Steam discussion

[bloodtank]

I just lost all ARMA and software as I will not agree to Steams new agreement. I will stand here and say goodbye to Steam forever.
No company will tell me what I can do based on force. I seen Steams coming problems some time ago, when they threatened to close my account of 300 games for attempting to charge back a game that DID NOT and WOULD NOT work on my computer, for the mere reason the game timer said I played for 9 hours...(in short, i left the error window up and went to sleep, did not realize I was being spied on by a pathetic clock that is obviously only used to deny refunds) Even though it could be proven I never played, as it was UBISOFTS Silent Hunter 5, which was online always only allowed and games saved on their end.. Obviously they could see I had ZERO saved games and NO ACCESS... It was only a 5000 post forum thread that made Steam cave in and refund me and move forward, as I warned others how easy it is to lose your entire LIBRARY of games and how Steam uses your library as a threat and leverage against you.

Today, I lose access to 500 games.. (no worry those 200 games, were bought on XMAS sales or gifts or f2p) and no more than $5 each
But I lost all games including Arma Cold War, Arma Gold, Arma 2, Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead, Private Military Corps, Arma British Forces, Take on Helicopters, TOH: Hind DLC and more...

I'm a bit upset but I am comfortable in my position to move forward away from supporting a licensing system that needs freedom, and I do stand up and applaud the court that awarded the EU people to sell their games, digitally downloaded or not... Moving forward this will be a great success and end to the publishers that are just out there to steal steal and steal. Its been a long time, I have noticed the exploiting of non tangible goods and its time to realize some of them need to be considered tangible.

Anyhow I'll stop rambling.

Just want to say, I will be gone until Arma 3 comes out, BI better have copies on store shelves in the USA on day 1
I will be unplugging my Arma 2 OA server as no sense paying the bandwidth bill if I can't play..... Sorry, im not rich...

See ya in Arma 3, unhandcuffed!

[Tonci87]

Just ozt of curiosity, why did they ban your account?

[bloodtank]

Not banned, I refuse to agree to the new Steam Policy. If you don't agree to it. You cant use it, therefore you lose access to all your game library that is on or uses Steam.

[.kju [PvPscene]]

what did they change? you may be able to go to court (with the helper of consumer protection agency) (if you live in the EU)

[DM]

what did they change?

Specifically they licensing rules:

A. License Terms.

Steam and your Subscription(s) require the automatic download and installation of Software onto your computer. Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a limited, terminable, non-exclusive license and right to use the Software for your personal use in accordance with this Agreement, including the Subscription Terms. The Software is licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Software. To make use of the Software, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet.

Since the recent EU ruling that when you buy software, you own that particular copy and are free to do pretty much whatever you want with it, Valve have changed the wording in their Agreement in order to try and circumvent it. (Tho we'll see how well that holds up if it ever comes up against the same judge).

I'm not sure if this is why bloodtank stopped using the service, but its been the main point of contention for most people.

Edit:

I don't remember when this was added in, but they also now state (their use of OMG ALL CAPS)

YOU AND VALVE AGREE TO RESOLVE ALL DISPUTES AND CLAIMS BETWEEN US IN INDIVIDUAL BINDING ARBITRATION. THAT INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO: (i) ANY ASPECT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US; (ii) THIS AGREEMENT; OR (iii) YOUR USE OF STEAM, YOUR ACCOUNT OR THE SOFTWARE. IT APPLIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH CLAIMS ARE BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STATUTE, FRAUD, UNFAIR COMPETITION, MISREPRESENTATION OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

Meaning no class action lawsuits are possible now either.

[Tonci87]

That is illegal by EU law and therefore meaningless for all EU citizens,no matter if they agree to it or not.

[jacknorrisuk]

Man, this is crazy stuff.

Personally I can't stand Steam. Now I'm extra glad I don't use it at all.
Physical copies are nice, and they look good on your shelf.

[Skull132]

I wonder if the EU court will have anything to say about this. Then again, I'm not sure if they can say anything about it :/

[Janez]

Man, this is crazy stuff.

Personally I can't stand Steam. Now I'm extra glad I don't use it at all.
Physical copies are nice, and they look good on your shelf.

Except that some games demand you to have Steam even if you buy physical copy.

[jacknorrisuk]

Except that some games demand you to have Steam even if you buy physical copy.

True dat.

My enjoyment of Skyrim was easily halved by this painful situation.

Hell, I'm just gonna get the Mega Drive out again.