Has anyone read the steam EULA to know...

[GSG-9]

Has anyone read the steam EULA to know what happens to our games if steam goes under, I feel like we would be sol, but I don't think thats likely to happen soon anyway, I was just curious.

 

[kenkickr]

I know you can backup your downloads to DVD or CD(I have mine in DVD format but saved to ext drive). I guess Backup your games and write your Serials down to cover your ass....even though I doubt steam will not go away anytime soon.

 

[DannibusX]

Gabe Newell did comment on something like this happening and said they have measures to remove the Steam requirement from the games purchased if Valve/Steam went under. I can't look for it right now because game related content is blocked at my office.

 

[GSG-9]

Gabe Newell did comment on something like this happening and said they have measures to remove the Steam requirement from the games purchased if Valve/Steam went under. I can't look for it right now because game related content is blocked at my office.

Oh Cool, that's what I was wondering (I did do a quick google but did not find anything).

 

[erocker]

Here you go. Read it. http://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

According to that, you're SOL. Their butt's are protected regardless.

 

[newtekie1]

The two important paragraphs:

B. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

NEITHER VALVE, ITS LICENSORS, NOR THEIR AFFILIATES SHALL BE LIABLE IN ANY WAY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND RESULTING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE STEAM, YOUR ACCOUNT, YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS AND THE SOFTWARE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF GOODWILL, WORK STOPPAGE, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, OR ANY AND ALL OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES. IN NO EVENT WILL VALVE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH STEAM, THE SOFTWARE, MERCHANDISE THAT YOU ACQUIRE VIA STEAM, ANY INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, OR THE DELAY OR INABILITY TO USE MERCHANDISE OR ANY INFORMATION, EVEN IN THE EVENT OF FAULT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF VALVE'S WARRANTY AND EVEN IF VALVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THESE LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS REGARDING DAMAGES APPLY EVEN IF ANY REMEDY FAILS.

IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF A EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRY, THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

C. NO GUARANTEES.

VALVE DOES NOT GUARANTEE CONTINUOUS, ERROR-FREE, VIRUS-FREE OR SECURE OPERATION AND ACCESS TO STEAM, THE SOFTWARE, YOUR ACCOUNT AND/OR YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS(S).

The bolded part is the most important really. If Steam doesn't work, it isn't their problem.

I'm not too worried really, if Steam goes under I'll just pirate the games I paid for through Steam. Most of the Steam games are easily cracked anyway, in fact Steam has used pirated cracks in the past anyway just to get certain games working properly with Steam.

 

[Completely Bonkers]

Yes, it is important to remember that you DONT buy a license to keep and use the software, but rather, you buy a "license to use the software through STEAM".

 

[JC316]

I don't see Steam going under any time soon, but that is why I don't have a fortune in games on steam.

 

[DirtStyle]

With the success of Left 4 Dead I think steam/valve will have an ok bankroll for a while.

 

[DannibusX]

Not the best source, but it's all I have access to from work.

It is necessary to authenticate every Steam game online, whether purchased via Steam itself or installed via a retail disc, the first time it is played.[90] After the initial authentication, an offline mode allows games to be run without being connected to your Steam account.

According to the Steam Subscriber Agreement, Steam's availability is not guaranteed and Valve is under no legal obligation to release an update disabling the authentication system in the event that Steam becomes permanently unavailable.[91]

Despite this, Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve, said in a post on the Steam User Forums that "Unless there was some situation I don't understand, we would presumably disable authentication before any event that would preclude the authentication servers from being available." He added, "We've tested disabling authentication, and it works."

That comment on the page says that there's a citation needed, but I think that Valve would do it if necessary, but they covered their asses with the legalese just in case.

 

[1Kurgan1]

I understand the worry. But what you need to remember is, Steam is the second largest distributor of games in the entire world. With only Gamestop beating them out, and Steam only deals with PC games which is supposedly "a dieing" market, yet it has the 2nd largest vendor. I personally ain't too worried about it.