Convenience. I have been a PC gamer since the early 90s, and being able to buy a game and have it on my PC with the latest patch in a matter of minutes provide

Convenience. I have been a PC gamer since the early 90s, and being able to buy a game and have it on my PC with the latest patch in a matter of minutes provides enough benefits to make me ignore the downsides. I certainly do no represent ALL users, but since Steam is so successful (when most games sold there can be bought though alternative means), it is a reasonable assumption that it provides value to many of them.