Other anti-cheat and anti-piracy methods required the use of a constant internet connection that ultimately can deter portable play on handheld PC devices, which more commonly leave the radius of Wi-Fi connections. These alternative launchers sometimes challenge Mac, Linux and especially Steam Deck users by utilizing DRM or anti-cheat systems that block anything that isn’t running a supported Windows operating system. In most cases this practice led to storefronts with arguably unfavorable user experiences and customer support. Presumably, this migration away from Steam was a method publishers tried in order to circumvent having to pay Valve or other storefronts commission per sale of each game sold, and in theory would retain more revenue per sale of a game.

Some publishers even pulled their previously published and/or future games from the Steam store to show their commitment to their launchers and to migrate Steam customers away to their own platforms.

PC gamers finally get a chance to purchase three Call of Duty games previously absent from Steam, but Steam Deck users should be hesitant before purchasing these iterations.įor the past several years game publishers such as Activision-Blizzard, Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, Epic Games, and EA attempted to utilize their own PC launchers and storefronts in place of Valve's Steam platform.

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