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UPDATE: This question lives on at gaming.stackexchange.com.

So – I just bought the new game Supreme Commander 2. This question is not about the game, but about the online software installation platform that it seems to require. I haven't bought a game in a long time, and I'm puzzled: Apparently, SC2 is a "Steam"-powered game.

When I went to install the game, it asked me to either create a new Steam account, or log in with an existing account. I clicked "Cancel" because I don't plan to play online and I don't want anything unnecessary installed on my computer, since I only plan to play single player!

However, after clicking "Cancel", the installer asked for my confirmation that I indeed wanted to cancel installation of the game! I thought I was just canceling the "online" portions!

So I really want to know:

  • How do "Steam" powered games work?
  • Is this essentially a form of DRM (Digital Rights Management)?
  • Can I trust this software platform?
  • Has anybody done any independent verification on how this platform works? (I'm very leery of any DRM after the Sony BMG CD copy protection scandal. Thank goodness for Mark Russinovich.)
  • Does the "Steam" platform install anything particularly nasty or unwanted on my computer?
Community
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Chris W. Rea
  • 10,978

2 Answers2

6
  • http://store.steampowered.com/about/
  • it is DRM
  • You do not "own" supreme commander. you license it. you are trusting steam to manage and verify this license with the publisher. hopefully they never go out of business
  • no
  • no
bugtussle
  • 355
5

Yes, Steam is a form of DRM. However, Steam is a great gaming platform that has matured well over the years. I typically do not like registering or anything to do with DRM, but Steam is user friendly and in my cases (and what I've heard from friends) Valve is very helpful if you have issues with your purchase(s). They won't leave you out in the cold.

Steam is not only a license authenticator but also manages friend networks (like Xbox Live), and delivers game patches/updates to you automatically.

In the years I have been using it, it's never done anything sinister.

Kevin
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