Is the PC version STEAM only? : V - Skyrim

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 2:03 pm

Well personally nothing would make me more happy than for Skyrim to require Steam, that way I could download it if the disc has problems.

However, you could install from disk and simply register it, right? Or would you have to download Skyrim from the steam servers first? Because that would svck to no end.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:02 am

Well personally nothing would make me more happy than for Skyrim to require Steam, that way I could download it if the disc has problems.

Wouldn't you be equally happy if it simply allowed Steam instead of required it? The end result for you would be the same and it would allow those who don't like Steam to avoid using it.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 2:59 am

That is actually not true for two reasons.

Reason one is related to piracy and is therefore a restricted topic on this board.

Reason two is that Steam will still connect from time to time while in "offline mode" to see if there are any Steam platform updates. If there are, or if the check fails because you are not connected, you will be prevented from logging into your Steam account or accessing your offline games until you reconnect to the internet and download the new platform.

If you select, "Go offline", you will never be forced to reconnect by Steam, platform update or not.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 3:03 am

And yet, you need an internet connection to either dl the pirated copy OR the Steam version. And if you happen to dl through Steam, you log on only once and can go into offline mode. This will allow you to play without an internet connection for as long as you please. So you initially need a connection for either version which eliminates your argument.

Coffee shop...I could use a laptop to go to a coffee shop and obtain the necessary files.

The fact is it would be easier than using Steam. As is though, I'm stuck just not getting certain games because I'm not a pirate.

And the offline mode arguments don't work. You still have to download mandatory day 1 patches and platform updates.

The argument isn't whether or not Steam can be handy (it can), but that it should never me forced as DRM.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:31 pm

If you select, "Go offline", you will never be forced to reconnect by Steam, platform update or not.

As an exclusively "offline" Steam user, I can personally attest that your statement is not true. Steam is designed to check for platform updates on a scheduled basis. As platform updates are required, you will be forced to go online whenever one of those schedule checks occurs regardless of your online/offline preference.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:47 am

Coffee shop...I could use a laptop to go to a coffee shop and obtain the necessary files.

Why would you want to pirate Skyrim? Elder Scrolls are some of the best time to money ratio games out there. It's one of the few games I'd consider paying higher than a standard game due to the countless hours I'll get out of it lol.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 9:38 am

Why would you want to pirate Skyrim? Elder Scrolls are some of the best time to money ratio games out there. It's one of the few games I'd consider paying higher than a standard game due to the countless hours I'll get out of it lol.

I don't want to pirate Skyrim. I won't. Have you read the thread?

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 12:31 am

Meh, if it's something like New Vegas, I'm fine with it needing Steam.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:21 pm

There is also the option of no DRM at all, but that has become very rare.

Rare? Almost every game I bought recently had no DRM. This includes Bethesda's Fallout 3, incidentally.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 3:01 am

I don't want to pirate Skyrim. I won't. Have you read the thread?

Oh right lol, my bad

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:09 am

Wouldn't you be equally happy if it simply allowed Steam instead of required it? The end result for you would be the same and it would allow those who don't like Steam to avoid using it.

Yes I would be. Hopefully that is more of the case with this. Otherwise I'll have to download from the steam servers, which won't be very nice seeing as I'll be at a party :V

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:45 am

Rare? Almost every game I bought recently had no DRM. This includes Bethesda's Fallout 3, incidentally.

Fallout 3 uses SecuROM

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:44 am

As an exclusively "offline" Steam user, I can personally attest that your statement is not true. Steam is designed to check for platform updates on a scheduled basis. As platform updates are required, you will be forced to go online whenever one of those schedule checks occurs regardless of your online/offline preference.

As an "exclusively offline" Steam user, please explain how Steam is aware of client updates? Does your laptop or desktop still have an active internet connection? Without an active connection, Steam is unable to "probe" itself for its current client version. Again, Steam offline mode can work indefinitely without an active connection. Show me in the Steam help guide where offline mode is disrupted by client updates?

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:02 am

I dont see why everyone loves steam so much, next thing you know, You'll have to pay in order to customize your character's hat.

» Mon Aug 08, 2011 10:36 pm

I dont see why everyone loves steam so much, next thing you know, You'll have to pay in order to customize your character's hat.

If Valve made Elder Scrolls yeah lol.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 12:31 pm

Hey guys I got a few questions about steam.

I dont have any account and the only PC games I own are...

Arena
Daggerfall
Morrowind GOTY Edition
Oblivion CE and 5th Anniversay.

Can I play all four of those games through steam as well? SinceI own the discs, well on Morrowind and Oblivon, Arena and Daggerfall are from bethesda site.

Also, when people say you cant cheat in game, what happens if you open up the command edit in morowind and add an item to your inventory, what happens then since that is kind of like cheating?

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:10 am

Hey guys I got a few questions about steam.

I dont have any account and the only PC games I own are...

Arena
Daggerfall
Morrowind GOTY Edition
Oblivion CE and 5th Anniversay.

Can I play all four of those games through steam as well? SinceI own the discs, well on Morrowind and Oblivon, Arena and Daggerfall are from bethesda site.

Also, when people say you cant cheat in game, what happens if you open up the command edit in morowind and add an item to your inventory, what happens then since that is kind of like cheating?

When you say "play through Steam," what do you mean exactly? Do you want a way to be able to link your CDkey to Steam so you can download them if you lose the discs?

As for the command console, that works fine with Steam installs.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:59 am

As an "exclusively offline" Steam user, please explain how Steam is aware of client updates? Does your laptop or desktop still have an active internet connection? Without an active connection, Steam is unable to "probe" itself for its current client version. Again, Steam offline mode can work indefinitely without an active connection. Show me in the Steam help guide where offline mode is disrupted by client updates?

Apparently my use of the word "scheduled" confused you. What I meant is that Steam designed their software to automatically look for updates to the Steam platform at set intervals based on their normal development cycle (for an example: Every 1 month check for update to platform. If no update, do nothing. If update, download and install).

The Steam client is not aware of platform updates while in offline mode, however it is designed to check on a pre-programmed regular basis (a "Schedule") for updates because having an up to date platform is essential (to Valve).

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:29 am

Hey guys I got a few questions about steam.

I dont have any account and the only PC games I own are...

Arena
Daggerfall
Morrowind GOTY Edition
Oblivion CE and 5th Anniversay.

Can I play all four of those games through steam as well? SinceI own the discs, well on Morrowind and Oblivon, Arena and Daggerfall are from bethesda site.

Also, when people say you cant cheat in game, what happens if you open up the command edit in morowind and add an item to your inventory, what happens then since that is kind of like cheating?

You would have to purchase Morrowind and Oblivion through Steam. I'm not sure Arena or Daggerfall is available through Steam, though I've never looked, and console commands aren't considered cheating by Steam.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:07 am

Fallout 3 uses SecuROM

Nope. The original version of its launcher did it; but since I've got a digital download version (from GamersGate), that never even got into equation.

» Mon Aug 08, 2011 10:58 pm

compared to other DRMs like tages or secrurom or 'ugh' ubisofts crappy system......ill take STEAM any day of the week. i have no problem with companies trying to protect their properties as long as it doesnt get obnoxious and actually interfere with gameplay like ubisofts system.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:14 am

I hope it is steam instead of GFWL, Fallout 3 had GFWL and it drove me insane. I've never had issues with playing a steam game while I'm offline, I can't say the same for windows live.

Ideally it would have none, but in the past year I've gone from a hatred of all DRM including Steam, to not only accepting Steam but I now use it all the time. Those sales they have is what got me....

» Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:00 pm

compared to other DRMs like tages or secrurom or 'ugh' ubisofts crappy system......ill take STEAM any day of the week. i have no problem with companies trying to protect their properties as long as it doesnt get obnoxious and actually interfere with gameplay like ubisofts system.

I would take Steam over Ubisoft's, but the more tame secuRom versions are better and less invasive than Steam.

» Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:37 am

DRM isn't effective at all.

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/sins_of_a_solar_empire/ already proved it. They had a CD key and that was it. Still did quite well. This is because the game was actually good. Making the game entertaining is the only DRM you need.

» Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:27 pm

compared to other DRMs like tages or secrurom or 'ugh' ubisofts crappy system......ill take STEAM any day of the week. i have no problem with companies trying to protect their properties as long as it doesnt get obnoxious and actually interfere with gameplay like ubisofts system.

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False Dilemma Logical Fallacy Utilized
Statement that consumers must choose between Steam or a worse DRM ignores several options such as using a better DRM than Steam or using no DRM at all.
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Statement that Ubisoft's DRM is inferior and therefore Steam is preferable is not related to the argument.
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