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Steam has been around for 17 years now, for those of you who continue to use it as one of your primary platforms, what's keeping you attached to it?
- Thread starter Deleted member 1659
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It's functional, it's light and the offering of the Steam sales + direct key sales means that I spend way less money on gaming than I would otherwise.
In my 13 years of using Steam, outside of very minor and small service disruptions I have had 0 issues with Steam and I've been using it nearly every day.
In my 13 years of using Steam, outside of very minor and small service disruptions I have had 0 issues with Steam and I've been using it nearly every day.
That's just where my shit is. I don't much discriminate at this point though. If a better price is on another PC launcher, I buy it there.
That's... Where my games are. That's where my friends are. That's where the best features are. That's where the vast majority of the games released on PC are.
I do use other platforms but why should I not continue to use Steam? Your wording is a bit confusing.
I do use other platforms but why should I not continue to use Steam? Your wording is a bit confusing.
Because there really isn't any reason for me to go elsewhere for games. It works and serves its purpose.
I've been using it for almost ten years now.
It's a combination of
If you play videogames on pc there's no real alternative. Even if you like Origin/GoG/Epic more the vast majority of interesting videogames are only available on steam (point 1)
It's a combination of
- "Everyone is here"
- good performance
- acceptable UI (if you use metro)
- a review system that actually puts interesting games in the "extremely favourable" (I don't know the actual english name) category
If you play videogames on pc there's no real alternative. Even if you like Origin/GoG/Epic more the vast majority of interesting videogames are only available on steam (point 1)
Yup. I bought Jedi: Fallen Order on Epic because it was cheaper. I'll keep buying The Sims 4 expansions on Origins because that's where I have all of them already.
If it's all the same price though, a new release, or something like that, chances are I'll get it on Steam unless it's not on there.
That's where most of my games are and it continues to be the best and most functional PC store/platform. Not sure what out there is really incentivizing me to use anything else.
Man, I remember back in 2004 everybody hated that shit lol. Funny how it became one of the most beloved apps.
Yup.
+I can easily upload a bunch of screenshots to their servers for safe keeping, with oodles of storage space.
+I don't have to pay for any of its features, lol consoles
It's lightyears ahead of the competition when it comes to QoL, refund policies are good and It's where the majority of my library is.
I don't mind using other launchers though, only really annoying keeping track of 5+ launchers when I want to play a game I'm not sure where I got it, not common but it does happen.
I don't mind using other launchers though, only really annoying keeping track of 5+ launchers when I want to play a game I'm not sure where I got it, not common but it does happen.
Since 2008 or whenever I got into PC gaming, the only complaint I have about Steam is how long it takes to launch/update itself. And that only affects me on occasion.
Other than that it, always works, it now supports any controller you throw at it, and you can buy Steam keys in all kinds of places, not just Steam. I'm not sure why someone would just stop using it.
Other than that it, always works, it now supports any controller you throw at it, and you can buy Steam keys in all kinds of places, not just Steam. I'm not sure why someone would just stop using it.
Yeah. It's sort of phrased almost like it's fishing for "what's it gonna take for me to convince you to switch from Coke to Pepsi?" Even though it's kind of annoying to use a dozen different launchers and it's easier to use just one, I'm honestly not against other launchers. I have uPlay and Origin and GOG all actively installed. I don't mind using them. But as for why I'd continue to use Steam, even if it didn't offer benefits I think it has the obvious plus for a lot of people (myself included) of being the platform where a ton of my games reside. Even if I woke up tomorrow and declared "actually, EGS is pretty good everyone!" most of my game library isn't owned via EGS.
if there were something better i would probably use it. it's also where my PC library is basically. not complicated lol
i think being a fan of steam or valve is bizarre though, it's just a launcher
i think being a fan of steam or valve is bizarre though, it's just a launcher
Steam input and the steam controller. Also, Steam in general is great.
Oh and Valve actually gives a shit about my country and supports our local currency.
Oh and Valve actually gives a shit about my country and supports our local currency.
I've been using it since like 2005 and it's been a well supported platform, why would I not continue to use it? This thread confuses me.
I'm not someone that cares about owning everything in a single library.. I gave up on that years ago.
However, I prefer Steam because it is, by far, the best. I spent a lot of 2020 playing non-steam games and it really made me appreciate the work Valve has done.
However, I prefer Steam because it is, by far, the best. I spent a lot of 2020 playing non-steam games and it really made me appreciate the work Valve has done.
- Huge library with keys also cheaply available at 3rd party sites
- Exceptional controller support (works with XB, PS and Nintendo controllers) and custom profiles
- SteamVR
- Steam Workshop
- Big Picture Mode
- Completely open (unlike MS Store with their UWP/UWAs)
- Exceptional controller support (works with XB, PS and Nintendo controllers) and custom profiles
- SteamVR
- Steam Workshop
- Big Picture Mode
- Completely open (unlike MS Store with their UWP/UWAs)
Everything, to be honest.
Sometimes I have to use another platform due to exclusivity (such as Diablo), but ultimately that kind of encapsulates how I feel about PC platforms: all the others can only compete on exclusives because when it comes to features, Steam may never be matched.
- My friends are on Steam.
- It has the widest (and arguably best) selection of any platform.
- The sales are the best, especially when factoring in the fact that Steam easily allows devs to generate keys to sell through third parties like Fanatical, GMG, IndieGala, etc.
- A functional shopping cart (looking at you, Epic Games Store).
- I don't know if there's a proper term for it, but the bundles that dynamically discount if you own part of them are AWESOME. I only recently got into DOOM starting with 2016 over the summer, later buying Eternal, and just yesterday I got the remainder of the series for $10 thanks to this feature.
- The Workshop is great in how it enables games like Tabletop Simulator.
- The community features are incredible all around, with every(?) game getting its own forum, fan made guides abound, and shareable controller configurations.
- While I don't use it much, Big Picture Mode is a very cool solution to a common complaint about PC gaming.
Sometimes I have to use another platform due to exclusivity (such as Diablo), but ultimately that kind of encapsulates how I feel about PC platforms: all the others can only compete on exclusives because when it comes to features, Steam may never be matched.
Not sure if it's the OP intention to suggest otherwise but the longevity is a huge positive and gives me confidence the platform will be alive and accessible long into the future.
It's where everything is and splitting games across multiple stores is kind of a pain without installing another piece of software that has to run at the same time. I've tried using Playnite and GoG as launchers, but it just isn't for me when I'm having to launch another software to launch a game.
I guess my second most used platform would be the Epic Store though thanks to all the free games they've given out over time, but that's only 100+ games compared to the 600 or so I have on Steam, so Steam stays as my primary.
I guess my second most used platform would be the Epic Store though thanks to all the free games they've given out over time, but that's only 100+ games compared to the 600 or so I have on Steam, so Steam stays as my primary.
Oh, so-so many things...
1) Regional pricing.
2) Sales and discounts.
3) Massive UI functionality (nothing beats it imo)
4) Multiple languages support for the majority of games.
5) Ability to easily add non-steam games to library.
6) I keep my games even if my account gets banned.
7) A refund policy that actually works.
8) Game-sharing set-up that is easy and intuitive without the primary/secondary machine bs.
9) Active forums attached to games.
10) Amazing community tab with actually interesting and fun art, videos, fanart, tips, etc. for every game.
11) When I buy a game I get all the relevant info about (languages, DLC, release dates, etc.)
12) A very advanced search engine with ability to be very specific about what you are looking for.
13) Reviews separated intro "recent" and "overall" - love this.
etc.etc.
And that's just off the top of my head. I could remember more if I tried.
1) Regional pricing.
2) Sales and discounts.
3) Massive UI functionality (nothing beats it imo)
4) Multiple languages support for the majority of games.
5) Ability to easily add non-steam games to library.
6) I keep my games even if my account gets banned.
7) A refund policy that actually works.
8) Game-sharing set-up that is easy and intuitive without the primary/secondary machine bs.
9) Active forums attached to games.
10) Amazing community tab with actually interesting and fun art, videos, fanart, tips, etc. for every game.
11) When I buy a game I get all the relevant info about (languages, DLC, release dates, etc.)
12) A very advanced search engine with ability to be very specific about what you are looking for.
13) Reviews separated intro "recent" and "overall" - love this.
etc.etc.
And that's just off the top of my head. I could remember more if I tried.
Most of my massive library is on it. It works well, has good QOL features and I feel like it will be around for a long time.
That being said, I still use Epic game store as well, but I don't buy much on it because I'm not convinced it will be long term like Steam is.
That being said, I still use Epic game store as well, but I don't buy much on it because I'm not convinced it will be long term like Steam is.
Good features and valve keeps adding them
- Steam keys allow for competition without fragmenting my library
- Steam controller allows me to play any game with my fav controller even those that don't support controllers
- Steam broadcast allows me to show games to friends
- Steam play together allow me to play local Co OP game through the internet
- Steam trading cards give me free money
- Steam family sharing allows my family to play my games without having to share accounts
- Has a shopping basket so I don't have to buy one game a a time during a sale
- Refund policy is ok.
- The UI is super easy to use, specially when inv friends to games
- I can costumize my library just in a good enough way to not have to use other sites
- Achivements
- Steam overlay and other features can be easily deactivated when I don't need them
- Steam workshop allow for 1 click to install mods. No longer do I have to read readmes
- Steam cloud saving so I don't have to backup most of my saves
- Delisted games are downloadable
- Several methods of payment bonus point for the local ones
- Steam credit cards are easy to buy and find
- Very easy to troubleshoot issues
- Big picture mode gives me an UI when further away from the TV.
- SteamVR is a cool open-source initiative
My huge library of games I purchased in digital sales but honestly I don't game on PC much nowadays. I think Steam serves as a great example of why you shouldn't write off services/games so adamantly.
People have completely forgotten the early reaction to Steam and it's push to be a digital storefront. Many were mad that they had to install it to play Half-life 2. There were a lot of doomsayers talking about the digital future and how horrible it would be. Many hated the interface. If Meme culture and reactionary youtube/social media personalities were a thing the vitriol would have been bad.
This is why I'm never so quick to write off early missteps by services like Google Stadia or the Epic game store. You never know when some turn of events catapults something into a huge success.
People have completely forgotten the early reaction to Steam and it's push to be a digital storefront. Many were mad that they had to install it to play Half-life 2. There were a lot of doomsayers talking about the digital future and how horrible it would be. Many hated the interface. If Meme culture and reactionary youtube/social media personalities were a thing the vitriol would have been bad.
This is why I'm never so quick to write off early missteps by services like Google Stadia or the Epic game store. You never know when some turn of events catapults something into a huge success.
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