that’s true but i think compared to most other consoles nowadays it goes a very sustainable path. valve does nothing to prevent you from running gog games, which are true digital ownership at least. i know physical media are the most tangible option in the moment, but in the long run blurays for example actually have a limited lifespan
Steam hasn’t (afaik) revoked access from a game that someone already owns, and DRM on steam is entirely optional, even if you use the steamworks sdk. (source: I am a developer making a game using the steamworks sdk that can run without steam open or installed)
most of the time i play switch and ps5, which i can get physical copies though. i just like to have them given the way a lot of streaming companies have just pulled content without warning.
edit: also that brings us to another point; you used to be able to go in and buy boxed pc games in the store all the time
I’d argue that the problem with non-physical releases is mainly conservation, and software pirates seem to have that covered for PC releases.
Now if you wanna buy a game, DRM free is of course preferable. I buy as much as I can from gog, because I don’t want to blindly trust any corporation, regardless of their past record. After all, valve is set up in a way that gives them all the leverage.
This + the monopoly steam has over PC gaming and thier unfair pricing practices. I know that Valve is universaly praised for their contribution to Linux, but don’t forget these issues.
the only thing i hate about the rise of steam gaming is the loss of owning physical media since you can’t by physical copies of steam deck games.
that’s true but i think compared to most other consoles nowadays it goes a very sustainable path. valve does nothing to prevent you from running gog games, which are true digital ownership at least. i know physical media are the most tangible option in the moment, but in the long run blurays for example actually have a limited lifespan
Steam hasn’t (afaik) revoked access from a game that someone already owns, and DRM on steam is entirely optional, even if you use the steamworks sdk. (source: I am a developer making a game using the steamworks sdk that can run without steam open or installed)
https://steamcommunity.com/app/243870/discussions/0/305510202680389704/
Is it ownership you’re worried about? There are other ways to have backups. Also, aren’t most PC games digital?
most of the time i play switch and ps5, which i can get physical copies though. i just like to have them given the way a lot of streaming companies have just pulled content without warning.
edit: also that brings us to another point; you used to be able to go in and buy boxed pc games in the store all the time
There real ownership I worry about is valve
Gaben will Not be the benevolent dictator forever, and I hope whoever inherits the company will follow his footsteps
I’d argue that the problem with non-physical releases is mainly conservation, and software pirates seem to have that covered for PC releases.
Now if you wanna buy a game, DRM free is of course preferable. I buy as much as I can from gog, because I don’t want to blindly trust any corporation, regardless of their past record. After all, valve is set up in a way that gives them all the leverage.
Buying from GOG is also useful as you can keep the offline installers somewhere if you have the storage for it.
This + the monopoly steam has over PC gaming and thier unfair pricing practices. I know that Valve is universaly praised for their contribution to Linux, but don’t forget these issues.