I like keeping my games in one location.

Collecting. Steam is a game where you continually grow your collection of games.

i think steam is pretty easy to use and find the games without having to switch discs.

When you add the game as non-Steam to you library it isn't the same, you won't get all the community features.

I don't really care about these things but most Steam fanboys care.
I like DRM-free versions (or at least direct downloads) better, even Origin is good because you don't have to run it while playing games. I also prefer buying indie games on Desura because you get direct downloads and no DRM and AFAIK Desura doesn't take as much money from indie devs.

I prefer GOG over Steam, mainly for one thing: the extras. Sure, Steam can have some extra stuff to their games like the Augmented stuff to Deus Ex: Human Revolution (it's tricky to find though), but if you look at The Witcher 2's extras you'll see that it has a shit ton, and you can easily find and download them.

Also, Steam sometimes messes up with old games. Commandos cannot start for me because and I quote it: "Error! Cannot find Steam." The only fix for that, that I am aware of, is a no-CD crack so far. So what's the freaking point then?

Anyway, the only pro for Steam is the achievement system for me. That's why I prefer some indies on here instead of GOG, but it also applies to some oldies too like Psychonauts.

I also got a Fear Factory album for my copy of Messiah on GOG, which is probably the most metal and awesome thing to come with a purchase. Same with Painkiller (Black edition)'s soundtrack; you don't get that one at Steam. You usually get soundtracks as DLCs you have to pay for.

Steam is more useful for me since you have many games on one place but I like DRM-free versions since if you don't have internet, you can't use Steam.

I love me some free stuff so I used to do a whole lot of pirating. I'm hooked up on Steam now though because it lets me be nosy; see what games my friends have been playing, do/don't own, see comments and reviews and other things. Also find the Steam chat client massively useful; I used to know people all over MSN, forums, IRC, in MMOs, etc; now I can catch them all on Steam. So much less work to find someone up for co-op.

I usually prefer the DRM-free copies of games and especially if the Steam version doesn't have any achievements or other Steam only stuff. In the (unlikely) scenario, where Steam stops existing, you'd lose all your games, if you only had them on Steam. Or if Valve decides to ban/suspend your Steam account.

But yeah, I'd rather own a game than just have a subscription to it.

Personally I prefer stuff DRM-free whenever possible, but I don't mind most services like Steam. Except for Origin, but that's moreso that I can't stand anything EA does.

If there's an incredible deal on a game I really want to play, I don't care what the DRM situation is.

Great deals, automatic updates, don't need to go hunting for the discs, never worry about losing the discs, everything in one place :)
I've never noticed any difference between a game with DRM or not (in performance) so that's not a problem either.

I personaly prefer games that can activate on steam...If it doesnt activate on steam...I dont buy it..

Steam and GoG
Steam for the social thing: keeping in touch with friends, "race" over achievements, sharing screenshots and stuff like that + the steamcloud for savefiles(playing Trine 2 on windows then switching to linux and resuming the level in progress right where I left is an awesome thing)

Gog for the DRM thing and goodies: like soundtracks and artworks.

Desura comes close: is great for indies which are not on steam.

I'm told that the Steam version of the Witcher games don't use any of Steam's DRM mechanisms or add non-Steam kinds, and if (god-forbid) you lose your Steam account you're can simply get it from GOG, so the DRM-vs-DRM-Free debate is moot in your case. As far as I can see, these are the pros and cons:

Steam Version
Pro: Steam shortcut added automatically
Con: You'll need to manually add a start menu shortcut to launch it directly
Pro: Automatic update
Con: Forced automatic updates
YMMV: Achievements and Steam Cloud

GOG Version
Pro: Start menu shortcut added automatically
Con: You'll need to manually add a Steam shortcut if you want to run it from Steam
Pro: Offline installer and patches mean that you can easily download from a machine other than the one you intend to play on
Con: Updates aren't automatic
YMMV: No Achievements or Steam Cloud

It's a matter of preference. I'd go with the GOG version personally.

I usually don't buy a game if it's not on Steam. And I'd really like it if it has a second DRM (like the AC series and Uplay).

I don't see why people get offended by these types of DRM, as long as it doesn't limit gameplay ,like a limited number of installs (fuck you too Arkham City).

DRM is a non-issue for me, I don't care if it asked for my first born (it can have it :P) as long as I can play the game. If a DRM ever prevented my from playing because I ran out of activations or whatever then I would "find another way". I bought the game I don't care what a DRM does or says I WILL play it no matter what.

While I do like having games in one place (Steam) I will buy from anywhere and will generally go with whoever has the cheapest offer, which generally is NOT Steam unless they have a big sale event on.

STEAM OFC:D

One thing i hate about steam is that some games require to have an online connection at all times, otherwise it just gets stuck. As a plattform itself it's great though.

That said i happily own a Steam, Desura and GoG accounts, as well as play some other games; since the community thing is not exactly my cup of tea (anyone who has me as a friend know this for a fact) i'm not bothered if i play a DRM or a non-DRM game at all (though having the opportunity to manage them all into one app like Steam is great)

Pros

• Synchronised saves between computers
• Easy updates
• Adding non-steam games
• All games in one place
• Community and in-game interface (even if its not for you :P)
• Very nice sales sometimes

Cons

• Can't play the games without it running
• Crashes sometimes (at least for me)

that's all I could think of, if anyone wants to add then np xD

i used to like that it tracked my playtime, but since i have a few games not on steam (like minecraft and diablo iii), i started using raptr for that.

the next biggest thing it does for me is help me keep track of my backlog. i'm also using backloggery for that, but i have my unplayed games in steam categorized in bundle order (i.e. “indie 34 royale graduation”) and that helps me decide what to play next. i'm mostly playing through indie bundle games in the order i bought them.

though i don't use it as much, inviting or joining a friend for multiplayer gaming is convenient on most games. i also use steam voice chat when playing with a friend.

And what happens when those discs break or are lost/stolen, or you use up all your activations? One of the things with steam, even though it is a form of DRM, is that its a function added DRM. One that actually benefits the consumer rather then punishes them. If my house is robbed/burned down w/e, my computer and all my discs are stolen id be screwed out of almost 1k dollars in games (actually spent not "account worth" which is almost 3k). With steam, after I replace my PC I can just redownload my games and get back to playing them. Also, for the majority of games on steam, I dont have to worry about added DRM, none if stead had their way, other then their own DRM of course.

Other services, such as Games for Windows live, Desura, Origin, Capsule(greenmangaming), dont add nearly as much usability as steam does. GFWL is just retarded IMO but I digress.

The only services CLOSE to a competitor for steam is origin, but due to it being strictly EA only and piss poor sales and limited selection its not even close. It is nice though, that you can download a game from them through the client and then delete the client while being able to play the game.

And DRM free downloads are the worst kind, at least ones that provide no backup services. You loose the link or your HDD crashes, you are out completely.

I like centralized digital distribution. No need to take care of disks or keep track of many accounts. And well, Steambook is a nice gaming social network.

GOG is better than steam = Nothing beat DRM free.

I love steam, but I hate steam.
I hate DRM in any fashion, however - I dont have the time or space to keep the discs - Ive just moved abroad.
However, I dont having my gaming PC here and I dont have the bandwidth to download it. It's annoying, but I still havent lost a single game ive bought, broken a case, lost an installation key.
Steam is easy, but has serious cons.