- With Steam I have the option to play in "Offline" (internet-less) mode. I can play the games that do not require internet connection. There's no 24-hour grace period for online verification. I have logged offline for days.

- Theoretically, I can share my Steam games with my friend, provided that I allow them to log-in with my account. They can either download my library or copy from my hard disk. Only one of us can go "Online" mode, and are limited to playing only offline games. I haven't personally tried this.

The difference is that I bought Alan Wake CE + Alan Wake American Nightmare for a dollar. The difference is that I bought all Serious Sam games for 4 dollars. The difference is that I bought all GTA games up to 4 including all DLC episodes for 10 dollars.

Price tags are the difference. For me at least. I'm sure there are people that buy day 1 directly on steam, as stupid as it sounds.

There is way too much common sense and reasonable discussion in this thread. It is very much lacking in the frothing hatred and extreme outrage that is currently required on every Microsoft-related thread on the internet.

I'm joking, if you couldn't tell (actually I'm having a quite reasonable discussion myself with someone in another thread who doesn't agree with Microsoft's new policies. It's quite nice).

Steam does have some amazing sales!  But aren't they usually older games that you can get for about the same price used?  I have a steam account, just don't use it very often. 

I have to say though, you can get some good deals on Xbox too if you watch for specials.  I got a full digital Alan Wake for $5. 

They are promoting more 'half price' periods on DLC every week and month.  The best one seems to be during the Holiday December – January time.  I wish they would have another season like that.

And ocassionaly, they give a way a game for free. 

The thing about this thread is there are certain things we can only assume. What if due to these policies MS set, prices start to end up very similar to those on Steam? I think we will have a better understanding of this after release.

I think they also said you can use your cell phone (if it has broadband internet) to check in

Cause you can choose to not buy steam retail games, on x1 is mandatory on all games also Steam is on PC not a console.

The games are usually 6 months to 3 years old. Steam also has an awsome holiday sale around the same time

The difference is, with Steam you can at least buy games at a bargain (often $5-$10 for full retail games). Even though the system still sucks, at least you get screwed out of a lot less money. With Xbone, it's like the shitty aspects of Steam, combined with the overpriced $60 full-retail games.. Sounds like a great deal to me!

There are always full retail games on sale for consoles, too!

There are different retailers in direct competition so you can find good deals there as well. Steam shop has no competition on steam.