Random Gaming Thoughts

[BoneSnapDeez]

The ColecoVision just kicks ass all around. I spent a good hour last night with Cosmic Avenger. Fun fact: I used to think that the old Universal games were actually made by Universal Studios. Doesn't seem that far-fetched does it? There were 20th Century Fox games, after all.

What the hell is up with physical games that require Steam authentication?

I wanted to buy Rocksmith for PC, only to discover it was $30 on Steam. A bit rich for my blood. Found a physical copy for $11 on Amazon instead. Nice.

Pop it in my PC only to discover that the disc doesn't appear to contain an actual game. Instead, it just prompts a Steam download. So I saved $19 by purchasing a physical copy? Seems like a bizarre loophole.

[isiolia]

What the hell is up with physical games that require Steam authentication?

I wanted to buy Rocksmith for PC, only to discover it was $30 on Steam. A bit rich for my blood. Found a physical copy for $11 on Amazon instead. Nice.

Pop it in my PC only to discover that the disc doesn't appear to contain an actual game. Instead, it just prompts a Steam download. So I saved $19 by purchasing a physical copy? Seems like a bizarre loophole.

It can happen - not like $11 is standard MSRP for most PC games though. Likely, someone marked it down to clear out.

That's mostly just a game using Steam for DRM (Steamworks, as it's known). The disc usually should have an install cache to save you the initial download, though you don't need to use it. All you really need is the code to add to Steam.

Origin/Battle.net/etc do similar things. More generally nice if there are physical bonus items involved, I think.

[noiseredux]

yup. Some folks might prefer to install from disc on really big games (GTA5 for instance) if they have slow or limited internet.

I have myself bought physical copies of PC games because they were cheaper or about the same price as the digital version while offering extra goodies.

[Gunstar Green]

Fun fact: I used to think that the old Universal games were actually made by Universal Studios. Doesn't seem that far-fetched does it? There were 20th Century Fox games, after all.

Glad I wasn't the only one.

[noiseredux]

Fun fact: I used to think that the old Universal games were actually made by Universal Studios. Doesn't seem that far-fetched does it? There were 20th Century Fox games, after all.

Glad I wasn't the only one.

I thought that as well (until I read Bone's post).

[ExedExes]

What the hell is up with physical games that require Steam authentication?

I wanted to buy Rocksmith for PC, only to discover it was $30 on Steam. A bit rich for my blood. Found a physical copy for $11 on Amazon instead. Nice.

Pop it in my PC only to discover that the disc doesn't appear to contain an actual game. Instead, it just prompts a Steam download. So I saved $19 by purchasing a physical copy? Seems like a bizarre loophole.

I ran into that at my local Goodwill not too long ago. I'm trying to remember the name of the game but it was a recent FPS title and I looked on the back and it said "STEAM Powered" and then the fine print revealed that you'd need a Steam account and activation was required through them. I passed. For the price it would have been good, but no thanks!

[Fragems]

Yeah most of the newer games with physical releases are DRM locked by Steam, Uplay, Origin, or etc. Usually the disc does contain part of the game to give you a slightly faster install but there isn't really much use for it after that. The box usually says what service is required to play it but another dead giveaway is if it just has one disc. The majority of the games currently released would need at minimum 3+ DVDs to install unless it's something very basic like a point and click adventure or platformer that don't use a ton of assets.

[Exhuminator]

What the hell is up with physical games that require Steam authentication?

Welcome to my first experience with Steam circa 2005 when I bought Half-Life 2 from Walmart.

You guys know how much I love Steam so I'll leave it at that.

[noiseredux]

I love Steam, too.

[Ack]

I love lamp.