What are people's problems with using Steam?

Hey guys!

I was just bored now and was browsing the PC games section of Newegg. I came across a lot of recent games like DoW2, Empire: Total War, etc that all had many (not just one upset review) that often had a one liner bash at Steam. Like "you have to register/install this piece of shovel ware."

Now, I use Steam practically everyday for years now and I have yet to reallly find a large issue with it. It keeps all of my games online, I can easily download to a new computer, and auto updates them for me. It doesn't take up a lot of resources to run, and the relatively newer Steam friends overlay works pretty well.

So, my question is, what do people have against Steam?

 

Well, i really hate the fact that i can put my steam folder on a external HDD and never have to reinstall anything.
And the whole thing about downloading if i lose the disc? terrible.
Especially when they have games for like $5 for the weekend too, HATE IT!

 

I don't like the fact that if my network goes down, i can't play any of my games.

I know there's the 'go offline' mode, but you have to be online to use it!

Apart from that, no major criticisms, apart from price maybe. But then, I very rarely buy games so couldn't really care less about a few € extra here or there.

 

I think the main problem is with the people who have troubles connecting to internet for the whole updating thing with STEAM.

 

Steam is pretty good system, i have nothing against it. People just hate the having an extra program running for playing games and the protection stuff.

No you dont, you just need to have your login saved.

 

heh, I really hope most people who play the type of games that are listed on Steam actually have a regular internet connection...otherwise what's the point?

True, I hate having extra programs running...but when its an awesome program that can help you organize, and keep your games forever...what's to hate?

 

i agree i like it. its another program i have to install but it helps me and doesn't hurt so i dont care.

most people hate it because they do not want to have to install anything, they have issues with not being able to do that they want. They do not like HAVING to install somethign to play it .....which is kinda funny when you have to install the game to play it

 

Eh, I wouldn't say I have a problem with Steam, but I would rather not be beholden to someone else, validating a legit purchase, connecting to the server to verify I'm who I say I am, holding my license, that kind of stuff. Although I also realize Steam is the best of what's out there, so that's why I use it. All this DRM stuff just ends up inconveniencing the person who follows the rules anyway. But what's the point in arguing, it's only going to get worse.

 

True, I fully trust Valve at this point to uphold their great service. My only complaint in regards to DRM and Steam, is they allowe 3rd party developers to have their own DRM schemes (like limiting # of install) on games like Far Cry 2 for example. That part really annoys me...but since it affects just a small minority of games, oh well.

Steam honestly beats the hell out of bringing out 5-6 CDs just to install HL2 or even Command & Conquer (haha)... Even on a DVD like CoD4, it takes me like 30-40 minutes to install on a pretty decent computer. Steam downloads the game in that time and installs it in around 5 minutes. Easy, piece of cake.

 

People like to complain.

They also like pirating games...

 

It's not like Steam snoops around your computer unlike *cough* Sony rootkits *cough*...plus I always turn off the auto-start up option. It's a bit silly when your on the go, and your obviously not going to be gaming.

 

I never use it and don't like relying on anything to be able to play the games I own. Having to install an additional application just to play my games is annoying. The having to be online thing just adds to that.

 

I've been using it since about '04 at least a couple times a week and I have never had issues with it really, it doesnt take up any hardcore resources or causes anything to go haywire, nor does it have any spyware stuff.

I've actuallly been enjoying it more between the improved interfaces, added games, messaging, browser, and the SALES, i mean, my god.

 

Well my problems with steam are pretty HUGE, the entire reason why since september of 2007, I've hated steam, before that it was a great service.

Since 2007, and the addition of the steam community features, all steam games are tied to a SINGLE user name. This really KILLS clan support because you can't have each game have it's own clan tag without going into the steam friends settings and changing it manually for each steam game you load up.

Steam is also great if you have no friends or family, but for those that do, and like to share their games once they beat them, it's completely out of the question. I can't even sit in the same room as someone, let them play CS:S, while I play L4D, because of the crap sytem, if they log on, I get completely booted off of steam, and can't access my 36 games I bought on there. If I were using a disk, and didn't have ALL OF MY GAMES TIED TO ONE ACCOUNT someone else would be able to play while I'm not playing it.

And don't say offline mode because 90% of the time steam REFUSES to load in offline mode, you also have to completely disconnect your entire system before loading steam, which is a complete pain to do, and even then, most of the games in offline mode say "this game is unavailable in offline mode" and not a single game is able to play online because they give the same message.

I really don't like the fact that I'm limited to only playing ONE of the games on my list at a time ever, it's far too restrictive. Before september 2007, you could let any number of people load into the same account, but they weren't able to play the same game online at the same time, because they would get a message that would boot them out. I was perfectly OK with that. If they went back to the system where two people logged in just can't load up the same game, OR, make it so two people can log into the same account if the IP adress is the same, such as a shared external IP through a router.

 

what about offline mode? *Runs away*

 

EXACTLY. I've been very disappointed since I built my PC last month that I cannot access (without hacking at least probably) all the games my brother has bought through the Steam service, is it so bad for us two to share the game together instead of buying two copies of each game? I miss being able to buy one physical copy of a game for both of us to enjoy instead of all this digital distribution and DRM mess (with bothersome DRM in physical copies as well) to get in the way! My brother had always bought games via Steam due to him being the only PC gamer in the household but now we will buy as many physical copies of games as possible.

You are 100% right, Steam and digital distribution is good for you if your the only PC gamer around and have no PC gaming family or friends.

Aside from this major problem, I do like the service and its organization and selection of titles. I think it is one thing that is really helping out the struggling PC gaming industry vs. the very lucrative console gaming industry.

 

It really doesn't make any sense. Even the music industry is less restrictive than the gaming industry.

 

I love steam! Maybe the only thing I hate is that you cant play games offline . You can play it to a certain amount of time I believe, but there is a scheduled update checker and when that comes around your screwed .

 

I actually really like steam...but my monthly bandwidth limit doesn't...I still haven't downloaded TF2 yet, and it's been 2 weeks since I bought it!

 

i like steam, i have no serious problems with it. my entire family are console gamers, plus im the only one who can actually afford games (minus my parents, but they hate gaming). however, i dont use it to make many purchases (ya know, unless there is a really good sale on a game i want). i like to own the boxes of the game. i have a pretty good collection going so far. i dont even buy valve games off steam cause i like the boxes lol

 

My only gripes with it are when I go in offline mode and a game started updating and I find out the hard way that I won't be able to play it...
Or when for some reason I get "this game is not available a this time", that pisses me off the most.
Other than that so far so good.

 

I hate how Steam has brought computer gamers together and created a gaming community on the PC like Xbox Live has created for the xbox kiddies. I hate always being able to jump into my friends games when they are playing with the click of a button and I REALLY hate being able to download my games onto any computer anywhere in the world. I also really hate how steam lets you talk to your friends online while they are playing games oh and the worst is the ability to install amazing mods with the click of a button and have them and all your other games update themselves without you doing anything.

Steam is terrible.

And don't get me started about the group event planning, multiple user chats, voice chat, in game web browser, weekend deals and the ability to go into offline mode WHILE YOU ARE OFFLINE to play your games when you don't have the internet.

God I hate steam... what a pile of junk.

 

lmfaooo! . Made my day .

 

No problems with Steam. For me it's the best thing since sliced bread.

It also solved the annoying problem of buying games that were not launched in here. Had to wait for somebody to travel abroad, or was left with no option other than pirating. Not anymore.

 

Yeah it's ridiculous. Down with steam.

 

i hate 1 euro = 1 usd in valve's (or game publisher on steam) view!
and not being able to play different games on different pc's on the same account!

 

My issue is I get a "hl2.exe has stopped responding" when exiting Team Fortress 2 on Vista. Though it is fixed by disabling Steam In-Game.

 

My parents have a house in the country, with a wireless internet connection (very slow). At nights I'd like to be able to play "Steamed" games without having to wait for about an hour for updating, which actually doesn't improve anything. Actually, after half an hour waiting I just go to bed.

Only, I would enjoy having the freedom to chose whether I want to check for updates or not, or whether I want to be connected to Internet or not. Mainly, I guess it makes me mad that Steam feels as many things that have come with the "new times". Sort of part of the "Patriot act": other people gain security while I loose freedom.
And that the "other people" is usually also the richest people.

 

I would personally much rather have a system that works (Meaning in 5 years it's always worked for me) and not have to worry About CD Keys. After buying COD4 and W@W NOT on steam and having to put in a CD Key and stuff in everytime I want to reinstall the game (If I reinstall my OS) and then having to manually download the updates and everything, it's a hassle that Steam takes care of. I love the idea that no matter where I am I can download steam and log into my account and I immediately have access to all of my games.

Steam was okay until they finally implemented Steam Chat (No more Xfire) and I could do everything Natively, then it went to awesome

 

Well I have a crappy mobile internet with slow speed and my school's fast internet blocks steam so yeah >.> I'm kinda neutral with it just hate the slow download and when it reaches about 80-90% it sometimes just... Says its unavailable

 

this isn't true. you can sign onto your account as much as you want on as many computers you want, however, only ONE account can be online.

technically, when you buy a game on a CD/DVD you don't buy the rights to distribute it among all the computers you want. it's supposed to go onto one computer, therefore, steam actually isn't doing anything differently than you're supposed to do.

my friend and i both played through HL2 and the episodes via my account at the same time. signing onto my account while i'm online on steam will kick me offline, but not off the account.

anyways,

steam sucks because it's free and there's constant demos out there that are free and downloadable off fast servers. screw steam!

 

It seems as if most people's arguments have do with people no able to use the offline mode or use it without an internet connection. Honestly though, does it matter? I don't think Steam's target audience really cares whether cares about the few people who don't have regular internet, as the vast majority obviously do in order to play games such as Counterstrike, Unreal Tournament, CoD4, L4D, etc. There's an amazing amount of online based FPS on Steam, that should give you an indicator of whose playing on Steam anyway...

 

Not sure, I love Steam.

 

i have no problems playing steam off line .... i dont have acess to any internet to play games online ...anywhere so im good

 

I dislike Steam simply because it is an added component that introduces more reliability issues. But, as a copy protection system I have no problem with it.

 

True...though often its the games that crash on me and not Steam itself. Random stat, but I've playe 34 hours the last two weeks haha...I play too many games.