Steam: Invasive crap software

[Pulsar]

Alright. Rant time.

Steam is the biggest piece of bullshit software I've ever dealt with.

I purchased skyrim on release. No warning from the seller that steam was *required* to play this game. Upon getting it I was pretty f*n upset, because I live out in the boonies and have basically 56k. So steam took close to a day to do it's crap install.

Ok. Fine, I can cope with that I suppose. I mean, not being able to play a game I bought.....

So I go in to play. And steam has to connect. WTF? Did I buy the game, or did I buy steam? 15 minutes later, it finishes connecting. Then it starts popping crap up. "Steam News"? wtf? I just want to play my game!

So I'm finally there. I get to play my game. I play for a bit, then log out and shut off the computer. The next day.... I have to wait for steam again! Another 10 minute wait. Then I see it pop up that I've played for xx amount of time. WTF? So now valve is monitoring how long I'm playing my video game? Ok. That's pretty freaking intrusive. I don't remember giving them the "ok" for that, but I guess that's one of the features when I install the game.

Next day, I can't log in to steam. It sits. And sits. So I start looking around on the internet, and find thousands of posts complaining about the same thing over the last 4 years. Really Valve? You're going to force me to log in on the internet to play a game I bought, and you can't get your damn software to function right?

Fine. So I keep looking for solutions. Most suggest uninstalling and reinstalling steam. Fine, I can do that and wait all over again to play the game I own.

Only I can't. Because uninstalling steam, without asking, also uninstalled my game. Skyrim is now gone off my computer. Was that enough though? Of course not! It also deleted close to a gig of other downloads like texture improvements that I spent time downloading and installing to Skyrim.

Dear Valve - F* YOU. Dear Bethesda. F* You.

I purchased this game because I enjoyed Oblivion. PURCHASED. Now I'm going to go download a copy of a game from the torrents that I already own (no, it's not piracy folks, I bought the game) so that I can PLAY the game.

Burn in hell Valve and Bethesda.

 

[Merad]

Steam offline mode

 

[surfsatwerk]

Steam offline mode

Provide him with NO SOLUTIONS! I like them best when they're good and frothy with rage.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Steam offline mode

Damn it, I hate it when people provide rational solutions. I was hoping this became a class action law suit.

 

[Cyco]

You're more than welcome to have your opinion. Being that you never used Steam, I can kind of see where you're coming from.
I however love Steam and think it's one of the best services out there. The only thing that I hate is how much it rapes my wallet, especially during their holiday sales.
Meh, to each their own.

 

[Dumac]

Alright. Rant time.

Steam is the biggest piece of bullshit software I've ever dealt with.

I purchased skyrim on release. No warning from the seller that steam was *required* to play this game. Upon getting it I was pretty f*n upset, because I live out in the boonies and have basically 56k. So steam took close to a day to do it's crap install.

Ok. Fine, I can cope with that I suppose. I mean, not being able to play a game I bought.....

So I go in to play. And steam has to connect. WTF? Did I buy the game, or did I buy steam? 15 minutes later, it finishes connecting. Then it starts popping crap up. "Steam News"? wtf? I just want to play my game!

So I'm finally there. I get to play my game. I play for a bit, then log out and shut off the computer. The next day.... I have to wait for steam again! Another 10 minute wait. Then I see it pop up that I've played for xx amount of time. WTF? So now valve is monitoring how long I'm playing my video game? Ok. That's pretty freaking intrusive. I don't remember giving them the "ok" for that, but I guess that's one of the features when I install the game.

Next day, I can't log in to steam. It sits. And sits. So I start looking around on the internet, and find thousands of posts complaining about the same thing over the last 4 years. Really Valve? You're going to force me to log in on the internet to play a game I bought, and you can't get your damn software to function right?

Fine. So I keep looking for solutions. Most suggest uninstalling and reinstalling steam. Fine, I can do that and wait all over again to play the game I own.

Only I can't. Because uninstalling steam, without asking, also uninstalled my game. Skyrim is now gone off my computer. Was that enough though? Of course not! It also deleted close to a gig of other downloads like texture improvements that I spent time downloading and installing to Skyrim.

Dear Valve - F* YOU. Dear Bethesda. F* You.

I purchased this game because I enjoyed Oblivion. PURCHASED. Now I'm going to go download a copy of a game from the torrents that I already own (no, it's not piracy folks, I bought the game) so that I can PLAY the game.

Burn in hell Valve and Bethesda.

1. There is a warning on the box.

2. Offline mode

3. So wait, you complaint about your 'poor internet' and that it took you a day to download steam (what is steam, 2MB?), but now you are going to download a 6GB game? I call shens.

 

[Dankk]

OP seems upset.

Also, I've been a Steam user for 4 years now, and I don't think it's ever taken me more than a few seconds to connect. Maybe his computer, or his "56k" internet is to blame?

 

[Pulsar]

Rage? Perhaps.

However, I can always count on certain snide folks here to blow it off as 'normal' that we have to allow games to phone home and inconvenience our play in fairly major ways rather than telling these companies what they think.

I'm quite aware of offline mode. I had it in offline mode, until I had to download the patch. Which is when everything went to hell (again).

Of course, offline doesn't fix the initial problems of not being able to play a game I purchased...

Each experience like this drives people to pirate. Yes, I'm aware that many people do it anyway, but I'm not one of them. But damn if it doesn't become more tempting each time I have to deal with some bullshit jump-through-hoops crap like this just to play a game I purchased.

"Offline mode" indeed... lol.

 

[terry107]

trollthread.jpg

 

[Pulsar]

OP seems upset.

Also, I've been a Steam user for 4 years now, and I don't think it's ever taken me more than a few seconds to connect. Maybe his computer, or his "56k" internet is to blame?

Yep, I'm fairly certain my i5 with 8 gigs of ram and crossfired 6950's (waiting for my 2 other lcd's to arrive) is slowing it down.

Believe it or not, close to half the country still resides in areas where dialup is pretty much the best they can get (unless you want to go to satellite). I'd get better if I could. Again though - since when must I HAVE internet to play an offline game?

When are people going to stop making excuses for these companies?

Oh, and LessThanDan? Why don't you do a quick google search for "steam taking forever to connect". I'm sure it's their 56k connections too.

 

[Gunslinger08]

I like Steam a lot, but I can see it being frustrating to somebody who has never used it. You wouldn't know about the tricks unless you've used it for a while:
- Offline mode
- Completely close and restart steam repeatedly if you get connection problems
- Back up your steamapps folder if you're going to uninstall it. You can move this folder around without reinstalling your games, which is great for reformatting.

 

[Pulsar]

trollthread.jpg

Perhaps someone should learn the definition of troll. You must have missed it somewhere.

 

[Pulsar]

I like Steam a lot, but I can see it being frustrating to somebody who has never used it. You wouldn't know about the tricks unless you've used it for a while:
- Offline mode
- Completely close and restart steam repeatedly if you get connection problems
- Back up your steamapps folder if you're going to uninstall it. You can move this folder around without reinstalling your games, which is great for reformatting.

Josh, thanks for the suggestions, but the question remains: why is it acceptable consumers that companies require this sort of jumping through hoops to play an offline game?

 

[PrincessFrosty]

You can turn off steam news in the settings.
You can run in offline mode after your first activation.

I like steam, but I have to agree with OP that it's not acceptable for store bought games to require steam, gamers should always have a choice.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Alright. Rant time.
...
I purchased this game because I enjoyed Oblivion. PURCHASED. Now I'm going to go download a copy of a game from the torrents that I already own (no, it's not piracy folks, I bought the game) so that I can PLAY the game.

You didn't purchase the game. You purchased a license to use the software that is the game. The license has restrictions, one of which is that steam is required to execute software. Get over it or don't play the game.

Download the game if you want, but its still piracy. You purchased a software license with restrictions. If the downloaded copy bypasses those restrictions, then the downloaded copy is not covered by the license you purchased. Thus, you own one license to the software, and downloaded an unauthorized derivative of the software that is not covered by the license.

Granted, I am in IP attorney so I take a fairly hard line view of these situations. But it never ceases to amaze me that many people do not, after 30+ years of consumer software, understand the basic elements of a software LICENSE.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Personally, if you bought the game and it doesn't work as you think it should, due to the "no-refund" rule that software and the like get to skip around with, with no regard and no guarantees I say d/l it. It really isn't any different than downloading no-cd cracks (which regardless of how people act here, I guarantee many if not most have done that at some point).

I agree that the first few times of being "forced" to use Steam can be quite annoying, however once it is in place and you get used to it, it does become quite convenient.

There are many here so wrapped in their own world that they cannot fathom that there are some out there that have issues with the "norm". Unfortunately, you are the minority, and that's the way the world works. I do agree that on the box SOMEWHERE, it states you must have an internet connection to play. It's pretty much standard these days, much to most peoples annoyance. (Yes, these big companies can't fathom that there are people out there with slow internet or none *gasp*).

 

[Gunslinger08]

Josh, thanks for the suggestions, but the question remains: why is it acceptable consumers that companies require this sort of jumping through hoops to play an offline game?

I think the convenience of Steam far outweighs the hassles for most people. I'm fine with phoning home once (offline mode) or every time I start the game. Them tracking my play time in games is actually a good feature to me - not sure if you can turn it off? I like the news popups too - helps me not miss the sales. I also use Steam to talk to my friends when we play coop games.

If I didn't have a solid highspeed internet connection, it would definitely be annoying. Basically everytime I turn my computer on I'm downloading several game updates automatically, which would be insufferable on dial up. I also find it annoying when a physical copy of a game just forces a steam download, but I think that's only happened once or twice to me and I have ~100 steam games.

 

[Pulsar]

1. There is a warning on the box.

2. Offline mode

3. So wait, you complaint about your 'poor internet' and that it took you a day to download steam (what is steam, 2MB?), but now you are going to download a 6GB game? I call shens.

Patience young padawan, you don't seem to understand what physically purchasing the game means. See, you get this DVD to install it from. It's really quite handy when a piece of software that has nothing to do with the game uninstalls it without your permission.

While you're at it, tell me where it says "STEAM REQUIRED".

http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Scrolls-...2677474&sr=8-1

 

[Nintendesert]

It's DRM. The game needs the Steam DRM. Get over it, it's better than the other DRM methods out there. Don't even bother looking at Ubisoft games with that shitty connection.

 

[Pulsar]

Personally, if you bought the game and it doesn't work as you think it should, due to the "no-refund" rule that software and the like get to skip around with, with no regard and no guarantees I say d/l it. It really isn't any different than downloading no-cd cracks (which regardless of how people act here, I guarantee many if not most have done that at some point).

I agree that the first few times of being "forced" to use Steam can be quite annoying, however once it is in place and you get used to it, it does become quite convenient.

There are many here so wrapped in their own world that they cannot fathom that there are some out there that have issues with the "norm". Unfortunately, you are the minority, and that's the way the world works. I do agree that on the box SOMEWHERE, it states you must have an internet connection to play. It's pretty much standard these days, much to most peoples annoyance. (Yes, these big companies can't fathom that there are people out there with slow internet or none *gasp*).

Thanks for the thoughtful response. Check it here though:
http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Scrolls-...2677474&sr=8-1

I can't find it anywhere where it states that Steam is required - except of course in some of the reviews of the game, which are all buried completely and you'll only see if you're lucky.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I love the "get over it" mentality. Zeig Hail! You people are funny and so helpful.

 

[Terzo]

While you're at it, tell me where it says "STEAM REQUIRED".

http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Scrolls-...2677474&sr=8-1

Right under Product Features.

Requires internet connection and free steam account to activate

For the record I also dislike steam, but I'd be surprised if any game shipping with it doesn't list steam as a requirement.

You didn't purchase the game. You purchased a license to use the software that is the game. The license has restrictions, one of which is that steam is required to execute software. Get over it or don't play the game.

Download the game if you want, but its still piracy. You purchased a software license with restrictions. If the downloaded copy bypasses those restrictions, then the downloaded copy is not covered by the license you purchased. Thus, you own one license to the software, and downloaded an unauthorized derivative of the software that is not covered by the license.

Granted, I am in IP attorney so I take a fairly hard line view of these situations. But it never ceases to amaze me that many people do not, after 30+ years of consumer software, understand the basic elements of a software LICENSE.

Out of curiosity, what's the legal view on bypassing the software restrictions as opposed to downloading a copy, basically modifying the software? Aren't there ways to emulate steam, for example?

 

[PrincessFrosty]

Patience young padawan, you don't seem to understand what physically purchasing the game means.

Actually I don't think you understand what it means. While I am sympathetic about your point to a degree, I'm not going to support clearly false information like this.

I know that you believe you OWN the game, but you do not. You own a disc and on that disc is software someone else owns which you have a limited licence to use under certain conditions.

What soxfan posted a few posts up, about you owning a licence to use the game, is basically accurate. I know you're probably irate about the whole situation, but once you've actually calmed down, take a few minutes to read about how software licencing works if you want to educate yourself of what you actually bought.

Once you've done that you might want to consider correcting your posts so you don't look so silly.

"The more you know."

 

[KaOTiK]

Patience young padawan, you don't seem to understand what physically purchasing the game means. See, you get this DVD to install it from. It's really quite handy when a piece of software that has nothing to do with the game uninstalls it without your permission.

While you're at it, tell me where it says "STEAM REQUIRED".

http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Scrolls-...2677474&sr=8-1

Requires internet connection and free steam account to activate

It is the last bullet point under Product Features on that page.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Right under Product Features.



For the record I also dislike steam, but I'd be surprised if any game shipping with it doesn't list steam as a requirement.




Out of curiosity, what's the legal view on bypassing the software restrictions as opposed to downloading a copy, basically modifying the software? Aren't there ways to emulate steam, for example?

Seems like it would be the same to me ,which is what I feel is wrong with the law. There is no consumer protection with licenses. It's a rapefest. "you bought it, deal with it". That isn't so bad when you can sell it to get you rmoney back, but they are fighting to stop that too. Companies have too much power, and lawyers are the ones making the money off of it.