Half-Life 2 Authentication Follow-up

Steam News (thanks Frans) follows up on the story below this one announcing that Half-Life 2 authentication issues have been solved:
We have resolved the issues that caused some to experience delays with Half-Life 2 authentication earlier today. We appreciate your patience and hope everyone enjoys the game.
View : : :
58 Replies. 3 pages. Viewing page 1.
Newer [  1  2  3  ] Older
58.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 18, 2004, 06:59
58.
Re: No subject Nov 18, 2004, 06:59
Nov 18, 2004, 06:59
 


You are missing out on the best game ever made. Oh well, your loss, not mine.

This comment was edited on Nov 18, 06:59.
57.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 18, 2004, 05:23
57.
Re: No subject Nov 18, 2004, 05:23
Nov 18, 2004, 05:23
 
I even hate the idea of steam, so my plan was to just order a physical copy of it from a store, but upon reading the BS that it requeires steam and requires cdcheck I just thought screw it.
cancelled order right away.

also reading this helped
http://www.nforce.nl/nfos/renderer/ls-black.php?id=79184
NO steam.


56.
 
Re: Steam and big brother
Nov 18, 2004, 00:43
56.
Re: Steam and big brother Nov 18, 2004, 00:43
Nov 18, 2004, 00:43
 
In the end I'm glad I purchased the CD version because at least I can reinstall the product as many times as I'd like to a new system... "or whatever!" As opposed to the sucker deal some got out of downloading 4.3 Gigs of data across the bandwidth challenged US Ethernet. And lets not forget those suckers that if they loose a system they'll pretty much kiss away 49 - 89 dolloars they used for something they don't own anymore.

Valve included a CD/DVD backup tool into Steam. I've back my stuff up onto DVD's. Sure, I don't have the box or the CD covers, but who cares; I stopped caring about those long ago. AND, I don't need a CD in the drive to play.

Doing that, there's little difference between buying a CD version or getting it via Steam. My hard drive borks, I simply restore the files from my shiny DVD's.

Remember, the boxed set still relies on Steam to some extent. So, both would need a patch if Steam ever gets dropped and you want to reinstall the game to play.

Valve has truely stepped into the world both figuratively and materially of an Orwellian dictate. It's nice that they've made a game that uses the same premise as their paranoid mindset. But now they themselves are forcing this same mind-numbing watchdog bullshit on us, the consumer. Just like their bed buddy, Micro(soft)manage.

How is this Orwellian? Do they monitor how far you are, your hit-percentage, etc? No. Do they monitor if you're field of vision has been focusing too much on Alyx's ass? No. Steam offers some decent piracy prevention (though probably not perfect) and a distribution system I was quite happy with.

Piracy sucks. I have friends that are independent developers that sell their software, and are constantly battling with jerks pirating their software on newsgroups. "Activation" isn't a bad thing; it's not perfect, but it's better than some of the past alternatives. And there's nothing stopping you from installing the game on multiple machines, so long as you use the same login ID and don't play online at the same time as another machine. Unlike Windows XP, which locks itself to a specific set of hardware for like 6 months.

I preloaded HL-2 a week or 2 before it "shipped." I activated it at 7AM EST (since I had to go to bed early for a meeting) without any problems. By the time I was out of the shower, it was alreay done and I was enjoying about 30 minutes of playing before heading to the office.

Yes, we're on a slippery slope. If Valve wanted to, they could lock everyone out and demand a monthly fee. Then again, I don't see that happening.


With a 3MBit connection at home, I have NO problem downloading something as big as a game. Just start the process before I get to work, and everything is done by the time I get back. And if I "preorder" like I did this time, it's ready the instant it's released.

If you don't like the content delivery service, then OK. I don't blame you. But to go on a rant and compare it to something Orwellian; then either you're an alarmist or have no concept of what the term means.



"Space. It seems to go on and on forever. But then you get to the end and a gorilla starts throwing barrels at you."
-Fry, Futurmama

This comment was edited on Nov 18, 00:48.
"Space. It seems to go on and on forever. But then you get to the end and a gorilla starts throwing barrels at you."
-Fry, Futurama
55.
 
Steam and big brother
Nov 17, 2004, 22:08
55.
Steam and big brother Nov 17, 2004, 22:08
Nov 17, 2004, 22:08
 
To be frank,

I really had no problems with the any of the processes the Steam client took me through. It took maybe, 15 mins. Albeit I took special note to the directory the install wizard creates as the root directory for all data regarding HalfLife. It seems all products are binded to the Steam engine regardless. Case in point: uninstall Steam, loose the ability to play the game ("I would imagine?").

similairly like microsoft and I.E.

Now that I'm up an running I play the game with the Steam client in the offline mode or closed. I want nothing to do with my PC being chatted with.

Next, I purchased the CD rom edition by mistake because I fought the ignorance of store clerks and my own lack of information in trying to figure out what warranted the DVD edition. Only to find out, after purchasing, that safedisk is used to protect data on the first track of CDRom edition to prevent it from being converted to the DVD "HL2_1" disk. I dunno? I guess I saved myself an extra expenditure

In the end I'm glad I purchased the CD version because at least I can reinstall the product as many times as I'd like to a new system... "or whatever!" As opposed to the sucker deal some got out of downloading 4.3 Gigs of data across the bandwidth challenged US Ethernet. And lets not forget those suckers that if they loose a system they'll pretty much kiss away 49 - 89 dolloars they used for something they don't own anymore.

lastly, I admit. I AM for protecting the rights of artist and the likes for whom deserve being paid their fairly earned market value based on a product. In the same sense do exercise caution not standing by and allowing a compnay to have access to my every purpose, descision, and move I make regarding a product "I OWN!" "I paid for!" Since when does ownership become a matter of choice by virtue of the manufacturer after the purchaser has paid for agreed cost? It used to be when you purchase the product, it's yours or mine to do what ever I so please: whether I wipe my ass with it, throw it in the middle of the lake or burn it outside the store front I just bought it from 2 minutes ago.

Valve has truely stepped into the world both figuratively and materially of an Orwellian dictate. It's nice that they've made a game that uses the same premise as their paranoid mindset. But now they themselves are forcing this same mind-numbing watchdog bullshit on us, the consumer. Just like their bed buddy, Micro(soft)manage.

I was appauled that I'd have to sit and swallow the big pill to enjoy MY fucking game.

So my point? I will surely enjoy my brand, spanking new, copy of Half Life 2 I've purchased, LEGALLY. But... and there's a big B-U-T (seeing quite literally as Gabes "Behind" is so obstensively big). I can't wait to see how many hacked copies of this game comes about. Hackers of the world... "DO YOUR STUFF"

The steam mechanism is an insult to ones intelligence and this just proves that the meek are thumbing the alpha's of society in the eye.

To end this on a humorous note. The character ALYX has quiet an ass and body. I think that's the only lure that keeps me going through the game just to see her again (following her ass around like some drunken bumblebee). And yes I play on the Hard level setting.

It's so funny how eventually life always reverts to imitating art.


This comment was edited on Nov 17, 22:11.
-The Dude-

Vic B.
54.
 
Re: The Farce Continues
Nov 17, 2004, 19:04
54.
Re: The Farce Continues Nov 17, 2004, 19:04
Nov 17, 2004, 19:04
 
it wasn't 37 it was 36

53.
 
The Farce Continues
Nov 17, 2004, 19:02
53.
The Farce Continues Nov 17, 2004, 19:02
Nov 17, 2004, 19:02
 
After the sags I've had it gets worse (for saga see comment 37 at least i think it was 37). I've managed to play HL2 for a whole hour last night but alas that seems to be my lot I haven't acutally managed to get HL2 to load today. YAY after the 3hr registartion and taking 12hrs to let me know my HL2 is activated it's died after 1 1/2hrs play. Does anyone have the contact details for anyone at valve so I can ask them for my money back. They can keep HL2.............................

BTW I'm STILL disappointed

52.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 15:00
52.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 15:00
Nov 17, 2004, 15:00
 
I agree cia. The biggest problem with stuff like this is that people are SO hooked on games that even when something like this comes up, "we" (as gamers/computer users/etc.) still put up with it. People are so ready to run out and buy that next game that they are willing to deal with problematic situations like this.

There is almost no other industry where this sort of thing would be allowed to be done, or, accepted by customers. However, due to years of "fiddling" with stuff, computer users are pretty much used to it. I think this is one reason why consoles, with their K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) method of doing things are winning (have won) the game industry market.

Don't get me wrong, I love my PC games. But, I am just not going to accept these "little pushes". Continual acceptance of this sort of thing could lead to an industry where you have to pay each time you want to fire up a game (single or multiplayer). Okay, that's a bit drastic, but who would have thought several years ago a game release could have been done the way HL2 has been? :}

51.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 14:43
51.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 14:43
Nov 17, 2004, 14:43
 
or leave it long enough in your toilet.

________
I'm not... gonna... cry... you... dumb... doo-doo brain!
I have given up on waiting for BIS to come back to their senses and do a real ArmA 2 successor.
Avatar 12928
50.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 12:00
nin
50.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 12:00
Nov 17, 2004, 12:00
nin
 
I would pay money to see somebody Pile Urine.


Well, you'd have to freeze it, first...



http://www.placeboworld.co.uk
49.
 
No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 11:55
49.
No subject Nov 17, 2004, 11:55
Nov 17, 2004, 11:55
 
Aside from the folder constraints (everything is under Steam folder) I gotta hand it to Valve.
When Steam is working, Steam is good.
When Steam is working.

Avatar 13202
48.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 11:53
48.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 11:53
Nov 17, 2004, 11:53
47.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 11:12
nin
47.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 11:12
Nov 17, 2004, 11:12
nin
 
It was bad enough for the industry to train us like dogs to fetch each CD every time we wanted to play a game.

And if you'd bought it off Steam, there's no cd that you have to have in the drive.



What happens if the company no longer runs the authentication server?

Well, ya see, there's this thing called a "patch". They release a "patch" that disables auth. The end.


Have fun!


edit: And BTW...it's "a puddle of urine" or "a pile of shit"...NOT "a pile of urine".


http://www.placeboworld.co.uk
This comment was edited on Nov 17, 11:13.
46.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 11:03
cia
46.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 11:03
Nov 17, 2004, 11:03
cia
 
STEAM IS A BIG PILE OF URINE!

How about this scenario? Buy game. Install and play.

If you as a consumer want to be treated like shit that is your problem, but this authentication torture has prevented this consumer from purchasing any Valve/Steam releated material.

It was bad enough for the industry to train us like dogs to fetch each CD every time we wanted to play a game. What's next? Call them on the phone and beg them to play for a few minutes? What happens if the company no longer runs the authentication server? Can I not reinstall and play the game?

I will not be trained like a turd from this big pile of urine called Steam and the business practices of Valve.



45.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 09:21
45.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 09:21
Nov 17, 2004, 09:21
 
rofl

________
I'm not... gonna... cry... you... dumb... doo-doo brain!
I have given up on waiting for BIS to come back to their senses and do a real ArmA 2 successor.
Avatar 12928
44.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 09:20
nin
44.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 09:20
Nov 17, 2004, 09:20
nin
 
The Steam delay really sucked. It took me nearly 2 hours on a fast cable connect to simply get the game to unlock. I pity the poor bastards on dialup.

Do what I did: Unlock it 15 minutes after it went live. 3:15am, my time. Took about 10-15 minutes. Then I went back to bed.

And I'm on a modem.



http://www.placeboworld.co.uk
43.
 
No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 08:02
43.
No subject Nov 17, 2004, 08:02
Nov 17, 2004, 08:02
 
I wonder if Valve will release an updated version of Steam called Deisel/Petrol/N20/Fusion/Fission. In theory that is the logical process since steam was the first (and shittest) way to power things.

Just a thought...

42.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 07:53
42.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 07:53
Nov 17, 2004, 07:53
 
12:01 AM I start up steem, 12:15 finishes unlocking. 12:16 I'm playing Half-Life 2. Tested offline mode works fine.

Steam rocks.


41.
 
Re: Out Of Steam ...
Nov 17, 2004, 07:33
41.
Re: Out Of Steam ... Nov 17, 2004, 07:33
Nov 17, 2004, 07:33
 
go val go!

40.
 
Re: No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 07:15
40.
Re: No subject Nov 17, 2004, 07:15
Nov 17, 2004, 07:15
 
This is the only game I have with Steam and it will be my last!!

Avatar 1746
39.
 
No subject
Nov 17, 2004, 07:07
39.
No subject Nov 17, 2004, 07:07
Nov 17, 2004, 07:07
 
Went out and bought it this morning, everything went smooth. offline mode works fine. Happy with it so far.

The game seems very good so far, it's not the best game ever but I'm enjoying it as much as I enjoyed the original half life when I first played that

58 Replies. 3 pages. Viewing page 1.
Newer [  1  2  3  ] Older