I only noticed how often online DRM is needed until I used a SteamDeck.
I only noticed how often online DRM is needed until I used a SteamDeck.
Initially, I was using a custom-built PC for ten years, switching to a MacBook recently since I played less games. I began using the Steam Deck and explored old titles, as well as new ones not available on my Mac. It became clear how often online access was necessary for many big games. Recently, I tried *It Takes Two*—the most enjoyable couch co-op experience with my partner. However, setting it up required extensive research on Reddit and forums to fix the EA DRM issues, which always needed a stable internet connection. Booting without internet would lock me out entirely.
Then I purchased *Red Dead Redemption 2*, which also supports online checks during startup. I quickly realized the frustration of needing constant connectivity. If I skip the internet, it fails and forces me through login steps again. This made me question whether such restrictions are normal or if we’re slowly adapting to this trend.
Many games can be played without an internet connection right away, though this varies by the type of game you choose.
Due to incidents of piracy, they developed digital rights management.
Avoid playing online games, because people are just terrible anyway.
You're not close to any Wi-Fi signal. The Steam Deck can travel easily, making it perfect for use without internet, like during a road trip. Some games still require an online connection even when you're playing offline.
I'm focusing on offline and solo gaming. I don't really enjoy online titles; I struggle with almost anything. As Blue4130 mentioned, there are plenty of situations where the internet isn't available, leaving me with no other options besides the Steam Deck, and then the game fails. You mentioned we can keep the game going, but what if the handheld or the game crashes during a part? We're really out of luck. Why do we end up paying for these games and devices again? It wasn't always an issue when I still had my PC online, but with a handheld like the SD, it's much more important. Yeah, I haven't been pirating games for nearly ten years now. I was really satisfied with how convenient Steam made things. What do you think is making people like me reconsider using our pirate tools? If companies like Rockstar don't respect us, set up these annoying DRM rules, and even try to sell us pirated copies, are we just cutting out the middleman? Edited September 21, 2023 by bluessorrow ... discussing offline/solo games...
I discovered how quickly one can become absorbed in rationalizing piracy. If you don’t enjoy the product or the creators, just avoid purchasing. When you do buy, support the original developers. Ultimately, they need to safeguard their intellectual property and earnings. I personally dislike DRM too, but I understand why it exists. If the main issue is the forced online requirement that ruins the experience, there might be alternatives to bypass it while still paying for a legitimate game. I can go into more detail, but doing so could lead me to break forum rules. It’s funny to see some studios opt for pirated releases instead of developing their own solutions. Regardless of the version received, as long as it functions properly and doesn’t introduce malware, why not? If they intended to speed up updates, as a player I’d appreciate that. They saved me time and effort—especially when it came to verifying the safety of a story-driven title. For example, when Nier:Automata launched on PC, its optimization was terrible. The pirated version, however, included user-made mods that significantly improved performance. Even after launch, poor optimization persisted for a long time. In such situations, I’d probably have chosen the official release from the developers or Steam instead. It would have eliminated much frustration and saved me considerable time and trouble searching for and installing mods.