So I've never downloaded Steam because up until now the only online games I've played on are blizzard games which don't need steamworks. So basically I don't know how to use steam at all and I am unsure if I should get Brink through steam so I can use steamworks, or can you use steamworks without purchasing the game through steam? Is it basically a necessity to use steamworks to have a good multiplayer experience? What if I just go and buy the game at walmart like I planned to, will I still be able to play multiplayer with a vast number of people? Or do I need to use a higher trafficked server-thing like steamworks?

tl;dr What are the pros and cons of Steam?

If you buy Brink, steam will probably be installed from the disk aswell. You can download steamworks without any game (I guess) but it won't have much use then. I personally hate steam, can't work with it and it doesn't improve multiplayer. However it might be required to play Brink (Not sure) so I think you better install it if they ask.

Steam has improved a lot over the last couple of years, it doesn't really have any glaring problems anymore. If Steam is offering Brink for purchase (which it is) you will definitely have to download steamworks in order to play Brink.

Ah I see. So I can buy Brink from a store, but still be able to or even be required to play it through steamworks, yet I don't necessarily need to buy it from Steam. Thank you for clearing that up, I just didn't want to miss out on any multiplayer experiences because I am not a steam user.

steam is really annoying when games you buy on a disc are required to be activated through steam and the fact you have to be online to be able to start up any steam games

It`s 2010, Who doesnt have an internet connection these days?
And the fact that you did not bother to learn how to use steam is obvious, Otherwise you would have known to just press the offline mode button.

the people who play on their laptops not at home maybe? well i didnt know there was a magic button that did that i only use steam for civilization 5 which i normally play at home anyway so i cant say i wanted to "learn" how to use it properly when i didnt need to so good on you whiz kid for mastering steam! :mellow:

People who live outside of the reach of cable frequently don't have internet, as most options available to them are either very slow or very expensive.

But yes, you can play your steam games without internet, but you still need to launch them from your steam browser.

I was stranded without Half-Life 2 for weeks while the internet repaired, and had no other games.

Problems with Steam: Playing without Interwebs. Oh, and Gabe will make a cash shop for it. Lol.

I just looked into it, and apparently you can only play offline if you're online when you tell it you want to use offline mode....that's pretty pointless >.>

Steam is not the Ubisoft Launcher. You only have to be online once to activate a game and can use Steam in Offline Mode then.


Also, afaik:
Steam = The Store/Community/Game-Platform
Steamworks = The Development-Platform
(But I'm not sure if that is correct.)


Imho, Steam is quite some useful tool. If you plan on selling one of your games at a later stage, simply create an account soley for that one. That's how I'd do it.

The Community-Feature of Steam is really great, if the Developers actually make use of it.
Right-click on a friend to join his game-session? I definately support that service. And even more if it works with all my multiplayer-games on Steam.

that is why i said you have to be online to START UP a game

I don't have an internet connection back home. Well, I have dial-up, but that really doesn't count. There is no cable internet companies in the area. So your point is moot.

I understand that steam is putting stone and mortar video game stores between a rock and a hard place, even to the point that some stores in Great Britain are considering boycotting the sales of any games run through steam. They just have such a substantial market share because its so easy for producers to make and sell games through steam. Steam isn't the monster that most monopolies are, however. They have yet to actually abuse their market share, and seem to be the good guys by supporting small developers.

Its hard to imagine Valve being a monopoly...they always seem like they're the underdogs, even when they have churned out three totally different games that have been enormous financial and critical successes; Half-Life 2, Team Fortress, and Portal.

I'm not really sure i can relay the information as well as i should, so ill just lead you towards an http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_245/7285-Steam-A-Monopoly-In-the-Making about it.

I'm not a 360tard, but XBox Live has been letting you do that since 2005, just sayin.

It wouldn't be a stretch to consider Steam to be the PC version of XBL or PSN. Steam has 70% of the market share when it comes to PC games now.

Well, Steam isn't all that green. I mean, their prices are horrific compared to actual store-prices. I can buy Black Ops for ~35€ in stores right now, but Steam still wants 59,99€; without a box, without a disc,



Because Consoles don't have dedicated servers.

I like steam because..

It makes it easy for me and my friends, clanmates to keep in touch.
I like having my games all in 1 place.
Steam games cost about as much as boxed version I can buy in stores, unless something happend to the pricing the last 2 years..
Aaaaand for all the sales they got, like the one going now.

Xfire works as good as steam to stay in touch. I prefer xfire over steam, mainly because you don't need internet to play your games.

You don't need internet to play Steam games; as long as client info is saved on your computer, you're set.

Not everyone has that luxe(ry?) ^^

But then how would you download games in the first place?