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Digital Game Stores

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wraith808:
I've really gotten on board with the Digital Game Distribution concept (though the flap at GOG shook my confidence a bit), and figured that I'd post a review of the sites that I've used.  I'll post them a little at a time, and if someone has something to add, feel free to add to the thread, and I'll update this 'table of contents' post with a link to the review.

Section I: Game sites that carry a variety of publishers
ReviewSiteOwner/AffiliationDRMAdd. Software Req.To Download/PlayYesSteamValveSteam DRM (+Publisher)Yes/YesYesGood Old GamesCD ProjektNoneNo/NoNoGamersGateParadox InteractiveVaries by PublisherYes/NoNoDirect2DriveIGN EntertainmentVaries by PublisherNo/NoNoImpulseStardockVaries by PublisherYes/NoNoBig Fish GamesUnknownUnknownUnknownNoGameTapUnknownUnknownUnknownNoGreenHouseUnknownUnknownUnknown
Section II: Game sites dedicated to one publisher
ReviewSiteOwner/AffiliationDRMAdd. Software Req.To Download/PlayNoElectronic ArtsElectronic ArtsEA DLM + KeyYes/YesNoBlizzardActivision-BlizzardKeyNo/NoNoActivisionActivision-BlizzardUnknownUnknown
Section III: Other Digital Download related sites
ReviewSiteOwner/AffiliationNoDidimaticIndependent

wraith808:
Basic Info

App NameSteamApp URLhttp://www.steampowered.comSupported OSesWindowsSupport MethodsForum, e-mailPricing SchemeSteam itself is a free application; the games vary in price, and frequently are on sale.  There is usually a weekend sale every week, and other sales come into play quite often.



Intro:

According to the Steam webpage, Steam is a nexus for gaming, keeping you in touch with your gaming friends (and facilitating the act of finding games through the community), allowing you to download the newest and best games at any time, anywhere, as many times as you want, and keeping those games updated.  It also allows you to keep track of steam achievements, and backup your games so that you can have a local copy.

To be fair, it does all of this.  But Steam is primarily a digital distribution and DRM platform.  Everything else dovetails onto this purpose.

Who is this app designed for:
This application is designed for the gamer that does not mind a little DRM in exchange for the convenience of not going to the store to purchase games, and not exchanging DVDs to play different games.  You also give up a bit of privacy, since the application knows when and how much you game, and keeps track of your purchasing habits.

The Good
Though Steam received it's fair share of criticism during the early days, and still does from privacy advocates and those who don't want DRM or any application between themselves and their game, it is now very mature, and does what it sets out to do well in most cases.  There is no denying the level of convenience it conveys, and a lot of the features (the chat within games, the community, the achievements) help to build community and link you to friends.

The needs improvement section

Because of the fact that first and foremost Steam is beholden to its content providers, a lot of concessions have been made to DRM.  Most of these have been cleaned up; my worst criticism was the inability to play if you were suddenly disconnected from the internet, but I have had a chance to test this more, and as long as you've actually played the game, you can instantly go into offline mode and still play it.  You can also do the same to escape the intrusive update process as long as it hasn't started.  But you shouldn't have to go into a workaround mode to get around the application- IMO, the customer, not the content provider, is the key part of the service.
What is wrong with the app in its current state (the version being reviewed). Include bugs that might deter would-be users, any annoyances, etc.  Also, Steam DRM should be enough- the fact that some developers use their own DRM is very off-putting and layering DRM seems to inconvenience paying users more than pirates; I don't think that any cracked software has come from Steam, but retail versions of the software.  Customer service is also a bit lacking, and when things don't work right, you can be stuck without the game that you paid for for an untenable amount of time.


Why I think you should use this product
If you are tired of non-universal DRM, and having to swap DVDs and keep track of stacks of DVDs and dealing with scratched media, then Steam makes all of these go away for the most part.  The other aspects are just gravy- that's the primary use of the service.

How does it compare to similar apps
Of the other Digital Distribution services, Steam seems the most well thought out, and most integrated of them all.  The application is decently stable, and when everything works right, it's the best of the choices.  Customer service is a bit lacking though, and when things don't work right, you can be stuck without the game that you paid for for an untenable amount of time.

Conclusions

I'd give Steam an 8 out of 10.  I was very much against Steam when it was first released, but this service, more than any other, has made me buy the digital download concept.

gexecuter:
Pretty cool that you are doing this, i am sure this guide will be handy for people that are looking to buy games digitally. I have only tried Steam, GOG, Gamersgate and Impulse and my favorite by far is GOG, buying a game and installing it is so simple even a monkey could do it. The contest for free game codes that they regularly make over there are also another reason why i prefer GOG first. Steam would be second since i don't particulary like their client but they have great deals. Impulse would be third because their client app is not intrusive IMO and i only have used it once to download Galactic Civilizations II.Gamersgate would be last because i don't use them very much tough they also have great deals ocasionally plus they don't have a client which you have to use to download games.

wraith808:
Basic Info

App NameGood Old Games (GOG)App URLhttp://www.gog.comSupported OSesWindowsSupport MethodsForum, e-mailPricing SchemeThe games vary in price from 5.99 to 9.99.  They frequently have sales that reduce these prices by as much as 50%


Intro:

Good Old Games (more commonly known as GOG) is a digital distribution website for games that is different than any other- none of their games have DRM.  As implied by the name of the site, most of the games are older games, but have been fully updated and tweaked (sometimes with the help of DOSBox) to make them XP/Vista compatible.

Who is this app designed for:
GOG is designed for the gamer who wants to play older games on modern operating systems without worrying about tweaking or the game just not working.  The lack of DRM is also a selling point to some gamers.



The Good
Many older games no longer work on modern operating systems.  DOSBox helps to an extent with DOS Based games, but it is a lot easier to install a game and run it from your favorite program launcher.  That's where GOG comes in.  Their games are guaranteed to work with newer operating systems, and they provide top notch support via e-mail and a thriving community.  Another thing going in their favor is the fact that their games have no DRM, though some of them do require codes/keys in order to play online, which are provided by means of a quick e-mail to GOG support.  GOG also has additional content in the way of manuals, wallpapers, avatars, soundtracks, etc that might have been provided with the original boxed product- or may be completely new.  A downloader is not required to get the game, though one is provided for those who wish to use it.  The games are also usually segmented to make downloading games easy.  You also have a virtual game shelf, which allows you to re-download the games as much as you want (though see the bad section below).  The prices are also very good- almost criminal when the games are on sale.  The interface of the website is also very easy to use, and the community is helpful and thriving.



The needs improvement section
GOG is a small company, and as such, doesn't have the weight of some of the bigger players to throw around.  Though the intent is that you can re-download the game as much as possible, sometimes contracts or other influences have made this not be so.  GOG also does not have many newer titles because of the lack of DRM and the pricing, but this is more a function of the aim of the site rather than a true drawback.

Why I think you should use this product
If you are tired of non-universal DRM, and having to swap DVDs and keep track of stacks of DVDs and dealing with scratched media, then Steam makes all of these go away for the most part.  The other aspects are just gravy- that's the primary use of the service.

How does it compare to similar apps
The lack of DRM is a big selling point.  When compared to some of the other digital stores, the rate at which software is added is very slow, and the range of titles very scattered.  However, the service is very non-intrusive like some others, which fits since they are selling software, and not a service per se.



Conclusions
If you're looking for older titles that just work on your modern system, GOG is the first choice.  The lack of DRM really sets them apart, and the ease of use of the website is a definite plus.  As a service I'd give GOG a 9 out of 10.

wraith808:
Pretty cool that you are doing this, i am sure this guide will be handy for people that are looking to buy games digitally. I have only tried Steam, GOG, Gamersgate and Impulse and my favorite by far is GOG, buying a game and installing it is so simple even a monkey could do it. The contest for free game codes that they regularly make over there are also another reason why i prefer GOG first. Steam would be second since i don't particulary like their client but they have great deals. Impulse would be third because their client app is not intrusive IMO and i only have used it once to download Galactic Civilizations II.Gamersgate would be last because i don't use them very much tough they also have great deals ocasionally plus they don't have a client which you have to use to download games.
-gexecuter (August 05, 2009, 09:47 AM)
--- End quote ---

I hope that it is a help- I know that when I originally started downloading games, I wasn't aware that anything existed other than Steam.  And even when I did find out, I wasn't sure how much to trust them, or where their loyalties really laid.  It made me pretty skeptical of the whole thing.  But perhaps hearing from other users will help someone past that obstacle.

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