I never understood why so many people have beef with Steam.
I don't really have a beef with them, but I am against using them.. I like to have physical copies of my games, and not just burns/rips, the actual CD/DVDs produced.. As well as the complete box (I get very upset if that cardboard slip that some of the bigger named games come in gets screwed up, despite the fact that the plastic box itself has pretty much identical art) I'm just weird like that.. I have like 8-10 games on PS3 I will never again touch, but I keep them anyways.. I like looking at my pile of games.
I also still have all the original paper packing of Medal of Honor: Allied assault, which is like 10 years old.. I don't have the actual jewel case anymore, but I kept everything else. I haven't touched that game in 8 years +
See I totally understand where you're coming from because I'm a case guy too. I refuse to download movies or even albums unless I have immediate intention to purchase the album as it is necessary for me to have the physical copy and thus the artist/developer's intended product with artwork and all. However, over the years games have simply become so encumbering with generic bulky boxes, fragile jewel cases and redundant advertising and promotion slips for what over time has become a steadfast feature in a field that has been diminishing in quality in terms of content and enjoyment.
For that reason I happily embraced Steam and as noted before, it bypasses what would have otherwise been a
TOTAL *** NIGHTMARE of online registration and hoop jumping just to play a
single player game. What the flying *** man?!
Alas, I rant. But I completely agree with you, but when it comes to video games, I make an exception and go with Steam, especially when it comes to their sales. Plus hard drive failure, arson, natural disaster, divine punishment, etc have my games protected as my account credentials are forever kept online and on record with them.