For me 1, 2, and 4 each play a big role, for sure. On an ongoing basis, #3 plays little or no role, but if you count "steam exclusive" as a feature, then it pl

For me 1, 2, and 4 each play a big role, for sure. On an ongoing basis, #3 plays little or no role, but if you count "steam exclusive" as a feature, then it played a critical role in getting me onto Steam in the first place. I wanted to play Natural Selection (original, natch), and that meant I needed a Steam account. Back then I was too miserly to pay for HL1, so a friend gave me a spare serial (I'd argue this was borderline piracy in-spirit). Valve didn't get money from me on HL1, but they've definitely had the last laugh. These days I spend a hundred bucks a month via Steam, and I'm happy about it.