'Steamworks Makes DRM Obsolete,' Claims Valve

Impulse / Stardock > Steam
way less invasive, you just go on to activate and patch. You don't have to have the shit running all the time. You can patch when you want and not be forced to patch. And their privacy policy doesn't suck ass like Steam's does

But it is DRM. It's not the heavy handed stuff we've seen from Securom or Starforce is all.

I'm glad they're providing less invasive forms of DRM, but this is just dishonest and comes off as slimy marketing-speak.

The only problem with steam is when you only have a 56k modem connection and you want to play single player. You have to connect to steam and it takes forever to download the steam update...

I think that best DRM is releasing good game which will last more than one year.
Games like starcraft, warcraft3, TF2, L4D, WorldInConflict, diablo2, Wow, ut2k4, ut3, q3 etc etc.
Even better game without good multiplayer or replayability just isnt good enough for me(for my money). I dont mind paying 50euro/$ for good game with good support. Or paying more for games pack with some single/multiplayer games like orange box/valve complete pack/unreal pack.

Im looking forward to try Demigod, then i will maybe check out SoSE via stardock.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all lived in such a cushy world where people who steal games actually were justified in doing it and not just selfish bastards who don't give a rats ass about the people who bring them those games?

Steam, by nature is very user unfriendly because it permanent;y links your CD key to an account meaning :
1) If you can't login (forgotten login info, or busy servers) you can't play the games you paid for
2) In the event of the above, you can't reinstall to a different account.

I know. Password recovery, captain obvious. Steams recovery service sucks htough. It assumes that you get everything correct until the last step and if it turns out you did something wrong, it makes you go back to the beginning. It actually makes you go through the whole thing again, sending you another damn email validation code (the same one.)

All steam wants is a cd which can be keygened. Nothing is perfect, but this doesn't inspire confidence or bring anything new to the table.


Instead, we need more secure methods for disk verification. We need to take the power of star force and create a system which doesn't damage your computer or leave you susceptible to malware. The PC needs to become more like the consoles in that physical disk checks are done on a hardware level for games. Windows needs to facilitate these checks and blacklist any software that could be used to circumvent protections. In other words, the solution lies in game developers working with Microsoft.. and new hardware standards.

CD keys can be spoofed easily.. How about something more complicated, like physical disk signatures which are built into the disk?

If your DRM...

a) Never inconveniences me (no need for disc in drive, can play offline, etc.)
b) Always works, never falsely accuses me of cheating/pirating
c) Never ever tells me I can't run or install something I own because I didn't deactivate properly or some bullshit
d) Doesn't fuck up or fuck with my system (I'm looking at you, Starforce)

then you can put as much as you want of it on my games. I understand you're protecting your investment. So long as it doesn't affect me, the legit paying customer, I don't care about it.

Starforce fails - it puts a Ring 0 driver on my system and fucks things up

SecuROM Activation fails - if I don't deauthorize my game I could be fucked.

Disc checks to some degree fail the inconvenience test.

Just get the above four right and I'll let you put all the DRM you want on there.

What? So is CEG basically watermarking EXEs with your name? I'd be fine with that TBH - still stops you sharing online since it's traceable, but not moving stuff onto your own other PCs.

I'm more inclined to say that Steam makes additional DRM redundant, or perhaps irrelevant. Treating Steam as something unlike DRM, when it does perform the task of ensuring you have the 'right' to use content, is flimsier ground than I'd personally prefer to stand upon. That said, kudos to Valve for pursuing the agenda many companies seem to miss: use your online platform in a way that makes the product more valuable, instead of less, than the pirated version.

If they're really serious about this whole DRM thing then they should tell Crytek to fuck off and remove their shitty DRM infested games from Steam. Steam as DRM is enough, but to add that SecuROM shit on top of it? It's disgraceful.

Well, it doesn't actually stop pirates of course. Unless there's some monumental change in how games are coded and sold, we're going to have script kiddies who cut the AP out of any Steam game... just like we see right now with the top three or four torrents out there.

I like Steam, I use Steam. I own several games via Steam. But it's only as anti-piracy as any useless DRM package is/was. Now, it MAY be less intrusive and less cumbersome to the paying customer, and THAT is an excellent thing. It's kind of like the mandatory 10 second FBI warning that legit customers have to sit through on a DVD movie, the same one that gets cut from the rips.

I'm just glad they're trying new techniques. I think DRM in the next few years will change a lot. I just want it to finally work. I think it'll be hilarious to see a uncrackable game. As many debatable upsides there are to piracy, there are so many pirating douche bags. I have a feeling if piracy were to be curbed they'd make up more agruments and fake horror stories about how the software is giving you cancer.

steam r the best i have never had a problem with them :)

DRM news is borrrrring.....

DRM has been obsolete the day it came out.

buahahah. nice picture Faylor. Your Local Hangout? (not that there is anything wrong with that...)

LOL. Love the picture. Steamworks gay bathhouse. There's one in my town.

Make steam better with more interesting features and people will want to use it as a tool, even if they wouldn't have to.
That's how I see it. As long as it doesn't feel like DRM, and it doesn't restrict you but gives you interesting features, it's all fine.