I'm confused, I thought Bethesda publised Steam and non-Steam versions for PC

That was true for Oblivion, but:

Fallout 3 shipped with Games For Windows Live (but could be disabled)
Fallout: New Vegas (while not developed by gamesas, published by them) uses Steam
Rogue Warrior (likewise not developed by gamesas, but published by them) IIRC also uses Steam.

It gets a lot of hate, but love Steam. No digging around for disks, all my games are in one place, and I've never had a problem with it. Plus, the ability to quickly go to google or to the Wiki from in-game is very useful. I just wish Suffca would stop chatting me while I play...

MrUniq, as of Fallout new Vegas, The eight ball says no.

I voted for other: A disc check only.

As for digital distribution, not interested.

I would love to see a generic install CD Key check with the option to be able to enter the CD Key into Steam for use with Steam.

For those who dislike Steam, they don't have to use it. But for those who do like Steam, they can use it.

Everybody wins.

Which is definitely great for those who want those features, but should it be forced on people who even buy the retail version and would otherwise not use Steam is, I think, a valid question.


A la https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-wusf-3601, which I definitely agree would be giving everyone the best of both worlds

I've become so lazy using Steam and other DD services that a disc check i'd rather avoid. Disks are for installing, not for authentication. So an online authentication or Steam, either works for me. Preferrably Steam, which seems to be the most likely system.

As for DD shops, Steam and Impulse are the only ones i use. Sometimes D2D, but that is not a choice for TESV due to the propable SKYSE

i use steam on my mac but its just doesnt feel the same and steam always seems to crash on me :sadvaultboy:.

with that said, i would prefer to have a disk check + product key and i would prefer no digital distribution. Digital distribution is my only reason why i have yet to purchase dragon age for my mac.

I like steam and GFWL, but so far, I find SSA keys to be as effective than Steam's DRM and its an unbreakable system for multiplayer. GFW is more effective in anti piracy when come to multiplayer while steam is often cracked. As for digital distributions i prefer both Steam and GFWM.

AVP, L4D2 has used Steam but playable in multiplayer while Dead Rising 2 goes to offline mode only.

Well I voted other for "NO" because there is no option for NO. I am not a criminal. Why am I treated like one? I find it so funny how the legit people had problems with GFWL but the people who pirated the game have no problems at all.
This is another reason why I play on consoles. I don't feel like I am a criminal trying to play a computer game. I own the disk I buy, I am not leasing or getting a liscence to play the game on console. I am not a criminal just because
I am on the console. On the PC, I am guilty first and proven innocent later. I hate that.

Voted Other (Steam compatible CD-key listed in quote above)
&
not interested (Personally)

No DRM, plain and simple. An old fashioned CD check would be acceptable too.

I will buy a solid copy of this game, like I have all of my favorite titles. However, having it available on Steam is a good thing I think.

A simple disc check would really suffice.

Although, they could take a leap of faith and do what CD Project RED is doing with The Witcher 2 in GOG.

Oblivion doesn't have a CD Key, but it had a good system regardless.
Now no DRM, and not forcing Digital distribution down people's throats, That is the best option.

I agree with this. The registration stuff and needing an internet connection is pretty annoying, so I would rather have a disk check and/or product key.

That being said, I'm fairly against DRM in general. I also don't see how DRM's actually protect a product anymore, as the hacking community has gotten around every one developed to date (that I'm aware of, at least).

Liked the fact that you just had to enter the product key for New Vegas and still have an Hard Copy for your own enjoyment

No, you don't have a hard copy. FO: NV is Steam-only. There is no non-steam version. You can buy a physical copy, but you still must use steam to use the physical copy. There is no way to use the physical copy without Steam being installed. It's hooked completely in Steamworks with no standalone version.

Nothing wrong with steamworks, but standalone + an optional steamworks hook would be far better.

Voted for 'Other' and 'No digital distribution'
I would have VERY much preferred it if the OP had included 'No DRM' as a valid option in the poll. By failing to include a 'No DRM' option, it means that not all members can vote honestly for their preferred option.
What I prefer: No DRM, no install key, no forced online registration.
As for what I consider tolerable: Morrowind/Oblivion original style disc check, no install key, no forced online registration.

Jenifur Charne

I'm surprised to see so many votes for disc-check, I really hope they won't go with that.

Just using cd-key would be the best IMO, no hassle with discs and online authentication. And giving some free DLC if you register your key would make it less likely for people to give away their key.

But unfortunately I think they are gonna go with Steamworks again.

- If I included a "No DRM" option, it would obviously get practically all the votes. Not surprising, and not useful information

- No DRM is not a form of DRM, the question is which form of DRM would you prefer to see. If I asked a question "What fruit do you prefer to eat" a "no fruit" wouldn't be valid, as it doesn't tell you what kind of fruit you prefer, but rather that you don't like fruit -- not the information I was after with the proposed question.

Though, I hope they don't. that's why I went the way I went, Steam compatible but not Steam dependent

Going to purposefully annoy the OP and side with the people I actually agree with on this matter: no DRM.

It gets in the way, it messes up computers (SecuRom specifically is very virus-like in its implementation and requires special software to get rid of, it also monkeys around with your other programs), the only people it punishes are paying customers...I can go on forever, honestly. I'd rather just install the shiny new game and play it without worrying about where I put the disc/having an internet connection/inputting a serial key/some other tiresome [censored].

Considering, if you search hard enough, that nearly all DRM has been hacked in some way or another, the people that are really determined to pirate the game will still pirate it. So it makes sense for the developer to choose a middle ground where they don't put off all the hardcoe "no DRM" guys.

I'll post an example. I bought Risen a while ago in the Steam sales, and for one reason or another they ran out of product keys (and I think the DRM was SecuRom), so, amidst the cries of "You've failed me Steam", a few people were posting "Just use a no CD hack. I bought the game and I've paid for it and I want to play it this weekend, so I think it's fine for me to use the crack." I'm not arguing whether or not it was right or wrong of those people to hack the game, but the point is they still could despite the fact it had DRM with a 3 installation limit on it.

I know discussing hacks and no CD cracks aren't allowed on these forums, but I'm not promoting them, just pointing out to the devs that hackers gunna hack.

I voted other.

As someone that will likely be purchasing 2 CE copies I only want to be bothered by a serial key on install, after that let me play my games in peace please...

Just like how Fallout3 was for PC.