as noted by Alexrd, DRM switching shouldn't be a plus..
but i feel that Steam is objectively better than GFWL
what's your opinion?
Topic on Talk:Batman: Arkham Asylum
DRM is DRM is DRM, I don't think we should set any hierarchy, even if I do agree that Steam is objectively better in its permissiveness.
My thoughts exactly, except for the part of Steam being "objectively better". It's just another form of DRM with another set of limitations. To argue that a certain type of DRM is better than another is, in my opinion, an oxymoron. Specially when in this case an online connection is now required in order to install (like any other Steamworks game). It wasn't the case with GfWL.
Steam's limitations are, objectively speaking, less strict than most other forms of DRM. Offline mode works for most people, albeit apparently it's very buggy for others, and there are some games which don't require the Steam client to run (we actually have a list of those games available here at the PCGW). Then there's the fact that you can install all of your games on an infinite number of computers, there are rarely (nowadays at least) times at which Steam prevents you from playing your games, and then, from a subjective standpoint, Steam provides a number of useful features.
As for the online connection for installation, of course it's required. Where else are you going to get the game? It has to be downloaded, it can't just appear out of thin air. I'm probably just misunderstanding your comment, though.
Downloading and installing are two completely different things. Making the installation of the game limited to someone who has an online connection (Steam) is more limiting than not making it a requirement(GfWL). Not saying GfWL is good, only that Steam is not objectively better. Again, to me it's an oxymoron to call DRM better.
P.S: Both my posts were regarding this game alone, not others.
Well.. assuming internet connection is a real problem where you live (or any other reason why you couldn't access the net), you won't care about DRM switching and you will still install your game from CD and play the orginal, unpatched game
If instead you have a working connection, well.. what i see is the following:
GFWL is only a DRM (and has its days numbered..). Steam, like previously said it's a DRM, ok, but even an added service. Besides achievements (which are present on GFWL too) you have a nicely done matchmaking, cloud save games, pausable game updates and.. Dunno.. Other little things.. (better sales?)
If you had to be imprisoned and you had to choose, what would you prefer? A decadent prison or your home?
It's irrelevant to the topic if an internet connection requirement is a problem to me or if you have a preference to Steam. The fact is that both Steam and GfWL are DRM (no matter how many superfluous services they also provide, both create limitations to the end user) and just because one was replaced by the other doesn't make it a plus. Their removal would, but that's not the case here.
I also don't understand how your comparison between a decadent prison and my home can be correlated to this.
It was like saying: you are still imprisoned, but the arresting conditions are better (and you care less about your freedom restrictions)
Anyway, i see your points, so i think we could leave the {{ii}}
Whether or not one form of DRM is objectively better is irrelevant. It just takes one instance where it doesn't work right (and there's still such cases with Steam) to render the discussion moot.