You just install it and buy the games you want. You don't have to join some sort of cult to use it or anything.

That's the thing about cults - you don't realize you've joined one until it's too late.

No clue about them showing up here again, but you can get disc copies at Amazon for roughly $7 - $10 US per game, or $15 for the Fallout Trilogy. I picked up the Trilogy (F1, F2, F:Tactics) a couple months ago, but I'm thinking about going back and getting copies of 1 and 2 (especially if I can get actual boxed copies instead of DVD cases) before the sellers decide they are "collectible" or "rare" and drive up the prices...

Edit: Okay, so the inexpensive copies on Amazon are jewel case re-releases with digital manuals, not boxed copies. Still, not a bad price for the games. =)

Flynn

The trilogy set is a nice buy. I've got that one.

Haha, yeah sorry I know Steam is (likely) not a cult, I just haven't looked into it much. And yes, Amazon is another good idea in case Steam does want my immortal soul. Much thanks to both of you for the replies and info!

It is a cult. Just a benign, benevolent cult. Filled with many friends joined in the brotherhood of games.

All hail our saviour Valve!

Just kidding... ;)

No, really. I wasn't being serious. Put down the torches and pitchforks. Guys? Guys!? Can't we talk this over? Aaaagh!!

Flynn

Yeah, I've picked up most of the Infinity Engine games cheap as well. Collections mostly, as the individual games + expansions are pretty spendy. I did find a deal on a used copy of Neverwinter Nights Diamond for $13. Considering the game sells new for $65, I don't mind that the box has a couple minor creases on the side. I think I saw several NWN 2 Platimum sets going for $25 used as well, though checking now, the cheapest used copy I can find is $45.

Mostly, I'm trying to get some of these collections on disc as they are games I missed out on. I have all my GOG copies backed up, but having them on disc is also nice. Games I've picked up most recently include Baldur's Gate 4-in-1 pack for $18, Arcanum for $12, Icewind Dale 3-in-1 for $18, Planescape Torment for $15, Borderlands 1 and 2 (both Game of the Year) for $30 and the entire Fallout series for about $50 (Fallout Trilogy, Fallout 3 Game of the Year, Fallout New Vegas Ultimate). :)

Some of the prices can be pretty ridiculous, like Neverwinter Nights 1 and 2 collection starting at $130 (at one point a new copy was going for over $300). It's like some of the PlayStation 1 "collectible" games all over again ($600 for Final Fantasy VII - I don't think so). *Ugh!*

Flynn

Someday Sony or Microsoft is going to buy Steam and/or Valve and start charging a monthly service fee. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next month, but someday. It's the way business works.

Steam sucks rocks and the fact that you can opt-out of some of its awfulness doesn't help at all.

I am curious. Why do you feel this way? I resisted Steam for a long time, but it has always been good to me. Where did the Steam hurt you?

Let me point it out on this teddy bear, ok?

There is an ever lengthening list of places Steam has violated my sense of decency and good taste.

1. DRM added by Steam in various forms which does not replace or complement DRM already included in-game. This varies between titles, but take for example Max Payne 3, Tropico 4 and any new Ubisoft game. To play them you log into Steam, then the Uplay thing, the Rockstar Social Club thing or even Calypso's thing. Although Calypso's thing can be bypassed.

2. Complete lack of support from Steam, if you ever are so unfortunate to need it.

3. No refund policy what so ever.

4. Can't install a game wherever you want, Steam decides.

5. No quality control of games by Steam. Not of old games, and not of new games. Also, again: no refund policy.

6. Monitoring and spying on you is something that Steam is actually good at, and does constantly.

7. Incredibly bad client which requires nearly daily updates and reinstalls.

8. Steam fanbois.

9. Steam offers no installers, which means the future of your "purchase" is shady at best. It may turn out as a long time rental.

10. It makes Origin look good by comparison. EA looks good by comparison. EA.

Not really, the first point stands completely - Steam adds their own DRM on top of any DRM that was already there, giving you the pleasure of double DRM.

Second point stands also completely - there is no actual support from Steam.

Third point also 100% true - there is no refund policy.

Fourth also 100% true - you install where Steam allows you to install.

Fifth, 100% true also - Steam publishes all sorts of trash, there are plenty of examples of unsupported games, incomplete games, games that don't work, etc.

Sixth - yeah it's spying on you.

Seventh and tenth hold hand in hand and is only partially subjective. It's nearly every day that Steam needs to update itself and reinstall, the subjective part is how I feel it compares to Origin. The rest stands.

Eight - yeah, those exist.

Nine - yeah, that's just another objective fact.

So, while I may or may not have good points *all* of them are completely true and not exaggerated what so ever. That's fucking sad that you suck the cock of Steam.

As I have few minutes to kill I'll answer on few specific points. That's a partially correct. ok you have to get Steam running to start your game but you can be offline for most of them.
It can be seen as annoying but it is hardly something I'd call "DRM".
Depends on your point of view I suppose. Incorrect. You can now created "steam libraries" wherever you want and select which one should be used when installing a game. Then you can blame any online store (Desura in instance) or even physical shops for selling buggy games ...
I hardly see how this problem is specific to Steam. Let's admit steam is spying on me (Last time I've seen news about Valve spying on us it was related to the anticheat system). In that case, any other game launcher does. Same goes for Google, Facebook and whoever.
But ok, fine. Steam is a spyware. 18 updates so far in 2014. We are the 7th of November. You do the math. And I suppose you have GoG fanboys, Origin Fanboys ... hell even Uplay fanboys (most of them being in a mental institution suppose). I don't really understand what you're trying to demonstrate. You're partially correct. You can backup games files and then reinstall them, even if you don't have an active internet connection.
Being objective doesn't mean you can Why can't we have a grown-up conversation? It's a bit sad. Now I remember why I don't like to have "discussion" on boards ... I suppose you've nothing else intelligible to add.
And before you respond: no, "fuck you" isn't an intelligible answer.

Regards,
G2k

---but it certainly is a stress reliever!
:)

No... seriously. I've been fortunate that Steam has been satisfactory for me since 2011 without nary a problem that support cannot solve.

...and GOG? so, far I've played 2 complimentary games this site offers without a problem. I hope that quality extends when I purchase 'Krush, Kill & Destroy Extreme' in the future.