Question about Steam/Valve
By
Amy_Amp,
Posted on: 2010-09-11 18:07 in Comic and Hero-Villain Culture
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This is truth. I've had to do this for a game or two that otherwise wouldn't work for whatever reason. Think one of them was GTAIV.|
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
Not all. Yeah, the ones that do, you may have to tell Steam to launch in "offline mode" for them to work (looking at things like HL2,) but others you can launch directly from a shortcut. The Steam overlay won't do anything and your friends list won't indicate you're in game.
Just check steam/steamapps/common and check out the install directory. (Mine's nearly 200 gb... >.< ) Go into the directory for the individual game. Most will have some launcher or executable - you can go directly from there without Steam being involved for many of them. |
As for being online all the time, c'mon, folks, if you don't have an permanent broadband connection these days, you just ain't living.
But that's in response to getting online through Steam to access games and such. I don't mind it because Steam's allowed me to pick up a lot of great games real cheap. When it comes to something like Ubisoft's DRM, though, it's just retarded.
- CaptainFoamerang
Silverspar on Kelly Hu: A face that could melt paint off the wall *shivers*
Someone play my AE arc! "The Heart of Statesman" ID: 343405
I don't think you have to tell Steam to launch in offline mode anymore, since the last patch attempting to fix it I'm pretty sure it'll automatically go into offline mode if you try to launch a game and don't have an internet connection. It does for me anyway, and since the last time they patched it I haven't heard from anyone saying it didn't work for them.
I adore Steam! In fact, I have to stop myself from turning it on as I all too often end up buying a game on the offers as they are so damn cheap! The recent Summer Sale hit me hard 
It's very easy to use, very unobtrusive and so easy to use for gifting games to people that we're actually thinking of using it for prizes on Rogues Radio instead of having to buy hard copies in the shops. With Steam I can just send them a game with no delivery charge and know they will always have access to it.
I've been using Steam for years and my original copy of Half Life 1, bought in the very early days of Steam is still there on the list for me to download and play if I want it.
Plus.....Portal....nuff said
I have Mass Effect 1, if someone can tell me what to look for in regards to SecuRom, let me know and I'll see if I can find out if it's installed on my PC, but I don't recall seeing anything. I'm guessing SecuRom is bad?
We built this city on Rock and Roll!
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Wasn't that removed in a patch? The 5 activations part anyway. |
Originally Posted by Dark One
The normal Mass Effect PC version has SecuROM v7.37.0012 w/5 activations. According to ReclaimYourGame.com. I see no indication that they would remove it from the Steam version, IMO.
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And didn't Me2 launch without DRM at all?
@True Metal
Co-leader of Callous Crew SG. Based on Union server.
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As someone who recently reinstalled Mass Effect via Steam, I can say that I was never required to do any verification/activations/registrations of any sort.
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Originally Posted by Dark One
The normal Mass Effect PC version has SecuROM v7.37.0012 w/5 activations. According to ReclaimYourGame.com. I see no indication that they would remove it from the Steam version, IMO.
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Steam certainly is a DRM, but it's an example the industry should be looking at as to how to create a DRM that doesn't raise the customer's hackles. Most DRM seems to operate from the point of view that everyone is a pirate, and therefore we must all be punished. The limited activations is an example of this. No one could possibly have a legitimate reason for wanting to install a game multiple times! Ubisoft's "must remain connected to the internet at all times" is even worse as it's like they need to constantly check up on you.|
Originally Posted by Dark One
Steam itself is the DRM. Since games bought from Steam need that launcher/whatever the hell it is, iirc, in order to function. The Steam client itself is the DRM. At least that's my understanding of it.
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Steam is better because, while it is DRM, it's a form of DRM where the benefits outweigh the negatives. While it combats pirating, it also has features like the instant messenger, game management, instant patching, and the store. It stops pirating in a way where legitimate customers don't feel like they are being inconvenienced, which has always been my main complaint about DRM.
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It's not even DRM in the same way SecuROM is DRM. It's a client that launches the games, it doesn't fill your computer with nasty spyware crap.
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Originally Posted by Cantatus
Steam certainly is a DRM, but it's an example the industry should be looking at as to how to create a DRM that doesn't raise the customer's hackles. Most DRM seems to operate from the point of view that everyone is a pirate, and therefore we must all be punished. The limited activations is an example of this. No one could possibly have a legitimate reason for wanting to install a game multiple times! Ubisoft's "must remain connected to the internet at all times" is even worse as it's like they need to constantly check up on you.
Steam is better because, while it is DRM, it's a form of DRM where the benefits outweigh the negatives. While it combats pirating, it also has features like the instant messenger, game management, instant patching, and the store. It stops pirating in a way where legitimate customers don't feel like they are being inconvenienced, which has always been my main complaint about DRM. |
[B]The Once and Future Official Minister of Awesome[/B]
[I]And don't you forget it.[/I]
[URL="http://paragonunleashed.proboards.com/index.cgi"][IMG]http://gamefacelive.com/bre/joker.png[/IMG][/URL]
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Most of the time I would prefer to be offline Foamie. MMO's and forums are one thing, but when I play a single player game, I do not want to deal with chat, or the internet. We still have issues with our service provider. They cut out at odd times, usually as I am going on vacation or right before a big game event, such as a launch. My internet went down when we had a week off for a staycation, and the Friday before GR launched. It is just so common that we are baffled. |
Originally Posted by CaptainFoamerang
This is truth. I've had to do this for a game or two that otherwise wouldn't work for whatever reason. Think one of them was GTAIV.
As for being online all the time, c'mon, folks, if you don't have an permanent broadband connection these days, you just ain't living. But that's in response to getting online through Steam to access games and such. I don't mind it because Steam's allowed me to pick up a lot of great games real cheap. When it comes to something like Ubisoft's DRM, though, it's just retarded. |
In addition, I loathe the idea that my DVD player needs to be online, or that I need to be online to access extra content on DVDs and Blu-Ray, such as deleted and extended scenes. The promise that you could watch the movie with other people online and they could chime in chat at any time is not something I would like. I would be telling people to STFU. *blush*
My point is, that even though I am not a Luddite, I still prefer not to be connected 24/7.
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I don't have steam yet either, but I want to try Mass Effect, and I do not have the money for a new 360.
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Originally Posted by Dark One
*shrug*
I was just going by what I could find. Check out that site I mentioned earlier if you have questions about games that contain SecuROM. I don't actually use Steam and refuse to have it on my computer (don't try and talk me into it, I don't want it. Period). Just going by what I've heard. |
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Then get an old 360!|
Originally Posted by BlackArachnia
I don't have steam yet either, but I want to try Mass Effect, and I do not have the money for a new 360.
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*rimshot*
[B]The Once and Future Official Minister of Awesome[/B]
[I]And don't you forget it.[/I]
[URL="http://paragonunleashed.proboards.com/index.cgi"][IMG]http://gamefacelive.com/bre/joker.png[/IMG][/URL]
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You can get refurbished units for around $150. Ya, if you are going for the new slims, those'll cost ya an arm plus a leg.
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Originally Posted by BlackArachnia
I don't have steam yet either, but I want to try Mass Effect, and I do not have the money for a new 360.
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With the RROD and the lack of warranty support, I will never buy a used X-Box. Just not worth the time.
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Originally Posted by Dark One
You can get refurbished units for around $150. Ya, if you are going for the new slims, those'll cost ya an arm plus a leg.
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Or you could get the 4gb slim version for $199 on Amazon.|
Originally Posted by BlackArachnia
With the RROD and the lack of warranty support, I will never buy a used X-Box. Just not worth the time.
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I sent in my original for the E74 error back in December-ish of last year. The refurb I got back works fine. I'm still planning on selling it, even though probably won't get very much for it. Got an Elite in place of it. Have no real desire to get a slim as I don't like the glossiness, though the Reach special edition is...tempting...me. Considering I've already spent $150 on the Legendary edition though...
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Have a question about XBox live. Is it required for the DLC for a game, if there is any available?
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Originally Posted by Dark One
Or you could get the 4gb slim version for $199 on Amazon.
I sent in my original for the E74 error back in December-ish of last year. The refurb I got back works fine. I'm still planning on selling it, even though probably won't get very much for it. Got an Elite in place of it. Have no real desire to get a slim as I don't like the glossiness, though the Reach special edition is...tempting...me. Considering I've already spent $150 on the Legendary edition though... |
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All you need are the MS points, iirc.
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Originally Posted by BlackArachnia
Have a question about XBox live. Is it required for the DLC for a game, if there is any available?
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And MS points are gained with money? I know with our PS, we can add money via the PC or the PS Store. There are some difficulties with both though. One only takes increments of $5 and the other has issues with debit cards. That's neither here nor there though.
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Originally Posted by Dark One
All you need are the MS points, iirc.
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You can buy MS point cards in the store (1600 = $19.99) of varying denominations and they have a scratch off code on the back that you can either redeem directly through your xbox or on the marketplace website (can also choose stuff to buy there and when you hook up your box and sign in your gamertag, it automatically starts downloading). Or you can buy the points directly from MS on the marketplace website in either 400, 800, 1600, 4000, or 6000 pt packs.|
Originally Posted by BlackArachnia
And MS points are gained with money? I know with our PS, we can add money via the PC or the PS Store. There are some difficulties with both though. One only takes increments of $5 and the other has issues with debit cards. That's neither here nor there though.
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The only problem, IMO, is that occassionally there will be the DLC that is like 240pts. Hate those odd numbered ones as it leaves you with leftover points or you end up buying stuff you may not actually want, just so you even out your remainder.
That's not so bad. Danke Dark one. Now I need 7o log off. My 7 s7opped working.
We have new keyboards, and this weird glitch happens where a key stops working. At one point it was the backspace key. This is what we get for refurbished gear.
Np. Glad to help. 
I got three words for you.
Steam. Holiday. Sale.
I already got the games planned out I'm looking for when it hits this year. Last year I got 5 games for like $22.
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Last year I went nuts, I still haven't installed 90% of the stuff I bought. =(
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Originally Posted by Amy_Amp
I got three words for you.
Steam. Holiday. Sale. I already got the games planned out I'm looking for when it hits this year. Last year I got 5 games for like $22. |
The Nethergoat Archive: all my memories, all my characters, all my thoughts on CoH...eventually.
My City Was Gone
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Heh, I have the same problem. I'd say half the games I've bought on Steam, I haven't gotten around to playing yet. I don't mind too terribly though, as it is good for those times when I get bored. Just last night I was looking through my game list and decided to download something.|
Originally Posted by Nethergoat
Last year I went nuts, I still haven't installed 90% of the stuff I bought. =(
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I would love to see a Steam study released as to what percentage of games bought on Steam never get played. Considering a lot of people I know, that number wouldn't be small.
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I try and tell myself, "Alright, im not gonna buy another steam game until I finish at least 2 of the 80+ games I have."|
Originally Posted by Nethergoat
Last year I went nuts, I still haven't installed 90% of the stuff I bought. =(
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And then something like Blood Bowl goes on sale for 75% off.
If I'd known that Left 4 Dead and 2 both had a single-player mode I would have bought them long before the Steam Sale I did, but I'd have paid way too much
Steam is good. Also, the steam forums are tons of fun too, not quite as 'family friendly' as these are, but certainly a lot of entertainment can be had there.
Please read my FEAR/Portal/HalfLife Fan Fiction!
Repurposed
I was just going by what I could find. Check out that site I mentioned earlier if you have questions about games that contain SecuROM.
I don't actually use Steam and refuse to have it on my computer (don't try and talk me into it, I don't want it. Period). Just going by what I've heard.
It's something that's decided by the publisher, not by Valve, so depending on which game and which publisher you're talking about their choices in this area may or may not make sense.