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Steam is a PC game content delivery system from the makers of the Half Life 2 series, Valve. Fairly light on system resources, the system allows for social networking as well as third and first party game delivery over the internet. The system is highly secure, yet the DRM is not intrusive - allowing users to play any game they own on any system they own - also allowing for them to redownload any games you may have lost or not installed.

Steam
MSRP $0.00
Release date September, 2003
Brand Valve
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Pros & Cons14
Reviews5
Details
Buy It
Competitors1
Comments2
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
5 reviews
71
negative
mixed
positive
3 positive
2 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
users can play their games on any system they're logged in on, can redownload games at any time
+6agreedisagree

•
patches are applied to games automatically
+6agreedisagree

•
over 500 titles from a variety of well known developers
+5agreedisagree

•
easier than going to the store
+5agreedisagree

•
more secure than using a physical cd/dvd that scratch or be lost
+4agreedisagree

•
you can gift games to other users
+4agreedisagree

•
often offer great deals on games
+4agreedisagree

•
promotes PC as a gaming platform
+3agreedisagree

•
fast content servers
+2agreedisagree

•
You don't have to keep track of a bunch of game discs when upgrading/ switching computers
+1agreedisagree

•
Steam community features are very robust and better than Xbox Live
-1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
you don't get physical copies of your game - but you pay the same price
+6agreedisagree

•
you cannot give games that you've already played
+6agreedisagree

•
requires an Internet connection to play/get games
+4agreedisagree


5 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

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This report was started December 26, 2008 at 2:09 pm by Yale
with the last edit occurring December 30, 2008 at 3:42 am by Yale
This page has been viewed 157 times, with 64 edits by 6 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

Steam is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Software »
Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE

MSRP  $50.00    Released  November, 2002
Pros
  • detailed player statistics can be viewed on Xbox.com
  • high level of integration with Xbox 360
  • video and voice chat
Cons
  • some content requires a Gold membership
  • Microsoft points (Xbox LIVE currency) must be purchased in blocks - users might have to spend more money upfront in order to purchase the item wanted
  • expensive compared to alternatives (which are all free)
ProSCORE
6 reviews
60
Vote! (4 votes)
vote Steam 0% vs. vote Xbox LIVE 100%

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Comments

1.  avatar Yale said:

Steam is offering great deals on games for Boxing day / week. Until January 2nd all games are 10-75% off. Some notable games to pick up: Counter-Strike: Source, 50% off (9.99), Portal, 75% off (4.99), Bioshock, 75% off (4.99), Team Fortress 2, 50% off (9.99) and lots more! http://store.steampowered.com/holidaysale/
Dec 26, 2008 2:21pm
2.  avatar BrileyKenney said:

Steam always has awesome deals on great games as well as an easy to use user interface. I however personally tagged it as "hate it" simply due to the fact that the program takes centuries to load and use. I bought "The Orange Box", "Audiosurf", and a couple other games through Steam and in order to play them Steam MUST be active and must constantly check for updates. This ensures the game has the latest fixes, but I hate having to wait so long just to play my games not to mention the fact that I don't have the option to play without Steam loaded; whereas if I had bought the actual game in store then Steam is not required.

On a more positive note the community is massive, and there are tons of clans or groups of similar gamers from around the world. Many different groups even organize tournaments complete with available rankings and prizes.

Don't get me wrong Steam is still a decent program but its good to note that some others, like myself, just won't have the patience.
Dec 27, 2008 1:12pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

anon

avatar
December 29, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
83
negative
mixed
positive
10 pros
2 cons

Pros

  • users can play their games on any system they're logged in on, can redownload games at any time
  • patches are applied to games automatically
  • over 500 titles from a variety of well known developers
  • easier than going to the store
  • more secure than using a physical cd/dvd that scratch or be lost
  • you can gift games to other users
  • often offer great deals on games
  • promotes PC as a gaming platform
  • fast content servers
  • You don't have to keep track of a bunch of game discs when upgrading/ switching computers

Cons

  • you don't get physical copies of your game - but you pay the same price
  • you cannot give games that you've already played

Competitors

anon prefers Xbox LIVE over Steam
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Yale

avatar
December 26, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
3 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • users can play their games on any system they're logged in on, can redownload games at any time
  • patches are applied to games automatically
  • over 500 titles from a variety of well known developers
  • easier than going to the store
  • more secure than using a physical cd/dvd that scratch or be lost
  • you can gift games to other users
  • often offer great deals on games
  • promotes PC as a gaming platform
  • fast content servers

Cons

  • you don't get physical copies of your game - but you pay the same price
  • you cannot give games that you've already played
  • requires an Internet connection to play/get games

Comments

"Steam is offering great deals on games for Boxing day / week. Until January 2nd all games are 10-75% off. Some notable games to pick up: Counter-Strike: Source, 50% off (9.99), Portal, 75% off (4.99), Bioshock, 75% off (4.99), Team Fortress 2, 50% off (9.99) and lots more! http://store.steampowered.com/holidaysale/"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Omar

avatar
December 27, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
73
negative
mixed
positive
8 pros
3 cons

Pros

  • users can play their games on any system they're logged in on, can redownload games at any time
  • patches are applied to games automatically
  • over 500 titles from a variety of well known developers
  • easier than going to the store
  • more secure than using a physical cd/dvd that scratch or be lost
  • you can gift games to other users
  • often offer great deals on games
  • Steam community features are very robust and better than Xbox Live

Cons

  • you don't get physical copies of your game - but you pay the same price
  • you cannot give games that you've already played
  • requires an Internet connection to play/get games

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

shadowtech

avatar
December 27, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
57
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
3 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it

Pros

  • users can play their games on any system they're logged in on, can redownload games at any time
  • patches are applied to games automatically
  • over 500 titles from a variety of well known developers
  • promotes PC as a gaming platform

Cons

  • you don't get physical copies of your game - but you pay the same price
  • you cannot give games that you've already played
  • requires an Internet connection to play/get games

Competitors

shadowtech prefers Xbox LIVE over Steam
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Manzabar

avatar
December 27, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
3 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • users can play their games on any system they're logged in on, can redownload games at any time
  • patches are applied to games automatically
  • easier than going to the store

Cons

  • you don't get physical copies of your game - but you pay the same price
  • you cannot give games that you've already played
  • requires an Internet connection to play/get games

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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