How to avoid unnecessary DRM
- Thread starter Kinghillard
- Start date
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
- Status
Crusader Kings 2 has a Gamersgate version. The in game store uses Gamersgate coins, it's great. I love it. Just put down $90 for the complete collection a week ago.
If they release a EU4 standalone version or Gamersgate version, I'll buy it.
If not, it's a lost sale. steam will never go on my computers.
They don't have to care, it's just what it is.
If they release a EU4 standalone version or Gamersgate version, I'll buy it.
If not, it's a lost sale. steam will never go on my computers.
They don't have to care, it's just what it is.
Don't be so categorical.
I'm not a big fan of steam myself and I try to avoid it if possible, but they have make a lot of mileage and steam is far better than what it was 5 years ago. You can always only open steam to activate and update your game if you hate it that much: don't miss a great game for steam.
The problem I have with Steam is they require you to install their Game Purchasing Software in order to play a game you bought some place else. Even if it's a hardcopy DVD from a brick and motar store.
They do this so you will be all setup to make all your future purchases from them. The idea is that Steam is already there, it has to be, and you won't bother looking at their competitors when you buy future games.
Such anti-competitive policies are not only unethical, but likely illegal. Just like Microsoft had to pay massive fines for using similar tactics with IE. But lawsuits are slow and they were too late to save Netscape et al. Microsoft had to change their practices, but they already achieved their goal of putting all competitors out of business. And it was years before Mozilla and others were able capitalize on those rulings and get market share into the browser industry and we could get a decent browser again.
The last thing we want as game consumers and game developers is for one company to do the same thing to the gaming industry. It's bad for customers, it's bad for developers, it's bad for game pricing, it's bad for product quality, and it's lethal to other digital distributors.
Steam will never go on my computers. Simple as that.
I have Steam installed, but I still buy most of my games on GG, so it doesn't really work for them
But, if a GG game has a steam code I can register, I'm very happy - downloading games from GG requires a lot of work - I bought HoI3 collection on GG and now when I want to install it, I have to download 20 things (DLCs and expansions) and install them one by one.
Steam does all of that for you.
I wouldn't mind if GG had the same kind of manager app, instead of those microdownloaders for every single thing. They work great if I have one big game to download, but with DLCs...
Paradox's Crusader Kings 2 has a Gamersgate In-Game Store. You can buy your DLCs using Gamersgate's bluecoins directly from the game and it installs directly from the game, no other downloads. It works great, and the prices are all exactly the same as they would be if you bought them on the website. I love it.
That's the model Paradox should continue with.
And all this without having to install any 3rd party crap that keeps services running even when their app isn't, and that monitors what programs you have installed, like Steam does.
It's not like Steam can control your brain, if you want to look elsewhere for games literally nothing is stopping you. Personally I think Steam is great, but I buy my games from a variety of sources, Steam/Amazon/Gamersgate/GMG - whichever has the best price/offer. Between Steam's constant sales and the other stores giving frequent offers to entice people to choose them over Steam I fail to see how you can complain about pricing. There's nothing unethical about Steam wanting you to buy from them, and there's nothing stopping you from setting up a shortcut and launching your games without ever looking at the Steam Store. Feel free to not use Steam, but most of your fears seem unfounded.
I know about that, and doesn't work that good. I didn't know at first that I have to press "reinstall" on every DLC I have, I assumed that it would install them automaticaly, as they were marked as bought (I buy them from GG page, not from the game itself).
When I bought four new DLCs at recent sale, I had to look for them and reinstall them manually. And when you click on it, you have to wait while it finishes downloading it - Steam does it all in the background.
In game store is a step in right direction, but it the alternative is still better.
Oh, and Steam also have an overlay, so I don't have to quit the game to check something on this forum.
Also the CK2 method led me to re-purchasing a DLC I had already as it does not check properly.
Nevertheless, most countries, including the US found such practices illegal, fined Microsoft and forced them to change the practices. Steam will eventually end up in court for it. Sooner hopefully rather than later before they do even further damage to the industry and competitors.
Steam is not the one that forces you to install games into Steam. Publisher of the game forces you to install it into Steam. So if you want to sue someone, sue publishers (like Paradox, I guess?).
True, but marketing is also about finding out what's in your brain and create a demand for it. Media science 101. Whenever you close down a steam game, they put an advertisement pop up in your face. They're not controlling your brain, but they certainly do try.
Before I downloaded Steam I owned about 2 PC games and was a console only gamer. Now I have over 30 (might not sound that much but it is still a significant amount in a few years for myself) and constantly adding more. I've recently got into the Steam Greenlight scene and help fund a cool city builder I would really like to see. Furthermore the Steam sales are completely amazing and I generally only buy when they are on. I couldn't imagine anybody actually having Steam on their computer and being so brainwashed that they would feel like they have to buy from only Steam.
Yes I am one guy, but I am sure there are many like me who have only increased the PC gaming share due to buying more games from using the amazingly easy to use Steam.
That's an easy to disable optional feature, turn it off if you don't like it.
If you have a problem with all marketing that's another issue altogether and not something unique to Steam. Do you also avoid watching TV/listening to radio/using public transport or even just going out in public at all to avoid all the billboards and posters everywhere?
Public service broadcasting. As for the rest, it's what I'm saying. Find stuff in your brain to create a demand.
Since adds are everywhere, I cannot understand they still work. Most of the time my brain just filters them out.
Also: Swedish public broadcast doesn't have adds?
It's actually only once a day the ad pops up after a game session. If you have several gaming sessions you will only see the ad once.
From my experience though they only show newly released games on those ads, I don't think they scan your gaming history and only show you games from the same genre you've recently played, they show you the games released that day or very recently.
Besides you can close down the ad before it even has time to load, it's not really like a TV ad that goes on for 2 minutes.
Since adds are everywhere, I cannot understand they still work. Most of the time my brain just filters them out.
Also: Swedish public broadcast doesn't have adds?
The only effective ads I have ever seen are TV beer/cider ones, Budweiser ones are good
BUT they don't make me buy Bud, as I dislike it, they just make me realise how nice a beer would be now. Because when is isn't a nice time to have a cold beer?On the internet though, I don't even notice them any more. I don't think I've ever read a Steam ad.
I'm not complaining. I love Steam. But they do try to make you buy games in several ways, if it's not through ads or sales, it's bundles or free trials. And since EUIV requires steam to install it, discussing the ethics is reasonable.
And why is that unethical? I love free game trials then I can see if I like it. If nothing I get to play a free game for a bit. They can't make you buy anything, they try to persuade you to buy more games. But what other game company doesn't? You walk into a game store and it has deals, ads and sometimes pushy staff to try and sell games. You go onto an on line dealer & the same thing (minus the staff). etc.
If you are talking about using Steam (because a company makes you) to play a game then that is different. But that is one ad per day which can be closed before it loads & hardly gets in your face. You just stay in the library part.
Lastly, if you don't want to even do that you can simply just start it through the .exe file. Sure some games need Steam to operate but you can just keep it in the background. In Paradox's case (unless you want MP) you don't ever have to see Steam after the initial installation.
- Status