PlayStation 4 vs. Xbox One vs. Steam: The Be-All, End-All DRM Comparison

"One of the most paramount issues involving video games in the next generation doesn't have to do with console power or variety of exclusives - in fact, it's about privacy, used games and DRM (or the lack of it). We've seen major publishers like EA and Ubisoft implement different DRM means for their games."

[liorishot]

steam destroys both of them, have you seen the steam sales? the steam summer sale is going to be awesome

[JoGam]

I dont understand why the PS4 is being compared. Not the same type of console as the other two as far as DRM.

[NewMonday]

- Steam can be played off-line with no regular check-up

- Steam has regular sales for trending games and many new games start at $49

- Steam games can be modified by the community

- Steam has the biggest indy catalog.

[liorishot]

even if you dont like the game on sale on steam you still buy it because its so cheap and when you play it most times its awesome

[slayorofgods]

I know everyone is excited about the next console generation. But I think this is the most momentum the PC has ever had to start a new console generation, it's becoming awfully close to becoming a third option for playing AAA mainstream games right off the bat.

[NameRemoved0017]

@slayorofgods

Now that PC won't receive crappy ports and the hardware is basically a low end PC in the consoles its about to get a lot cheaper to be able to run PC games maxed.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

No kidding. Witcher 1 and 2 were on sale for $7 and $4 only. That's a freaking sale. Not some 5% off garbage.

[Typical-Guy]

Yeah I bought The Witcher 2 for $7... Although I already played it on Xbox360, I couldn't resist the sale :-D

[mario19]

@Typical-guy

Slap yourself

[Typical-Guy]

@ Mario 19... I wanted to play it again but I lost my Xbox360 copy. So when I saw the sale I said hell yes...

[mario19]

Lol I thought you bought a second copy just because it was on sale

[ABizzel1]

When it comes to digital sales

Steam >>> PS+ > PSN > XB

PS+ is by far the best deal when it comes to console gaming.

[Razputin]

Because Steam sales equate to DRM, you god damn moron.

Yes, the Steam sales are ridiculously amazing, but Steam DRM is pretty much like Microsofts.

You need an internet connection for the initial install of Steam and of each game you want to play.

Luckily this is only needed ever so often.

But picture this -- because this happened to me.

If you restore your computer, and you want to use your account you have to have an internet connection, and if you already some how have your account setup, you need to still be on the internet to install and play your games.

Steam has some fairly extreme DRM, and you can't trade or resell any of your games. Also you only hold licenses, you don't full own the game, look at the disclaimer.

Steam is what dumbass Microsoft should have done years ago with the PC

[NameRemoved0017]

No shit? You need internet to download steam and download games off steam? I though downloads were magic and worked without internet. /sarcasm

"If you restore your computer, and you want to use your account you have to have an internet connection, and if you already some how have your account setup, you need to still be on the internet to install and play your games. "

No you don't.
https://support.steampowere...

Steam DRM isn't the bad version of DRM, what you always here about is the DRM featured on things like Games for Windows Live and Rockstars stupid PC app that have on all their newer games. Not every game on steam has DRM, it is up to the developer to include it or not.

Atleast if you lose internet you can still play any game you own on steam in offline mode or if your hard drive dies steam has an automatic backup of your save files.

[Razputin]

Warning:
It is highly recommended that you create a backup of your SteamApps folder before attempting this process. If there is a problem in this process and you do not have a backup of your games or the SteamApps folder, it will be necessary to reinstall the games individually. Please see the Using the Steam Backup Feature topic.

ONLY IF YOU MAKE A BACKUP. I have over 400 Steam games, I can't back them all up.

My point is, if you restore your computer and don't have a backup, you have to reinstall Steam, log in, verify your account, and if you can't, you will not be able to download/install/play any game. Give it a try, I dare you.

Completely uninstall Steam, go offline, and see what happens.

Not saying its the worse, but it isn't the best either. Plus DRM never works.

Half the Steamworks titles get leaked days before release and cracked that same day.

[Polysix]

Don't drag PS4 into this debate of 'who's the least shit when it comes' to DRM' that is between XB1 and Steam alone (And steam is clearly less shit anyway)

[Alos88]

Steam has some amazing sales, for e.g I recently saw 90% off Alan Wake, and stuff like that isn't all that rare either.

[iRocket]

As a PC gamer I think Steam is fantastic, but I have a feeling I'm becoming a rare breed of a hybrid gamer with PC/PS4. PS4 offers loads of interesting exclusives I can't play on my PC. But I will still remain a PC Gamer primarily. My current Steam account includes over hundred games :D As for the DRM, I'm happy to own all the games on my Steam library. It's a "Personal computer" for a reason.

[Veni Vidi Vici]

You're not alone. I'm the same way.

[NameRemoved0017]

I also plan on picking a PS4 up.

[dark_101]

Steam FTW

[Tundra]

I got the Alan Wake franchise along with DLC and collectors edition extras for 4 bucks.

Steam wins for me.

[gk07]

steam is awesome

[Gh05t]

The difference here is that PS4 claims they are not changing how console gamers have handled licensing.

Steam has had many years in digital distribution and has lots of "proof of concept" to back up the sales.

Xbone decided to try to transition from one to the other and has no proof of concept yet for a consoles ability. This creates a problem because MS cant prove the concept so software remains at I high price (which basically defeats the purpose). Once and "IF" MS can pull this off there "MAYBE" a chance for larger sales in the future. (The largest problem is this is all hypothetical and requires consumers to bear the brunt of growing pains, with no current reward)

[Gridloc]

I wonder what publishers feel about Microsoft's family plan. Allowing 10 accounts to share games sounds far worse than traditional game sharing (for the publishers anyway ) That's a possibility of selling 9 less copies per family plan. Just like anything else people will exploit this to no end. Maybe only one person can play at once, but if its single player who cares. I guess we will all see how this plays out closer to launch.

[NameRemoved0017]

10 "family members", only 1 person can play it at a time.

[BattleTorn]

"-Up to 10 individuals can access a single game library on an Xbox One"

Huge selling point for me, and my friends. I buy way more games than my (less hardcore) friends - with this feature they'll get play all I own, without having buy it themselves, or have to convince me to actually loan my discs. (which I don't do with newish games, only once I'm tried of them completely)

[fooltheman]

In an interview with angry joe Major Nelson said something in the lines of: Family members can check it out // It's not like you buy a copy for 10 members.

There's something important that they aren't telling us about this feature and the sentences above refer to that unsaid part.

http://www.cinemablend.com/...

Beginning at 3.59.

[fooltheman]

Maybe it's not clear... I was quoting "Family members can check it out" //"It's not like you buy a copy for 10 members."

For anyone who sees this thing as a selling point... Read between the sentences.

[BattleTorn]

The marketing cheif said that the only restriction was only one person can play the shared copy at a time

http://arstechnica.com/gami...

If the person having it 'shared' to them is not playing the full game, that would mean they left a massive detail out

[fooltheman]

And you believe that? We will see.
But still the remarks of major nelson are suspicious.
What does 'sharing' mean? It isn't detailed. If all could play the full game (even though not at the same time), what purpose does the statement( it's not like you buy a copy for 10 members) have.

(Look: I really hope for every xbox one owner that I'm not onto something.)

[Jakens]

This links share information about the family plan.

http://imgur.com/AQbQnj4

[sorane]

Steam wins hands down.....

[MAULxx]

I don't like steam, but they do know how to do sales.
I don't like the X-Bone way either.
I want the game on disc & I don't want to jump through hoops to play it. I don't want any sign in requirement.
I don't want any restrictions so the less the better. I mean, I bought the game. I should be able to play it without being treated like a thief or terrorist.

When I buy a Big Mac, I don't want a knife & fork requirement. I'll eat it with my hands or however the heck I want to. I'm not going to report in with a proof of purchase right before I eat it either. I bought it. Done. Any of my friends can feast on it if I wish.
I might decide I want a milk shake to go with the Big Mac but it's not a requirement & it's just one of many options.

[LtFaku]

If its not because of steam, pc gaming would be dead. The only way they found to fight piracy is with great price reductions. And if they change that, is the loss of the entire pc community.

[aliengmr]

Not exactly. Fair pricing for digital goods helps, but Valve saw piracy as a service issue.

Meaning, they made it so getting a game through Steam is an easier process than pirating it.

Also, Valve doesn't control the pricing on Steam, the publishers do.

[cunnilumpkin]

2560x1600
16x af
8x aa

-only on pc

nuff said

ps4 and xbox one are not even in the same gen as pc, its so far out beyond anything they can ever do

gtx 680 3.1 tflops (a card that's a year and a half old)
xbox one 1.2
ps4 1.8

plus steam doesn't charge a membership fee like psn and xbox gold

and ps4 and xbox will NEVER have sales close to steam

steam greenlight, the workshop that organizes all the FREE mods

c'mon, theres a reason consoles are so cheap, they are far behind the curve and they get your money by scamming you into memberships and $60 games with dlc day one

I want a ps4 but i'll wait and see what it can really do, most of the gameplay you have seen so far is fake, on pc, or not really that impressive