That's just a shot in the dark and you could say so about any software on your computer. I could now claim that I don't get why people use Firefox as their browser because it might be spying your activity, software and stuff and this claim would have just about as much merit as what you have said. Steam actually does collect information, but only after specifically asking whether or not you wish to allow it doing so.

Now if you're genuinely curious about why people use Steam, here you go. If you just want to fight, this was my last message.

Anyway, why do I use Steam. Let's break it up, shall we:
- Convenience.
Now this one will get thrown around a lot as the service indeed is quite convenient. I can access my games anywhere, at any given time, and more and more games support Steam cloud, so even my progress transfers between computers when I'm playing something, and it is done effortlessly. Arguably, you could say that the convenience argument applies to GOG as well and you'd be right, but GOG doesn't handle quite a few things - and can't, since it's DRM-free. Namely that's already mentioned cloud saves, automatic updating of your games, and automatic addition of an in-game interface that you can use to take screenshots (I actually love that functionality.)

- Prices.
Steam just often sells games for incredibly cheap prices, and there just is a price where I'll gladly use their services.

- Community
Now this is a big one, at least for me. In-game chat, friends and all that - not all that important per se, but Steamworks multiplayer is often what decides whether or not I'm going to buy a game with coop. Why you ask? Because multiplayer titles taking advantage of Steamworks just work perfectly, without any need of interference from either me or my friends. I'm fed up with networking issues, with working out what the hell is wrong for several hours instead of playing. So yeah, when it's co-op, I want it to be Steamworks enabled, as it's just about the most reliable MR service I have ever seen.

- Achievements
"But achievements are new thing and they suck!" Nope, they don't. There are many reasons why achievements are a pretty damn good idea, but if you don't like them, it's fine - just bear in mind that there are people who do.

I'm sure I forgot something, but to conclude, Steam is, for the most part, a stable, reliable and highly convenient service. If you don't want to use it, that's fine, but it has a lot going for it.
:D :D :D

More than I used to. At this point, the war is over and Valve owns PC gaming. They go under, 99% of PC gamers are going to be irate. They support Linux now, which is more than I can say for some places, big picture mode makes it super convenient to plug it into the TV and play controller compatible games... as long as their support doesn't permanently delete all of my screenshots, temporarily ban me from all Steam Community features, and have support staff that openly mocks me and gets the last laugh with shit like "enjoy your ban. :)", I'll make due. Reluctantly. But with less reluctance than I used to have.

Seriously, though. I didn't use Steam for months after that incident. Eventually support caved a few months later, but not so much as an apology, not even for permanently deleting over 100 screenshots. Or even much of an explanation. The word "advertising" was used at some point. All I can possibly imagine was that it had to do with mentioning a few alternatives to Steam on my profile page. My page was blanked after that ban, and aside from the avatar, I've left all of my profile details intentionally blank ever since. I decided I didn't want any trouble.

Hopefully, there is a special place in hell for the scum responsible. Zefar in particular could use any sort of lesson in humility.

There are several games I refuse to buy on GOG but will buy on Steam due to Steam giving me the Linux version as well. I won't pay the same for just the Windows + Mac version of a game as I will for Windows + Mac + Linux version. Also I choose to vote with my wallet against any company that refuses to give me the Linux version of a game that has such a Linux version.

Oh, right, and Linux versions. Let's not forget the Linux versions.

That's why I add most of my non-steam games to steam, so that I can use the snapshot feature.

I'm really hoping they'll add something to record videos with eventually.

I use Bandicam to do video recordings. (got it free on a promo a while back, but it was a one time activation, and if I reinstall windows I loose the ability to use it :P )

Steam gives you trading cards! (apparently)

Does GOG give you trading cards? Eh? EH???

Enough said.

Yes.

How about we feast on Gabe and fuck the ravens, is that okay?

Me don't get the deal with the trading card scam stream is running. It's not real trading cards, steam will never give you something like this:

They're shiny!

Not a steam fan, since I abhor client software (have the same bone with Games for Windows LIVE), am not a fan of cloud-based anything, not just games, preferring hard copies of data on my hard drive(s) and discs, and dislike auto/forced upgrade cycles, preferring to do these manually if at all (same with all the software on my computer, from browsers to media players to editing suites).

I'm old-fashioned though with my gaming, and pretty picky (you might say dogmatic with my genre tastes). The most DRM I tolerated was a Direct2Drive(RIP) installed game dialing home once after install. I have no interest in multiplayer gaming, really. GOG serves all my needs. They're continuing to do so beautifully with these copious summer sales.

With DD in general I do worry that I'll wake up one morning and one of the stores with have gone and taken my library there with them or randomly decide that I'm a pirate and terminate my account or something
But beside those underlying concerns there are MANY advantages to DD:
Patch management, convenient and infinitely stocked stores, digital copies can't be scratched or borrowed and never returned and they don't take up room in your cupboard

In regard to Steam, if I end up with a game both here and at Steam I'll probably play the Steam version because of the superior patch delivery system and the, yes I'll say it, value that steamworks adds
GOG is fantastic for the old stuff though, getting it running on modern systems and keeping it running on the systems of the future