Steam titles DLable but not "released"?

[AKM]

How does this work?  If it's downloadable from the site, that must mean that the code is ready.  But the fact that it is, yet isn't "released" yet, implies that the release is just about being stingy and saying "you can't play this until we say you can, even though it is, in fact, ready now."  So where am I thinking incorrectly here, as my previous understanding thereof was as is stated in the second paragraph:

 

I must be mistaken when I think "It's a game that I pay for, but you somehow remain in full control of.  As such, the game relies completely on your server to run, yet also requires a segment (usually large) of my hard drive space in order for me to run it.  So best I can guess is this: Game is loaded onto my hard drive like any other but there's some segment or "kernel" that it absolutely, positively, won't run without... and that kernel is kept on not my computer, but your server, therefore giving you full control of the situation.  And oh-by-the-way, I never have, and never will agree with this idiotic idea of selling someone something, but keeping full control of when, where, and how they use it.  What a stupid idea (but it works, muhahahaha!!!)"

 

Is the above idea incorrect?  If so, how, exactly, does this idiocy called "Steam" work?

 

Addendum in lieu of a new post:

 

In case anyone wonders, it was ridiculous.  All than anticipation and I don't think I have 20 hours on the game yet.  Pretty silly.  I guess I've finally aged out of GTA.

[LordJerle]

The idea is to give developers a leg up on funding and bring mass player input in order to bring more bugs to the devs attention before the finished product ships.  Most of the games I've gotten are actually more polished than most final releases by big studios, and lots of player input is going into the design of the game.  It's really not a sales driven scam, so much as it is a way to give indy developers a voice and help pay for the work they're putting in.

[Buddy Christ]

I have a bit of trouble understanding the original question.....

 

Games in Early Access are more or less beta (sometimes, sadly still alpha), but can be downloaded and played already. Like the Lord with the short arms and mighty roar said, it is meant to give the (mostly indie) developers a little cash up front and to get player input on features, bugs and suggestions.

 

Some games aren't released yet, but you can "Pre-Load" them on Steam before the official release. This is to take the heavy load away from the download servers on the day of release. So, on the release date you might only need to download some smaller files to actually activate the game.

 

And I played a lot of Steam games with the Steam client set to offline (due to problems with the ISP after moving), except those that are multiplayer, of course. But without an internet connection they wouldn't work anyway.

 

But like I said, I am not sure I understood the original question correctly.

 

 

 

[Redflyingmonkey]

That's all the awkwardness of the all digital mate. You don't even know what is yours anymore. Just be glad you still have the choice to buy a pre ordered digital copy or wait to get the retail, with the way this whole thing is heading I wouldn't be surprised if in some years we will see weeks between the release of the digital and the retail, with buncha bonus packages that will come with the pre ordered digital.

 

I understand it's a way to help out the developpers, you make them get a bit o money weeks befote the game is actually out, I just wish the games that offer pre order weren't so full with unoptimized and buggy bullshit when it does come out. Kind of feels foul to pay 70€, wait 2 weeks and 5 days for this game to come out and then receive an annoyingly unplayable piece of crap.

 

I want them to create a closed post beta environment for pre orders, where you can play some part of the story until the day the full game is available, while allowing you to get a refund if you find the game to be freaking Assassin's Creed Unity. That'd be fair, and you'd actually get a little something and not just a lousy flaming bow you'll use for less than 2 hours in dragon age...

[Buddy Christ]

I do not buy pre-orders anymore, neither digital or retail after my experience with Aliens: Colonial Marines ^^

 

And most of the pre-order Bonus stuff becomes available later for a little cash, which I normally buy *IF* I am happy with the released product.

[AKM]

GornGrimm, I understand your confusion.  My tenancy to get convoluted is at it again.  Sorry about that!

 

RedFlyingMonkey, actually I do know, as they make it quite clear: I, the end user, own nothing.  Period.

 

As per pre-orders, I'm not usually one for that either, but with this one it's gone through about six different consoles and finally gotten to PC... in a form that the reviews all seem to be calling "the definitive version of the game".  (Grand Theft Auto)  (Unlike GTA IV which they all but admit they did a horrible job on... so, yeah.  If it all goes belly up, I have only myself to blame for buying in.)

 

Given my disappointment with GTA IV after San Andreas, I was seriously thinking against GTA V, but my interest in getting back to an open world environment like GTA:SA had that was completely lacking in IV won out.

 

We shall see if I've wasted my money I get what I hope I'm getting.

[...0...]

i stopped buying ames more then year ago on steam most early acces is bullshit and games getting more expensive also while they release more on DLC on launch day.

 

Fuck steam fuck all DRM.

 

I buy my games on GOG.COM 100% DRM FREE.

 

About GTA V people are thief's of there own wallet paying 60 euro and companies laughing there asses out getting rich and many can't even afford those prices still buying haha.