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Valve's Newell calls DRM strategies 'dumb' photo

Valve’s head honcho Gabe Newell isn’t exactly the biggest fan of DRM. In a recent correspondence with a concerned customer, Newell called modern DRM protection strategies “dumb” and opined that the goal of the developer shouldn’t be to restrict, but rather make games more available to the consumer. Without saying it, Newell expressed that Steam (go figure) is one of the best methods of both protecting and ensuring playability with consumers.

From the letter:

As far as DRM goes, most DRM strategies are just dumb. The goal should be to create greater value for customers through service value (make it easy for me to play my games whenever and wherever I want to), not by decreasing the value of a product (maybe I'll be able to play my game and maybe I won't).
Newell went on to say that Valve discourages other publishers and developers from using “broken DRM offerings,” but added that there is a “groundswell to abandon [these] approaches.” This e-mail is a little catty towards EA, specifically because Newell was addressing the consumer's apprehension of EA’s DRM protection scheme and it crossing over to Left 4 Dead. Of course, Newell said that EA is merely a partner, not necessarily Valve’s new grand overlord.

[via Game Politics]


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26 comments | showing # 1 to 26

---AMARU---'s Avatar
---AMARU--- at 12/02/2008 19:45
Damn straight
Velt's Avatar
Velt at 12/02/2008 19:49
EA should put their games on STEAM and stop messing around with... whatever they are trying to do.
Scrixx's Avatar
Scrixx at 12/02/2008 19:50
Thats my homie Gabe, always sticking up for us fellow PC Gamers. In fact, I knew him way back when, since Diaper Days.

True story.
REMiXXX's Avatar
REMiXXX at 12/02/2008 19:53
BOOME-Oh wait, that's Gabe.

Gabe is the shit though, Steam is PERFECT, at least DRM wise.
pliskin's Avatar
pliskin at 12/02/2008 19:54
EA gets on me nerves sometimes. Well at least once a year because of all their sports games. And I agree with VELT EA should put their games on steam.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 12/02/2008 19:54


Pictured: Gabe Newell

LULZ CAUSE HE'S FAT!!!
Josh Tolentino's Avatar
Josh Tolentino at 12/02/2008 19:57
Incidentally, before the folks who are going to come in and call Newell a hypocrite since Steam is a form of DRM in itself, I did an amateur analysis of how much you give up when you choose to grab things on Steam:

http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/unangbangkay/steam-drm-and-you-how-much-are-you-giving-up--111609.phtml
Rusty Ghia's Avatar
Rusty Ghia at 12/02/2008 20:08
I refuse to use a service where I can not lend/trade/sell my games without giving up my account with it. DRM, in any form, is a no-go for me.
Snidesworth's Avatar
Snidesworth at 12/02/2008 20:12
I'm not one for trading in games, so Steam's fine for me. It's not like many places take in PC games these days, anyway.
falinter's Avatar
falinter at 12/02/2008 20:21
I'd use Steam.
bart999's Avatar
bart999 at 12/02/2008 20:27
Steam loves you...
Iron Dragon's Avatar
Iron Dragon at 12/02/2008 20:31
I don't really sell my games so that aspect of steam doesn't bother me.

I'm just bothered by the new industry standard of limited installs. I've reinstalled CoD 4 at least 4 times in the past year alone. Limited installs would screw me over big time. I have yet to buy any title that does this. I was really looking forward to Red Alert 3 as well.
Solgrim's Avatar
Solgrim at 12/02/2008 20:48
Face it people. The days of comepletely owning any media is almost over.
John B's Avatar
John B at 12/02/2008 20:49
Rock on, Gabe!

Fsck you, EA!
liam2015's Avatar
liam2015 at 12/02/2008 20:57
Gabe Newell must also not be a fan of making more money, considering his objection to having any of his games on the PS3.

Yeah, I'm still angry about Valve's total lack of support for the PS3. I prefer a controller to a keyboard and mouse any day.
casualweaponry's Avatar
casualweaponry at 12/02/2008 21:30
Ahhhh, the best part of having a new PC? Logging into Steam for the first time, and redownloading all of your games for free. I heart Steam and Valve.
MissHinasaki's Avatar
MissHinasaki at 12/02/2008 22:31
I heart Valve.

Yes, I heart them.
Wexx's Avatar
Wexx at 12/02/2008 22:41
I love Valve.
killatia's Avatar
killatia at 12/02/2008 22:42
@liam2015,
last i check valve makes the majority of there just off the pc side of gaming.
tkyy's Avatar
tkyy at 12/02/2008 23:11
Steam rocks.
ajaxender's Avatar
ajaxender at 12/03/2008 03:44
Steam is great, but only because it offers useful services. Thats why every other DRM fails miserably - no-one wants it, no matter what. Even Steam can be bypassed, but tbh, why would you?
cartman08's Avatar
cartman08 at 12/03/2008 03:53
I've had my problems with Steam over the years but its still the best content delivery system out there.
Zaatxe's Avatar
Zaatxe at 12/03/2008 04:35
I recently bought 2 "Stam-bound" games: Portal and Left 4 Dead. I believe that as a DRM system, Steam works fine. I was able to install them at home and also install Portal in my computer at work with no problems and without being bothered about anything. If we HAVE to be subjected to any kind of installation control, Steam is the nicest I've ever seen and I'd take it for other games. Besides, I can see when my buddies are playing, what they are playing and then deciding to play with them! That's great!
wastedyears's Avatar
wastedyears at 12/03/2008 05:06
I know we all just love Steam, but the wonderful, angelic, perfect example of humanity that is Gabe Newell is most likely the guy who is allowing non-Steam DRM to sit on top of the Steam DRM on some titles.

Although I must give props to Steam for allowing its customers to use the items that they purchase, it is awfully swell of them to be so kind.

In other words, just because the 'age of owning media' is nearly over, we DON"T HAVE TO BE HAPPY ABOUT IT!!!
Demtor's Avatar
Demtor at 12/03/2008 10:54
Yep, Valve is pretty much awesome and continues to be.

Valve games on Steam = Good for PC gaming

I wouldn't trade them anyways, because they are pretty much guaranteed keepers. Other games on Steam... not so much. But maybe thats just me. *shrug*

I'd hate to see a mass movement of games going online only, because I enjoy Gamefly and being able to 'rent' games that are not worth buying. I don't think it will ever happen, but they can sure try! I see what EA is doing with DLC these days...
DADASLI's Avatar
DADASLI at 01/29/2009 13:09
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