Steam doesn't always need to check online to play single-player games, only occasionally. And for my part, not having to store CDs and keep track of CD keys is

Steam doesn't always need to check online to play single-player games, only occasionally. And for my part, not having to store CDs and keep track of CD keys is worth having to stay connected to the internet (oh noes!) and not being able to trade away my PC games. And if Google did buy Valve, they obviously know enough about fun to purchase a developer/publisher who knows what they are doing. That said, I doubt this deal is going to happen as I think Valve is comfortable with the position they are in.