Steam is better DRM than the DRM options we had before, which were an absolute nightmare. Upgraded your motherboard? Better call customer support to get your account restored.
Spore is the worst example[0] that I remember. The article has someone complaining "no way am I paying $50 to rent a game!", but while we still do that (irritatingly) at least the "rental" process is now smooth and streamlined, and, in my experience, works great.
They're not mutually exclusive. Some Steam games have their own DRM and/or online registration on top, most infamously GTA IV. Same game later received an "update" via Steam that removed some soundtracks. And I've heard of newer mainstream games with Denuvo anti-cheat/DRM on Steam with similar hardware checks.
It was about time that someone standardized the game purchase/update process, and yeah publishers are gonna want DRM, but I wasn't happy with the choice. Steam was needlessly in the way. (Past tense cause I don't play games anymore)
Spore is the worst example[0] that I remember. The article has someone complaining "no way am I paying $50 to rent a game!", but while we still do that (irritatingly) at least the "rental" process is now smooth and streamlined, and, in my experience, works great.
[0] https://www.denofgeek.com/games/has-spore-been-destroyed-by-...