Winter Steam sale vs. My wallet

The amount of money I have put into Steam could probably feed a small family for a year. And the annual winter sale hasn't helped at all.

For those who don’t know, steam is, as described on their website as “The Ultimate Online Game Platform”. Basically it is a piece of software people download that enables them to buy and download games onto their computer (pic 1) designed and distributed by Valve cooperation, creators of popular video games such as Portal 1 and 2 and the half life series (including Counter Strike and Counter Strike: Source)

(Front page http://store.steampowered.com/)

Steam has had mixed reviews since its release, especially in recent times with the rise in Digital Rights Management (DRM). The fact that you have to have a steady Internet connection to play video games which you have payed for (even some single player games) amongst other things have many users up in arms.

However the majority of opinions, which includes my own, are favourable. Steam, as it boasts on its website, has over 1,100 games available to purchase and download. These games range from extremely popular games such as the Modern Warfare series to more niche titles such as Railworks and its thousands of DLC.

Steam also releases “indie” games, games which are released by independent developers, such as Team Meat, creators of Super Meat Boy and Supergiant Games creators of runaway success Bastion

This brings me to the sales, OH THE SALES. Steam has several sales a year, with its major one being its winter sale, cutting some games by up to 90% (most games that go on sale average from 33% to 75% depending on how new they are) These sales, personally, see an influx in impulse buying “ooh that game is only 3$, what a deal!”.

This year had even more of a pull, there was a competition, every user was to obtain virtual pieces of coal by completing certain in-game activities, some only achievable through buying new games and trading with others. The person with the largest amount of coal by the end of the competition was to win EVERY SINGLE GAME ON STEAM.

Goodbye life

As much as I wish I won that grand prize, I'm glad I didn't. Steam already owns most of my spare time