Dades, I wasn't defending Valve, I was using it against them.
EA are the same, but they at least let you purchase elsewhere then require their client for DLC. Rather then valve which requires it all for their games and DLC.
I don't understand the defense for steam, it's a excellent distribution platform but some people tend to go fan boy mode over it and start spouting crap.
I only have Valve games on Steam, luck for me I don't play too many games so I don't have to worry about a third party having control of games brought from a different publisher.
Edit: I re-read what you wrote Dades, from what I understand you're talking about what they could do, which is basically just emulate Valve with Steam. However, they first intend on acting all nice with the other guys.
I don't know, it's all just a mess. Too much integration into the games. Slowly, they take the control from the consumer and keep it for themselves, but that leads to other worries. Games aren't really a service as Valve likes to think, because no 2 games are exactly alike. It isn't like having your clothes washed by a different person, it's more like having to watch a different movie because the other ones has some guy emptying your bank account while you watch it.
This comment was edited on Jul 18, 2011, 13:21.