Google search terms like 'Steam problems' or 'Unable to play Steam game' and you'll get page upon page of people bitching about Steam, obviously. I think by having issues with one game, that you didn't even pay for, and refusing to use Steam in future is just absurd. I think online DRM, as long as it's not too intrusive (or like Sony's rootkit from CDs a few years ago), is perfectly tolerable if you've got a reasonable t'interweb connection.
Yes you're tied to Steam, but so are millions of Steam users every day without complaint.
__________________
|