Old Steam Poll posts split and 'archived'

[chew-ie]

Actually I bought it on the XBox instead...

So you only paid more money for a version that can't be modded. Just saying....

But one didn´t support Steam distribution this way, where as the developers got supported for this great game.

Mods are btw. obsolete IMO as FO:NV + DLCs (which are worth their money) is a pretty nice package on its own. Of course, if you need a hello kitty!-Minigun, then ...

[Alee Enn]

Trying to understand the steam hate. . . .

I can't speak for anyone but me,

I don't hate Steam, I just object to the idea I MUST be online to play.
Even the idea that I have to install Steam's client to activate the DRM is not acceptable to me.
If I have to activate the DRM online, then why can't Egosoft have a system where they activate my DRM?
Why MUST it be Steam?

I have no problem with digital download,
I use Good Old Games and GamersGate, both digital download sites.
It's the "MUST be online to play" business model I have a problem with.

Like I said, I can't speak for anyone else, but I am sure others feel likewise.

[Bishop149]

I just object to the idea I MUST be online to play.

I agree but its not the case, as I said Ubisoft are the only publisher I'm aware off that uses this form of DRM and it has proved to be about as popular as an infectious disease. As for any online activation this is hardly a new thing, nor is it unique to steam, the vast majority of games these days require at the very least a one time online license check.

As I said I've never had a problem running a game offline through steam. The only time I've ever hit a problem there was in DA:O, ME etc. . . bioware like to turn off their DLC if you aren't online. Didn't like that.

None of these things are a steam thing, its all down to the publisher.

Settings > Interface tab

Uncheck the bottom box. It's been years since the steam client threw up an unsolicited advertisement in my face.

Well there you go, didn't know about that but it too will help.

I usually just find the game folder and set up a shortcut direct to the games main .exe, most of the time this skips loading the steam client altogether, I've noticed that some of my newer steam downloads now offer this as an option on installation making it even easier.

Edit: Patches. . . well ok that's a point, but even a sporadic internet connection should be good enough for that. Your rights its pretty anti customisation . . . I was going to add a second complaint that I had a hard time initially trying to install steams games on different HDD's, but it turned out this was largely down to my just being a bit dense so I left it out. . .

[GCU Grey Area]

Trying to understand the steam hate. . . .

I just don't get it, thus far as far as I'm aware the only hideously invasive DRM comes from Ubisoft, who I tend to avoid like the plague.
I have never had much of a problem with Steam in terms of DRM and have never had a problem playing a game offline thus really can't understand all the hate it gets.

The problem isn't primarily that Steam is going to be used as DRM.

The main issue is with Steam being used as the sole source for patches since this can be difficult for people with poor internet connections. It precludes downloading elsewhere (e.g. at work or university etc) & taking it home for installation.

It also makes keeping multiple installations patched to different levels problematic - e.g. I currently have 4 TC installations: a 2.1 pure pirate game (better M6 boarding), a 3.1 pacifist trader game (for the CAGs etc not available in the 2.1 game) & a couple of modified installations (different mods for each). Would that sort of setup even be possible with Steam handling the download & installation of patches?

[Syock]

I'm fine if they release it on steam. I won't buy it on steam, but I know others will and it will put the game in front of lots of players that may otherwise never hear of the title.

If loss of profits through traditional means is an issue, I would be happy to buy a .iso download directly from Ego.

[softweir]

I have about 20 games on Steam, including duplicates of boxed copies. Steam isn't perfect, but it's good enough for me.

SO, yes, I will be using Steam quite happily for Rebirth.

[TrueSanity]

I've got TC on Steam and I regret it for years now.

Really, why's that? I got TC on Steam and have never had a problem with it.

[TrueSanity]

I haven't got a good word to say about Steam. Besides they already have a big enough monopoly on the games market.

I prefer Impulse to Steam any day, but I can live with Steam.

[esd]

Actually I bought it on the XBox instead...

So you only paid more money for a version that can't be modded. Just saying....

I gave up modding Bethesda games after Morrowind. Oblivion's lack of tools just really grated at me after the freedom MW afforded the modder.

And who says I paid more for it..? There's a 2nd-hand games market, y'know...

[fairywhipper]

to be honest i think steam is a good idea, but i like my independence of control of what happens on my computer and steam is a restricting client.

i have cast my vote for option 3

I have tried steam on my limited connection and not happy. more ever, it ties up my system and the games so if i wanted to play on a laptop or another computer a game which i have on disc, with steam is not easy. Yes i play old retro games on different computers because i can and like. steam would restrict my choice.

The poll may not make a difference to the publishers or to many of the players, but it is choice we make as free willed people whether we like steam or not, but i view steam as a system which doesn't allow the expression of free will.

[caleb]

I have no problem with steam. Even when my internet dies, I haven't seen any problems running games. Well, with the few games I have at least.

[thetack]

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.

[Mightysword]

I gave up modding Bethesda games after Morrowind. Oblivion's lack of tools just really grated at me after the freedom MW afforded the modder.

That was a shame ... since the modding for Oblivion was quite florish, in many instance it changes it to some completely different game. My favorite have been a combination of mods change the boring vanilla combat into a Devil May Cry style

[Killjaeden]

I do not want steam on games i want to mod (basically all the games that i play&enjoy). It just makes things more complicated. With X3TC i have "freedom", i have 3 seperate installs of the game for different purposes which is very usefull. And no stupid achievement poop. Or "autorepair". And i want a box of a game, that i can take out in 20 years, insert in an equally old PC and play the game if i desire.

[VincentTH]

I've a number of games that force me to use Steam and in general it is ok, but if given the choice I'd rather avoid it.

Having to HAVE a working internet connection every time I play is a liability, no matter how trivial this is these days; and I still prefer keeping a physical disc on the shelf rather than having to download gigabytes every time I do a reinstall.

Huh? You don't need an internet connection to play games on steam lol, you only need internet connection for achievements and updates.

And I prefer being able to download it whenever or where ever I am, because if you lose a disc or damage a disc, you have to buy another one.

Trust me, offline mode does NOT work if you are behind a firewall with blocked game ports . You never know there are tyran IT persons who want to have an iron grip on his kingdom. He would not even open the GIT port which is crucial for Linux kernel development!!!!! let alone a SW that can download stuffs in the background!!!

My vote is for #1: I hate Steam, but if it would simplify the development process for Ego, I will buy it if it is just for activation.

[JClosed]

I do not want to use steam. Not even to activate my game..

I have learned that lesson the hard way.

You see - I have X3-R for Linux. This game needs to be activated on a server to be able to play. For more than a whole year I was not able to install the game, because:

At first the activation server got a crash, so no single user could activate the game when installing. And guess what? I just made the transition from Mandriva to Fedora, and tried to do a fresh install of X3...and you guess it.....bingo...no game!!!

Then - they got the server up and running. Great hmmm? You should think so but...NOT!!! Because some IP ranges could not access the server a lot of users could not activate the game. Guess who was one of those lucky ones?

This teached me the lesson never trust some on-line activation. Yes - I know - Steam is BIG, but even the big ones can fall. And you are left with a useless game...

Please - do the same as always. I don't mind to have a DVD accessible (like X3-TC) to run the game, and I want to choose for myself to update the game at the moment I want to. Especially if there is a chance an update can break future mods etc.

So there you have it. And I have said it once before here. Give me a BOX, with a nice poster, a good manual, some solid install medium, and please, please, please, please, please... NO on-line content download, activation and forced updates...

As said - I have learned my lesson!!!

[Mightysword]

Trust me, offline mode does NOT work if you are behind a firewall with blocked game ports . You never know there are tyran IT persons who want to have an iron grip on his kingdom. He would not even open the GIT port which is crucial for Linux kernel development!!!!! let alone a SW that can download stuffs in the background!!!

Wait ... if I am reading this right (which I hope not), you are playing on a work computer? If it is true then ... friend, Steam is NOT your problem.

[mad_axeman]

I went for None.

My download cap quite simply means that downloading something that will in all probability exceed 10 GB (with all the watching of things on iPlayer my other half does) will be out of the question.

[dAkshEN3]

I do not want steam on games i want to mod (basically all the games that i play&enjoy). It just makes things more complicated.

I've never had any problems modding steam games..

Personally, I've used steam for years now, and I think it's great. However, I would prefer if X-R was released like with X3:TC (i.e. boxed AND one Steam)
Then I could buy the physical game, just for the sake of having the actual box and a physical manual (which I find essential with the X games), and have the option to activate it on steam if I want, giving me the auto-update capability as well.

What do you lot think, physical & steam release, option to register physical copy on steam too but not required, good idea?

[VincentTH]

Trust me, offline mode does NOT work if you are behind a firewall with blocked game ports . You never know there are tyran IT persons who want to have an iron grip on his kingdom. He would not even open the GIT port which is crucial for Linux kernel development!!!!! let alone a SW that can download stuffs in the background!!!

Wait ... if I am reading this right (which I hope not), you are playing on a work computer? If it is true then ... friend, Steam is NOT your problem.

My in-laws have blocked game ports too, so I hate coming over to visit gramma during the weekend. Can't play Steam games there either