I'm never buying another Valve game

[Imran Siddiqui]

So you think it's rational to react to a real threat by punishing genuine customers in place of the pirates, since punishing the pirates is not possible?

That's what usually happens. In the cat and mouse game between pirates and game companies, the companies have to do something. They can't simply say that, hey, people are going to pirate anyway, so we shouldn't do anything about it.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

So you think it's rational to react to a real threat by punishing genuine customers in place of the pirates, since punishing the pirates is not possible?

That's what usually happens. In the cat and mouse game between pirates and game companies, the companies have to do something. They can't simply say that, hey, people are going to pirate anyway, so we shouldn't do anything about it.

Agreed

[CapTVK]

That companies try to prevent illegal copying is not in question. What is how far companies are willing to go at the expense of the consumer (who also has his rights and user preferences). So: is Steam just another example of copyright protection or enforcement?


Btw,
I still haven't gotten an answer to my question: Is it possible to sell my copy of HL2 after use or give it away to someone else?

[Maquiladora]

Btw,
I still haven't gotten an answer to my question: Is it possible to sell my copy of HL2 after use or give it away to someone else?

Yes, of course. As long as you provide all the details for the steam account with the game.

[CapTVK]

Details of the steam account? What do you mean by that?

[Kassiopeia]

I assume he means login and password. After all, anyone can download legally the files you have on the disc, what you'll be actually selling will be your right to actually play the game, which is tied to your Steam account the moment you entered in the code you got with the copy of the game. Of course, what about all the possible other games tied into your Steam account?

[Maquiladora]

The username and password you set for your online steam account to register.

EDIT: Or what Kass said.

EDIT2: If you have multiple games playable through Valve I assume you product register one them and create another steam account for the other Steam games, afterall you only need to register one key to open an account.

[Kassiopeia]

But are you supposed to register them separately from the get-go? You're supposed to know right from the start if you'll ever sell any of the games?

[CapTVK]

Buying a used copy of HL2 isn't a smart move then. It's a oneway ticket. Once used someone else cannot use it again.

The same way when you give away your own used copy. That person would still have to register for his own Steam account.

[CapTVK]

I've decided to look up the license agreements for Steam

http://www.steampowered.com/index.php?area=subscriber_agreement

2. SOFTWARE LICENSES
A. License Terms.

Steam and your Subscription(s) require the installation of the Steam client and the automatic download of software, other content and updates thereto onto your computer ("Steam Software"). You may not use Steam Software for any purpose other than the permitted access to Steam and your Subscriptions. You understand that Steam may automatically update, pre-load, create new versions or otherwise enhance the Steam Software and accordingly, the system requirements to use the Steam Software may change over time. You understand that neither this Agreement nor the terms associated with a particular Subscription entitles you to future updates, new versions or other enhancements of the Steam Software associated with a particular Subscription although Valve may choose to provide certain future updates, new versions or other enhancements of the Steam Software in its sole discretion.

Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a limited, non-exclusive license and right to use the Steam Software for your personal use in accordance with this Agreement and the Subscription Terms. The Steam Software is licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Steam Software. This license is effective until termination in accordance with this Agreement.

In essence you buy a license, not a piece of software. That copy of HL2 you bought in the store has a resale value of zero the moment you use it.

[Maquiladora]

Originally posted by Kassiopeia
But are you supposed to register them separately from the get-go? You're supposed to know right from the start if you'll ever sell any of the games?

I only own 1 Valve Steam game (HL1) so I'm not sure how it works. I registered my HL CD-Key when I created my Steam account. If I buy HL2 now do I need to input my HL2 Key again in Steam to play HL2 online or can I use my current Steam account (registered with my HL1 Key) ? I assume its the former, because it works that way with Opposing Force (an expansion to HL1) too.

I know that if I were to sell my HL1 now I'd only need to provide them with the CD Key and game, but they couldnt play it online because the Key is already in use in my current Steam account. I would need to either give them my current Steam account aswell and create a new one with HL2, or somehow "unregister" my HL1 key from my current account. The whole thing is gonna create a mess for someone.

[BustaMike]

From what I can tell, Steam sucks if you actually purchase the physical CDs; however, if you just buy the product online and download it, it runs flawlessly. Every single person that I've heard complain, bought the CDs. I downloaded it and have had zero problems + I have the luxury of playing the game on multiple systems if I want (you just have to be careful not to log on both machines at the same time, not a problem with the offline mode).

Yeah, yeah, steam sucks... but only if you're behind the times and still going to the store to buy games

[Skanky Burns]

Zero resale value

Currently, you can not transfer a cd-key from one account to another.

*Sigh* Its kind of annoying when companies force their potential customers into warez.

[Kassiopeia]

With zero resale value, they're still taxing you the full price?! And if you download it directly from them, it's the same price as when getting it through a retailer. You'd think they could lower the massive profit margin even just a a bit to make it more appealing. I'm ever so happy I didn't buy HL2. (I borrowed it from a friend. )

[Dis]

Re: I'm never buying another Valve game

Originally posted by Case
Don't get me wrong, I love Half Life 2 and am greatly enjoying it.
However, the freaking thing took two hours to install due to the combination of a basic testing failure (disks 4 and 5 not installing if you don't install the Counterstrike code) and the need to prove that I wasn't a criminal by registering and de-cracking the game.

As I spent about 2/3 of a day's pay on the game, I don't see why I should have had to waste a large chunk of time proving this. The whole installation process stank of Microsoft-esqe arrogance, and I'm not going to reward it by buying another game by this company. So there.

disk 5? don't they have DVD versions.

I love my Everquest 2 DVD version. 2 DVD's. My brother has the CD version, and I think he had like 8 disks

games are so large, it's not worth using CD's anymore.