There was a great post over at CrunchGear from an anonymous author (a request honored by CrunchGear) about why, even with DRM, Valve’s Steam service is one of the best things to happen for both game authors and consumers. While the author starts off the post talking about why he, like a lot of other people, had no qualms about pirating games (prices, massive DRM, ease of access) but then explains why he thinks that Steam is such a great service

I already established I’m lazy. Steam understands that’s the norm for most gamers. That’s why Steam makes it so damn easy to buy games. There are top sellers lists, coming soon lists, demo lists, and best of all, legit sales and free-play weekends. I have spent over $50 during Steam’s summer sale on old random games just because it’s so easy and novel. (Today, July 5th, is the last day, btw) There are so many different ways for me to easily buy a game on Steam that’s detrimental to my checking account. Once I click the purchase button, Steam gives me the option to start the install process right away and I know that I will be able to install this game on any computer in the future thanks to the library mode. That’s big.

Then there’s built-in friends lists, achievements, easy installs on other machines, and so much more features that justifies Steam’s DRM. Simply put, there are more advantages to use Steam than there are DRM disadvantages. That’s the way it should be.

The author also makes the great point that this is a distribution system that the movie (and I would add television) industry should take a serious look at. Now on the whole I am in total agreement with the author but I would like to add one factor that – for me specific – is the item that tipped me in the favor of Steam.

Unlike a lot of big companies out there selling online Steam allows for PayPal purchases (yes Microsoft and Amazon I am looking at you) and for me that is always a make or break part of my decision to use a service or not.

However Steam is not the only gaming service out there. In recent years Stardock, the company behind software like WindowBlinds and Object Desktop as well as great games like Galactic Civilizations, have created much the same type of service as Valve’s Steam.

Called Impulse and available as a free download it gives you access to all the games for sale through the company as well as all Stardock’s software, and a growing number of other companies software as well. Of course, as with Steam, they also accept PayPal which like I said is a must for me.

As with Steam you can purchase and download both games and software through the Impulse client and then install any time you want. Also any information about your purchase e.g.: serial numbers is available through the Impulse client.

Personally I think having both options available on your machine is a big win because not only do you not have to worry about losing things like the CDs or serials but you can also take advantage of the different sales that both Steam and Impulse have when it comes to games – some of which you will find on both services.

Like I said – it’s a win-win.

Related posts:

  1. Some awesome Street Fighter 4 character illustrations [7 Pics]
  2. Awesome gaming wallpapers for your desktop
  3. Awesome pin-up style illustrations [9 Pics]
  4. Awesome fantasy illustrations [7 Pics]
  5. Interested in writing games for Windows Phone 7?