I should have done more due diligence before purchasing Skyrim, but I realize I didn't and I'm prepared for this.
I don't know if this has been covered here or it is the proper place, but I don't really care at this point and if this post is deleted, well I at least got my point across to some admin here.

I think Bethesda made a huge mistake requiring steam to play Skyrim and I want them to know about it. Forcing a buyer to install third party software that requires (even if it is only periodic) an internet connection to play an offline, single player game is ridiculous in my opinion.

Yes, you can set it to offline mode, but after a couple of weeks you are still required to connect to steam so they can upload updates, track your usage, shut you down for no apparent reason, etc. You are at their mercy. If you upset steam (even through not fault of your own....read: someone hacks your account), you could even permanently loose the ability to play the game you just dished $60 out for.

Now most people are probably going to say they haven't had problems and can deal with this.

On the other hand, There are those of us that feel like this is just another method of control forced upon us. There are many reasons, aside from the control factor (lack of reliable internet, no internet, etc.), that I find this very distasteful, but the simple matter was that I was looking for a game I could play (forever if I wanted to) without having an internet connection.

At a high level, I don't see where this is conceptually different from having the government requiring you to have an On-Star like service in every new car so they can completely shut down the vehicle if they ever feel like it for whatever misguided reason.

Sorry if I am ranting here, but I need to let off some steam (pun intended), but at least I found this out before I opened the game. I'll be setting up a return as soon as it arrives...voting with my wallet to let Bethesda know they made a big mistake (and hoping there are enough others out there to make a big impact on their bottom line).

Though I'm on xbox, I've seen alot of these posts. It seems like a problem more than a few people have concerns with and I'm pretty certain Bethesda will address it,

Once the game has been validate, make a shortcut pointing to the TESV.exe and you can play without Steam.

You only need steam for updates, and if you want to run the Launcher first. Anything you do in the launcher can be done other ways if you really hate to use Steam.

To be honest, I welcome Steam. This means we won't have to deal with Securom or whatever for DLC as we had with Oblivion. Considering that, the (very loose) online requirement is a nice trade-off.

Also I have used Steam for along time , never had an issue with it. You also dont need to run steam after installation.

one of the reasons why I got skyrim was because it was on steam. I have like 30 games on steam and it's easy to access for me but I guess some ppl don't like steam and never use it.

You are not alone OP. There's a bunch of threads for DRM/Steam discussion. I've read them in detail, even though I'm on PS3. The topic facinates me (in a morbid way).

Personally i am glad they picked steam. Been using it for 6 years never really had any problems and find it very useful with having all my games and friends in one place.

Yep, I have about 20 games on Steam and I refuse to buy a game if It doesn't come on Steam.

Please guys, stop whining about stuff before you actually know how it operates.

Blegh I just svcked it up.

Compare it to EA's origin and you'll be extremely happy with it as Steam doesn't steal your personal information from your PC... yet...

While I agree with almost everything you said, I do understand them wanting to use Steam distribution, if for no other reason to cut back on piracy (and yes, I understand the pirates will get around it regardless). Do I like it? No, not at all. But, it is what it is. PC gaming has become a niche market... You cannot deny that a VAST, VAST majority of the sales will come from the console side. And in the end, business is business... You cut back in the area where you are making the least amount of money.

I WAS irked that after buying a physical copy of the collectors' edition that I had to download the game from Steam instead of installing FROM THE DISC. LOL. That didn't make sense to me at ALL. Only later did I find out that you could work around that issue and actually install from the disc. But by then I already had a sour taste in my mouth. :shakehead:

The thing that worries me MOST about Skyrim using steam is "how will it affect the mods?" It may not affect them at all... How DOES Steam handle modding?

Please don't whine about my whine unless you intend to enlighten us with verifiable facts as to what was wrong with my post.

Well, with my 5 year old steam account, I think I may be cover in some way.

Steam is a blessing.

It is an obscene waste of resources to buy software in a box. Steam is good for the planet

.

I use to hate steam now I love it for example me and my mate use to talk on msn now I can just talk on steam without having to constantly press CTRL-ALT-DEL, I know when new patches are coming out granted I hate how it automatically updates since I have a [censored] internet play (8GB a month). It can be annoying but steam has gotten better overtime, as long as they don't stuff up with mods ill be happy

That's the post you center in on? I gave you the facts you want. Steam is only needed to install and validate. After that, play without it.

And no, you can't uninstall Steam, but at least you can play without it. A fair compromise in my book.

Not to mention shelf-space. I have no more to spare

The poll at the top of the page refutes that statement if the forum members who took part are indicative of sales...

It could be worse...GFWL...

This is what we call Stockholm Syndrome - "Steam abuses me less than other DRM methods!" - you do realise there is a 3rd option: No DRM

Which will not happen too soon with other Games than those from CDPR.
We have to be realistic here. Beth has chosen the least intrusive DRM which also adds value through it's social features, achievements, screenshots etc.
For that, I give them Kudos.

It won't affect nodding at all,really. New Vegas requires Steam and mods work just fine with it.