🚀 go-pugleaf

In comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic pc games <pcgame...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> . Kills Privacy in single-player PC Games
> It makes me create an account and give my email address to play a
> Retail single player game I bought in a store, hence killing my
> privacy and my right to play single-player games anonymously

So, just create an email address on Hotmail or something that has no links 
back to "you".  You know, something like "eei...@hotmail.com" - how 
exactly is that traced back to you by the company, much less Hotmail 
itself?

ALL retail software from the begining of time has included a registration 
card that asks for your name, physical address, age, sex, date of birth, 
and/or other things.  If you chose NOT to register, you lost the ability 
to get support or replacement copies should you have problems.

> . Uses Product Activation in Retail PC Games
> It makes me Product "humiliating ask for permission to use" Activate a
> Retail single-player game that for me is totally against my consumer
> rights cause I don't have to ask for permission to use something I
> just bought!

Lots of software uses activation codes.  Windows' has done it since, what, 
95?  NT?  It isn't "asking permission".  It's more akin to unlocking the 
hotel room you just signed up for with the cardkey the front desk handed 
to you.  In reality, what you "bought" IS that key!  Not the 1s and 0s on 
the shiny plastic thingie.

> . Uses Monitoring/Surveillance system mandatory to play PC Games
> It makes me have a internet connection to play a single-player game
> for Valve to monitor me just like a THIEF and turn my PC into a PRISON
> and turn me into one of their SLAVES

This would almost be arguable except for your obviously slanted language.
First, does Steam inform you (via the EULA or other means) of what they're 
monitoring (if anything!) or collecting from your PC?  If so, and assuming 
they're doing nothing otherwise illegal, you still have the choice not to 
use their software.  I'd much rather a company be upfront and honest with 
me about what sorts of information they're collecting, why, and what they 
do with it, as opposed to companies that try to do this 'secretly'.

An example of a company that "gets it" is Tivo.com.  They have a very good 
privacy statement in place - AND THEY STICK TO IT.  They're very honest 
about what sorts of data they collect from you, and what they do with it.  
You can opt-out, and they'll honor your request.  If other companies 
behaved like Tivo, there'd be a lot less paranoia about privacy.

Back to your rant.  You don't explain how this turns you into a "slave".  
After all, it's not as if Steam FORCES you to download additional 
games/content from them, nor does it prevent you from installing or 
downloading games from other srouces.  Nor does it sound like Steam spies 
on your general computer activities - it's only interested when you're 
playing a Steam title and even then, only to make sure your license is 
valid.

> . Makes Consumer stupid and dumb
> It makes me have ZERO control to how I can play the game, patch the
> game, install the game, turning me into a DUMB consumer that only
> pays, plays and SHUTS-UP

To the VAST majority of the market, why exactly is this a problem?  Most 
people, unfortunately, don't bother with patches, resulting in a 
sub-optimal gaming experience.  While I can think of a few situations 
where I WOULDN'T want to patch my game, they're pretty rare.

Again, the vast majority of the market would rather be able to just play 
the game they paid for - instead of having to play the role of computer 
technician.  That's one of most common reason people switch from PC gaming 
to console gaming.  On consoles, you literally just put the game in, turn 
on the console, and *bam* you're playing the game.  (yes, I know recent 
consoles DO get updates from the network, but the process is still a 
heckuva lot easier to handle than with a PC.)

> . Makes Customer totally dependant on Provider
> It makes me total dependant on them, making them my Master, meaning I
> will only play the game when Master Valve wants, I will only patch the
> game when Master Valve wants, I will only play the games Valve wants

> . Turns PC Games into a SERVICE BASED SYSTEM
> Probably what is in the core of my fight against STEAM is what in fact
> STEAM is all about... turning PC Games into a SERVICE, and like in
> anything for the PC, I will always fight against that, the PC is not a
> dumb terminal connected to a Master server, I will never ever use and
> pay for software to be a "SERVICE", and this also applies to any other
> software besides PC Games, being it a Office suite or a Media
> Player... I will simply never ever pay and use Software if its in a
> form of "SERVICE", which is what STEAM is precisely

These two are related, and are as close to legitimate as your complaints 
get.  Again, consumers knows what they are getting into here.  They are 
not receiving a physical copy (CD) of the game, and are dependent on the 
existance of Steam to even be able to play it.  In exchange for these 
dependencies, you're paying LESS for the game (no middlemen or costs for 
the packaging.)

Yes, it's a tradeoff and yes there's a risk involved.  However, for 
something like games, most people don't seem to mind.

I don't see you ranting and raving about GameTap, which is basically a 
rental version of Steam.  Not only can't you play any games from GameTap 
without the internet, but you don't even OWN the games you're playing!  
The horrors!

Ehh...in the end, get over it.  It's just a game.  It's not as if your 
local hospital is running the latest heart monitoring firmware via Steam 
or something ;) 

> . Total disrespect for consumer rights
> And adding to all this they are using ARROGANT, MONOPOLISTIC,
> AUTHORITARIAN means to accomplish this, cause they force every into
> it, they force everyone to use STEAM even the customers that bought a
> Retail single-player game
> They are forcing Retail customers to use an electronic distribution
> system for them to have power and control the customer
> Removing choice, freedom and forcing all to use STEAM
> Totally unacceptable, TOTALLY

How is Steam "forcing" everyone to use it?  I still see plenty of games 
that DON'T use Steam or any other form of electronic/online distribution.  
I even see titles for sale on shelves that are available for Steam, but 
don't actually use it - like HalfLife2.  Don't like Steam?  Just buy the 
non-Steam version and have fun doing your own patches!

If I don't like Steam, I won't use it.  If a game decides to exclusively 
go with Steam for distribution, I can still choose to use Steam, or not.  
I can still write the game's company and ask them to make a version that 
doesn't use Steam, though I guarantee if you rant at them the way you rant 
here, they'll simply laugh at your letter before throwing it away.

How is Steam a monopoly?  There's other electronic distribution systems 
out there.  Some are as simple as "enter your CC# and click Download" and 
others are more involved - such as GameTap.  And despite the fall in the 
PC gaming market, you can STILL get PC games "the old fashioned way" from 
any number of brick&motar stores, not to mention online stores like 
Amazon...

Arrogant?  I can't say.  I haven't used Steam nor their customer service.  
Then again, it sounds like you haven't either, so I don't see how you can 
comment on their attitudes...

> Bottom line
> I don't have any problem if you like STEAM

Sure you do.  All I have to do is say the word "steam" and off you go.

> I don't have any problem if many willingly choose STEAM

Sure you do.  Otherwise, you wouldn't be robo-posting rants every other 
post about how "EVIL" Steam is.

> What I don't admit is anyone telling for me to continue being a PC
> Gamer I have to become a STEAM SLAVE and have no choice

No one's saying that.  However, it's pretty clear to me that electronic 
distribution is only going to become MORE commonplace - not LESS.  Again, 
this may be something as simple as downloading the installer, and paying 
for an activation key (which is what a lot of shareware applications have 
done for YEARS) all the way to more elaborate systems like Steam.  Either 
way, I think we're going to see LESS software in stores, and MORE 
online.   It wouldn't surprise me if even the large corporations started 
making their products available in this manner as well.  After all, it'd 
be a great way to make your older titles available with little or no extra 
expense.

> What I don't admit is the DIRTY TACTICS totally against consumer
> rights Valve are using to IMPOSE STEAM in PC Games

What "dirty tactics"?  Again, you use slanted language with no proof or 
documentation.  Is Steam spying on your hard drive?  Your email?  Your 
keystrokes?  Are they not telling you what they're monitoring in their 
EULA?  Are they secretly installing malware on your system without your 
explicit knowledge or consent?

> What I will not admit is Valve REMOVING CHOICE and making those not
> wanting to use STEAM have no alternative than to give up PC Gaming

Again, YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE STEAM!  Every game that's on Steam right now 
can be bought through other means -  from your local store, direct from the 
developer, etc.  Please upload the picture of someone from Steam holding a 
loaded gun to your head.

> I've said this time and time again
> I'm not an HYPOCRITE
> My main motivation behind the fight against PIRACY is STEAM

Steam seems to make (casual) piracy a lot more difficult, while providing 
benefits to its users.  How is this a bad thing?

You continually yell and rant about how piracy is destroying PC gaming, 
yet when someone presents a decent solution (Steam) you brand them as 
being part of the problem?

Even if piracy on the PC was a non-issue, and didn't occur at all, 
businesses would still find something like Steam attractive because it 
allows them to deliver products (software) to customers a lot cheaper when 
compared to actually having to put a disc in a box and shipping it to your 
local store.  A recent article in Forbes on video game prices notes that 
about 80% of the money you pay for a game in the store goes to the store 
and all the middlemen involved with getting that box to the shelf in the 
first place - not to mention the cost of the box and materials 
themselves.  80%!  That means if a game costs $40 in the store, over $30 
goes to parties other than the publisher/developer.  If 
publisher/developers had a way of delivering games to you directly, they 
could even charge LESS money and still have larger profits.  THAT's going 
to be the main selling point of something like Steam, because that's 
something you can actually measure.  Piracy, while problematic, is a lot 
harder to quantify.

> STEAM is my nightmare
> I want to continue playing PC Games and not be forced to use STEAM

Then....DON'T USE STEAM.

> I don't want a STEAM MONOPOLY in PC Games

Then....DON'T USE STEAM.

And here's an additional clue:  Stopping piracy won't make Steam go away!

> And what helps Valve get that MONOPOLY? One of the things is PIRACY
> Since day one Valve has gave as excuse PIRACY to IMPOSE STEAM
> Yes we all know that is incorrect cause STEAM games are also pirated
> like any other, but what is important is the perception... if the
> general perception is PC Games is dominated with PIRACY and PIRACY is
> creating anarchy in PC Games, Valve will sell itself as a savior and
> STEAM and the savior solution and that is what I fight against
> STEAM is a PRISON created in your own PC making the customer a SLAVE
> and turning Valve into a all might powerful Master
> Its that really what I fight against
> If it wasn't for STEAM I would not fight so hard against PIRACY

The impression I get is that piracy is MUCH more prevelant with console 
games than PC games.  Of  course, the market for consoles is much much 
larger as well, so that only makes sense.

You also continually use words like "prison" and "slave" yet I really 
don't see how Steam is a "prison" - as it doesn't prevent you from using 
other games, or even other Steam-like systems.  Nor does it make you its 
"slave".  Are you sure you understand what these words actually mean  or 
are you just going for shock value here?

Piracy is a problem in the software world - no one's denying that.
The PC game market has also been declining over the past 10+ years - no 
one's denying that either.

Steam has its advantages and disadvantages.  Same could be said about 
other forms of copy protection, etc.  However, all you've done is whine 
and moan about the supposed "evils" of Steam.  If you really want to do 
something about the situation, start your own distribution service that 
gives you the cost-cutting advantges of Steam without the downsides or 
supposed evils of Steam, while still providing a relatively secure, 
piracy-proof product.  Put your money where your mouth is.

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