Due to threads about Steam/GoG/DRM in Bethesda games being scattered in many game sections across the forum which makes it very difficult to moderate and the number of problems in each one, we have decided to have one thread for the discussion for everyone to discuss various forms of DRM/Steam in one place.

At the present we have no information about what DRM future games being published by Bethesda will have. There has been no formal announcement about it so this thread is merely for expressing your thoughts on various possibilities and expressing your thoughts about Steam and/or other DRM options which may be used.

The following rules will apply to this thread as well as all forum rules already in place.

1. No flaming, attacking or demeaning one another for their opinion about Steam/DRM (pro or con)
2. Any encouragement of piracy will result in a warning and temporary suspension of your account. Admission of piracy will result in a ban. This includes circumventing DRM of any kind.
3. Repeated posts by the same member to say the same thing can be considered spam and result in a warning against your account.

Rage has been confirmed to use Steamworks.

Skyrim has been confirmed to use Steamworks.

Dishonored has been confirmed to use Steamworks.


Steam installation link: http://store.steampowered.com/about/

One of the frequent complaints about Steam is that it can't be played offline. We are providing a link for instructions to do so. If it will not work for you, please contact Steam to assist with the issue.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3160-AGCB-2555

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1224956-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion/page__view__findpost__p__18502385

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1712878

https://support.steampowered.com/register.php

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17



Please note the following forum rule prior to posting:
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/724862-forum-rules-and-general-information/

For the purpose of this forum, EULAs are legally binding. Discussion of breaking it, avoiding it or cracking the game will result in a warning or ban of your account.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1258551-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1286613-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1331715-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-26/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1359009-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-27/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1382539-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-28/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1416613-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-29/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1453951-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-30/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1476435-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-31/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1477500-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-32/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1486711-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-33/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1487865-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-34/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1494398-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-35/

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1502731-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-36/

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1503944-unofficial-steamdrm-discussion-37/

Continued from the last thread:

JeniSkunk:

Sorry, but your fundamental error in logic here is assuming that you have objective rights as a consumer in regards to video games. You don't. There is no Constitution stating what you are owed and how you should be treated for every game you buy. The only "rights" you have are given to you by the game developer/publisher/distributor, and the "rights" depend on the game; the EULA is the closest thing you'll get to consumer "rights," and even then it really only tells you how the companies can treat you, not how you can expect to be treated.

Sure, that isn't a great reality. But it is THE reality.

http://hexus.net/gaming/news/industry/73857-valve-hit-legal-action-australia-steam-refunds/

As an American, I can't speak for Australian law, however I have been in a couple of situations where Steam has refunded me money for a game (one was on a pre-order I didn't want anymore, one was on a game that didn't work as advertised) without issue. Both were situations where I would hope to be able to get my money back, and even though Steam offers no guarantee for the latter situation, they still refunded me. And, once again, the Steam policy has a disclaimer for local law allowances, so those who fall into this category are not "throwing away their consumer rights." This situation is clearly being handled by Australian officials.

In America, stories that sell video games as physical media are under no obligation to give you your money back for the game if you have removed it from its shrinkwrap. If you have taken it out of its packaging, how do they know you haven't already played/installed it/pirated it and are now just returning the game to get your money back?

Not to discount your experience but I have seen when others had to quote local law to get the refund

It was this bit that I found interesting: "Valve had excluded, restricted or modified statutory guarantees and/or warranties that goods would be of acceptable quality", that's a bit different from getting money back for someone who has purchased a popular and (let's face it, mostly) functional game.

Where, when, and what service(s) are you referring to?

The fact that people are quoting a local law in order to receive a refund means that their rights are being abided by.

I don't know if JeniSkunk was talking about the ability to return games when she stated that Steam removes peoples' rights (I assumed she was just referring to having greater control over purchased games), however it seems to me that this is one specific area where Steam accounts for local laws.