I just bought a new computer and I am using Steam for the first time. Got Portal for free and bought Crysis to test out my gaming laptop. I actually think Steam is pretty cool.

That being said this is nothing but a retarded rant and doesn't even have many good reasons to back his feelings up . How do you complain about how much others are willing to pay to play a game one day early?

I won't say steam is that expensive, and they have all their weekend sales and the famous Christmas sales too. Also we have to remember that game developers also have to earn some money.

Title should read, Steam: An Incoherent Whiners View

What a moaning article!!

If you don't like it, don't use it! Simple.

Deals on steam can be really good.

they currently got splintercell conviction deluxe along with Chaoas theory, Double agent, splintercell

all for 45usd. Thats a great deal imo.

I usually buy 4 pack version of games with friends. we get games at launch for 33-37usd a piece. We bought:

Borderlands
Left 4 dead2
Bioshock 2

For 33usd a piece at launch. Doesnt get any better then that.

steam = what would the console network be in the next generation

If you call yourself a PC gamer and don,t use steam,you are a lonley gamer.i play TF2 and lovin it all the way.how and the hell these articles get approved is beyond me.steam is a blessing to gaming,PERIOD!!! steam motivated XBOX LIVE to start doing sales on there marketplace.as usual n4g has a new house,but same ole residents.this article fails extremely

The majority of this guys points are just him not liking a few really minor quirks that come with using steam. Things like the add and having the homepage for steam be the store really isn't that big of a deal. Games forcing you to sue steam I guess I can understanding being a downside if you wont want to use it and could definitely be an downside if you have dial up or just a cruddy connection but anytime i;ve lost my connection on steam in the past the game keeps running anyways for the most part. I don't know if that has changed recently though. As for prices sure dawn of war may not be priced well but they have a nice little 5 bucks off on most pre orders which you don't get at other places and sales that offer amazing deals. For the new season of sam and max and the new monkey island episodic games were both 35 bucks each for the whole thing. I bought both for only 30! That's what makes steam awesome!

One kids opinion, poorly stated.

Lots of people have used Steam since the launch of CS 1.6, and yeah it sucked but it's improved stability wise and the functionality it adds isn't matched by anything available (Maybe Xfire I guess). I had 56K when HL2 came out and I made it just fine when I had to activate my copy on Steam, it's pc software sometimes it doesn't play nice.

None of the authors points are backed up and a lot of it is just whining. The Xbox dumps you to the Spotlight(ads) on NXE and the PS3 starts you looking at recent PSN releases, it's just the reality of running a business. Also those little advert boxes are for your benefit, bringing attention to deals and other Steam/game related news. It's a small movement of your mouse to close this window, anyways.

Could we just not publish anymore articles from this website?

*Wrong post*

I hated Steam when it first came out but now I wouldn't wanna miss it.

I have no problems with Steam as a games distribution service, and can see the many benefits in using it.

What I have a big problem with is when a publisher/developer uses it as a form of DRM software. For example, Retail copies of games that require activation can be a pain if you either have a slow Internet connection, or plan on selling the game afterwards. Although registering is relatively simple, any game updates can be almost impossible to download if you're using dial-up. Without these offline mode can't be enabled, making the game unplayable to anyone without access to a broadband connection.
For example, I purchased a hard copy of AVP in February, I can't install the game without taking my PC to my friends house, as Steam requires you to download updates in excess of 170mb, something not possible on a dial-up connection. Why a game must be fully updated before you can play it offline in single player mode is beyond me.

I agree with this guy in regards to mandatory installs, but having a problem with ads and pricing is a bit stupid if you have no plans on buying something directly from Steam anyway.

Again, I don't have a problem with the service it provides, just don't force it on people who may not want to use it.

@Matthew94

Broadband coverage is still pretty poor here in the UK, and because I live in a rural area, I can't even receive basic 512Kbps speeds.

The folks that don,t like steam are the one,s that don,t game on PC.@TOBEBECK steam in not expensive and has some of the best deals out there.this article reeks of anti-valve and fanboy propaganda.

Steam is about one of the first things i would install when setting u a new OS.

You can,t buy half a horse and expect to ride.if you don,t have high speed internet,perhaps you should take up another hobby.i,m not trying to insult you by no means,but online game using dial-up is useless.you have a choice,use steam or not use it.steam is free to join you know?

As a Mac owner Steam is a blessing, as games are very hard to come by for my iMac, and it gives me a chance to play Valves games as well, being a neglected PS3 owner.

I love Steam best service for pc gamers!

Steam is absolutely brilliant. There are one or two janky things about it, but the bigger picture negates them almost every time. The deals are the best i've seen on any service, ever. The community is great, as are all the community features.

*Begin Rant*
First, people with dialup should just pony up for better internet. Last time i checked its not that expensive for higher speeds.
*End Rant*

That said, steam is one of the best things to happen to the pc gaming scene. Although like many people I disliked it when converting from 1.5 to 1.6 (read downgrading in quality for CS), as a DD network its untouched in terms of quality. At times the offline mode can be frustrating, but the sheer ability to move / reinstall my collection of games whenever I want, as well as not have to keep up with both discs AND cdkeys. Also the ability to connect and play with my friends easily without using xfire or other social software (like crapspy) makes the current iterration even better. Also the ability to get great discounts on software is just icing on the cake.

I hate steam, games are overpriced, new games often costing mroe than games at retail, ( lol ), and steam updates frequently break offline mode.

I think some of the comments here are missing the point. Sure, the writer points out that he does dislike Steam (period) which is his opinion. In his article he explains his reasoning for this and while you may agree or disagree with advert popups or automatically being pointed to 'The Store', surely you cannot disagree with the prices issues? OK the example has become flawed with the recent pricing change, but his facts were spot on at the time of writing.

Granted, Steam isnt the only provider to adpot the "we can get away with whatever price we like for digital downloads" approach - XBOX Live still sell full games at the RRP when you can get them elsewhere for up to half that price. But the article is based on the poor points of Steam, not "why Steam is the worst"

Just to clarify, I have used Steam for many years and adverts etc do not bother me. The only ridiculous issue I have had with it was when HL2 was released and I didnt have an internet connection due to moving house - meaning I couldnt play the game at all. I have only bought one game from the store (Left4Dead) and only on a whim. There may be some fantastic deals on there (now) but shopping around in general has led me to buy games elswhere for cheaper.

Oh well at least I can save more money

Mine was q2 2022 anyway so I can wait. I'll have my Evercade VS and Playdate to keep me occupied. Oh, and my PS5 of course. Roll on GT7!

Mine said "q1 2022" and now it's "after q2 2022" meaning halfway into the year at q3. This sucks, I was holding off all my new purchases for steamdeck but I guess I'll carry on like normal now .

I'm working on getting a Switch OLED right now but I do plan on getting this and an Xbox Series X next year. Hopefully those will be more readily available when the time comes.

Guess I'll be waiting a bit longer lol.
I haven't been this excited for a piece of tech in a long time.

Mine is pre ordered so don't care. Take as long as you need. When the time comes that they ship I know I'll have one.

I don't think this will ever be mainstream will be a niche product

Bummer, but can definitely wait. This holiday is going to destroy my bank account anyway. Waiting a bit has never really hurt me anyhow. Still can't wait for Feb.