I know a lot of people are against DRM in any and all forms, but the Steam implementation is pretty much the definitive case study in how to do this stuff the right way.
If you mean there is some convenience - why do you need the overhead? Just install the game without any extra client which restricts you. It's a case study for DRMed approach, which isn't the way to go.
For example requiring one to connect to their server prior to playing (implicit requirement of having an Internet connection) is a ridiculous restriction.
It's not just the convenience in installation. It's the whole experience from purchase to download to re-download. Everything just works. Buying CDs and punching in codes feels so quaint.
Clearly, if you hate DRM for philosophical reasons, you will hate Steam. If you're pragmatic, you may love it.
I do use steam. A lot. Unfortunately, everything sometimes doesn't just work. For example, I've been left without access to my games a number of times due to internet problems (either in general or just with my gaming desktop) and while offline mode could get around that, I need to be connected to the internet to put it into offline mode and its rare, if ever, that I'll know about internet problems in advance.
So not everything just works for me.
Besides that, though, Steam is the first store in which I've ever impulse bought games - and I've done so multiple times now and probably the majority of all games I own are through Steam. They just make it so easy to find games I want, check the forums for criticism, buy the game, download it and then connect to friends. That experience is one they've done very well and why I still use it despite having had problems. Luckily my account has never been locked - thats a horror story I don't want to experience...
If you mean there is some convenience - why do you need the overhead?
What overhead? You mean the 100MB RAM and 0.1% CPU the Steam client takes? Wow, that really is a high price to pay for the ability to re-download any game I own on any PC, and the automatic updates.
requiring one to connected to their server prior to playing is a ridiculous restriction.
Steam offers offline mode. You only need connect to their server when you download the game. Now, some games are more restrictive, but those are not made by Valve- only offered on their platform. That was someone else's choice.
Yes, it's their (game creators') choice but offered as an option by the distributor (Valve). I'm simply not interested in encouraging such kind of behavior. Those who have a stronger stance on DRM free releases deserve more attention.
Offered as an option? Hardly. Such games typically are distributed via Steam, and later phone home to their publishers- not Valve. Valve is not providing a ultra-DRM service, they just don't prevent it.
It is a good model, IMO, and similar to what Amazon does when an e-book is priced at $14.99 ("This price was set by the publisher"). Let other companies do what they like, and let the market decide for itself.
