How do Steam Physical games for pc work?

[Shorty Collins]

Do they require a Steam account?

I'm talking about physical games like Super Meat Boy, Portal 2 and The Orange Box

[Ogami]

Yes. There are no real "physical" games anymore for PC.
If you buy a retail copy often they dont even have disc inside, just a piece of paper with the Steam code.
If a disc is included its usually just a small data file containing the Steam installer.
Very rarely will you get the full game installation on disc since they are out of date so fast.
But even then do you need to install, login and activate the game on Steam and start it via Steam.

[AustrAlien2010]

It depends on the game title that you purchase, if it requires additional software for it's installation, and if that software needs an account. It usually says on the box what is needed.

If you say "physical games," the average reader might think you mean Baseball. Computer games aren't physical. The medium it's installation files are stored on is in a physical state, but I would not call the games themself "physical games." Because that doesn't make literal sense, when you are in fact referring to the storage medium, and not to the games themself.

[Shorty Collins]

I'm talking about physical games like Super Meat Boy, Portal 2 and The Orange Box

[Azure Fang]

Publicado originalmente por tehawsumboi:

I'm talking about physical games like Super Meat Boy, Portal 2 and The Orange Box

Older physicals like Portal 2 and Orange Box do have discs, but those discs contain wrapper installers that install Steam and the associated games, but still require inputting the provided game codes into your Steam account.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

If the game requires live service such as Steam, or etc then it's not a DRM free standalone game.

So read the back of the box, and you know, old Half life 1 is good example where can install game without needing Steam, but ensure its the one before 2003, as valve games needed Steam client 2003, and later.

Other games before 2010 may, or may not require steam, just read the box it will tell you if it does, ot not. Most games after 2010 are mostly DRM tied to account, and live service, that why it's rare to see physical DRM free standalone NEW games on PC, only places that would sell games drm free without needing a live service would be itch, gog, and etc... Some live service do sell DRM free games via their online store such as Steam, and Epic.

[DRONEPEEK.eg0 ♿]

i think its a disc but i haven't seen a physical steam game in years

[Kargor]

In general, if the game requires Steam, any "disk" that might be in the box is pointless.

The only important item in the box is the Steam key. Enter it into your Steam client and download the game; don't bother with the disk -- if it even has the game, it will be outdated anyway.

If you're talking about a used game... then you've been screwed. Keys are one-use only.

[WhiteKnight]

They are glorified steam key boxes. Some of them have no disc, some of them have one disc but only contains steam software, some of them partial game files the rest u have download from steam.

I think i have seen any new games having physical copies. The only reason they were such releases back then was to increase steam marketshare.

[C²C^Guyver |NZB|]

See here:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2883247236

Physical retail version. It comes with a Steam key. You don't actually need the disc inside. Yes that is my actual copy of Ghostwire Tokyo.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Publicado originalmente por C²C^Guyver |NZB|:

See here:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2883247236

Physical retail version. It comes with a Steam key. You don't actually need the disc inside. Yes that is my actual copy of Ghostwire Tokyo.

Off topic here, but funny thing is I just got that today from a bundle with 7 other games for $12.

[C²C^Guyver |NZB|]

Publicado originalmente por Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Publicado originalmente por C²C^Guyver |NZB|:

See here:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2883247236

Physical retail version. It comes with a Steam key. You don't actually need the disc inside. Yes that is my actual copy of Ghostwire Tokyo.

Off topic here, but funny thing is I just got that today from a bundle with 7 other games for $12.

Same here so I have an extra key. lol though Humble Bundle doesn't give you the deluxe version.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Publicado originalmente por C²C^Guyver |NZB|:

Publicado originalmente por Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Off topic here, but funny thing is I just got that today from a bundle with 7 other games for $12.

Same here so I have an extra key. lol though Humble Bundle doesn't give you the deluxe version.

Was temp to pick this up for $20, kind of glad I held off, thinking of playing this in week or two once I get few games finished.