Old Steam Poll posts split and 'archived'

Saber15 · Post by **Saber15** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 19:53

I'd rather not buy Rebirth on STEAM. I bought TC on STEAM because at the time, TC wasn't available in America in stores.

corhen · Post by **corhen** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 20:04

i cant understand how anyone could dislike steam!

its a great service that is both free, easy to use, and works well!
Unlike what a lot of people are saying, you dont have to be online (beyond the first use), it wont delete your mods (unless you tell it to!)

and you cant blame a third party for what someone hwas done to their home network, thats like blaming the car company when your gas car wont run propane!

Anyway, the poll is massively flawed, you dont have an option for people who LIKE steam (just one for people that dont particularly dislike it) and you spread the Pro votes around, while keeping the con votes piled up. Not voting in a rigged poll.

Post by **X2-Illuminatus** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 20:11

corhen wrote:i cant understand how anyone could dislike steam!

What a luck that we had already several discussions about the pros and cons of steam.

One of the latest topics here with a post by X2-Eliah summarizing some of the cons here.

Mightysword · Post by **Mightysword** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 20:31

X2-Illuminatus wrote:
What a luck that we had already several discussions about the pros and cons of steam. One of the latest topics here with a post by X2-Eliah summarizing some of the cons here.

You mean:

- forced auto-updating to latest version, ruins a number of mods: don't have to.

- forced localisation for people in germany/france/etc: can't comment.

- framework for artificially delaying release date regardless if you have your store-bought disc in post-box or not: in my experience Steam release have always been simutaneuously with store release. So I call into the question why you have the box release before steam?

- common problems with off-line functionality all across the board: what "all across the board" ?

- can't really manage installation directories: you can do this indirectly by decide where to install steam.

- forced to run steam just to play a game tied to it: not all the time, plus yes it's a natural add on.

- has only 'pre-purchase' instead of pre-order like any normal storefront: eh ... what's the different? With big tittle you can even pre-load the game and play at 12:00 AM, similar to how store's midnight release.

- randomly refuses to install games from disk and downloads them over the net; instead of 7Mb patch, it downloads all game files just for a small update (e.g. The Witcher 2), when all other versions patch normally: this is hardly a Steam issue, or rather isolated. It's nothing different then the occasional screw up with store release. You know how many time I have problem with EA's update process or how many time publisher put the wrong patch on their site or give a bad link?

- can't run on more than one computer at once: eh ... correct me if I am wrong ... but I think that's part of the Copyright agreement, as the buyer you are the only one who supposed to play your copy unless you transfer and relinquish all of your right. It's just that company rarely go out of their way to enforce it, and they let you install it on multiple computer in your houses (which Steam does), but if you want to ahve 2 people playing it, sorry you're in the wrong. It's like most cops won't stop for a ticket if you run 5 miles above the speed limit, but if one decide to pull you over, you ... can't really complain.

- has to manually re-ask for user validation (as opposed to just bloody logging in automatically as it should do) all the time: eh not true, because that's how it works. I have been using steam for 3 years, and I only remember ever enter my credential twice: when I first created my account, and when I changed my OS. Hell, it has been so long since the last time I typed my Steam password that I think I forgot what it is

- Anyway, patches on steam are often delayed and/or missing compared to retail versions): this is true to an extend, however I never find that overly annoyance. Also, this is mainly due to the reason the dev have to support multiple version which I think like Bernd said, if they only have to work on one version, it will naturally go away, so you should be thrilled

See, even if you type up a wall of reasons, doesn't mean they're valid especially for others who after read the thing and wonder "are we using the same program?" I don't dismiss certain inconvience that inherittanly come with Steam, but I have to wonder is it as bad as people said. Like many others I think the only one good reason to not using Steam is if you have bad connection, not because it's Satan's incarnation.

shireknight · Post by **shireknight** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 20:32

I notice people keep trying to separate Steam from the patches. For the record Steam is a distribution system, its how the patches are delivered and part of the reason for developers to utilise Steam in the first place which is why Steam users who owned X-Terran Conflict couldn't download the standalone patches and install them.

I'm afraid the steam haters out there will have to get used to the idea that if X-Rebirth does go Steam only there will be no standalone patches for you I'm afraid.

Post by **Cycrow** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 20:32

thetack wrote:1 here is a simple question is it possible to get a steam patch downloaded as just a patch from say ego and install it from a pen drive or folder so that the pc "thinks" its geting it from the internet.

2 i dont want steam but if i can turn all the steam access off and block its port access will the game run and i dont mean illegaly doing anything like mucking around with the program.

3 my plan was to build an top rig to play this but not to connect to internet except for patching windows which i can jury rig at work and run my current pc as my internet connection will this be possible.

and finaly if i have to use steam how mutch information do they need for an account bearing in mind i will proberly never buy anything from them.

1. Unlikly, althou technically possible to have a seperate download to patch the steam version, i would say its unlikly they will, dont know of any other steam games that do

2. No need to block steam, just have to be online for the activation, then you can leave it permantly in offline mode. Just make sure you set offline mode while you are still online

3. it'll need to be connected for the initial install, but not after that, if you do go online to patch, make sure the patch completes thou because you cant run the game offline if its in the middle of updating.

4. Generally, just an email address is enough to create an account, obviously billing information would be required if you plan to buy anything through steam thou, but not just for installing.

i've never had a problem with steams offline mode, i was without a connection for awhile waiting for it to be repaired, and had no trouble playing all the games i had installed. Could even install a new steam game from DVD and play that, just used the connection on my phone to activate it.

one thing i would say, offline mode is more reliable if you manually do it. Ie from steam, while your still online, set it to offline mode. If you load up steam that isn't in offline mode when you dont have a connection, it will try to get online and check for updates which will prevent you from player.

However, this does eventually time out (althou it can take some time about 15 mins for me) and then put you in offline mode automatically. Once that happens, you can stay in offline mode permanantly after that

TTD · Post by **TTD** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 20:34

Anyway, the poll is massively flawed, you dont have an option for people who LIKE steam (just one for people that dont particularly dislike it) and you spread the Pro votes around, while keeping the con votes piled up. Not voting in a rigged poll.

atm the votes are in favour of Steam.only 40% not in favour.
There are three Steam positives,in order to see why people might consider Steam.

At the time of writing this there is a 60% total in favour of Steam.

So the results are the opposite swing to this morning.

I am puzzled as to why you would not vote for something that you are so enthusiastic about

Your vote would increase the Steam camp.

Mopy · Post by **Mopy** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 20:39

If it was any other company, I'd reluctantly pass. I'm willing to make the sacrifice and install the uncleanliness that is Steam in order to activate the game, simply because of Ego's past record for supporting their releases.

thetack · Post by **thetack** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:12

ta cycrow

i must admit the offline mode never worked for the two weeks i tried total war i was either unlucky or thick i surpose.

A5PECT · Post by **A5PECT** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:24

I don't mind using Steam, but that's probably because I've had it so long I've become familiar with it. Sure, in theory I'm not thrilled about the idea of a third-party program having to be run when I want to play a game, but once you learn how to make Steam do what you want then it's very non-obtrusive. I feel that people are just unwilling to give the program a chance and adjust themselves to it (or it to themselves).

I get pretty depressed when I hear people completely give up on Rebirth (or any other game) just because they have to use Steam. I feel like even if someone has issues with Steam, they're usually only minor and throwing away something with Rebirth's (potential) entertainment value for the sake of a few nitpicks is incredibly foolish.

amtct · Post by **amtct** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:29

KloHunt3r wrote:I get pretty depressed when I hear people completely give up on Rebirth (or any other game) just because they have to use Steam. I feel like even if someone has issues with Steam, they're usually only minor and throwing away something with Rebirth's (potential) entertainment value for the sake of a few nitpicks is very unwise.

Its not like that but the damn program /overlay /window (call it how you want) tends to freeze ,die ,not respond ...anything it wants .I don't know how many times I had to end its process from task manager.Steam/Valve needs to create a proper program that works .

Btw I have it now running and if I check the RAM usage it says "120Mb" .Don't you think that is too much for those who will want to play on a laptop?

A5PECT · Post by **A5PECT** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:35

AdrianM wrote:Btw I have it now running and if I check the RAM usage it says "120Mb" .Don't you think that is too much for those who will want to play on a laptop?

Huh. Mine runs at 20.

Mightysword · Post by **Mightysword** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:38

AdrianM wrote: Its not like that but the damn program /overlay /window (call it how you want) tends to freeze ,die ,not respond ...anything it wants .I don't know how many times I had to end its process from task manager.Steam/Valve needs to create a proper program that works .

Btw I have it now running and if I check the RAM usage it says "120Mb" .Don't you think that is too much for those who will want to play on a laptop?

The thing is ... if it's like that for everyone then nobody will be using it, I know I wouldn't. So what you will do if I tell you I have been using it for 3 years and never have to terminate it via task manager. Maybe there is some problem with your installation, or with your computer. But it's much more productive to try and find a solution than bashing it or boycott a game. And if you say you can't be bothered then ... well, it's your choice.

And to be remotely helpful, I think you probably have a corrupted caches for one reason or another and Steam is trying to constanly verify it, try to clear your steam cache or do a clean re-install.

Post by **Cycrow** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:41

AdrianM wrote:
KloHunt3r wrote:I get pretty depressed when I hear people completely give up on Rebirth (or any other game) just because they have to use Steam. I feel like even if someone has issues with Steam, they're usually only minor and throwing away something with Rebirth's (potential) entertainment value for the sake of a few nitpicks is very unwise.

Its not like that but the damn program /overlay /window (call it how you want) tends to freeze ,die ,not respond ...anything it wants .I don't know how many times I had to end its process from task manager.Steam/Valve needs to create a proper program that works .

Btw I have it now running and if I check the RAM usage it says "120Mb" .Don't you think that is too much for those who will want to play on a laptop?

the program does work fine, but like all software, different configurations of software/hardware on a pc can cause otherwise stable programs to act funny.

i have steam permantly running, it loads at startup, and i have it on whenever the pc is on. All the games i play now are via steam, my steam account shows some 600 games. I also use it for chatting and such with friends, as most are on steam as well.

it has never crashed for me, not even once.

however, if its the overlay thats causing problems when playing games, why not just disable it ?

120mb does seem abit much, mine only runs at about 90mb

Mightysword · Post by **Mightysword** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:43

Cycrow wrote: All the games i play now are via steam, my steam account shows some 600 games. I also use it for chatting and such with friends, as most are on steam as well.

Holy **** .... did you buy every tittle on steam or something? Is 600 are standalone game, or you counting DLC as well?

Observe · Post by **Observe** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:46

KloHunt3r wrote:Huh. Mine runs at 20.

From what I've read, people report Steam client running in the background takes between 20-200 meg depending on what it's doing. Add to that all the other programs that want a piece of your computer (Adobe products and others, addons, plugins, etc) and before you know it you games become sluggish.

Perhaps most idiotic of all is you have to be online to go into offline mode?? [ external image ]

Mightysword · Post by **Mightysword** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:49

Observe wrote: Perhaps most idiotic of all is you have to be online to go into offline mode?? [ external image ]

No, steam is an online app so there is nothing idiotic about it. The option is there for people who can't stay online permanent for some reason. But if you installed Steam knowing what it is on a computer that never has internet access, then it's not its fault.

Observe · Post by **Observe** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:54

Mightysword wrote:
Observe wrote: Perhaps most idiotic of all is you have to be online to go into offline mode?? [ external image ]
No, steam is an online app so there is nothing idiotic about it. The option is there for people who can't stay online permanent for some reason. But if you installed Steam knowing what it is on a computer that never has internet access, then it's not its fault.

I respectfully disagree. I expect Steam could easily be smart enough to know whether the computer its running on is offline and switch itself accordingly - rather than completely refusing to play the game merely because the user didn't know how or forgot to turn if off.

Kor'ah · Post by **Kor'ah** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:55

Hell, I'm running on the high side at ~150Mb with currently 2GB installed RAM on the box it's normally used on. Planing on adding another 2GB kit to that box before XR is released.

The system resources the steam client used was once a huge deal when I first discovered the X games. When I bought X3R through Steam I was running on a old Barton core XP +2500 CPU with 512Mb installed RAM. That just didn't work out well at all....Fire IREs and the HDD went nuts, along with the frame rate taking a nose dive. That got fixed in a hurry.

Shimrod · Post by **Shimrod** » Thu, 6. Oct 11, 21:57

I get pretty depressed when I hear people completely give up on Rebirth (or any other game) just because they have to use Steam. I feel like even if someone has issues with Steam, they're usually only minor and throwing away something with Rebirth's (potential) entertainment value for the sake of a few nitpicks is incredibly foolish.

Clearly Steam sours the deal for many people, for a variety of reasons foolish or otherwise. Regardless of how many of the polled users don't buy, it's still an indicator of how the Steam requirement is polarizing the community and alienating some proportion of a long term loyal fan base.

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Old Steam Poll posts split and 'archived'