• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Steam ?s

S

s1njin

Senior member
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.
 
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.
 
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. 🙁
 
Steam Sales. I don't care much for buying new released games but some of the deals are pretty good.
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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).
 
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 😎
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.)
 
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?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top