350°

Don’t Like the Idea of ‘Always-Online’? Blame Gabe Newell

GenGAME writes: "One of two things must be true. Either consumers don’t really care that much about online-dependent services and DRM – that’s the truth that Microsoft is banking on if the rumors are true – or they make special exceptions for Steam (which, incidentally, also suggests that they don’t care that much).

"You can’t have it both ways. Either increasing dependence on online is bad, or it is not bad. And if increasing dependence on online is bad, then logically-speaking Gabe Newell and Steam – being the pioneers of this approach – are the source of the problem."

Prcko4457d ago (Edited 4457d ago )

always online is really bad idea
anyway
http://i.minus.com/iZ4Xc7uz...

legendoflex4457d ago

I don't really buy into it, but gamers have been "dealing with it" in terms of online-based access to games for quite awhile now. It's only when something catastrophic happens connected to the service that we see real and meaningful backlash.

sengoku4456d ago

it's the next step no one denies this, but it's just to soon.

if and when the internet is as plentiful as the electric net then it wouldn't be a problem but that's still 10 year off into the future if not more..

so this idea of forcing always on should be shelved for till next-gen.

awi59514456d ago

Plus the internet prices are still too high, too slow, and too unstable. You guys are too young to remember when steam had no offline mode. And when millions bought half life 2 we couldnt play our games because the activation servers went down and no one could play. To make it worse they made alot of the disks wrong so you got bad copies of the game that just wouldnt activate. I had to return 4 copies of half life 2 to walmart before i got one that worked. Always online is a stupid idea dont do it.

decrypt4456d ago (Edited 4456d ago )

Blame Corporate Greed. Not Gabe Newell. Steam has an Offline mode. Even then most of us prefer to game online due to all the online features Steam offers.

If anything Its Gabe who rescued the open platform PC.

Had Gabe not been around and Steam didnt exist, PC would have been wiped out by now. All that would have remained would have been Consoles, governed by corporate greed.

List of things consoles have managed to accomplish this gen:

Mods disabled- Console makers hate mods so do publishers, as mods tend to increase the lives of games. Even though current consoles are easily capable of Mods, purposely Mods are left out. So people have to pay for DLCs, Devlopers will now shamelessly sell Weapon Skin DLCs. Since console gamers dont have a clue, these things can be done for free they are easy prey to this. The net result games which previously had mod support for PC, their sequels dont. Hence gamer rights are taken away.

Incomplete games- Corporate greed doesnt just end at mods being disabled. A good portion of games are left out to be later charged as DLC. Hell some will even go as far as locking out content already available on the disk. Since consoles are locked down platforms, Devs can easily take advantage of this. Its not like console gamers can do anything about it, they just have to accept things as they come. With PC things are always different, PC community can actually fight back with cracks if Devs tend to get unreasonable.

No innovation- Dumbed down games with generic game play. With mods gone, devs themselves dont want to be taking any risk. Hence you dont get to see innovative game designs on console such as Portal, Dota, DayZ. You get the same generic games rinse and repeat. Again its been Gabe who has been supporting newer ideas.

In the end dont blame Gabe. The open nature of the PC would never allow Gabe to take unfair advantage as the PC community can always retaliate. Hell we could just buy our games from other sources and ignore Gabe. The same cant be said for Consoles, When Sony and MS make a policy its for all console gamers to adhere to, they are locked down to what MS and Sony feel is right with no rights at all or ways to take control of their machines(oh wait when you buy a console you dont even own it).

TopDudeMan4456d ago

I don't mind activation codes, but always online sucks.

Lone_Man4456d ago

lets see what will happen...i think that Microsoft is not that dumb..but hey they have built windows 8 didnt they...

thechosenone4456d ago (Edited 4456d ago )

So it's all Gabe's fault? lol That so freakin' pathetic.

The blame lies squarely with the publishers and the shareholders, they're the ones pushing for stricter DRM schemes, if you want to blame the ones truly responsible for all this then focus your attention on them....and MS for being cowards and for not standing up to these as*holes.

Godmars2904455d ago

Letting publishers retain all rights, "allowing" them to cut servers and kill a game you supposedly outright bought, should not happen.

BattleAxe4455d ago (Edited 4455d ago )

This article is a huge fail. If the writer uses Steam, then he would know that you can play games in your library in Offline Mode.

Edit:

Funny GIF, I found the comment about the WiiU to be especially funny lol

dedicatedtogamers4455d ago

@ BattleAxe

Steam isn't "always online" but it does use online as a form of DRM. I'll use Dishonored as an example. I bought a physical copy from an Amazon sale for my PC. The disc arrives. I install the data. It asks for a license key. Okay, nothing new. Then, the game wants to link into my Steam account to verify. Problem was, I bought a physical copy because my internet had been down for a week at my apartment. So, I'm SOL, even though I bought the game and I entered the CD key. Then, two weeks after my apartment gets its internet back, it goes out again (due to line repairs). For the first week, I can play my Steam games, but after that Steam says "Steam is in need of an update. Please go online". So, once again I was locked out of my games.

Please don't spread misinformation. Steam is a great example of online DRM. The only people who deny it are being ignorant on purpose.

ThanatosDMC4455d ago (Edited 4455d ago )

Steam games can be played offline. Troll article.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4455d ago
d0nT wOrrY4456d ago

I laughed my a** off at this gif HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Thank you for the laugh man XD +Bub

Ezio20484456d ago (Edited 4456d ago )

Hats off mate....! :D:D:D:D
Your pic just made me laugh my a** off. Epic is the word. Bubble...definitely!

Studio-YaMi4456d ago

That pic was just too funny ! thumbs up + bubble

a_bro4456d ago

i just read all that with the Bane Voice...Awesome.

4456d ago Replies(1)
ninjahunter4456d ago

Lol @gif Lets not make any rash decisions haha.

MikeMyers4456d ago

That was hilarious. I love the part about the Wii U.

Anyways this is what I was saying earlier. Steam authenticates your game purchases so it is interesting how vocal people are about the new Xbox and how some people have double standards. I seriously doubt the system will require a constant connection since we know how terrible that can be.

Piracy has basically hurt the honest purchaser and piracy was an issue on both the PC and the Xbox 360 (to a lesser degree on the PS3), and the Wii and PSP. Even games come with codes in them to access online portions of a game and I wouldn't be surprised if this happens for single player games too down the line.

This isn't to defend Microsoft, it's to acknowledge that we already live in a connected world and Steam is one prime example. We also live in a world where things don't always run smoothly as noted with SimCity and Diablo III. However Diablo III sold over 13 million copies, would it have been less if it was DRM free and didn't need a online connection?

Flewid6384456d ago

Dude I just watched that entire Gif movie. It was awesomely epic and epically awesome.

Bubble up for you.

cannon88004455d ago

that was the longest gif I've ever seen.. I mean watched.

Christopher4455d ago

Last time I checked, STeam isn't an "always-on" system.

Insomnia_844455d ago

Now that I think about it, my PS3 is always connected to the internet, when I turn it off, the green light stays on. That's how it connects remotely to my Vita, right? but that's optional. Why make something like this mandatory even to start a game? Microsoft is crazy. The way it is with the PS3 is the way it should be, an option, not a requirement even to start a game. I don't get this.

MASTER_RAIDEN4455d ago

lol
"cunts! cunts! cunts! cunts!"

+ Show (13) more repliesLast reply 4455d ago
forcefullpower4456d ago (Edited 4456d ago )

Dont even bring Gabe into this. This is the most lowest point in trying to deflect crap. I will definitly not buy the next xbox now.

legendoflex4456d ago (Edited 4456d ago )

"Don't even bring Gabe into this" is the EXACT logic I'm arguing against. When you're complaining about players in the "required online services" side of the industry, EVERYONE needs to be brought to task.

Roccetarius4456d ago (Edited 4456d ago )

People have been putting Steam on such a high pedestal for years. They're just not aware enough to acknowledge that they started it.

The double standards are strong.

cyguration4455d ago

Except I've been using Steam in offline mode most of this week because my ISP has been going out all week long.

With my games on my HD, I don't NEED to be online to play them via Steam.

Facts...they're sometimes important when making points.

papashango4455d ago

always on drm is just that.

how that hell is it "always on" when you can play your games offline?

Cueil4455d ago

Gabe pioneered the idea with HL2 and any game that uses Steampowered is always-online through Steam. Play a game on steam that uses Steam and then alt-tab and close steam and see how long you can play that game -_-

Doctor_Freeman4455d ago

Umm I start a game and alt tab out of it and close Steam to maximise resources on every single game I play.

majiebeast4456d ago

If i turn off my internet now steam will still let me play my games.

Eamon4456d ago

A lot of people forget about this. You need only sign in once then you can go offline as long as you keep your PC on.

MuhammadJA4456d ago

Not really. Try activating Steam with no internet connection, it will tell you to check your connection or go straight to Offline Mode.

Eamon4456d ago

Umm, to sign in you need an internet connection obviously. Once it's done, disconnect the internet and it will automatically go into offline mode.

You can still launch games offline. Of course, except online-based games like L4D2 or DOTA.

hiredhelp4455d ago

I have a steam account with alot games tied to it I'll tell you my biggest worry is no Internet connection or loss of it from my ISP.
At least consoles you can slap in disc play so I get where Eamon is comming from lifting DRM would be welcomed by me.

Viper74455d ago (Edited 4455d ago )

Steam has this feature called the Offline-mode, which allows you to play games while your machine is off-line.

Used it just yesterday when my Modem decided to break down. (had basically zero connection to the internet at that time)

Offline mode has always been a bit buggy tough, there was time where I needed to "initialize" offline mode when I was online just so that It would work next time I booted my computer in non-connected enviroment.

This feature is extremely useful for laptops.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4455d ago
aliengmr4456d ago

Quiet! That sort of talk undermines the argument being made.

user76939584456d ago

yes know and i bet they had to please their fans but you could not in the past..they start it.

urwifeminder4456d ago

I have no probs with steam or xbox being allways online i love how my games are saved on the cloud of origin and uplay as well if you live in the past stick with your old consoles.

bub164456d ago

this on stuff has gone to far, if microsoft choose to have "always on" let them lose out on a huge chunk of sales.

i dont even like the idea of online passes and refuse to buy games with them, so buy the my xbox and in with the ps4

Show all comments (90)
80°

Valve Makes Up for Steam Deck Repair Delay by Gifting Free Game

Valve gave a user Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for free as compensation for the long wait during their Steam Deck repair.

UltimateOwnage32d ago

I had a similar experience when I initially pre-ordered my Deck. There was an issue during shipping and they offered me a customer service perk for the hassle and let me pick any game on Steam. It was super nice of them. I got a copy of Rime.

13d ago
250°

89 million Steam account details allegedly leaked, but no one seems to know how

A LinkedIn post from Underdark AI made the discovery, stating that datasets are being sold for over $5,000 on a known black market forum.

Cockney35d ago

Biggest hack in gaming history if true

Christopher34d ago

No personal details, mostly account names, no passwords. Likely would need other account leaks to hope that someone reuses a password with a similar account name on another already leaked service. While a lot of users, the data is useless. Kind of notably by the $5k request for the data.

FinalFantasyFanatic33d ago

Plus, if you have 2FA enabled, then you were at zero risk anyway, from what I've read, Steam isn't even recommending password changes as it's apparently unnecessary.

VariantAEC28d ago

@Christopher
Where are you getting that from?
The linked article above says, "The seller claims this is a “fresh” leak and says it includes usernames, passwords, two-factor SMS logs, message contents, metadata, delivery status, and other sensitive details." Which sure sounds like they might have a lot of other information. If this leak is legitimate I better stop hearing people falsely say PSN is the worst secured digital storefront (even though that hasn't been true for a very long time with far larger data breaches since 2011 all over the world including the Equifax breach which was several times larger).

VariantAEC28d ago

@FinalFantasyFanatic
That seems true only if you use Steam Guard. If you opted for T2A via SMS the article suggests it's time to make the switch to Steam Guard and of course change your password.

Christopher28d ago (Edited 28d ago )

From the credit URL: https://x.com/MellowOnline1...

The article doesn't do a good job of going into the updated detail, they just mention part of it.

Just because the seller claims something, doesn't make it true. If it truly contained that data, it would be worth way more than just $5k. SMS systems don't rely on getting passwords for accounts they're sending an SMS to, just the username, phone number, and timestamp info.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 28d ago
Profchaos33d ago (Edited 33d ago )

You don't remember the psn hack I take it

Cockney33d ago

I do remember it being 77 million, thats why I made my comment

BlueDaBaDee33d ago

Update:
"Valve has now confirmed that “this was NOT a breach of Steam systems” and users do not need to change their passwords as a result. However, it continues to recommend that you set up the Steam Mobile authenticator for extra security."

https://store.steampowered....

Fishy Fingers33d ago

Shame. I liked the idea someone paid 5 grand just for my silly steam name.

DivineHand12533d ago

The government needs a taskforce with serious fundung that can opporate across borders to go after cyber criminals.

It is getting out of hand and it is the regular citizens of the world that suffer the consequences of these hacks and breaches.

My fear is that if left unchecked, state sponsored hackers from corrupt or governents under sections may use this as a method of raising revenue at the expense of everyone else.

Fishy Fingers33d ago

Bro teeing up a Mission Impossible movie.

ZeekQuattro33d ago

Not in this administration. If anything hes been dissolving existing task forces meant to protect consumers.

Amplitude33d ago (Edited 33d ago )

Why? They’d just use the funding to funnel hundred of millions of dollars into fake NGOs that then funnel it into democrat pockets while doing zero cyber criminal defence work.

Then if anybody tried to defund them it’d be a whole thing with the mainstream media claiming that there will be endless cyber attacks. NGOs would then fund protest groups to attack anybody that supports defunding the government’s cyber attack defence branch and then it would turn out it was also being used to stabilize or destabilize governments in other countries and overthrow elections to benefit America. Which is fine until they start using it on us again.

Let’s just not. Private companies who know what they’re doing (Valve) can deal with it

RIP USAID. God bless

Profchaos33d ago (Edited 33d ago )

It's not a may use this not we know state sponsored attacks do this already.

It's a global problem you couldn't have one government playing world police it would require joint collaboration with foreign governments and the problem is many laws have not kept pace with advancement of technology.

even then it's hard to say with certainty if an attack was a state sponsored attacks or a cybercriminal group operating outside of governments

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 33d ago
pwnmaster300033d ago

remember when certain groups were saying PC gamers don’t want other subscriptions because it was not safe and steam was the spot lol.

Shiore2u33d ago ShowReplies(6)
badz14933d ago

it's time to riot, right, pc gamers??

pwnmaster300033d ago

Be careful, PC gamers are the most touchy out of the gamers lol

staticall33d ago

@badz149
@pwnmaster3000
Have you guys actually read what was «leaked»? It was SMS messages from 3rd party provider (not from Steam itself) with one-time 2FA codes (that are active for 15 minutes). No Steam account details, access to an account or any of that jazz.

Let me quote official Steam response:
«The leak consisted of older text messages that included one-time codes that were only valid for 15-minute time frames and the phone numbers they were sent to. The leaked data did not associate the phone numbers with a Steam account, password information, payment information or other personal data. Old text messages cannot be used to breach the security of your Steam account, and whenever a code is used to change your Steam email or password using SMS, you will receive a confirmation via email and/or Steam secure messages.»
Source: https://store.steampowered....

The only bad thing about this is the phone numbers. But while that sucks, attacker doesn't know which Steam account this phone number belongs to. IMO, the only thing people should be rioting about is how unprotected the SMS are and the 3rd party service that was used by Steam. I'm all for punishing people who screwed up and/or lacked the security. But this is not it.

FinalFantasyFanatic33d ago

Why riot? They have nothing of value, can't even steal an account with the details they have, they would have to attempt a brute force attack, you can already do that with a Steam user's account name (or any account on any site) if you really wanted to spend the time and processing power to do it.

Show all comments (34)
60°

Creature Collector Fest hits Steam with some epic discounts

The Creature Collector Fest event has come to steam until May 19. Here are some epic discounted games to scratch the critter gathering itch.

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