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Why must PC Games be linked to STEAM?

Captain Adverse

Captain Adverse

Classical Liberal Sage
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Mid-West USA
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I like playing P.C. Games.

Not massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) versions like World of Warcraft and Diablo; not first person shooter games like Doom, Ghost Recon and Medal of Honor.

Nope, I like strategy games like Heart of Iron, Europa Universalis, the Creative Assembly Total War Series (Medieval, Rome, Empire), and Civilization.

Once upon a time you could get a P.C. game, enter your key code and play on your P.C., no strings attached. Then when Empire Total War came out it required a connection to something called STEAM. This was the first Creative Assembly game that came out after they became a subsidiary of SEGA. It didn't say so on the original version when I bought it in the store (still have the box). I found out six months later only after contacting the company online who talked me through the connection.

This requirement also appeared for Firaxis games after I tried to get Civilization V.

The boxes all now say there is a one-time connection to STEAM to validate the game. That turned out not to be true. You have to connect and create an account, then you have to go "offline." I have also bought some games and skins on steam after originally joining.

Now twice since this all started STEAM has asked me for more information about myself. The first time it was relatively minor and I wanted to play my games and maintain access to the ones online, so I added a bit about myself. The second time they informed me of a change in the terms of service requiring even MORE personal information I just ignored it. A month later they discontinued my account, stripped me of access to all the games etc. I had purchased online, and now I can't play the P.C. games I bought from stores.

Whatever happened to "I bought the game, I OWN the set I bought, and as long as I don't try to bootleg it, it is mine to use freely without reservations?

So here are my questions:

Why must a P.C. gamer belong to STEAM and adhere to their increasing demands for personal information in order to play games?

Why can they deny access to a game bought and paid for?

How can I get a refund for all the games I bought while using their system?

Most importantly, is there any way I can get a version of games after 2008 that don't require a STEAM connection?
 
What personal info are they asking you?

I have never been asked once, ever since signing up for anything additional.
 
I am pretty sure it started off as anti-piracy. There were ways around the key code.
 
Captain Adverse said:
Now twice since this all started STEAM has asked me for more information about myself. The first time it was relatively minor and I wanted to play my games and maintain access to the ones online, so I added a bit about myself. The second time they informed me of a change in the terms of service requiring even MORE personal information I just ignored it. A month later they discontinued my account, stripped me of access to all the games etc. I had purchased online, and now I can't play the P.C. games I bought from stores.

Whatever happened to "I bought the game, I OWN the set I bought, and as long as I don't try to bootleg it, it is mine to use freely without reservations?

So here are my questions:

Why must a P.C. gamer belong to STEAM and adhere to their increasing demands for personal information in order to play games?

Why can they deny access to a game bought and paid for?

How can I get a refund for all the games I bought while using their system?

Most importantly, is there any way I can get a version of games after 2008 that don't require a STEAM connection?
Click to expand...

Funny I can log in to STEAM about once every six months out of the year, the time I have to play games, and everything still works. Sounds like you didn't properly set up your account. This also sounds like two step verification a new way to sign up for new services that you'll find on every modern-day system that you will try to first sign up to use EX: Email account.

1. What new personal information are they asking for? In my experience they just ask for a phone number or something. Is this really that annoying for you to provide?
2. Because it is now on their server thanks to the arrangements made when buying the company that made the game.
3. I'm sure this is easily found on their website FAQs but don't you need to get into your account first before you do this? I'm sure they will be more questions from their company if you can't even bother producing a phone number for them to prove you are you in the first place!
4. Some yes some no. Very complicated answer that requires google searches as your friend: EX: Amazon.com: Sid Meier's Civilization V - PC: Video Games

Everything is moving to a subscription based economy. STEAM is pretty good and stable for what it is. You will not be able to find much physical media going forward. It's been years since I bought DVDs or TV shows. Netflix rules that. STEAM is just a video game version of Netflix, but it won't have the same effect since Video Game makers still need to make the bulk of their sales through selling the games themselves. They can't tap into another event; like going to the movies to make up all the loss revenue.
 
Captain Adverse said:
I like playing P.C. Games.

Not massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) versions like World of Warcraft and Diablo; not first person shooter games like Doom, Ghost Recon and Medal of Honor.

Nope, I like strategy games like Heart of Iron, Europa Universalis, the Creative Assembly Total War Series (Medieval, Rome, Empire), and Civilization.

Once upon a time you could get a P.C. game, enter your key code and play on your P.C., no strings attached. Then when Empire Total War came out it required a connection to something called STEAM. This was the first Creative Assembly game that came out after they became a subsidiary of SEGA. It didn't say so on the original version when I bought it in the store (still have the box). I found out six months later only after contacting the company online who talked me through the connection.

This requirement also appeared for Firaxis games after I tried to get Civilization V.

The boxes all now say there is a one-time connection to STEAM to validate the game. That turned out not to be true. You have to connect and create an account, then you have to go "offline." I have also bought some games and skins on steam after originally joining.

Now twice since this all started STEAM has asked me for more information about myself. The first time it was relatively minor and I wanted to play my games and maintain access to the ones online, so I added a bit about myself. The second time they informed me of a change in the terms of service requiring even MORE personal information I just ignored it. A month later they discontinued my account, stripped me of access to all the games etc. I had purchased online, and now I can't play the P.C. games I bought from stores.

Whatever happened to "I bought the game, I OWN the set I bought, and as long as I don't try to bootleg it, it is mine to use freely without reservations?

So here are my questions:

Why must a P.C. gamer belong to STEAM and adhere to their increasing demands for personal information in order to play games?

Why can they deny access to a game bought and paid for?

How can I get a refund for all the games I bought while using their system?

Most importantly, is there any way I can get a version of games after 2008 that don't require a STEAM connection?
Click to expand...

STEAM activation hasn't asked me squat save for physical components and OS.

Somewhere along the way I must have opted out from the personal info.

Upgraded to Windows 10 recently. Many games I had prior to STEAM would not run properly in Windows 10. Rome, Shogun, Medieval TW all crapped out.

Tying the older games (register with your install code) to Steam and downloading from the web gave me the latest patches and updates. The games now run properly.
 
You don't have to use Steam. Origin and other services also provide games, albeit different games.
 
ModerateGOP said:
This also sounds like two step verification a new way to sign up for new services that you'll find on every modern-day system that you will try to first sign up to use EX: Email account.
Click to expand...

That was the first piece of info I was talking about. I didn't mind this because I have a special email account I use for crap like this. But since they inform people of updates when you go "online" at STEAM I wondered about the need for an email contact.

ModerateGOP said:
1. What new personal information are they asking for? In my experience they just ask for a phone number or something. Is this really that annoying for you to provide?
Click to expand...

YES. Why the hell do they need my phone number? I bought a ****ing GAME from the original company. That's all they need to know. They don't need to contact me by phone. Bad enough they have the damn email address.

ModerateGOP said:
2. Because it is now on their server thanks to the arrangements made when buying the company that made the game.
Click to expand...

I think you misunderstood. I still have the box sets, I was talking about the games I bought in the store. Hence, why am I required to have a STEAM account in order to play games I bought and paid for offline.

ModerateGOP said:
3. I'm sure this is easily found on their website FAQs but don't you need to get into your account first before you do this? I'm sure they will be more questions from their company if you can't even bother producing a phone number for them to prove you are you in the first place!
Click to expand...

See answer to #1 above.

ModerateGOP said:
4. Some yes some no. Very complicated answer that requires google searches as your friend: EX: Amazon.com: Sid Meier's Civilization V - PC: Video Games
Click to expand...

Now that is helpful. I'll look into it. Thanks

ModerateGOP said:
Everything is moving to a subscription based economy. STEAM is pretty good and stable for what it is. You will not be able to find much physical media going forward. It's been years since I bought DVDs or TV shows. Netflix rules that. STEAM is just a video game version of Netflix, but it won't have the same effect since Video Game makers still need to make the bulk of their sales through selling the games themselves. They can't tap into another event; like going to the movies to make up all the loss revenue.
Click to expand...

Well, this is understandable but an ongoing problem I am a having with our "must be internet connected" society to get through life in America.

I think we are becoming both socially disconnected, and overly dependent on systems that could be denied us by either a cyber attack or (as in my complaint) failing to adhere to increasing demands in exchange for services. In the latter case, internet babies will truly be "babes in the woods" when it comes to adapting to skills they never took the time to learn.
 
Jetboogieman said:
What personal info are they asking you?

I have never been asked once, ever since signing up for anything additional.
Click to expand...

Originally? My email. The second time? My personal phone number.

I just ignored that, went back offline to play games I had saved on my PC. Then two months later I went on, STEAM refused to accept my password, and did not respond to email requests for info . Then I got a notice my account did not exist.
 
Captain Adverse said:
Originally? My email. The second time? My personal phone number.

I just ignored that, went back offline to play games I had saved on my PC. Then two months later I went on, STEAM refused to accept my password, and did not respond to email requests for info . Then I got a notice my account did not exist.
Click to expand...

Dude I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little worried about that, do you think there's some possibility someone has jacked your account?
 
Jetboogieman said:
Dude I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little worried about that, do you think there's some possibility someone has jacked your account?
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing initially. Steam failed to respond, but it's been several months and so the worst that might have happened is someone got some free versions of online games. I never left my charge information in the system when I bought games, I always entered it new. There haven't been any strange debit to my charge card.
 
Captain Adverse said:
Originally? My email. The second time? My personal phone number.

I just ignored that, went back offline to play games I had saved on my PC. Then two months later I went on, STEAM refused to accept my password, and did not respond to email requests for info . Then I got a notice my account did not exist.
Click to expand...

That... Sucks. Maybe you can call them and talk to someone ?

I don't mind steam. It logs in automatically. I have steamlink so i can play civ 5 on my TV with my steam controller.

I think steam is awesome. If you wait for sales, you can get really cheap games. Further, they have some good suggestions.
 
Absentglare said:
That... Sucks. Maybe you can call them and talk to someone ?

I don't mind steam. It logs in automatically. I have steamlink so i can play civ 5 on my TV with my steam controller.

I think steam is awesome. If you wait for sales, you can get really cheap games. Further, they have some good suggestions.
Click to expand...

Did they ever ask you for a telephone number?
 
Captain Adverse said:
I thought the same thing initially. Steam failed to respond, but it's been several months and so the worst that might have happened if someone got some free versions of online games. I never left my charge information in the system when I bought games, I always entered it new. There haven't been any strange debit to my charge card.
Click to expand...

I checked steam forum about this issue.

Try this:

Use the "I know my email but not my username" function and someone was able to retrieve it that way.
 
Captain Adverse said:
I like playing P.C. Games.

Not massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) versions like World of Warcraft and Diablo; not first person shooter games like Doom, Ghost Recon and Medal of Honor.

Nope, I like strategy games like Heart of Iron, Europa Universalis, the Creative Assembly Total War Series (Medieval, Rome, Empire), and Civilization.

Once upon a time you could get a P.C. game, enter your key code and play on your P.C., no strings attached. Then when Empire Total War came out it required a connection to something called STEAM. This was the first Creative Assembly game that came out after they became a subsidiary of SEGA. It didn't say so on the original version when I bought it in the store (still have the box). I found out six months later only after contacting the company online who talked me through the connection.

This requirement also appeared for Firaxis games after I tried to get Civilization V.

The boxes all now say there is a one-time connection to STEAM to validate the game. That turned out not to be true. You have to connect and create an account, then you have to go "offline." I have also bought some games and skins on steam after originally joining.

Now twice since this all started STEAM has asked me for more information about myself. The first time it was relatively minor and I wanted to play my games and maintain access to the ones online, so I added a bit about myself. The second time they informed me of a change in the terms of service requiring even MORE personal information I just ignored it. A month later they discontinued my account, stripped me of access to all the games etc. I had purchased online, and now I can't play the P.C. games I bought from stores.

Whatever happened to "I bought the game, I OWN the set I bought, and as long as I don't try to bootleg it, it is mine to use freely without reservations?

So here are my questions:

Why must a P.C. gamer belong to STEAM and adhere to their increasing demands for personal information in order to play games?

Why can they deny access to a game bought and paid for?

How can I get a refund for all the games I bought while using their system?

Most importantly, is there any way I can get a version of games after 2008 that don't require a STEAM connection?
Click to expand...

I don't have the answers to most your questions, but I don't see Steam as too invasive. I was real concerned at first, with my first Steam game, but I'm good with them now. I have Kerbal Space program, Civilization V, and Cities: Skylines. Thinking of getting another.

As for the personal information? I didn't think it excessive, but paid by credit card too.

While we're at it...

Any suggested "best" Steam games?
 
Jetboogieman said:
I checked steam forum about this issue.

Try this:

Use the "I know my email but not my username" function and someone was able to retrieve it that way.
Click to expand...

That's how I got the first notice "no account exists."

Then I emailed them and got the same response. This was back in the summer 2015.

The only reason I bring this up now is I've been playing Civilization IV with the expansions on a laptop that wasn't really made for it and I think I burned something out. I was looking into buying either a new gaming laptop, or a gaming P.C. I realized if I did go to that expense I'd have to deal with Windows 10 and trying to get rid of all their tracking crap, and I would also be buying new games which might require STEAM.

So here I am frustrated at the requirements of both Microsoft's OS, and the game requirements of STEAM.
 
Captain Adverse said:
1. That was the first piece of info I was talking about. I didn't mind this because I have a special email account I use for crap like this. But since they inform people of updates when you go "online" at STEAM I wondered about the need for an email contact.

2. YES. Why the hell do they need my phone number? I bought a ****ing GAME from the original company. That's all they need to know. They don't need to contact me by phone. Bad enough they have the damn email address.

3. I think you misunderstood. I still have the box sets, I was talking about the games I bought in the store. Hence, why am I required to have a STEAM account in order to play games I bought and paid for offline.

4. I think we are becoming both socially disconnected, and overly dependent on systems that could be denied us by either a cyber attack or (as in my complaint) failing to adhere to increasing demands in exchange for services. In the latter case, internet babies will truly be "babes in the woods" when it comes to adapting to skills they never took the time to learn.
Click to expand...

1. No they like to spam your email account with promotions which are sometimes useful as STEAM does run really good promotions sometimes.
2. You don't need your phone number for the game. You need it for STEAM and usually only one time in case something happens to your account.
3. I think you only need STEAM to access certain features of the game? My guess is if they are physical CDs you can still plug them in and play them right?
4. I think your problem will go away since the internet babies will likely have grown up with adapting to faster technological change and will know what happens when you don't pay attention. I mean new born babies learn the Ipad quicker than the alphabet!!! Mostly due to the "pretty colors" A nation-wide attack crippling our system is actually very, very hard to do. Which is why it hasn't happened yet. As we move forward that possibility diminishes greatly as more and more of our systems become secured.
 
Lord of Planar said:
I don't have the answers to most your questions, but I don't see Steam as too invasive. I was real concerned at first, with my first Steam game, but I'm good with them now. I have Kerbal Space program, Civilization V, and Cities: Skylines. Thinking of getting another.

As for the personal information? I didn't think it excessive, but paid by credit card too.

While we're at it...

Any suggested "best" Steam games?
Click to expand...

Portals 1/2
 
The phone number is used to protect your account from hackers, and to be able to retrieve your account.
 
Fledermaus said:
STEAM activation hasn't asked me squat save for physical components and OS.

Somewhere along the way I must have opted out from the personal info.

Upgraded to Windows 10 recently. Many games I had prior to STEAM would not run properly in Windows 10. Rome, Shogun, Medieval TW all crapped out.

Tying the older games (register with your install code) to Steam and downloading from the web gave me the latest patches and updates. The games now run properly.
Click to expand...

Now I admit that was an advantage. But as I remember it, most of the game companies had their own websites and would also update for free. There were also forums, especially for Civilization where some pretty awesome mods came out.
 
Captain Adverse said:
That's how I got the first notice "no account exists."

Then I emailed them and got the same response. This was back in the summer 2015.

The only reason I bring this up now is I've been playing Civilization IV with the expansions on a laptop that wasn't really made for it and I think I burned something out. I was looking into buying either a new gaming laptop, or a gaming P.C. I realized if I did go to that expense I'd have to deal with Windows 10 and trying to get rid of all their tracking crap, and I would also be buying new games which might require STEAM.

So here I am frustrated at the requirements of both Microsoft's OS, and the game requirements of STEAM.
Click to expand...

Ok.

I'm looking into this for you, one other thing I got was refreshing the steam files, if for any reason they became corrupted, missing or modified that could screw up your interface with the server and cause it to think you don't exist.

This has happened to other people, I'm working my way through a thread that looks like it'll have an answer.

Have a look at this though:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3134-TIAL-4638
 
Captain Adverse said:
I like playing P.C. Games.

Not massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) versions like World of Warcraft and Diablo; not first person shooter games like Doom, Ghost Recon and Medal of Honor.

Nope, I like strategy games like Heart of Iron, Europa Universalis, the Creative Assembly Total War Series (Medieval, Rome, Empire), and Civilization.

Once upon a time you could get a P.C. game, enter your key code and play on your P.C., no strings attached. Then when Empire Total War came out it required a connection to something called STEAM. This was the first Creative Assembly game that came out after they became a subsidiary of SEGA. It didn't say so on the original version when I bought it in the store (still have the box). I found out six months later only after contacting the company online who talked me through the connection.

This requirement also appeared for Firaxis games after I tried to get Civilization V.

The boxes all now say there is a one-time connection to STEAM to validate the game. That turned out not to be true. You have to connect and create an account, then you have to go "offline." I have also bought some games and skins on steam after originally joining.

Now twice since this all started STEAM has asked me for more information about myself. The first time it was relatively minor and I wanted to play my games and maintain access to the ones online, so I added a bit about myself. The second time they informed me of a change in the terms of service requiring even MORE personal information I just ignored it. A month later they discontinued my account, stripped me of access to all the games etc. I had purchased online, and now I can't play the P.C. games I bought from stores.

Whatever happened to "I bought the game, I OWN the set I bought, and as long as I don't try to bootleg it, it is mine to use freely without reservations?

So here are my questions:

Why must a P.C. gamer belong to STEAM and adhere to their increasing demands for personal information in order to play games?

Why can they deny access to a game bought and paid for?

How can I get a refund for all the games I bought while using their system?

Most importantly, is there any way I can get a version of games after 2008 that don't require a STEAM connection?
Click to expand...

Personally, I'm a loyal to Steam because, so far, they have an extremely good customer service and high respect for their customers (cf. Origin, which I will not use).

However, to answer your question, GOG.com pretty much has what you're looking for. It's the only other service that I use, personally.
 
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