Steam takes serials gives me auto updates and downloads *and* shuts up when I want it to... so it's an infinitely superior store clerk compared to the real ones. Also it doesn't drop my packets in the rain in front of my door without ringing despite me being at home... nor does it ship broken discs or laughable CE editions.

The age of physical copies is very nearly over.... if you are not jumping on the last wagon the game train leaves without you. And at some point you have to ask yourself whether you are a gamer or a flamer ;P

Your post (OP) could have been written 11 years ago when HL1 (worse, CS1.6) transfered from WON to Steam.... I actually have a deja vue right there...

Ps.: I rather have corporations own me than governments.