Portal 2 is $30 now, don't be cheap. :p

Not cheap, just consistently broke, I believe there is a difference.

$30 is too much for a rental. :P

The pack is actually 77% off while the individual games are 75% off. The pack is actually only $6.87 cheaper than the combined individual price, so unless you want to buy all those titles it's probably cheaper to go with individual games.

That being said... I've never played a Paradox strategy game before, but they've always intrigued me. I tried the EU3 demo a few months ago, but was almost immediately overwhelmed by all the options available. My question is, what's a good game in this sale that might be the most approachable and/or the most fun?

Why does this stuff always happen when I have no money? I can't even afford the two dollars and fifty cents for Rome Gold.

Edit: Words seriously escape me right now. Thank you to GoJays and to Spindown for the offer.

EU:Rome Gold. For me it is at the right pace and complexity, while also having many new things which help the gameplay.
But, if you don't like the period, then you might want to try EU3.

From Paradox games which are not on sale, Pride of Nations, which is actually a real turn based game, is so far among my favourites. But yeah, Rome is my favourite among all those on sale now.

You are aware that technically, nearly every game purchase you ever have made are rentals, right? Most EULA which are in the fine print right before you install a game, indicates you only purchased a license to play the game, you don't actually own the game it's self. Also, those licenses can typically be revoked, for any reason the developer chooses.

I understand the disdain for Steam, but nobody really owns any game they have purchased due to the restrictive EULA they "agree" to. Now the legality of said EULA's are subjective at best, but still.

No, there is a difference. When I buy a game (in the traditional sense) I buy the licence. When I 'buy' a game on Steam I subscribe to a service, hence the Steam Subscriber Agreement. If you want to discuss this further, feel free to PM me. I'll stop derailing the thread now.
<.<

Subscription != rental.

Rental requires regular payments. Furthermore, you only have a subscription to use Steam. You have a license for the games that you have purchased on Steam.

I've PM'd you, since you ignored the whole "PM me so this thread isn't derailed any further." thing.

So can we get back to game deals, please?
Isn´t there already a thread for longwinded ranting about DRM on the GOG Forum?

Steam Daily: Anomaly: Warzone Earth $3.33 (67%)

You mean every thread in general discussion?

Heyo~!

Let's not argue semantics here, mate. A drm system explicitly states that you don't own the game and merely allows you to play the game. For that matter the publisher could even ban access to your game implicitly...A drm system is actually a euphemism for a rental as it is not you who controls access to a game but valve and I would like to reiterate that you don't actually own the game, the publisher does...In the unlikely situation that something happens to steam then you ostensibly no longer have access to your games. The difference between purchasing a game in a 'traditional sense' as you state is you own a license to a copy of the game. That copy is yours and once you key in the cd key and use it any fashion you like...offline or online.You don't have to validate your credentials each time you play the game.....Even if the game is offline only on steam it becomes kinda like an MMO....(I know steam has an offline but you still neeed to key in your credentials. no?)

Moreover if something happens to my computer, then I always have access to a permanent physical back up and I could re-install it if I like without wasting precious bandwidth (in my country we do happen to bandwith caps).

I usually download games from my work computer as my home connection isn't very consistent.....However for a game that is offline only, I have to run the back up, run steam, wait for it to update and approve access. It makes for a very tedious process and akin to that of accessing a bank account.

As a DRM service, steam is fantastic. However I don't particularly like a DRM system in the first place as it constricts my freedom to play a game...and that's precisely what its meant to do.

jesus christ you guys get sidetracked into the stupidest arguments ever on this board

They just want someone to gift them games till they shut up.