Empire using Steam; Gamespot interview/preview

[Nebuchadnezzar]

[*]Will the makers of steam never change their terms of use so that this game authentication requirements don't change whether now or in the future?

NO , they will never change the terms.

Forgive me for being skeptical here but you know this how?

[macduro]

Forgive me for being skeptical here but you know this how?

I'm sure . This is because steam is only a distribution tool , the terms of use for the game only concern to Sega , the owner . They are the only one than can decide about game athentification , adding DRM or other tools or redirecting you to another loguin place as games for windows live ...

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I'm sure . This is because steam is only a distribution tool , the terms of use for the game only concern to Sega , the owner . They are the only one than can decide about game athentification , adding DRM or other tools or redirecting you to another loguin place as games for windows live ...

LOL I don't think so! I'm sure SEGA's EULA will include something about users also accepting Valves T&C

and guess what? No surprises to see Vaves TC contains a clause where they can change their agreement whenever it wishes.

Perhaps you forgot Kingdoms and Securom. Sega washed their hands on those having problems and redirected them to securom for help. SEGA may be the publisher/developer but I doubt they take much responsibility for the third party inclusions.

[macduro]

LOL I don't think so! I'm sure SEGA's EULA will include something about users also accepting Valves T&C

and guess what? No surprises to see Vaves TC contains a clause where they can change their agreement whenever it wishes.

Perhaps you forgot Kingdoms and Securom. Sega washed their hands on those having problems and redirected them to securom for help. SEGA may be the publisher/developer but I doubt they take much responsibility for the third party inclusions.

Well , if you don't believe me you can go to the steam forums and ask about it . Valve can change the EULA for the Steam tool , but not the EULA for games that are not from Valve .
I told you again , Valve just rent a space in to the Steam to other companies for sell his games , and are those other companies who decide over his games , about the support , upgrades or about how the people can acces the game .

From the Steam EULA :

6. THIRD PARTY CONTENT

"Third Party Content" means software and other content provided by third parties, other than Valve, that is designed to work in conjunction with the Steam Software (e.g. mods of Valve game products). In regard to all Third Party Content, Valve acts merely as an intermediary service provider. Valve does not screen Third Party Content available on Steam or through other sources. Valve does not assume any responsibility or liability for Third Party Content.

[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 .