Empire using Steam; Gamespot interview/preview

[macduro]

[*]During authentication will it insist to download the latest version of steam?

Yes , it does automatically when steam starts
[*]Will I need to authenticate if I do a reformat? For many this being a regular occurance and sadly the nature of windows.

You don't need to autenticate the games again if you reformat , but you will need loguin on steam
You have no limits to download the game , you can install and reinstall it all the times that you want.
[*]Will I need to download patches via steam and can I keep a backup copy for future use rather than re-downoad every time?

Patches are downloaded atumatically , and yes you can do backups , but it use to be more usefull just to copy and paste the game directory.
[*]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.
[*]Will I need to authenticate everytime I re-install the game?

No , but you will need loguin onto steam



I see that not so many people here knows how steam works.

To play a Steam game first of all you will need to have a Steam account . The games that runs under steam are ALWAYS linked to the Steam account , games can't be moved to another account or sell to another user .
If you buy ETW on retail you will receive thegame with a keycode , you will to open the steam program , loguin onto your account and put the ETW keycode onto your steam account . You can only do it one time , and once done you will not be able to change the game to another steam account.
And be aware , all the games that runs under steam needs at least connect to internet one time in order to run . You can install the game from the CD but you need to autenthificate it on the steam net .

If you go to visit family or friends you can play the games that are associated to your steam account easily , you only need to download steam again in another computer , loguin in your account and download the games . No matter where you are , you can activate your steam client everiwere with your games alwais ready to donwload an play.

Actually Steam , Nvidia and ATI gifts some games to the owners from a graphic card from one of those companies . If you don't have a steam account you can use those links to start ...

http://www.steampowered.com/nvidia/

http://steampowered.com/ati_offer1a/

[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 .