Empire using Steam; Gamespot interview/preview

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Renting space? LOL STEAM is not only a distribution tool but also SEGA's authentication tool.

I am not referring to STEAM changing SEGA's EULA. Clearly this isn't possible. My point is whats stopping STEAM changing authentication requirements sometime in the future.

err.. Clause 6 means what? A standard line wherever a partnership of sought exists and they wish to wash their hands from any responsibility of each other. For sure SEGA will also include one in theirs.

[macduro]

I am not referring to STEAM changing SEGA's EULA. Clearly this isn't possible. My point is whats stopping STEAM changing authentication requirements sometime in the future.

Well as far I know Steam never has changed the authentification requeriments for any game or for the main tool , but they can do it of course , it says clearly at the EULA , and if says clearly that you have 30 days to agree or to ask for an account cancelation with the possibility of receive a nonsteam downloadable version of any game that you had on your account .
This is not 100% sure of course , specially as you noted above , when we talk about third party games because they wash their hands leaving all responsability for the developer .

It seems that you are a lot worried about securerom and targes problems , Steam and Valve are totally against securerom and targes sistem . Gabe Newell , Valve's owner , said some weeks ago that securerom is a stupid tool and that he is traiying to stop developers to include it in the games that they release on steam . Gabe said that the actual authentification sistem is the best way to protect the games , specially when you are using a tool that doesn't need any cd to install or to run the game . If you don't have Cd you don't need to include programs as securerom that is specially based on the cd/dvd authentification.

YOu can have your doubts , but if you want to paly Empires you will have to use Steam.
Steam is not perfect , but is better than other sistems .