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DRM: Is Steamworks The Way to Go?

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US | B 77 comments

Bethesda has said that Fallout: New Vegas will use Steamworks for DRM, and frankly, that sounds like a really good idea.

Wednesday Jason Bergman, Senior Producer at Bethesda Softworks, said that the upcoming game Fallout: New Vegas will use Valve's Steamworks for its digital rights management. While the mention of DRM sends a shiver of dread down our spines, this might actually be a good thing. Resulting intrusive software won't worm its way into the system's root; games won't be required to remain online so that players can experience the single-player campaign, and we won't be left with expensive drink coasters after using up all of our allowed installs.

"We’ve implemented Steamworks in as light and unobtrusive a way as possible," he reassured fans. "Yes, you will have to install Steam when you install Fallout: New Vegas if you don’t already have it. And yes, you will have to be online at the time of that initial install. However you can install the game on as many systems as you want (with no restrictions!), and you do not have to be online to play the game after your initial activation."

He goes on to say that once gamers have installed and activated the game on Steam via their account, the DVD can be discarded for good, as the digital version will be available immediately and indefinitely. Need to re-format the PC? Just download Steam again when Windows is replaced, and then re-install the game. There's no locked number of installs, and as Bergman stated, the game isn't locked to one specific Mac address. With all that said, it seems more environmentally-friendly to simply purchase the digital version.

Still, there are consumers who refuse to go digital. "If you don’t even have a DVD drive, you can just take the CD-Key from the box, enter it into Steam, and download it without ever using the disc at all," he added. Modders were also reassured that using Steam will have no effect of development--they will still be able to create and distribute their goods as they have in the past.

"We made the decision to use Steam after looking at all the various options out there and decided that it provided the best, least intrusive experience for PC gamers," he said. "We think you’ll agree."

Do you agree? Is this the best way to approach DRM without requiring limitations and compromising system stability? This seems like the best solution out there, and New Vegas might have a better chance on creating a community with Steam than with Microsoft's stagnant Games for Windows environment.

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Top Comments
  • 26 Hide
    megamanx00 , June 9, 2010 9:13 PM
    While I am no fan of DRM, Steam is certainly better than what Ubisoft is pulling.
  • 26 Hide
    LATTEH , June 9, 2010 9:05 PM
    tbh steam is the best way to go if you want DRM every one likes it and any one that plays PC games has an account so it doesn't matter!



    also i like steam it makes it easier when your reinstalling your OS (if you save the files for the games)
  • 24 Hide
    wolfseeker2828 , June 9, 2010 9:09 PM
    I started using Steam a few months ago, and I've found it's one of the best ways to distribute software! Because it has a social aspect, and very non-intrusive DRM, plus allows multiple installs on different computers, I find myself hoping ALL games eventually make their way onto Steam.
Other Comments
    Display all 77 comments.
  • 26 Hide
    LATTEH , June 9, 2010 9:05 PM
    tbh steam is the best way to go if you want DRM every one likes it and any one that plays PC games has an account so it doesn't matter!



    also i like steam it makes it easier when your reinstalling your OS (if you save the files for the games)
  • 24 Hide
    wolfseeker2828 , June 9, 2010 9:09 PM
    I started using Steam a few months ago, and I've found it's one of the best ways to distribute software! Because it has a social aspect, and very non-intrusive DRM, plus allows multiple installs on different computers, I find myself hoping ALL games eventually make their way onto Steam.
  • 21 Hide
    dameon51 , June 9, 2010 9:10 PM
    I love Steam. I hate having to disk swap to reinstall my games when I reinstall windows. Steam is good for developers and good for users.
  • 20 Hide
    Trueno07 , June 9, 2010 9:10 PM
    Now this is how DRM should be done. Thank god Bethestda is doing this, I really hope they set the trend by doing this.

    I mean really, how can you go wrong by going with steam? You can't, that's how.
  • 26 Hide
    megamanx00 , June 9, 2010 9:13 PM
    While I am no fan of DRM, Steam is certainly better than what Ubisoft is pulling.
  • 1 Hide
    mackinator , June 9, 2010 9:13 PM
    there is one way to go wrong, creating a monopoly on distribution of games.
    however, even that wouldnt be a bad thing as long as steam keeps being the good service it is.
  • 20 Hide
    Anonymous , June 9, 2010 9:13 PM
    I think the reason why Steam is so successful is because of its unobtrusive nature and I think this stems from the fact that it was created by a game development company instead of a distribution company. Thanks Valve.
  • 5 Hide
    bourgeoisdude , June 9, 2010 9:13 PM
    After using steam for over a year, I'd have to agree that it is some of the least obtrusive DRM there is. I've had to move my games to a new PC after initially installing it, then had to reinstall once because I moved from Windows 7 RC1 to the real thing. It was relatively painless, although I admit it takes a long time to download about 20 GB worth of games.
  • 20 Hide
    V8VENOM , June 9, 2010 9:14 PM
    Steam is awesome, solves many problems and is no hassle. It's my only source for buying games.

    Solves:
    1. Backup issues since games are all available in my Steam account
    2. Don't need to enter any Keys
    3. Provides me info on new games
    4. Automatically updates my games
    5. Might just save the PC gaming industry from Pirates/theives
    6. Provides free demos of most games (try before you buy)
    7. Provides SDK for game developers so copy protection is obfuscated within the game code itself

    It's a pirates worse nightmare, and they seem to be the ones who don't like it (gee, big surprise), but do we paying customers give a rats ass about pirates, nope, and neither does steam nor the gaming companies -- they finally have a solution that ensures they get paid for consumer usage.

  • 9 Hide
    hootis8 , June 9, 2010 9:15 PM
    YAY
  • 1 Hide
    arrghushakaboorga , June 9, 2010 9:20 PM
    I think it's an excellent idea. I know a lot of people don't like Steam, but it's nice not having to worry about where I left my discs. Or if someone else was using it and scratched it etc. Being able to redownload/verify files easily is great
  • 2 Hide
    greatsaltedone , June 9, 2010 9:27 PM
    I've been using steam since it was first released and it has matured into an incredible content distribution system. I see it as akin to the move from vinyl/tape to cd/dvd: it's a technological step at which customers are willing to repurchase content they already own and once they make the leap they will never go back. Steam has so far been incredibly effective at making me buy games I already own, even more recent ones like Civ4.

    On another note, I believe that Steam is the answer that developers are looking for as it provides very strong, unobtrusive DRM while also advertises to an ENORMOUS gamer base nearly cost-free. If all PC games were to standardize on Steam today, I would bet that the current move to console would have stopped within two years.
  • 2 Hide
    Anomalyx , June 9, 2010 9:28 PM
    Steam still scares me in that if for some unforeseeable reason they go out of business and disappear (not likely, but gotta consider every scenario), what happens to my games? Do they disappear too?
    However, I do prefer it against alternative DRMs. Of course, the best DRM is no DRM. I would even say that I'm more likely to buy a DRM-free game. For example, the game Demigod. No DRM. I downloaded a pirated copy to see if it was any good. I liked it. I got rid of said pirated copy and bought the game. If the game had DRM preventing the pirated copy, I never would have tried it, and never would have bought it.
  • 4 Hide
    mrmike_49 , June 9, 2010 9:28 PM
    Thank god they're dropping GFWL - I REALLY hated that.

    The only worry about digital download I have is "Will this company still be in business 10, 15, 20 years in the future?" I re-played Eye of the Beholder last summer, about a 20 year old game. Will I be able to do that with FONV in 15 years if I digital download
  • -1 Hide
    hunter315 , June 9, 2010 9:30 PM
    Steam is the only DRM i actually like and its the only one that has never broken on me, this is a good call on their part and im sure it saves them some R&D costs of implementing other DRMs.
  • 0 Hide
    omnimodis78 , June 9, 2010 9:34 PM
    The only DRM that works is making the price of games drop - honestly...$70 for a games? No thank you. Make a game $20, or $30 and you're basically attract back those who hitherto resorted to torrents. And as far as your profit margins - let's see: Increase sales volume, no need to license DRM technologies (not cheap to do), and you STILL make a great profit from the console rip-offs. This whole DRM thing is really a solution which only makes sense to these publishers because they're looking at the problem from the wrong angle! Get with the times and you'll reap the benefits. Keep your games $70 and I'll wait the 2 weeks for RELOADED to do their magic. Cheers!
  • -9 Hide
    phantomtrooper , June 9, 2010 9:35 PM
    Steam except for the part where i can't play games with out the internet or play lan games with friends to see if they want to buy a copy themselves.
  • 0 Hide
    David the Gnome , June 9, 2010 9:36 PM
    It would be great if every game was offered on Steam. I love the fact that if I get the itch to play a game I bought 10 years ago, I don't have to go hunting for the discs and worry about compatibility issues, I just double click it's name in my Steam library and tell it to install.
  • 0 Hide
    greatsaltedone , June 9, 2010 9:38 PM
    I would like to add on to my previous points that Steam also started a renaissance for small/independent developers. Games like Mount and Blade, Machinarium, or World of Goo would never have had a chance in the previous market dominated by big box stores like Wal-Mart. By reducing the middle-man, Valve has handed market control to end users, assuring that the games industry won't end up like the car industry (as it seemed to be doing with certain instances like GTA San Andreas).
  • 0 Hide
    back_by_demand , June 9, 2010 9:39 PM
    AnomalyxSteam still scares me in that if for some unforeseeable reason they go out of business and disappear (not likely, but gotta consider every scenario), what happens to my games?

    Steam as a company, if it ever goes bust will not simply disappear.
    It is the same as your house, if you dont pay the rent they repossess.
    If Steam goes belly up then all their IP, including all the games and peoples accounts, will be taken by the receivers.
    The bank will run it under administration until they can find an appropriate buyer at which point someone will carry it on.
    At worst you may see a loss of service for a month or two and then all back to normal.
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