Steam: Do you like it or not?


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#1 IanD967

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Posted 29 February 2012 - 09:29 AM

Taking this from the Introduction thread and putting it here :)


View PostStant123, on 29 February 2012 - 06:44 AM, said:

It's been confirmed Rebellion will require Steam for install, updates, and multiplayer, so yes, it will be on Steam.

Valve (Steam) treats it's customers as criminals first, gamers second.  For most people it doesn't matter and everything works out just fine for them, for others like me, it does matter.  Have had 2 accounts locked and banned because I'm a modder and a tinkerer and I play with files a lot.  They don't like that, assume you're hacking to pirate the game or something rather then just play with stuff to make things more interesting for yourself, and they drop the ban hammer and refuse to listen to explanations.  So I won't deal with them or have anything to do with their stuff until that little policy of theirs changes.  My personal choice, I don't rant about it, I'm not crusading against them, I think a lot of the features they provide are worthwhile and quality, I just won't be a part of it at this time is all.

If you got punished for changing files you knew you shoulden't be changing then why did you keep doing it?
As I have stated later on in this post there is only 1 thing I disagree with Steam but other than that I am ALL for it!

View PostThanatological, on 29 February 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

I hate the stereotype that valve treats customers bad. First and for most I have over 160 games bought via steam and I have never ever had a problem with them. The one time I did have a problem with them they were forthright and quick in dealing with an issue I did have.

I agree with this.


Although I too believe Steam doesn't actually treat customers bad there has been 1 single thing I personally disagree with and it did affect me a bit.
My account got hacked over Christmas and because it was Christmas Eve I had to wait a few days and I did send in a few emails over the days pleaded for updates but I knew they were not there and one day while bored I googled over people who got hacked and found out that if you get hacked and that hacker gets you VAC Banned and the Steam Support KNOW it wasn't you, they will still refuse to remove the VAC ban which is the only thing I disagree with.

Other than that though it really is a great thing! people complain about that they always need an internet connection for it or that you need to be constantly online for it but it is so very obvious you dont NEED any internet to use Steam unless you want to buy a game (which you would need the internet for anyway) because it does give you the option of "launch in offline mode".

#2 Thanatological

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Posted 29 February 2012 - 10:48 AM

"When you complete Steam's registration process, you create a Steam account ("Account"). Your Account may also include billing information you provide to us for the purchase of Subscriptions. You are solely responsible for all activity on your Account and for the security of your computer system. You may not reveal, share or otherwise allow others to use your password or Account. You agree that you are personally responsible for the use of your password and Account and for all of the communication and activity on Steam that results from use of your login name and password. You may not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account."

The problem lies in the fact they give you everything you need too prevent a hacker.  However, in the past when their servers were hacked the refunded entire accounts, and even lifted bans en mass. So in all fairness they must of had reason to believe it was failure  too protect the account properly. In which case they don't have to or even want too return your account too someone who's information could be compromised again.  For them its a law suit waiting too happen if they do.

As too the services they provide. Is pretty wells stated in my other post. But too broaden that we would be able to download without crashing a decided server as Steam would provide the download space for us.  They would also allow  people who don't trust unknown third party sides, and people who just want too be safe with their purchase too buy the game. Steam also provides you with your CD keys instead of a digital signature that a lot of direct download sites use.

Now this is my two cents and yes, even if they have their faults, they do provide the best services around.

#3 ElOhTeeBee

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Posted 29 February 2012 - 01:25 PM

I like Steam, simply for the convenience they offer.

That's what it comes down to, really. I'm lazy.

#4 Tearien

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Posted 29 February 2012 - 08:11 PM

I guess I'll drop my 2 cents. I like Steam and use it daily. Why? Well a decade or so ago when I moved out I had to hire a truck to move all my boxes. After moving into my first apartment I realized that most of my boxes were filled with CD cases, slip covers, manuals, stickers, posted notes and everything else that can hold a CD-key or might be needed to run the game. I'm not saying they were full of games just the pieces of paper needed to play them. When you are a gamer for a few decades, one who keeps every game mind you, you spend more time trying to find that one old game then actually playing it. With steam I just log in and my entire library is at my finger tips. Also I enjoy knowing what my friends are up to and the ease of friending and trying new stuff with people.

#5 reclearerr

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Posted 02 March 2012 - 11:07 AM

I like Steam. This is the best platform for finding new friends, playing excellent games and just chatting :)

#6 Dyne

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Posted 03 March 2012 - 11:17 PM

I have heard other such horror stories about Steam before. If they do indeed refuse to compromise on things like banning and whatnot, I think there is a serious problem with how they do business. I love the low prices, and I love the convenience of the service, but if I were to ever lose access to my games over a misunderstanding I would like to think they wouldn't treat their actions so concrete and irreversible.

I buy from Steam for security's sake; I believe out of all the digital distributors, they are least likely to go under. Yet with them I fear another issue: them taking away access to my game library. Honestly, they shouldn't legally be able to do such a thing.

#7 Thanatological

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Posted 05 March 2012 - 06:52 AM

View PostDyne, on 03 March 2012 - 11:17 PM, said:

I have heard other such horror stories about Steam before. If they do indeed refuse to compromise on things like banning and whatnot, I think there is a serious problem with how they do business. I love the low prices, and I love the convenience of the service, but if I were to ever lose access to my games over a misunderstanding I would like to think they wouldn't treat their actions so concrete and irreversible.

There is only one way too get banned...That is too violate the ToS. Which letting your account get compromised on your end is your fault. That alone makes any claims the users fault. Because steam provides all the security you need, people DISABLE it despite warnings from STEAM, that you may LOSE your account when you DO DISABLE them. So it is never a MISUNDERSTANDING. Its that people don't care too protect their account, and when someone breaches  it from the user end, they assume it is steams fault when it is not. Steam has protocols in place too protect the accounts once a their servers have been compromised.  Steam is also the only digital distributor that does not like to limit your download limit.

#8 IanD967

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Posted 05 March 2012 - 10:41 AM

View PostDyne, on 03 March 2012 - 11:17 PM, said:

I buy from Steam for security's sake; I believe out of all the digital distributors, they are least likely to go under. Yet with them I fear another issue: them taking away access to my game library. Honestly, they shouldn't legally be able to do such a thing.

I love using Steam for the fact that they are great with customers (on the whole), great value for money, easy to talk to and play with friends and I really have not had any really bad experiences with Steam Support as they have always helped me quickly and done what they could for me.

You do realise that when you buy games on programs such as Origin and Steam you do not own them, right? if you read the EULA and ToS you actually find out you are own renting them. You do not buy the license to own it at all and that is why they are legally able to deny or restrict your games regardless if you have bought them or not.

View PostThanatological, on 05 March 2012 - 06:52 AM, said:

There is only one way too get banned...That is too violate the ToS. Which letting your account get compromised on your end is your fault. That alone makes any claims the users fault. Because steam provides all the security you need, people DISABLE it despite warnings from STEAM, that you may LOSE your account when you DO DISABLE them. So it is never a MISUNDERSTANDING.

So what if a hacker gains access to your account and then uses hacks on a game and Steam Support KNOWS it is not you at all that is hacking, then they refuse to remove the ban when you get the account back?
Obviously it is the owners fault for making it easy to hijack but surely they cannot be held reponsible for what the hacker does when you cannot do anything at all to stop him while he is using hacks and what not.

#9 Thanatological

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Posted 05 March 2012 - 10:50 AM

Its because past users abused it...If not for that actions of a few the ToS would not of had too been changed too prevent them from returning the account.

#10 Vatticson

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 07:32 AM

I JUST like Steam and i dont know. I mean, when i see a new game announced... if its not having any Steam support i dont like it that much, because is cool to press shift+tab and talk to ur friends and all =D

I also like some offers they make, like one ive bought of Bejeweled 3 at 75% off (just wow!.)

#11 Rahdulf

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 07:52 AM

I have absolutely nothing against Steam. Hell, it's a very convenient service that holds most of my games in place and accessible with a few clicks. Other being GOG for old games.

#12 FrakkinToaster

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Posted 14 March 2012 - 09:36 AM

I've been using steam for years, and own over 160 games through them. Love their service, never experienced any problems.

#13 Zuihitsu

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Posted 02 April 2012 - 11:18 AM

I really like steam, my only hangup is that it can be difficult to return a game that doesn't work or has errors... many PC games release with gamebreaking bugs or the games may not run until patched a few times, so it can really suck to buy a game and have it broken with no recourse.  For an in-store purchase you can often return the games, for online you can only with a fair amount of difficulty.  Still, overall the convenience really outweighs the frustration :) great service.

#14 Nerv

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Posted 13 April 2012 - 12:19 PM

My opinion is that if the company wants you to install through steam that's fine, but forcing the customer to play the game, update, etc. via steam is unacceptable. It limits the ability to play the game and the automatic updates are inconvenient as well. Multiple times I've wanted to play a game and I have to wait 2-5 hours for an update instead, rather than playing now and updating over night like I normally would. The install should be the limit when gaming companies use steam, requiring us to use a 3rd party borders on paranoid.




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