Why Steam?
Why Steam?
All the software you own comes with a license, not ownership. You don’t possess any media you’ve bought; you simply have a license to view it, whether it’s from Steam, GOG, or on VHS.
It would be difficult to enjoy an online game without internet access, isn't it? I believed the problem stemmed from Steam needing players to stay online for cloud saves and data gathering.
It doesn't, although it's a service they provide; it isn't automatically activated and developers can choose not to use it.
You are always allowed to resell your physical items since you own them completely. Online games have become more challenging over time, especially after using a serial key for online access, which is now exhausted. Digital assets don’t work the same way.
For physical games, you just possess the disc, which grants access to play the game. You do not truly own the game.
Yes, you indeed possess complete rights to the disc, that's all I mentioned.
But possessing the disc only grants the right to PLAY the game, not OWN the game itself. I wanted to emphasize this point, since you referenced a previous response about the differences between owning and just playing a Steam game. What I mentioned earlier was accurate. The rules around game ownership haven’t changed from physical copies to digital sales. Steam or Valve aren’t responsible here—they’re simply reflecting what has always been true when purchasing games. It doesn’t matter who owns the disc; it’s not the same as having the game.
There appears to be significant uncertainty regarding what you are actually receiving when you buy a game. Here is my take on the discussion.
You are not acquiring the game itself, but rather the permission to play it.
In the past, if a disc was defective, a reputable electronics store would typically refuse a refund because they considered you the licensee and licenses were not meant to be transferred. My point is that I had to open the box to discover the disc was faulty, and when they claim licenses aren't transferable, they really mean they can't resell it to someone else.
When you insert a disc, you have no real options but to accept the terms or proceed with the game. If you carefully review the lengthy conditions, you might find a clause stating you've accepted the license and it cannot be transferred.
Regarding key codes, many discs I own are unusable because the process starts by connecting to a server and requesting a code. If you try to move the game to another computer, you'll encounter a message indicating the code has been used or your email is already registered. This affects both single-player and multiplayer titles.
When I first received my game with only a Steam code inside, I was disappointed, but later realized the situation.
If you're new to Steam, you might not know how to transfer games to another PC. Simply download the Steam client, log in using your existing email and username, and all your purchased titles will appear, ready for installation on your new system.
If a game you bought isn't showing up, it could be due to an incorrect listing—click the small arrow under the four squares for more details.
For a refund via Steam, you must have used the service within two hours or owned the game for two weeks; otherwise, refunds are processed outside these timeframes if enough users report issues.
When closing Steam, always use the exit button in the top left corner rather than the one at the top right.