benefits include using separate accounts for cloudsaves and achievements, for instance. Obvious downside is concurrent playing. I do use it with my friends quite a bit, although for some reason my friends stick to playing dota and don't use any of the 775 games on my steam library. I'm mildly offended at that fact, actually.

I would be too, pricks lol. So how do I go about setting that up? Or will I be down repped to hell for asking? :D

* If you're making this suggestion. You don't know how SFS works.

SFS is not like sharing a book. It's like sharing a book which you glue every new book onto.

Of course I can use offline mode, if you want you can call it "a way to bypass Steams Unfair restrictions". But the fact remains, VALVe chose 6 years ago to remove the ability to play different games at the same time. The fact remains their customers asked for a family system and they created something that still forces you into rebuying games.
If you KNEW you can't play different games at the same time, why the flux did you suggest it?

Yes, that family sharing limitation is annoying. I know Valve meant it to allow console style gaming (several players on a single PC) but it could have been more, and it's annoying to have to work around the limitation.
DRM-free would be easier to use in this case.

Not all games on Steam use DRM. Check the non Steam Steam games thread. Easier would also be a matter of opinion haha.

I usually check the GOG catalog to see if the dev has other games available here to determine whether or not the game will be distributed DRM-free. In my experience, a company with newer games in the catalog seems to have a much higher chance of release on GOG than most unknown indies and AAA releases from 10+ years ago. If it looks like the game has been out for a while *cough Deus Ex:HR, cough cough* and seems unlikely to ever be released here, I just swallow my pride and purchase it elsewhere.

I moan because I didn't have to use a work around before.

Imagine if a software update removed central locking from your car.
Sure I can just lean over and open the door, but i didn't have to before.
And now they've added "Multi Door unlocking", except it locks all other doors after the first door is opened.

Its a restriction that should not be there. Just as DVD should not have unskippable Ads. Its a n annoyance forced on legitimate users and legitimate use.

Additional Note on buying direct from Publisher.

I bought Never Alone from the publisher. Less than a year later their loader stopped working. They dropped support for it forcing me to use a Steam version.

I'm not sure if its still the case but I got Torchlight II from the Devs, hoped to use the linux version , but that is only available via Steam.

life... uh... life finds a way...

If you can buy the game from somewhere other than steam, do it. It's usually far cheaper on a third-party site than actually on steam.
But yes, Steam is NOT the anti-gaming service that everyone claims. It has come a long way from what it was. There are still things that need work.

Like GOG? ;)

Yep. DRM and licensing are both a reaction to the evolution of information. Its a bit like scribes getting a cut from book sales after the invention of the Press.

If its ONLY on Steam, don't buy it.
If it has a DRM-free version, buy it.
If a friend tells you they want a game, direct them to the DRM-free version.

I'll send you a PM if you want, but it will be tomorrow as I'm kinda busy now.

Edit: well, thanks to those pricks I played Shadow of Mordor, South Park, Dark souls 2 and Metal Gear Rising among others for free. So.... yeah, not complaining to loudly.
Because I think it's an option that may be useful, depending on family circumstances. I'm very particular about others unlocking stuff on my game profiles, and some games only allow for a single profile because they're evil. That might help, specially in a situation when children play in the evening and the parents at night.

With 5 kids, even if we didn't play the chances of the Library lock causing upset is very high. At least a couple of times a week someone wouldn't be able to play the game they wanted even though it is sitting unused.