It really isn't a moot point. If you agree to conditions, then the conditions turns out to be something that you don't like, you have no one but yourself to blame, and to be angry about it is childish.
This, right here, is why purchases should never be made with Steam. But be that as it may, players affected by this bought from Steam, knowing full well (if they read the Steam Terms of Service) that this could happen one day, and many others of its kind.
I never disputed this. Also it's for future expansions. Why, if Valve / Steam is not legally bound to do so, would they not want players in their ecosystem? They'll get a cut for Shadowbringers and the expansions that follow. There is still a significant amount of money to be made by Valve / Steam.
I don't have to show you any other game. Players bought the game from Steam. When you use Steam, you agree to their Terms of Service, which allows them to add these pre-checks and whatever else. There is no valid ground for people to complain. If you don't like this, it's your fault for buying from Steam. Just don't do it again and complain to Steam. Bringing it up here, to S-E, is less than vain.
People need to accept that this likely will not happen. I get it, ESO allows it, probably because they were allowed to, legally. S-E has not allowed it at any point in the past, and not with their announcement. Why is that? Logically, you would think they would, as it would mean more money in their pockets. Seems like a slam dunk, right? Well, it's not, because, in all likelihood, their contract with Valve / Steam very likely prohibits it. I mean, why else would they say no to free money? I'm not for screwing over players, but when you look at the facts objectively, petitions like this just breed false hope.