Valve: Steamworks Makes DRM Obsolete

[Emabulator]

Valve has announced (http://store.steampowered.com/news/2372/) a new set of advanced features in Steamworks which it claims will make DRM obsolete.

March 24, 2009 - Valve today announced a new set of advanced features delivered in Steamworks, a complete suite of publishing and development tools that are available free of charge to developers and publishers worldwide.

Headlining the new feature set is the Custom Executable Generation (CEG) technology that compliments the already existing anti-piracy solution offered in Steamworks. A customer friendly approach to anti-piracy, CEG makes unique copies of games for each user allowing them to access the application on multiple machines without install limits and without having to install root kits on their PC.
Click on the headline to read the full press release.

[Emabulator]

Suite of Services Expands With Customer Executable Generation (CEG), Support for DLC, Matchmaking, and More

March 24, 2009 - Valve today announced a new set of advanced features delivered in Steamworks, a complete suite of publishing and development tools that are available free of charge to developers and publishers worldwide.

Headlining the new feature set is the Custom Executable Generation (CEG) technology that compliments the already existing anti-piracy solution offered in Steamworks. A customer friendly approach to anti-piracy, CEG makes unique copies of games for each user allowing them to access the application on multiple machines without install limits and without having to install root kits on their PC.

The new features also include support for in-game downloadable content (DLC) and matchmaking. The in-game DLC support allows developers to deliver new content as they choose (paid or free) from inside the game itself, allowing users to make immediate purchases and experience the new content in the same game session. The Steamworks matchmaking now includes the robust lobby system shipped and tested in Left 4 Dead.

"Delivering this extension of services on Steamworks first anniversary, demonstrates our commitment to continually develop the platform to better serve the community working with these tools," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "As we roll out these features, we continue to look for new ways make PC games easier to create and better for customers to experience."

Steamworks was launched in early 2008 and has already shipped in products distributed at retail and electronically with major PC releases such as Empire: Total War, Dawn of War II, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and Football Manager 2009.

The Steamworks services are offered free of charge to developers and publishers around the world. In addition to the services added in this spring's extension, Steamworks offers support for Steam Achievements, Steam Community, Auto Updating, Statistics, Steam Cloud and more.

Steamworks is fully integrated with the Steam, a leading platform for the delivery and management of PC games that has grown to reach 20 million accounts throughout the world, up from 15 million accounts just one year ago. Steam now offers over 500 applications to gamers in every country of the world.

[AspectVoid]

I am very interested in how this unique executable works. The only way I can see this working is if the executable is tied to your Steam Account. That would mean online authentication is still required and that if Steam ever dies, so does the game.

[Ozymandias]

I am very interested in how this unique executable works. The only way I can see this working is if the executable is tied to your Steam Account. That would mean online authentication is still required and that if Steam ever dies, so does the game.

Yep, nailed it in one. It's not clear how this is different than the Steam client authenticating your right to play the game. I wouldn't be surprised if it was simply embedding some aspects of the Steam server-authentication technology into stand-alone EXEs so you can play on other machines. Might even be an attempt at allowing offline gameplay without online authentication, but that'll just get hacked.

We're moving toward a world where your right to use content is tied to an online identity and authentication of those rights. I actually don't think this is bad as long as it "just works".

[yutt]

More scary is Valve's EULA for Steam, which allows them to disable your account, and hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of games you legally purchased, based on their sole discretion.

Consumers have absolutely no rights in this new world, and politicians seem more interested in ensuring that than granting us any.

[spdiscus]

Consumers have absolutely no rights in this new world, and politicians seem more interested in ensuring that than granting us any.
You have the right of refusal of the EULA and the purchase. I still think it stinks if what you said is true, but that's a situation where you can 'vote with your dollars.'

[yutt]

You have the right of refusal of the EULA and the purchase. I still think it stinks if what you said is true, but that's a situation where you can 'vote with your dollars.'
Eh, that is a silly justification for 10 page EULAs with every purchase. Citizens aren't lawyers and shouldn't have to hire a legal consultant when making a digital purchase any more than they do a brick and mortar one.

There need to be clear laws in place establishing both publisher and consumer rights. Currently we have this shotgun of EULAs, some of which are certainly not legally enforceable. This creates an environment where consumers are perpetually ignorant, confused, and/or easily abused.

A publisher never grants consumers rights. That's not their job, their job is to protect themselves. That is why we have governments that are supposed to protect the rights of their citizens.

[wastedyears]

If Steam and its DRM is so wonderful, then why do consumers need the government for protection?
And by the way, Steam adds a new layer of DRM and then claims that DRM is obsolete? Its marketing doubletalk, and no matter what they decide to call it, Steam is basically saying that with their DRM you have to obtain permission to play the games that you purchased every time you want to play.

[lockwoodx]

You spin me right round Steam right round, like a roller coaster right round baby.

[Azriel77]

Well, if I spend a few grand on games and valve shuts it off. I know I would be tempted to get a crowbar and do a little half life role play with gabe being a headcrab.

[Virtuoso]

On the topic of EULAs, I am fairly sure that often they are unenforceable if they make what are considered out of line commands. It is in no way like a "real" contract.

[alienchild]

I can't help but feel that those that are complaining about Steam falls into one of these categories;

1) Haven't even tried it
2) Tried it for HL2 and only have HL2 on there
3) Are a pirate
4) Dial-up users

[ascl]

I can't help but feel that those that are complaining about Steam falls into one of these categories;

1) Haven't even tried it
2) Tried it for HL2 and only have HL2 on there
3) Are a pirate
4) Dial-up users

I am a huge steam fanboy... and have been for a very long time. However, lets not pretend for a second that its perfect.

[Spooky]

I can't help but feel that those that are complaining about Steam falls into one of these categories;

1) Haven't even tried it
2) Tried it for HL2 and only have HL2 on there
3) Are a pirate
4) Dial-up users

Agreed. Its a phenomenal system. I for one welcome our new Steamy overlords.

I'm sure the other major Digital Download services will offer the same sort of protection (Stardock's Impulse, and ::shudder:: EA LINK) and that will spell the end of DRM, I couldn't be more pleased.