Originally posted by Ankh:

The store needs a persistent filter to hide games that require Kernel-level appendages to be installed (e.g. Denuvo). I don't want this kind of attack vector to be opened up on my computer. The store already tags it.
If the game requires it, fair enough. I just don't want to buy it.

Similar filters would be appreciated for games tagged to require agreement to certain third party EULAs, or to install third party loaders (e.g. Origin).

Originally posted by HikariLight:

1: Denuvo isn't kernel level.

2: Valve cannot force the game devs to do anything in regards to launchers.

Many games that use their own servers will use their own launcher to access those servers. Steam itself is the third party, the games devs are the first party in regards to games not developed by Valve.

Originally posted by Crashed:

Originally posted by HikariLight:

1: Denuvo isn't kernel level.

2: Valve cannot force the game devs to do anything in regards to launchers.

Many games that use their own servers will use their own launcher to access those servers. Steam itself is the third party, the games devs are the first party in regards to games not developed by Valve.

I made sure to specify the anti-piracy for #1 because they do offer a kernel-mode anti-cheat which is only used by a small number of games.
As for #2, that isn't kernel mode either, and any adverse action against developers for using launchers would most likely result in anti-trust proceedings.

Originally posted by William Shakesman:

Originally posted by Crashed:

I made sure to specify the anti-piracy for #1 because they do offer a kernel-mode anti-cheat which is only used by a small number of games.
As for #2, that isn't kernel mode either, and any adverse action against developers for using launchers would most likely result in anti-trust proceedings.

If the recent naughty behavior of payment providers didn't result in such proceedings, it is highly unlikely it would result in such for Valve if they made such a choice.