Steam or Origin?

[PredatorFett]

I'm going to flat out say that the title of this thread is a ruse, because Steam is, (in my opinion, at least) the vastly superior distribution platform. I've been asked by straight faced people (morons, at least, but that is the majority of the people in the western hemisphere.) why I'm so eager to stick up for Valve/Steam in a debate about EA/Origin?
My answer? Because Valve is NOT EA! Valve does not ban people who receive forum infractions on their main site from accessing content that they (the consumer) paid for.
Valve does not assimilate developers with great ideas, and then force them to release crap. Valve does not force (PC gaming industry crippling) DRM on people's PCs. And I've done my homework on that topic, if you want a reference, do call me out. Valve does not spy on people. EA, my friends, is the antithesis of Valve. Regardless if Valve cares about us or not, they are at least convincing me far faster than the Unicron of publishers, EA is. (Man that analogy was amazing.)

 

[Skwink]

Steam is way better than Origin.

 

[Dreadnought]

Valve's Steam platform is the best one out there. And, though it can be argued, Valve may be the best video game producer out there, too.

 

[Joecoolyo]

Steam does more and takes up less RAM on my system then Origin.

Also EA sucks.

 

[GenMarshall]

I hold my preference for Steam largely:

1. They came first
2. All of the games that I've purchased via Steam are right in my account. I perfer to keep my games under one account rather than spread across different accounts in different distribution companies

 

[scheva007]

this isnt a competition. Even insane people will still prefer steam above Origin.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I hold my preference for Steam largely:
1. They came first

That's the important one. Steam came first, so I got used to it. It sometimes even makes sense to buy games ons steam thanks to time limited offers.
And they gave me Portal for free.

 

[Samez]

The special offers on steam are nice (esp the publisher packages during the Christmas/summer sale)
Also the huge variety of indi games is a big pro for steam (i don't like most but I love some others)
The standard pricing is bad for both platforms (Steam is normally 5€ above retail store prize, MassEffect3 on Origin was about 10€ above retail store prize).
Origin is too late, I already own ~150 games on steam.
Even ignoring DRM issues I won't move to Origin.

 

[Rub'Rum]

2. All of the games that I've purchased via Steam are right in my account. I perfer to keep my games under one account rather than spread across different accounts in different distribution companies

This is way more important than it seems. With the multiplication of distribution services, it will almost become necessary to make a word document listing all the games I actually own on various websites so that I don't forget about them. It's almost grating to see a sale on a game I want, but on a different service.

I'm not interested in having multiple platforms, especially platforms that integrate the whole friend list and whatnot. I just want to have one friend list and one overlay. Please.

One of the great things about Steam is that it has pretty much regrouped PC gamers in one area where they can easily communicate and game together and know of each others' activities, which is better than trying to browse obscure fan websites of each games on the internet to keep in contact with fellow gamers (Ah, let me see how my friends from Age of Wonders Planet dot com are doing... oh now let's see how those from Heroes of Might and Magic Fans dot come are doing... oh the site is now dead...).

The multiplication of distribution services is threatening to take us backward in that sense. "Oh my friend isn't online... oh wait he is on Origin".

 

[MoonFlare]

Steam and Steam only.
Even hacker groups tell us to avoid EA and their spyware at all costs. Never seen them telling something like that about Steam.

 

[Akka]

Neither.
Accepting DRM that consider you don't even own the right to use the software you paid for, and which requires a third party authorization to benefit from said use, is just unacceptable.

 

[Starhemberg]

I like steam, unfortunately you cannot sell games after you bought it :/
So you have to be very careful what to buy.
Sure, they both want your money but with Steam you get some very good deals and they treat their customers well.
Or at least it feels like they care about their customers and the community.
While it feels like EA just wants your money and there is zero trust in the Origin Software

 

[Skwink]

I like steam, unfortunately you cannot sell games after you bought it :/
So you have to be very careful what to buy.
Sure, they both want your money but with Steam you get some very good deals and they treat their customers well.
Or at least it feels like they care about their customers and the community.
While it feels like EA just wants your money and there is zero trust in the Origin Software

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but can't you trade you games with people for other things in Steam Trading?

 

[Maniacal]

No, that is only gift copies.

 

[trader/warrior]

While I like steam better and wish origin games were available on it I'm not that bothered by it. I keep steam on all the time while I only turn origin on when playing one of it's games. Starts automatically in the background so I just ignore it.

It's not like it's actually a competitor to steam like it was trumped up to be when first announced. It lacks so many things steam has and has way less games in the store.

Anyway it's less bother than having to dig out your game CD every time you want to play a game like you had to years ago.