any of the problems with offline play mentioned in other posts, and ive been using steam for several years on several systems).

I get instant patches updating my game when they are released. No waiting around n downloading and manually applying patches.

 

What negatives do i get from steam?

I have to be online ONCE for a split second to 'activate' the game. Thats pretty much it....