Steam for Trainz?

[martinvk]

A new member mentioned getting Trainz TS2009 from Steam in this thread

Is this the new download method to acquire Trainz instead of directly from Auran? On another simulator forum, there is a big discussion concerning this process. Some think its the greatest thing for games since sliced bread while others wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

For games that need online authentication it does cut the ties to the producer but what happens if Steam goes under is not clear.
From the list of advantages I don't see what there is to be gained for Trainz?

What happens to our Trainz registration code. Will Steam manage it? We can "already buy a downloadable version direct from Auran. These forums are a place for uses to chat. Auto patching is already done for those online. We can already play on any PC, Trainz is tied to my registration not my machine. So, aside from adding a middleman, what's the point?

So you have to install a Steam client on your machine in order to play a game they sell. And besides facilitating the purchase / download, what else does it do?

New delivery system for Steam IM/Marketing messages

Yea, right. All I need is more direct marketing.

 

[Euphod]

I dislike Steam, or any other Game Server that has to install anything on my PC. EA knows this, but they don't listen.

 

[Ronayne]

Why do we even want steam. Auran does the job well.

 

[Mouse84]

Why is Auran allowing this?

 

[martinvk]

I had a look at the few messages related to Trainz on the Steam forum and they are not encouraging. On the whole, they appear to be written by people who don't have a clue what Trainz is all about.

If this sales method was authorized by Auran, I don't think the negative publicity was worth it. Anyone with even the slightest interest in rail on that site will take one look and likely go elsewhere. Too bad because if they had come here instead, they would have gotten a much better idea of what Trainz is and is not.