Empire using Steam; Gamespot interview/preview

[Monk]

As far as copy-protection or game services go, Steam is actually pretty good. In fact i'd go so far to say it's the ideal system, or at least the best currently on the market. It's not the same Steam that debuted with Half-life 2. It's grown, evolved, and generally become far better than anything we've seen since. The same people who blasted Steam when it was introduced are now people who will sing it's praises. Considering the alternative of draconian DRM that the industry seems to favor these days, i'd say Steam is a pretty good thing.

Unless the PC you can play it on doesn't have the internet. Then your screwed.

At the risk of sounding heartless, who doesn't have internet in this day and age? This isn't 02 when steam first came out, the gaming industry these days pretty much assumes that if you have a computer you're going to have internet access. Just like how many games now only come on DVDs and not cds, it's just the industry moving toward technology.

because i don't like my games being treated as a service i rent.

i bought a game, and i want recourse to install and play that game without impediments, such as not having an internet connection.

I understand the point but in an market climate where the threat of piracy is rampant and increasingly intrusive DRM methods are being taken, I'd say if I had to choose between Steam or SecuROM then I am going with Steam 10 times out of 10 and twice on sunday.