Valve Releases New CS: Global Offensive Trailer

[yogi_berra]

That's entirely true, they often have good deals. But it's also true that it's not for the game, it's for a lease of the game, only valid for as long as Valve likes you. And having to use Steam, which is a DRM platform and thus malware.

So. Just don't cheat in multiplayer or set up multiple Steam accounts to mine achievements during their Christmas sales. As far as DRM goes Steam is far less intrusive (and far more convenient as a store) than anything else.

[KameZero]

While there are some (recent EA, Ubisoft) that are like that outside Steam too, many are not. This example may be old, but that C&C: RA in my shelf will stay playable to eternity as long as there's hw or emulator able to run it.

Simply put, do not buy something you only license, with always-on connection, or other DRM.

It may be playable but that doesn't necessarily mean you own it, did you actually read the license you agree to? Games and most other software have been "we are giving you the right to use this until we deem otherwise" for a long time.

Note: I don't actually know what c&c: RA's license is.

[curaga]

How is that different from buying a game from anywhere else? Including buying an actual DVD of the game. Gotta read those licenses you agree to.

While there are some (recent EA, Ubisoft) that are like that outside Steam too, many are not. This example may be old, but that C&C: RA in my shelf will stay playable to eternity as long as there's hw or emulator able to run it.

Simply put, do not buy something you only license, with always-on connection, or other DRM.

[KameZero]

But it's also true that it's not for the game, it's for a lease of the game, only valid for as long as Valve likes you.

How is that different from buying a game from anywhere else? Including buying an actual DVD of the game. Gotta read those licenses you agree to.

[curaga]

You'll miss out on a lot of exceedingly great deals. Like "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" for $4.99, just to list one price from the recent summer sale.

That's entirely true, they often have good deals. But it's also true that it's not for the game, it's for a lease of the game, only valid for as long as Valve likes you. And having to use Steam, which is a DRM platform and thus malware.

[yogi_berra]

I have no intention to buy anything from Steam.

You'll miss out on a lot of exceedingly great deals. Like "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" for $4.99, just to list one price from the recent summer sale.

[boot]

They don't require CC, only if you want to buy something and you have other options such as paypal and you can buy credit vouchers from gamestop (that is if you live in the USA).

[curaga]

The hw survey, for which they nicely ask for permission, is not what I mean.

Also, the topic was a free game as a launch promotion, I have no intention to buy anything from Steam. I'm under the assumption that they require the CC for such promotions too.

[boot]

The Steam Hardware Survey is opt-in, not mandatory, and thats the only information they gather from your computer. Except for platform..., they need to know wich OS you are using.

I don't see the issue with the credit card number, everytime you buy something with it, either digital or phisical the store always keeps that information or has a 3rd party who does that for them.

[curaga]

All the milk's already spilt at that point - it has to be online before it can go offline.

At that point they have your info, CC number, and as much data off your system as they managed to gather up to that point.

Please note that you must connect to the Steam Network and test each of the games you would like to use in Offline Mode at least once to set up your account and configure Offline Mode on your machine.