Quoting ozo, reply 13Considering what shitpile GFWL was... this is an improvement. Of course one can wonder why there must be some idiotic dependency on first place.
Here's the thing though with GFWL and Fallout 3. All that was required was that GFWL was installed. That's it. I never once ran it, I still don't have an account on it and don't plan on it. All FO3 cared wast that it was just installed. I chose not to use any of the GFWL features and thus never used it. Maybe it's different with other games, I don't know.
Impulse is similar in that it just needs to be installed to get patches and nothing else. Heck, you can even uninstall Impulse once your game is installed and never use it again if you don't want patches (or patches are available stand alone).
But Steam and Steamworks is totally different. The DRM portion I have no issue with, say a one time login registration. But after that to be forced to keep Steam on my computer and running when I play a game is what is unacceptable to me and many others. Along with the whole monopoly thing.
If Steam were simply a digital store and DRM I don't think there would be the outcry against it. It's that it forces itself on you, even for a single player only game, is what is unacceptable.
I never used GFWL with Fallout 3. One of the first mods/utilities that I found was GFWL disabler. You can also just drop all of your DLCs into the Data folder and enable them with FOMM. It actually causes less problems.
I was hoping to pick up a retail copy but I just don't see the point now. I'll just buy from Steam. I don't really mind. Steam does have it's downsides but it could be worse. This is the one game that I can honestly say if it used Ubi's DRM I would still buy it, I love FO3.
Impulse::Reactor, Stardock's answer to Steamworks, doesn't launch till August. It offers the same service as Steamworks without requiring the Impulse client to be installed or running, unlike Steamworks which requires Steam installed and running at all times.
You forgot another important point with Impulse::reactor: you don't need an Impulse account, a Facebook account can do the trick.
Really how do I use this Impulse Reactor? If it's such a better option. I'll take Steam over GFWL any day of the week.
How does Impulse even work? Is the exe encryped like D2D or Steam which can cause problems with mods. Morrowind Graphics Extender is a prime example of where problems pop up.
The reason that I don't use Impulse that often is that I can usually find a copy cheaper on D2D, gamersgate, Steam, or even a retail box copy. I don't know how you can blame Steam when I see other DD services running similar sales all of the time.
