If Steam were to shut down, it would affect millions of users relying on the platform for gaming and streaming.
If Steam were to shut down, it would affect millions of users relying on the platform for gaming and streaming.
The title clearly outlines the situation. Many games needing DRM or Steam activation would become inaccessible if Steam failed. In the worst case, a 2020 scenario where Steam collapses would leave players without access to those titles.
I question if this will ever occur. However, if it does, another firm will likely acquire GOG, and they already offer DRM-free titles. Many of these are also available on Steam.
It's completely unnecessary to maintain an internet connection for gaming. All the challenges steam and others face can be handled offline.
they might need to fix their games to run without Steam or Riot
The reason behind this approach seems to stem from a desperate attempt to rekindle interest. I’m speaking from a future where PC gaming is nearly extinct, a post-apocalyptic era in 2030. Back then, Valve made several poor decisions, leading to its decline. By the late 2020s, the backlash intensified. Fans reacted strongly, launching a campaign targeting Valve’s employees’ families with their consent. It’s clear the situation is grim, and the future of PC gaming looks uncertain. Edited May 23, 2016 by Jeff Seid – I am from the future.
Valve mentioned they already have a backup plan to keep the games running if they need to stop. Someone should gather some solid investigative reporting, interview Valve directly about this topic, and explore the details of the backup system. It’s not something I’m concerned about, but it’s worth checking. Of course, you can play your games offline and don’t need a live server connection; the challenge arises when you have to reinstall Steam or games on a new device, which the backup should handle.