4 ms·

Desktop computers still exist and will happily run games.

• swagasaurus-rex 2y ago
  Piracy and DRM killed most direct-to-customer distribution of software.
  • whatshisface 2y ago
    Valve Software got $8.6B in 2023.
    • BadHumans 2y ago
      Steam has DRM.
      • okanat 2y ago
        Not always. There are plenty games that work without the Steam libraries. Also GOG exists and very healthy with explicit no DRM policy.
        • tjpnz 2y ago
          But GOG censor their catalog for everyone after feedback from the CCP cough gamers.
        • int_19h 2y ago
          GOG isn't exactly DRM-free these days. The platform doesn't add its own DRM, but it does distribute games with DRM elements. Their stance seems to be that, so long as the game is playable offline in single-player mode, it is acceptable.
      • Sohcahtoa82 2y ago
        And yet Steam is incredibly popular despite the DRM because it's unobtrusive. You don't get punished for replacing your computer every couple years and needing to reinstall your games. I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone having a technical problem with Steam's DRM, I've only heard moral/ethical/worried-about-what-happens-when-Steam-disappears problems.