PC Players, will you purchase a physical copy or a copy thro : V - Skyrim

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:02 pm

I'll get a physical copy for 360 and a steam copy for the PC . . . then maybe a physical copy also when the inevitable GOTY edition comes out.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:12 pm

The critical question that many need to be asking, is will the Physical copy still require Steam to install so we can play? In that case, you don't own the game any more than you would if you purchased it directly from Steam. All you have is a Steam game and a disc that is still useless without your steam account (as in, exactly like Fallout New Vegas is.) If this game requires Steam it will be a huge disappointment for myself. If Steam goes, or just your account, so does access your game, no matter what you "own" or how you purchased it.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:55 pm

Physical copy; preorder. :yes:

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:43 pm

I love steam but probably will buy physical just because it tends to be easier to mod and also because I like to have the box for TES games since they're significant/special games for me and I kind of like a keepsake.

» Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:31 am

I like collecting game cases, so disk. One of the reasons I like Bethesda TES games is they dont have the condiluted and invasive "DRM" that games like EAs Dragon Age 2 has so my original disks stay in relatively good condition.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:32 pm

Physical copy that I can activate on STEAM via Steamworks, like with FNV

» Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:00 am

It's just slightly faster to navigate to the folder when it's under the Bethesda Softworks folder, but it all works exactly the same. Chances are physical copies will still use the Steam directory anyways.

If navigation matters that much to people anyways, just make a shortcut on your desktop or index the entire steamapps folder in a library.

You cannot resell games that require Steam (because of one-time activation), nor do stores like GameStop buy PC games even if they don't use Steam. DRM is DRM, all PC games have it, and they all kill resell value. Steam can also be used offline just fine, the background processes are irrelevant because they barely encumber your performance, and if you're going to crack the game (that is, buy a boxed version, refuse to install it, and get a cracked version instead), that is still piracy.

Can't sell the game at a store no, but I sure as hell can sell the game myself to someone interested in buying.

» Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:17 am

I honestly don't know. I'd like my copy to be in english, not spanish (I've played MW and OB always in english, and I simply don't feel like playing any TES game in spanish), so Steam would be nice for me if the physical copy isn't multilanguage....but in the other hand I'd probably want the Collector's Edition, with all the physical stuff included. And besides of that, I want to play Skyrim the 11/11/11, and I'm not sure how much time would it take for an international shipping to arrive here...(Amazon?)

So I pretty much still don't know what to do

» Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:08 am

I honestly don't know. I'd like my copy to be in english, not spanish (I've played MW and OB always in english, and I simply don't feel like playing any TES game in spanish), so Steam would be nice for me if the physical copy isn't multilanguage....but in the other hand I'd probably want the Collector's Edition, with all the physical stuff included. And besides of that, I want to play Skyrim the 11/11/11, and I'm not sure how much time would it take for an international shipping to arrive here...(Amazon?)

So I pretty much still don't know what to do

The physical copy and the Steam copy ARE the same.
If you buy it on a disc that only means you don't have to download it. You still need Steam and so you have the advantage of playing it in every available language

I'll buy it on a disc; the collectors edition if avaiable.
Unfortunately I also have to wait to 14th Nov or so until I can play because of the shipping :/

» Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:07 am

..., and if you're going to crack the game (that is, buy a boxed version, refuse to install it, and get a cracked version instead), that is still piracy.

This actually depends on your jurisdiction. In Germany (for which I have some knowledge), as long as you are allowed to use the software (either buying it or licensing the right to use it, doesn't matter), you're allowed to run a manipulated version of the software as well - including cracks and so on. Distributing those cracks is another matter, but you can create, acquire and use them just fine.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:29 pm

Physical, I want the collectors edition goodies!

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:46 pm

Physical, no question. I hate steam. Potentially good idea, but in practice it has had me furious in the past.

And Rogue - if x=1, then x-1 does not =1!

» Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:34 am

The physical copy and the Steam copy ARE the same.

Really? I'd never have guessed... :rolleyes:

When Steam is capable of materialize-dematerialize physical content such as maps, statuettes, or other goodies that might come with the Collector's Edition, we'll talk about getting stuff though Steam only.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:17 pm

Physical copy, though I don't like this talk of Steam required...not that I don't like Steam I have a few games on there, but I guess it's in how they implement the DRM, is it going to be like AC where if you have no internet you can't play? or something more reasonable?

If they go the idiotic route I feel that there will be many more people pirating this game (I wouldn't though I would seriously look for cracks to remove the Steam DRM if it caused problems with my gameplay)

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:17 pm

I find myself using Steam more and more these days. For a major release like Skyrim I'll be getting a physical (collector's edition) copy, but any game I don't plan to do that for I'm much more likely to go with digital distribution.

» Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:28 am

I like to buy the physical copy for quick install. Then I just use Steam. Total War games do it well. Steam is required. Personally, I like Steam. Very organized. Game and video card updates are nice. But I do like a physical copy.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:24 pm

Physical, no contest. If I am paying money for something I am going to hold it in my hands. Besides, it's less of a hassle.

» Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:38 am

Physical copy. I don't trust the digital download ones, also I think they are different sometimes, or at least the files can be.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:24 pm

Will probably go for a steam version as I’m sure I get it on Friday so I can play all weekend.
As I understand you have the option to download big games before release so they are ready to play at release time.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:36 pm

I would buy Skyrim only on dvd with a disk-check as DRM. I consider Steam--and any distribution method that is dependent upon an online server--to be a rental service that can terminate at any time. I'm not paying $60 for that.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:28 pm

Physical copy. Steam is just too expensive.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:33 pm

I have about 60 games on steam but I am going to try to get a physical copy of skyrim. I had boxes for morrowind and oblivion and I want a box for skyrim. possibly going to get the collectors edition.

And oblivion didn't have ANY DRM, just a disc check so here's hoping! But I always forget, is it a steamworks game?

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:05 pm

Depends on the DRM method used.

If it's a simple disc check or a CD-key system that doesn't involve the installation of near malicious 3rd-party programs, then physical.

If it uses SecuROM or other near malicious DRM methods like it, then Steam.

If it uses constant online activation methods, then Steam.

If it uses Steamworks, then I'll just save myself the hassle and get it on Steam.

So yeah, unless there's no DRM or a very non intrusive form of it, then I'll more than likely be getting it off of Steam.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:38 pm

Steam. I prefer having a phsical copy tho.

Why steam then? I live in israel and itll take about 3 days or a week after release until ill land my hands on skyrim(the waiting time until skyrim will get in to israel physicly). I will not be able hold myself a day after skyrim comes out! thats why steam.

» Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:05 pm

Mmmm....Physical copy...Mmmm...