Do my games require Steam to be installed to Work?

[Master Solmyr]

Is there a way my games can be downloaded as standalone reinstall programs or will they be lost completely unless I upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10/11 etc?

If anyone could give me any info on this; I can't find anything explaining what happens to my games.

Thanks

[d3str0y3r]

No your games will not work without Steam. You will have to either upgrade to Windows 10/11 or switch to linux after Jan. 1st 2024.

[Mr. Smiles]

Steam is a launcher, and while there are some DRM free games available on steam, for the most part, you will need steam to be installed in order to play steam games.

Edit: there are potentially workarounds for the os "issue", but those will involve never having steam be online again. Just upgrade your os.

Edit 2: as far as what will happen to your game licenses... Nothing. They will sit there, tied to your account, until you choose to upgrade.

[Shaggy]

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4784-4F2B-1321-800A

[Greed]

Most but not all, I don't have the link handy but search the net for DRM free steam games list. You can goto the local files for these and play them w/o Steam after whatever happens when the red bar timer ticks down. I was stressing the options for dual boot or upgrading now I'm not worried as much since some of my faves are there, Rimworld and Project Zomboid.

For what it's worth regardless you won't lose them you just wont be able to use steam supposedly to access them. Theres also the alternative of downloading any single player games beforehand and going into offline mode and rolling with that til it stops working.

[Master Solmyr]

Originally posted by d3str0y3r:

No your games will not work without Steam. You will have to either upgrade to Windows 10/11 or switch to linux after Jan. 1st 2024.

Thank you.

Originally posted by Mr. Smiles:

Steam is a launcher, and while there are some DRM free games a ailable on steam, for the most part, you will need steam to be installed in order to play steam games.

Edit: there are potentially workarounds for the os "issue", but those will involve never having steam be online again. Just upgrade your os.

Yeah, always knew I'd regret buying games that don't come in a box with a manual and disk(s).

I've no intention to upgrade my OS, I'm happy with Win 7. I have thought about dual booting Linux, May give that a try at some point.

I think Cloning my HDD with all "playable in offline mode", single player type games might also help.

Now... just waiting for all browsers to kill off Windows 7, then I can be free of the internet! :o)

Have a good one people.

[Master Solmyr]

Originally posted by Greed:

Most but not all, I don't have the link handy but search the net for DRM free steam games list. You can goto the local files for these and play them w/o Steam after whatever happens when the red bar timer ticks down. I was stressing the options for dual boot or upgrading now I'm not worried as much since some of my faves are there, Rimworld and Project Zomboid.

For what it's worth regardless you won't lose them you just wont be able to use steam supposedly to access them. Theres also the alternative of downloading any single player games beforehand and going into offline mode and rolling with that til it stops working.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[SinCanDory]

Originally posted by Master Solmyr:

Originally posted by d3str0y3r:

No your games will not work without Steam. You will have to either upgrade to Windows 10/11 or switch to linux after Jan. 1st 2024.

Thank you.

Originally posted by Mr. Smiles:

Steam is a launcher, and while there are some DRM free games a ailable on steam, for the most part, you will need steam to be installed in order to play steam games.

Edit: there are potentially workarounds for the os "issue", but those will involve never having steam be online again. Just upgrade your os.

Yeah, always knew I'd regret buying games that don't come in a box with a manual and disk(s).

I've no intention to upgrade my OS, I'm happy with Win 7. I have thought about dual booting Linux, May give that a try at some point.

I think Cloning my HDD with all "playable in offline mode", single player type games might also help.

Now... just waiting for all browsers to kill off Windows 7, then I can be free of the internet! :o)

Have a good one people.

Just so you know, games sold in stores are just codes for launchers. Even CD's (if exist) requires a launcher at this point (unless pirat CDs)

[Master Solmyr]

@SinCanDory

Used to be Games sold in stores came with a nice box, lovely disks and a manual, sometimes you would get a lovely print out of keyboard layouts and.or maps.

Today; you just get a digital download, nothing you can put on your shelf or hold; and it can be switched off on you whenever whomever deems fit.

I still have my store bought big box games and they continue to work flawlessly without any need for a "Steam" type server.

Go Go Go! :D