The Steam Deal Thread V6. We're all pumped for CAG 3.0!

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Welcome to the Steam Deal Thread V6! You can find link to past threads at the bottom of this post. Read post #2 of this thread for Steam FAQs and more.

With the V6 Thread, we're trying a slight formatting change. We used to list every possible Steam deal in the OP, but they change too frequently for anyone to keep up with (even in the Wiki format). So now, we'll leave regular minor sales out of the OP. This post will keep track of major sales (Winter sale, etc.), Steam deals available through other sellers (like Amazon), Preorder deals, and Group Buys.

I would still greatly appreciate help from you folks at home in keeping this smaller-scale OP up-to-date. This is a Wiki post so anyone can contribute. Wiki instructions:
Thanks for your help! If you notice a sale has ended, feel free to delete its line from the sale list. Of course, if you see something does need to be added, then kindly add it to the list.

Make sure your changes match the thread's format! For example, every game that's on sale is part of an unordered list. When adding a game to the list, copy an existing line and update the link, title, and prices. That way, the format stays correct. Do not list percentages off! We list the original price and the sale price here. If you have any suggestions for major changes to the post/thread, PM me (EastX) about them.

Steam Sales - Updated 1/22


CAG Threads Featuring Steam Games on Sale Elsewhere - Updated 1/9


Preorder Deals - Updated 1/10
Group Buy Deals - Updated 1/9/13
Several multiplayer Steam games are available in 2-packs or 4-packs. These packs offer a discount over buying multiple copies of a game separately. We also maintain group buy trade threads for several games, so please use those threads if you're interested in setting up a group buy.


Free Stuff - List needs updating with F2P games!
There are several free games and mods on Steam. These are a few choice ones; you can find a full list here. Note that free games are not permanently attached to your Steam account like actual purchases would be. You'll need to manually download a game again from the website if you uninstall it.


Steam around CAG

If you are interested in joining the Steam CAG Community or participating in a trade or group buy with fellow Cheap Ass Gamers, please do so in the dedicated threads and not in the deal discussion thread. In the dedicated threads you will find CAGers with the same specialized interest who will be much quicker (and happier) to respond than in the Deals thread.

Past Special Sales

Visit www.steamgamesales.com to check previous sale prices on Steam games. We do keep track of some older sales here though:

Steam Retail Key List

What is a CD key and where can I find it?

Steam's explanation and list of Steam-activatable keys

The CD Key is a serial number with a combination of 13, 18, or 25 letters and numbers - it can be found on a sticker inside your game's case or printed on the game's quick reference card. The CD Key acts as your proof of purchase for the game - Steam Support may ask for it if you need to establish your ownership of an account. It is recommended that you keep your CD Key in a safe place to ensure the security of your account.

Other Keys that can be redeemed on Steam (CAG tested & verified)
11.gif

  • The Ball (bought @D2D, tested by voken)
  • Supreme Commander Forged Alliance (gives both FA and original, bought @amazon, tested by vism)

Indie Bundles thread on Steam forums (link)

Past CAG Steam Deal Threads
 
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[quote name='jshackles']EA was trying hard to maximize their profits with SimCity.
[/QUOTE]

Are you sure you don't mean Maxismize.

Hahaha.

Haha.

Ha.

I'm lonely.
 
[quote name='Motoki']
FWIW, I used to have issues with the Steam offline mode not working but they patched I want to say about 6 months or so ago and since then I and others I've read comments from have not had problems.

I still don't love that you have to know in advance to put yourself into offline mode or else if say the internet randomly conks out on you and you don't already have Steam running and try to launch it you won't be able to.

UPlay I think in this regard actually works much better since they have a 'default to offline' mode and then it's really easy to then go online after you start the client without having to restart.
I guess with Steam you can switch to offline mode every time you are done with it, wait for it to restart in offline mode then shut it down, then the next time you start it up in offline mode switch to online mode and wait for it to restart in online mode etc, but that's a pain. Ain't Nobody Got Time Fo' That.[/QUOTE]


Actually that's what I do with my laptops. I flip them online to update (and install) stuff occasionally, and them promptly flip them back to offline.
 
Just to satisfy the deal-thread whinners...

The Steam Daily is NBA2K13 for $15, I'd link it but you should have already gotten it from Amazon for less.
 
[quote name='CheapLikeAFox']I think the bigger problem is yet another shitty daily deal with worse pricing than amazon.[/QUOTE]

At least it's not 50% off an indie game from one of the 46 running bundles.
 
[quote name='jshackles']RE: Origin and SimCity

I believe the fundamental problem is that EA was trying hard to maximize their profits with SimCity. As others have suggested, they built a city simulation game with crazy DRM and social features, slapped a popular title on it, and will make a bajillion dollars from people who don't know any better. Sure, a small number of those people will be angry that there is an "always online" DRM and a smattering of social features, but in the end it doesn't matter: once EA has your money, they've won. It worked.

Personally, I would have preferred that they made a new Sim City game that didn't have the social features, didn't have the online DRM, and didn't require Origin. But they didn't. My only response to this is simply not purchasing the game.

Sadly, games with mass appeal to the "casual" market like this one are ripe for EA's exploitation. And because that means the most amount of money for them, that's exactly what they've done.

/rant[/QUOTE]

Yeah but the Casuals don't usually pay $60 for a regular edition or $80 for a 'collector's edition' which is just a couple dlc and no physical extras.

It remains to be seen if their trying to cross appeal to a casual crowd works.

I mean we're talking a crowd here that gets games for $6 on Big Fish and plays Facebook games for free. Obviously this Sim City has higher product values but enough to justify paying 10x as much as a casual player would usually pay? I don't know...

Plus do casual people even care about production values? I mean you could make them some little 8 bit looking city builder on Facebook and they'd probably be just as happy.

Then again EA does get a sort of casual-ish crowd to pay a shit-ton of money for The Sims so there's that.
 
[quote name='zenii']Also Primal Carnage for $4.99. Been interested in this game since it came out, maybe at the $5 mark I'll finally bite. Anyone have thoughts/comments on this game?[/QUOTE]


I was in the beta and couldn't find a populated game so I just had to wander a map alone. It looked cool, but I can't speak to the game play. I'm waiting for $5 for the complete pack.
 
[quote name='Motoki']Yeah but the Casuals don't usually pay $60 for a regular edition or $80 for a 'collector's edition' which is just a couple dlc and no physical extras.

It remains to be seen if their trying to cross appeal to a casual crowd works.

I mean we're talking a crowd here that gets games for $6 on Big Fish and plays Facebook games for free. Obviously this Sim City has higher product values but enough to justify paying 10x as much as a casual player would usually pay? I don't know...

Plus do casual people even care about production values? I mean you could make them some little 8 bit looking city builder on Facebook and they'd probably be just as happy.

Then again EA does get a sort of casual-ish crowd to pay a shit-ton of money for The Sims so there's that.[/QUOTE]


The Sims market is exactly the demographic their going for. And with the SimCity and "The Sims" (inversely) name behind it, I don't think it's unreasonable that these "casual" gamers will buy at $60. AND they're much more likely to do so if they see all of their friends on Facebook are playing said $60 game. Nobody wants to feel left out.

Make no mistake, EA has a group of psychologists on staff. Management goes to them and says "We want to integrate Facebook and always online DRM into our game". The EA psychologist runs an analysis that says "Yes, integrating social features will encourage more people to purchase than it will piss off" and so that is what's done.

I believe they're also "testing the waters" so to speak for other upcoming entries, perhaps The Sims 4?
 
[quote name='Blade']It makes sense to sell nude pictures of cats as a book if you're the author--I doubt it costs much to produce, and people who are easily amused would love it for the first week. But it's in very poor taste to own a book like that, or to give it as a gift. "Cat porn" ranks up there with disgusting pictures of people from Wal-Mart in terms of print-worthiness. The Onion Book of Known Knowledge would be a much more tasteful alternative.[/QUOTE]

I didn't say it was tasteful. I said it makes sense to make. Tasteless humor coffee table books have been around for far longer than tasteless humor web sites.
 
[quote name='gilby']I didn't say it was tasteful. I said it makes sense to make. Tasteless humor coffee table books have been around for far longer than tasteless humor web sites.[/QUOTE]


I'm sure it'll go well with your Katra Sutra/

hC01C84F6
 
[quote name='jshackles']
I believe they're also "testing the waters" so to speak for other upcoming entries, perhaps The Sims 4?[/QUOTE]

Oh they already shoehorned some social features into Sims 3 starting with the Showtime expansion (have your Sim visit your friends neighborhood!) and then continued further down that path with a 'send gifts to your Sims friends!' that came along in a patch several months back.

Make no mistake, Sims 4 will have social features out the yin yang. It also won't be on Steam (Sims 3 can get away with EA only DLC because it's grandfathered in before Valve changed their TOS) and will likely be Origin exclusive. Always online DRM would not shock me either.

EA has seen the future and it's constantly connected and social whether you like it or not.
 
[quote name='Motoki']Oh they already shoehorned some social features into Sims 3 starting with the Showtime expansion (have your Sim visit your friends neighborhood!) and then continued further down that path with a 'send gifts to your Sims friends!' that came along in a patch several months back.

Make no mistake, Sims 4 will have social features out the yin yang. It also won't be on Steam (Sims 3 can get away with EA only DLC because it's grandfathered in before Valve changed their TOS) and will likely be Origin exclusive. Always online DRM would not shock me either.

EA has seen the future and it's constantly connected and social whether you like it or not.[/QUOTE]

Somewhere, someone on the internet is furiously captioning grumpy cat with anti-EA sentiments.

My biggest fear is that the not evil free-to-play and social features of the PC world cross with the evil ones of the Facebook and mobile world. It's going to happen.
 
[quote name='louiedog']Somewhere, someone on the internet is furiously captioning grumpy cat with anti-EA sentiments.

My biggest fear is that the not evil free-to-play and social features of the PC world cross with the evil ones of the Facebook and mobile world. It's going to happen.[/QUOTE]

Well if you've played SWTOR lately and are not a subscriber than you'd know that EA's idea of F2P is to nickel and dime your ass for every god damned thing under the sun!

Want to sprint instead of walking? You'll have to pay.

Want to send mail to people? You'll have to pay.

The list goes on and on.

I do enjoy that game but they sure make sure that the free players get annoyed every step of the way until they cave and start throwing some money EA's way.
 
[quote name='Das_Regal']I'm sure this comment will be disagreed with vehemently, but I think always online DRM doesn't have that big of a practical effect for PC gamers during the lifespan of the game. I think it's overblown and a silly complaint once you get past launch-window issues.
[/QUOTE]

Ok, so what is the lifespan of a game? If EA shuts off the SimCity servers in 5 years? Three years? One year?
 
[quote name='Motoki']Well if you've played SWTOR lately and are not a subscriber than you'd know that EA's idea of F2P is to nickel and dime your ass for every god damned thing under the sun!

Want to sprint instead of walking? You'll have to pay.

Want to send mail to people? You'll have to pay.

The list goes on and on.

I do enjoy that game but they sure make sure that the free players get annoyed every step of the way until they cave and start throwing some money EA's way.[/QUOTE]

I think the best thing to do if you're interested in the game is to buy the retail box which gives you a sub for a month(I think i paid $7.50 at amazon). You then get all the bells and whistles for the 1st month and when it's up you become a 'preferred member' - they have more benefits than F2P (including run access and mail). You can use the cartel coins they give you to buy the "important" unlocks preferred members don't get and use in game currency to buy the rest of the unlocks from the auction house as you need/want them.

The main thing I hate is the 1 item per mail limitation and the money cap, but I think the game is fun enough to continue playing as a preferred member (with the unlocks I mentioned). I currently have 7 Empire chars and 5 Republic (which I haven't even played at all yet - I made them while a subscriber so I don't have to worry about the 6 char limit on preferred members).

One thing I HATED about F2P was the no access to lockboxes (from mission rewards and slicing). That was until I realized that the amount of money in those things is negligible (even at level 45) and I could make far more on the auction house selling a crafted item or even just the materials I gather. That money was then spent on unlocks. I have not actually bought any "cartel coins" at all. The unlocks have all been purchased using in came credits.
 
[quote name='elessar123']Ok, so what is the lifespan of a game? If EA shuts off the SimCity servers in 5 years? Three years? One year?[/QUOTE]

With EA's track record on competitive multiplayer servers, this is a relevant concern.

I would think if EA wants to make a serious social push, establish some sort of feature parity with Steam, and continue on the route of always online-DRM, they would have to ensure that servers continue indefinitely, or shut such DRM down when they shut down the servers (a way more likely possibility).
 
[quote name='asheskitty']I'm sure it'll go well with your Katra Sutra/

hC01C84F6
[/QUOTE]

Wait.

How did you know what was on my coffee table?

Are you stalking me?
 
[quote name='elessar123']Ok, so what is the lifespan of a game? If EA shuts off the SimCity servers in 5 years? Three years? One year?[/QUOTE]

A lifespan of a game, that is an alien concept for teen gamers, they are being conditioned into accepting games as a disposable product, to be renewed each year, or sooner through DLC.

If companies like EA or Activision had their way, the times when gaming was seen as an art form, and you'd get a game so liked so much you where sure you'd still be playing it in 10 years, would be over by now.

Those who still play Sim City 2k or 4 should be thankful that we, the older generation of gamers, didn't stand for this kind of consumer harassment.

It's good this trend isn't going anywhere anyway, EA is already under a huge reputation backlash, if such thing is possible, and offering refunds on Sim City, people; reviewers, editors, are having trouble playing the game.
 
[quote name='glennfrank']I think the best thing to do if you're interested in the game is to buy the retail box which gives you a sub for a month(I think i paid $7.50 at amazon). You then get all the bells and whistles for the 1st month and when it's up you become a 'preferred member' - they have more benefits than F2P (including run access and mail). You can use the cartel coins they give you to buy the "important" unlocks preferred members don't get and use in game currency to buy the rest of the unlocks from the auction house as you need/want them.

The main thing I hate is the 1 item per mail limitation and the money cap, but I think the game is fun enough to continue playing as a preferred member (with the unlocks I mentioned). I currently have 7 Empire chars and 5 Republic (which I haven't even played at all yet - I made them while a subscriber so I don't have to worry about the 6 char limit on preferred members).

One thing I HATED about F2P was the no access to lockboxes (from mission rewards and slicing). That was until I realized that the amount of money in those things is negligible (even at level 45) and I could make far more on the auction house selling a crafted item or even just the materials I gather. That money was then spent on unlocks. I have not actually bought any "cartel coins" at all. The unlocks have all been purchased using in came credits.[/QUOTE]

Oh they know what they are doing with that money cap. If you have enough money you can get anything in the game, even cartel (microtransaction) items, but of course it will cost you. Except you can't have a lot of money as a free member and there's the rub.

I used to have a sub but I let it run out. I might resub for a bit when the Jabba expansion comes out or maybe just use some of my cartel coins to unlock some of the more obnoxious limits. I'll see.

But I agree if you are going to play seriously you almost need to sub (or buy the game w/ a free month of sub if you haven't already), at least temporarily. I feel like that's part of EA's evil master plan too. They hook you in with 'FREE' try to get you hooked but then make it such a pain in the ass that just just end up subscribing anyway.
 
[quote name='DonRamon']A lifespan of a game, that is an alien concept for teen gamers, they are being conditioned into accepting games as a disposable product, to be renewed each year, or sooner through DLC.

If companies like EA or Activision had their way, the times when gaming was seen as an art form, and you'd get a game so liked so much you where sure you'd still be playing it in 10 years, would be over by now.

Those who still play Sim City 2k or 4 should be thankful that we, the older generation of gamers, didn't stand for this kind of consumer harassment.

It's good this trend isn't going anywhere anyway, EA is already under a huge reputation backlash, if such thing is possible, and offering refunds on Sim City, people; reviewers, editors, are having trouble playing the game.[/QUOTE]

It's a nice idea to expect a company to put one $60 game out that you will be playing for the rest of your life, but companies gotta make money and people gotta eat.

Of course they want you to buy something new the next year.

The charges you're leveling seem offputtingly hyperbolic.
 
[quote name='Motoki']Well if you've played SWTOR lately and are not a subscriber than you'd know that EA's idea of F2P is to nickel and dime your ass for every god damned thing under the sun!

Want to sprint instead of walking? You'll have to pay.

Want to send mail to people? You'll have to pay.

The list goes on and on.[/QUOTE]

It's funny you say that. After deciding not to bite on GW2 in February, I downloaded and gave it a whirl. I came up with two conclusions:
1. You're absolutely right - EA wants you to bleed money
2. It's SWTOR but still a MMO. I'm over "kill x of y" quests and "take this message to the guy you just left" courier quests.
 
[quote name='Motoki']But I agree if you are going to play seriously you almost need to sub (or buy the game w/ a free month of sub if you haven't already), at least temporarily. I feel like that's part of EA's evil master plan too. They hook you in with 'FREE' try to get you hooked but then make it such a pain in the ass that just just end up subscribing anyway.[/QUOTE]

I also wanted to add that I am not disagreeing with your point at all, EA is the devil and I hate them. :) I just like that I found a way to "beat them" by doing the subscription for a month and using in game currency to buy the unlocks I needed at the auction house.

I will also add that I've never really been into raiding, so the limits on end-game operations for F2P/preferred don't really affect me anyway. Also, I don't want to do the same flashpoint over and over again either, so the limitations on that don't bother me either.
 
[quote name='Das_Regal']I'm sure this comment will be disagreed with vehemently, but I think always online DRM doesn't have that big of a practical effect for PC gamers during the lifespan of the game. I think it's overblown and a silly complaint once you get past launch-window issues.[/quote]
What about a year or 2 from now when EA decides to pull the MP servers...like they do on many other MP games?

Look at it this way, would you be willing to suffer online-always DRM in exchange for a $10 discount at launch? I would. In theory, keeping pirates out means more profit for them, so they should be able to discount the game.
Click to expand...
Nope.

But, it also might cost them a fortune to keep all these servers up to handle Cloud saves; everybody forced to play online; and other madness/nonsense (i.e. many have reported loss of progress in their game, as well - once they lost their connection).

I can play plenty of SP-games that don't need an Internet connection. Yeah, my old copy of Sam & Max: Hit The Road; System Shock 2; and numerous other OLD games actually still can run. Don't have to worry about any "DRM" or nonsense.
Hey, my Sacred 2: Gold Edition from Gamersgate has no DRM now. Sure, the MP servers are gone, but I still can go SP.
Diablo 2 - yup, that works offline too - yay for the NO DRM patch!
Alpha Protocol PC - yup, no DRM there. That works fine, too.

List goes on and on.

The problem is that EA is asking $60, gonna whore DLC, it's always-online DRM, and poorly executed (server issues, etc.).
Click to expand...
Those are going to be the problems for MOST games that will are AAA titles and have always online DRM.
Ask Blizzard and EA - they'll tell you.

EDIT:
Wait a minute, I think I'll go reinstall and boot up my copy of Tabula Rasa...
Oh, wait a minute...
 
I wonder about SimCity expansions. Say you get it, but your neighbors don't. They add in a new resource to export (like garbage service), but your neighbors can't accept it. What then?

I'm actually waiting for a situation where someone else buying the expansion will kill your town cause of the social aspects.

Or pay real money to hire Godzilla to wreck another town. Or an exploit is found to do just that.
 
[quote name='louiedog']If SimCity had an offline mode that people could fall back to when the stuff they're doing failed it wouldn't be the big deal that it is.[/quote]
Exactly.

If they'd made a free-to-play SimCity where this same exact stuff happened it wouldn't be the big deal that it is.
Click to expand...
Right - b/c there is no $60 entry fee in the first place.
Most of the purchasing would probably be through "microtransactions" and some Pay-2-Win stuff. ;)
 
[quote name='glennfrank']I also wanted to add that I am not disagreeing with your point at all, EA is the devil and I hate them. :) I just like that I found a way to "beat them" by doing the subscription for a month and using in game currency to buy the unlocks I needed at the auction house.

I will also add that I've never really been into raiding, so the limits on end-game operations for F2P/preferred don't really affect me anyway. Also, I don't want to do the same flashpoint over and over again either, so the limitations on that don't bother me either.[/QUOTE]


I agree with you that most of the limits are on the MMO'y/Social end of things. For some someone solo'ing it / playing for the story etc there's surprisingly few limits.

I guess they didn't figure that soloing was the main draw but for such a story heavy MMO it seems strange that EA didn't grasp that some people might want to play it that way and try to milk them too. Or maybe they just don't figure that crowd will be spending much anyway.
 
[quote name='Eldredpe']It's a nice idea to expect a company to put one $60 game out that you will be playing for the rest of your life, but companies gotta make money and people gotta eat.

Of course they want you to buy something new the next year.[/quote]
I figured that's what full-blown expansions and DLC's are for, if they want you to KEEP playing the same game and expand on it/add content to it.

I mean, hell - how many expansions do Sims games and EQ have? :whistle2:X
 
I love how EA and Activision are the only pubs that get hate over trying to make money. If people are going to buy a copy of Call of Duty or Madden every year why not release it every year? If it costs more to run a server than the value it returns, why not shut it down? These are businesses operating in an attempt to make a profit.

I think the major problem in the industry right now is oversaturation of the market. There are too many choices for consumers right now and the market can't support the amount available. This creates other issues such as bloated budgets, limited dev time, and mass market appeal decisions that adversely affect the final product.
 
[quote name='louiedog']Some like to argue that Steam is always online DRM. While it's true that the offline mode isn't great and could stand some work, I don't lose access to my library because my cable goes out or because Steam's servers go offline for maintenance.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately that's not true... you just got lucky. Both my friend and I have flown somewhere recently and not had internet connection, and upon trying to start Steam in offline mode it has said:

"Steam - error
Unable to connect to the steam network. 'Offline mode' is unavailable because there is no Steam login information on this computer.
You will not be able to use Steam until you can connect to the Steam network again."

Theoretically you SHOULD simply be able to check the "Remember me" box when signing in and never have this issue (and many times you will not have this issue), but it's a very common problem because of Steam's login info cache breaking and just wanting your information over again. This really sucks when you don't have internet connection, since you're just locked out of all of your Steam games. I was pissed off when this happened and for 3 days or so I had zero access to most of my games. Made me wish I had more games on Origin, which I've never had this problem with... (ended up playing GOG games)

Apparently there's a fix where you back up some wingui file and restore it when it has this problem, but even then, I don't think that fix has worked for everyone. I'll have to try it in the future, but c'mon Steam. That is not a viable solution. Get your shit together.

Basically, Steam CAN be always online DRM.
 
[quote name='Preedatore']I love how EA and Activision are the only pubs that get hate over trying to make money. If people are going to buy a copy of Call of Duty or Madden every year why not release it every year? If it costs more to run a server than the value it returns, why not shut it down? These are businesses operating in an attempt to make a profit.
[/QUOTE]

I don't think anyone is faulting EA or Activision for wanting to make money, just the method in which their doing it. As best I can tell, the "Always Online DRM" was only implemented to counter piracy. Will people who would normally pirate your game pay $60 when they can't find a way? EA seems to think so. But the sad thing is, they'll find a way. So EA implements a "feature" that causes users not to be able to connect, lose their progress, etc but adds no real benefit to the paying customers.

So - as far as I see it, the paying customers have a right to be upset. Their discomfort in this scenario is subsidizing EA's losses to piracy.
 
[quote name='jshackles']
So - as far as I see it, the paying customers have a right to be upset. Their discomfort in this scenario is subsidizing EA's losses to piracy.[/QUOTE]
Exactly. I paid $60 for SimCity (well not really, with the Amazon credit and stuff). I should be able to play it day one. Not this oh our fucking servers are fucked.

Day one is not an excuse. I mean yeah Tomb Raider had day one problems, but if I owned it and I so inclined wanted to play a version that has graphical problems, so be it. I can still play it. SimCity I can't play because of EA, so basically right now I spent $60 on a product that doesn't work in any state. I know personally software is a bitch to get right, but at the same time if they want to put out this always online DRM, it should not take a week to get it to a state where people can play it. That is just how not to do business. Plus the more you piss off loyal customers, the more they are not going to want to come back.

I am all for new ways of innovation, new ways to play but I also don't want to feel like I am wasting money to be a glorified beta tester.
 
[quote name='Preedatore']I love how EA and Activision are the only pubs that get hate over trying to make money. If people are going to buy a copy of Call of Duty or Madden every year why not release it every year? If it costs more to run a server than the value it returns, why not shut it down? These are businesses operating in an attempt to make a profit.

I think the major problem in the industry right now is oversaturation of the market. There are too many choices for consumers right now and the market can't support the amount available. This creates other issues such as bloated budgets, limited dev time, and mass market appeal decisions that adversely affect the final product.[/QUOTE]

Bah, EA and Activision ain't the only ones I got a bone to pick with!

I wasn't very happy w/...
UbiSoft when they did they did their always online DRM (Especially w/ AC2 and SC: Conviction PC);
the tons of DLC in some games (see my SR: The Third complaint);
Season Passes announced before a base game's even released (AC3, Bioshock: Infinite - I'm looking at you);
yearly sports games release not adding much new but few gameplay modes and new tweaks (which is why I buy sports games cheap when I do; and/or every few years);
Pay-DLC that is on the disc and must be bought to unlock;
DLC Only Packs not being release (which would be for gamers who own base-game already);
online activation DRM and install limiting DRM schemes;
and numerous other business practices.
 
[quote name='Sir_Fragalot']Exactly. I paid $60 for SimCity (well not really, with the Amazon credit and stuff). I should be able to play it day one. Not this oh our fucking servers are fucked.

Day one is not an excuse. I mean yeah Tomb Raider had day one problems, but if I owned it and I so inclined wanted to play a version that has graphical problems, so be it. I can still play it. SimCity I can't play because of EA, so basically right now I spent $60 on a product that doesn't work in any state. I know personally software is a bitch to get right, but at the same time if they want to put out this always online DRM, it should not take a week to get it to a state where people can play it. That is just how not to do business. Plus the more you piss off loyal customers, the more they are not going to want to come back.

I am all for new ways of innovation, new ways to play but I also don't want to feel like I am wasting money to be a glorified beta tester.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, with Tomb Raider 2013 - I read on Kotaku if you have an Nvidia card, just turn off Tessellation if you got constant crashes.
That should solve the problem, 'til NVidia fixes it.
 
I don't think some of these always online DRM schemes are set up to counter piracy so much as it's just that the game is built to be a social thing, and the developer didn't bother adding a fully single player side. TDU2 is awesome, because it has the social aspect, but you can also play offline just fine. EA is just being lazy, in my opinion, making a game so social while totally forgoing making it single player accessible.

It costs more money to make the game fully functional both ways, and EA has decided that the cost of doing that doesn't make them more money. They're probably right, it just sucks for the customer.
 
[quote name='Idiotekque']I don't think some of these always online DRM schemes are set up to counter piracy so much as it's just that the game is built to be a social thing,
...[/quote]
I don't buy that.
I don't recall D3 beating pirated, torrented, and cracked.

Also - this "tie game to Origin" is another a way to kill 2nd-hand sales, as well.
We don't/can't re-sell games that get tied to client-programs like Steam and Origin.
GMG's Capsule is one of the few clients that has DRM built into it for allowing re-selling.

...
and the developer didn't bother adding a fully single player side. TDU2 is awesome, because it has the social aspect, but you can also play offline just fine. EA is just being lazy, in my opinion, making a game so social while totally forgoing making it single player accessible.
Click to expand...
Exactly - TDU2 can STILL work fine as an Offline SP-experience, if Atari or I am having trouble w/ Internet connection problems.
 
[quote name='MysterD']
Also - this "tie game to Origin" is another a way to kill 2nd-hand sales, as well.
We don't/can't re-sell games that get tied to client-programs like Steam and Origin.
GMG's Capsule is one of the few clients that has DRM built into it for allowing re-selling.
[/QUOTE]

You haven't been able to reasonably expect to be able to resell a PC game since the invention of the serial key.
 
[quote name='Eldredpe']You haven't been able to reasonably expect to be able to resell a PC game since the invention of the serial key.[/QUOTE]
I don't know about that. I can't count how many PC games (with serial keys), that I've bought from thrift stores, played, and also sold.
 
[quote name='jshackles'] As best I can tell, the "Always Online DRM" was only implemented to counter piracy. [/QUOTE]

I'd have to disagree. It's probably a happy coincidence, but the online features are kind of a big part of the game.

Real cities depend on other cities for commerce and resources and that's where they took the series. One of the Maxis devs was saying they'd always wanted to have all that online connectivity. You might argue that Maxis dev=EA talking points, and you may be right, but the online/social aspect of SimCity definitely doesn't feel just tacked on or cosmetic in any way.

There IS a sandbox mode, but it's more of a cheat-mode and criminally, it requires being online.

I hope EA gets their shit sorted out and I hope people eventually give it a chance because it is kinda cool. I'd still love to see a more classic reboot of the game - or at least a similar mode.
 
[quote name='asheskitty']Blah, exactly when did computer games become all social and socially acceptable?

It kinda makes me miss the days when the answer to the question, "So do you have any hobbies?" of "I like to play computer games." was only slightly more acceptable than "I like to drink." but at the same time less socially acceptable than "I go to cat shows every weekend."[/QUOTE]

I was asked by a co-worker one day a few years back what I did for fun, and I said "I play videogames". His faced dropped and he said "That's worse than crack!". I laughed, cause I thought it was a joke (after all, I remembered at that time I had just finished a 12 hour marathon of Final Fantasy X the night before). But as it turns out he was a very hard-right Christian, and wasn't joking at all. This guy fought in 'Nam and Korea, and he, at some point came to think that Video Games were the 2nd most evil thing on the planet.......next to Communism.
 
[quote name='Idiotekque']I don't know about that. I can't count how many PC games (with serial keys), that I've bought from thrift stores, played, and also sold.[/QUOTE]

But if you hadn't found it for absurdly cheap at a thrift store, is it a chance you would have taken?
 
[quote name='MysterD']I don't buy that.



Exactly - TDU2 can STILL work fine as an Offline SP-experience, if Atari or I am having trouble w/ Internet connection problems.[/QUOTE]
Bingo, I don't mind that my game is on Origin. It's when my game is unplayable because EA got too lazy to implement offline Singleplayer. I get this whole social thing, but it's also another thing to make the game unusable for when servers are offline. SimCity is NOT an MMO, thus there should be offline Singleplayer.
 
[quote name='CheapLikeAFox']Wait, we don't own the games we buy?[/QUOTE]

According to most PC game's EULA's, the answer to that is "NO."
We have a license to "use it"; and then insert more legalese and terms.

EDIT:
[quote name='Eldredpe']You haven't been able to reasonably expect to be able to resell a PC game since the invention of the serial key.[/QUOTE]
Very true.

EDIT 2:
[quote name='Sir_Fragalot']Bingo, I don't mind that my game is on Origin. It's when my game is unplayable because EA got too lazy to implement offline Singleplayer. I get this whole social thing, but it's also another thing to make the game unusable for when servers are offline. SimCity is NOT an MMO, thus there should be offline Singleplayer.[/QUOTE]
Right.
At least w/ Sims 3, if I want to do the Social crap, it's up to me to sign in...or not.
Plus, once the game's activated to use - if there's a problem on EA's end or my end, Sims 3 still works...at least on this PC and at least for now.

Currently, for SimCity (2013)....well, we all know the deal w/ that...
 
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