Steam ?s

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s1njin

Senior member
Apr 11, 2011
304
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Hey Gang,

I've never used Steam before, so I don't know a whole lot about it. However, I keep reading about lots of you that seem to use it pretty frequently.

So, for somebody who is new to the service, why would I want to use it? I've always ordered from Amazon, waited for the disc to show up, install, and pray it has a autopatcher so I don't have to go hunting.

So what am I missing?

If it matters, my gaming rig is Win 7 x64.
 
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s1njin

Senior member
Apr 11, 2011
304
0
0
Rakewell said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(software)
Click to expand...

I read that, but came away w/ more questions than answers. Like, how many of the blockbusters are available via Steam? Will BFBC3 and Skyrim be on it for example? Also, I read a blurb on the bottom that said for games that require a active connection to Steam, should something ever happen to Steam they make no warranty for any of the games you bought (and would hence fail to run).

Seems like it patches games automatically - which is nice.
 
Aikouka

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
After awhile, I'd say that Steam just becomes a rather nice convenience. I never have to worry about where my disc goes or even about patching my own games. The Steam sales are also terribly addicting. :(
 
Barfo

Barfo

Lifer
Jan 4, 2005
27,539
212
106
Steam Sales. I don't care much for buying new released games but some of the deals are pretty good.
 
V

VtPC83

Senior member
Mar 5, 2008
447
12
81
Stupid Steam sales make it all worthwhile - though it makes my wallet cry.
 
MiataNC

MiataNC

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2007
2,215
1
81
s1njin said:
Hey Gang,

I've never used Steam before, so I don't know a whole lot about it. However, I keep reading about lots of you that seem to use it pretty frequently.

So, for somebody who is new to the service, why would I want to use it? I've always ordered from Amazon, waited for the disc to show up, install, and pray it has a autopatcher so I don't have to go hunting.

So what am I missing?

If it matters, my gaming rig is Win 7 x64.
Click to expand...

1. You can download/re-download any Steam game in your library. - No discs to lose, no CD-Keys to keep track of, etc

2. Steam games are always patched to current levels - There are some exceptions where a patch will be out for the retail version ahead of Steam, but it is rare.

3. Steam has many older titles you can't find in stores anymore

4. Steam has amazing sales throughout the year that make picking up games too easy/tempting to pass up. - Click-Buy-Download-Play
 
HardcoreRobot

HardcoreRobot

Lifer
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
MiataNC said:
1. You can download/re-download any Steam game in your library. - No discs to lose, no CD-Keys to keep track of, etc.

2. Steam games are always patched to current levels - There are some exceptions where a patch will be out for the retail version ahead of Steam, but it is rare.

3. Steam has many older titles you can't find in stores anymore

4. Steam has amazing sales throughout the year that make picking up games too easy/tempting to pass up. - Click-Buy-Download-Play
Click to expand...
great summary

my extension to #1, thats for any computer as well (and you can network copy the game files over if you dont want to redownload). great for upgrading or getting a new rig. or even like me where ill play some games on my desktop, laptop and netbook.

5. Steam cloud - related to my point above. synch saves and other game files across any computer you play on.

6. multiplayer integration (join someones game in progress, invite them to yours), works really well for some games.

7. screenshot tool and chat overlay are actually way more useful than you would expect
 
Texashiker

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
106
8. friends list - makes it super easy to join games your friends are in

9. steam will let you know if there is an update for your video card drivers

10. voice support in friends chat

I have been using steam since november 2004.
 
Aikouka

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
You don't even have to download the client to check out steam. All Steam does is use a (Webkit? -- or is it Gecko?) browser to go to:

http://store.steampowered.com

Of course, the actual game installation and such requires Steam.
 
Atomic Playboy

Atomic Playboy

Lifer
Feb 6, 2007
16,432
1
81
Steam is pretty awesome. You don't have to hang on to a bunch of discs and keys, just remember your Steam login info. The friends list is useful for joining game servers with your friends. And Steam remembers what games you own, so if you decide to uninstall one to save space, you can redownload it whenever you want (including if you get a new computer).
 
Barfo

Barfo

Lifer
Jan 4, 2005
27,539
212
106
Atomic Playboy said:
Steam is pretty awesome. You don't have to hang on to a bunch of discs and keys, just remember your Steam login info. The friends list is useful for joining game servers with your friends. And Steam remembers what games you own, so if you decide to uninstall one to save space, you can redownload it whenever you want (including if you get a new computer).
Click to expand...
Or install your Steam games to another partition and you don't have to reinstall them when you do a clean OS install :cool:
 
CPA

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
one caveat, unless you use steamtool, you have to install your games on the drive that you have Steam installed on. Can run into issues, if you run out of space.
 
Markbnj

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
Moderator
Sep 16, 2005
15,682
14
81
www.markbetz.net
It's mostly the daily deals for me. I like being able to grab a great deal on a game like Railroad Simulator or Vampire: The Masquerade for a couple bucks and be playing twenty minutes later. For new retail release I might buy for convenience if the price was right.
 
Aikouka

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
CPA said:
one caveat, unless you use steamtool, you have to install your games on the drive that you have Steam installed on. Can run into issues, if you run out of space.
Click to expand...

You can just manually create symbolic links if you really need to move the data to a different drive. I assume that's what SteamTool does.

Markbnj said:
It's mostly the daily deals for me. I like being able to grab a great deal on a game like Railroad Simulator or Vampire: The Masquerade for a couple bucks and be playing twenty minutes later. For new retail release I might buy for convenience if the price was right.
Click to expand...

One thing to look out for is when another company is selling a new game for a good price and it's a SteamWorks game. For example, I paid $34 for Dead Island from Green Man Gaming, and I just registered the key on Steam. I saved $16 over the Steam price.

Another example of an upcoming SteamWorks game would be Saints Row III. (Pretty sure it is.)
 
toyota

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
12,957
1
0
Northern Lawn said:
Me too... for the most part. Thought I did acquire Rage.. and I'm glad because it's a piece of buggy crap.
Click to expand...
and what if it would not have been buggy? just a free score for you? or maybe you would have "bought it later" when you deemed it cheap enough to actually pay for it?
 
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