As long as the game does not depend on Steam APIs for DRM (which is not Valve’s fault), you can absolutely copy over the game files and play it outside of Steam, and even use Proton, although it’s only officially supported in Steam.
sure except if you dont have access to your account you dont have access to your files which means you can get cut off at anytime for any reason. plus you need proprietary software to download those files in the first place afaik
It is, but you are not really locked in it
since when you can get your steam games outside of steam? because if not thats the definition of locked in
As long as the game does not depend on Steam APIs for DRM (which is not Valve’s fault), you can absolutely copy over the game files and play it outside of Steam, and even use Proton, although it’s only officially supported in Steam.
sure except if you dont have access to your account you dont have access to your files which means you can get cut off at anytime for any reason. plus you need proprietary software to download those files in the first place afaik