| WilliamWatts said: I remember the same outcry when Steam activation for Half Life 2 was announced. The exact same responses and now Steam is the saviour of PC gaming. Look at how far we've come. |
Those that cried out when Steam came along are still not using Steam. I know because I'm one of them. With Steam you no longer "own" any games you buy, you are on a long term rental. If Valve decides that I should not have access to a game any more, I can no longer play a game I paid for. Now Steam was a step in the right direction when to came to digital distribution (and has some value adding features), but until it has a system more like GoG, I'm not making the jump to any games that are tied to their platform. And once again, Steam did nothing to stop piracy, it just stops the second hand market (which is more of a threat because these people are willing to pay money for your game, unlike most pirates, yet you don't see the money) and allows for statistics tracking (which can then be sold to advertisers, think targeted advertising).
If I was a console gamer (I am, but I prefer PC), I would also be concerned about moves the companies make on PC. Once they proclaim their methods reduced piracy and the market is happy to accept it (usually because they attach it to a big name title which is going to sell anyway and the masses who aren't technically inclined don't know better), consoles will start requiring 24/7 access too. No longer will you be able to head around to your friends house with that game you just bought (cause it will be tied to your console) and the rental market will also be killed. This move is not good for consumers (and as other have pointed out, they erode YOUR rights as a gamer), yet they are currently happy to bend over and take it all in the name of "stopping piracy". Which it doesn't do.
Meanwhile, the pirates will continue to enjoy uninhibited gaming.
Essay Pro