If Steam stops selling games in your country, you won't lose access to the games you already have, you just won't be able to buy more, until such a time that Steam starts selling games again.

Originally posted by datCookie:

If Steam stops selling games in your country, you won't lose access to the games you already have, you just won't be able to buy more, until such a time that Steam starts selling games again.

Yeah, but no-one has specifically said it would be about whether Steam "stops selling games". The phrasing has been things like "Steam might blacklist the UK".

What if they entirely disable the Steam application here?

I don't know exactly what the legal situation would be. If the UK government tries to prevent anyone accessing adult content without ID checks, does that include games already downloaded but technically part of the Steam platform? Since there are no checks, would that mean they'd need to disable the already downloaded games working?

Or is it only an issue with material that's technically ONLINE i.e. the Steam store would be affected but not the library portion of the Steam app?

For that matter, what about pre-orders already paid for but the game didn't release until after they disabled the store?

Originally posted by dgresevfan:

What if they entirely disable the Steam application here?

Unless the UK government dictate that Steam must be fully disabled in their territory, Valve won't remove your ability to play games. Look at Vietnam, for example. Where Steam has essentially been banned by their government. They can still play games, they just can't buy new ones.

And if Steam is banned in the UK in any capacity, that would be something you'd have to fight the government over.

If Steam fully withdraws from a country and disables access, you could lose the ability to launch your games, since most titles require Steam to authenticate. In past cases like Crimea, users lost access entirely. It depends on how the exit is implemented, but you likely would not be able to buy, update, or play most games without workarounds. Legal action would be difficult due to Steam’s terms and regional laws.

Depends on the game. 75% of games on this paltform are hard DRMed so if steam goes, so are the sames, and obviously it cant distribute a "fix" for the U.K. If the game doesnt, you cant update and will never be able to install the game. Youd have to go to court at that point and youd be at a severe disadvantage in fighting off DRM

Think is you down own the game you buy, you just purchase a license to use it. And yes its bad.

For the UK, at worse they'll remove all social features, user generated content features, and remove buying un-rated and adult rated games (PEGI 18?) in the UK if Valve decided not to do ID verifications. Playing games you already bought, and buying PEGI 16 or lower (or what ever the UK uses) rated games would still be possible.

Originally posted by Voss:

Think is you down own the game you buy, you just purchase a license to use it. And yes its bad.

Yeah but if I bought a license to use it... and then they stop me using it... how is that not a breach of contract on their part? Taking money for a service not provided?

Steam doesn't blacklist countries. Even heavily sanction countries can use Steam.

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Steam doesn't blacklist countries. Even heavily sanction countries can use Steam.

:nkCool:

But if they continue to operate in the UK they either need to implement ridiculous security measures (which they've not done so far) or pay a ridiculous fine of 10% of their income or something along those lines. Obviously they won't be doing option 2.

Originally posted by dgresevfan:

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Steam doesn't blacklist countries. Even heavily sanction countries can use Steam.

:nkCool:

But if they continue to operate in the UK they either need to implement ridiculous security measures (which they've not done so far) or pay a ridiculous fine of 10% of their income or something along those lines. Obviously they won't be doing option 2.

I think they can still operate if they exist as a closed storefront? You couldnt have reviews, forums, user content, mods, anything like that though. If they cant remove the workshop integraiton than theyre indeed ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Originally posted by dgresevfan:

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Steam doesn't blacklist countries. Even heavily sanction countries can use Steam.

But if they continue to operate in the UK they either need to implement ridiculous security measures (which they've not done so far) or pay a ridiculous fine of 10% of their income or something along those lines. Obviously they won't be doing option 2.

So, they'll do a Steam for China bs and have them do their own thing.

But do remember that most people in China still use the international version of Steam regardless and Valve doesn't stop them.

Originally posted by dgresevfan:

But if they continue to operate in the UK they either need to implement ridiculous security measures (which they've not done so far) or pay a ridiculous fine of 10% of their income or something along those lines. Obviously they won't be doing option 2.

Then you will be treated like Vietnam or Russia. That is, you can play your owned games. You cannot buy new ones. Valve can also remove community access based on country, too. Which they do to some extent for certain regions already.

Originally posted by Chika Ogiue:

Valve can also remove community access based on country, too. Which they do to some extent for certain regions already.

Valve has not done this for any country's residents.

Originally posted by videomike_Ultimate_Plushie:

Originally posted by dgresevfan:

But if they continue to operate in the UK they either need to implement ridiculous security measures (which they've not done so far) or pay a ridiculous fine of 10% of their income or something along those lines. Obviously they won't be doing option 2.

I think they can still operate if they exist as a closed storefront? You couldnt have reviews, forums, user content, mods, anything like that though. If they cant remove the workshop integraiton than theyre indeed ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Interesting. How would they stop people seeing the porn though? And if they can do that why not just do that anyway?

I suppose it's because the UK government are insane enough to think that forums where free speech can occur are as bad as the porn.