Hey,
I've had a friend just buy Fear 2 and apparently needs a Steam account to run I've been unable to find anything about so I thought I'd ask here:
Does a Bought Of The Shelf version of Project Origin need a Steam Account? Because I don't have a Steam account and don't intend on getting a steam account. But I do like F.E.A.R.
Any ideas?
Edit - Apparently I'm shit at googling at times. Needs Steam Activation so it appears that I won't be buying F.E.A.R. 2.
Karl

Pure speculation and talking out of my ass here since I have not and will not anytime soon be purchasing F.E.A.R. 2 because I lack the necessary funds... but it makes no sense whatsoever that the retail box copy would require Steam to run.
If it was Games for Windows Live I'd understand, but requiring Steam? What's with all the Steam hate?

Seems it's becoming a trend with new PC games. Empire:Total War is also going to require Steam activation and if memory serves, there are a couple others upcoming that will as well.

Personally I love Steam for the convenience and community features. Not to mention the seamless updating process. So far I haven't found any unnecessary restrictions that detract from the enjoyment of my purchased titles.
Again I sincerely just don't understand the hate towards Steam.

This is basically Steam's way of combating (unnecessarily really) Games for Windows - Live, by signing deals with developers to be their release platform.
Really, as much as I hate DRM I think that Steam is the closest way of doing it right. Rather than inconveniencing those of us who are legit with USELESS serial keys and CD dependencies it simply requires a login and offers useful functionality such as automatic updates and automated backups. The obvious drawback is just the need for an Internet connection.
:)

Yeah... I used to worry about that too but I just realized that who the hell doesn't have an internet connection these days? It's practically like wanting to play videogames, but not having electricity.

NOT. COOL. Steam shouldn't infiltrate the masses with their distribution model. I want to play Half-Life 2 without your stupid Steam thing, and I WILL!
But I can't.

Yeah I think dawn of war 2 does as well which is annoying because whilst I own half life 2, I'm never going to install it again because I thought it was crap and so I assumed I'd be safe from steam. Also its funny that empire total war needs it, a steam-detesting friend of mine just ordered it, it'll be a laugh to be the one to tell him...

I agree. And people wonder why piracy is such a good deal...

meh, I'm glad for it, although I'll never play F.E.A.R. because I think it's C.R.A.P.

Well I thought that FEAR1 was good, FEAR 2... well it was pretty... also the gameplay was crap, they stripped out a feaure I used a hell of a lot (leaning around corners to shoot people in relative safety) and the put in a stupid fucking mechwarrior unit with unlimited ammo.
I'm going to be investigating less than legal ways to play DOW2 and E:TW if & when I can ever get a computer to run them. I'd have no problem at all having a steam account and registering the games online in place of a CD key but I don't want the app because I'd never use any of its features, I patch manually and I don't multiplay. To use an analogy, it'd be like having a lamborghini and the only time you drive is in a 50km zone going to do the groceries. Sure you'd have kick arse options with all the bells and whistles but if you're not going to use them then it's just a waste.

I don't care about Steam activation but I won't buy this game with price of $49.99. Maybe I will buy it for $19.99 later.

Is steam available in all regions? I know a lot of their content is america only (or sure as fuck not for australians) but what about their service for activation and stuff? Maybe thats the reason games are drifing that way, from what I've read, GFWL isn't available everywhere

Considering its half the game that FEAR 1 was, I'd say that sounds reasonable.
On-topic: I have no problem with using Steam as the only way I install games anymore is through Steam (or GOG). Everyone that hates Steam needs to get a grip, its the most advanced digital distribution platform and doesn't hinder the way you play games in any way except the DRM enforced on a game by it's makers. You don't even need the damn internet to play games, just to install them.

I don't see what is wrong with normal online activation... What made them thing that having the program for a Buy & Download game server is necessary for a boxed game that you buy in a physical store? I mean really... it's retarded.
I don't have anything to do with Steam because I like owning the physical copy of games if possible, I don't want to have a seperate program running that allows me to play a different program, I don't have a credit card (and Paypal doesn't accept NZ bank accounts) and now this bullshit makes me even less likely to have anything to do with Steam... Well done Steam. Your loyal followers won't be affected so why should you care if you just shat everyone else. Bunch of tossers.
Karl