I'd use it because it's just easier. You can preorder right through Steam, have it preloaded and ready to go when it gets released. Plus I already have a bunch of other games through it, so it's just convenient that I have most of my games in one spot. And I have a bunch of friends with Steam, which allows me to talk to them through the Steam client without having to alt tab and they can be in different games. I like Steam quite a bit, I wish more companies used it. It's nice not having to worry about misplacing CD keys and keeping track of everything. And for me at least, it works pretty flawlessly and is much easier to get updates for games. I wouldn't really personally worry about Steam going down. I tried the trial for EVE through steam, and you can actually run the game outside of Steam.

And no matter if Steam is great or not, it's still more exposure for the game which will mean more sales. It makes sense regardless if you see it or not.

For me Steam just makes everything easier at this point I am not sure I would buy a game for the PC if it was not through steam. I often go back to games that I had not played in a long while, but I don't tend to do this with MMOs as I lose the CDs and the digital download takes a small age but with Steam I get my full 1mbs and I never have to look for a CD again.

You have it absolutely right. This purely a marketing move to gain more exposure. If I'm not mistaken SOE recently made their games available on Steam, despite having them accessible on their own website.

It's a good move, and it should've been done a long time ago before they released Tabula Rasa. Steam forte is first person shooters and Tabula Rasa would've likely gained a stronger start. At least that's my theory.

Some TR players, me included, believe that NCsoft would kill TR no mater the sales outcome with sole exception of reaching WoW status in a single year.