DG wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 13:05:
Game user data (saves and configs) should always be saved into the User folder (which should really be a "Library" IMHO). This way you get to separate saves & configs between users, they're in a typical backup folder and, if Library is used, you can move the folder as you like with no problems. MS pushed this way back when, but uptake is... mixed. Tried finding DXHR saves? They're not even in a folder marked DX or Eidos or anything, it's "28050".

Yaogun wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 21:31:
Had to put Steam in offline mode to play Skyrim this evening. It got stuck at "preparing to play..." I wonder if the forced patch is causing issues their side?

Domgrief wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 10:45:

wtf_man wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 10:27:
1 video card, fairly up to date drivers, no security software, no other garbage apps running in the background, nothing but games installed on the OS, and no Internet surfing on the gaming rig.

That's a very expensive console you have there. Nice keyboard though.

Dev wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 10:57:

theyarecomingforyou wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 08:27:
I HATE, HATE, HATE having to backup all the obscure hidden folders that modern games use - when the FUCK did backing up saves become so much hassle? GFWL especially is a step backwards.

Don't forget flash games if you are into casual flash type games. They usually save save games in a flash object. Those can be hard to track down too. And nowadays (thanks to a recent decision by adobe), when you wipe browser cache, flash automatically clears out all flash objects too.

StingingVelvet wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 00:44:
am I allowed to complain about Valve forcing through updates to games when you have them set to NOT automatically update? 'Cause I had Skyrim set to not update but it patched it anyway when I wasn't at my PC.

Mordecai Walfish wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 12:08:
Thanks for the informative post! It would be interesting if there was a program that was able to run alongside skyrim (or other programs) to see how memory is being addressed and if such incongruities exist.

Boston wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 11:58:

theyarecomingforyou wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 08:27:
I see a lot of people complaining about the game breaking LAA support but a lot of the criticism seems to be aimed at the 2GB restriction of 32bit processes, when in fact Skyrim typically uses about 1GB of RAM - no doubt due to the optimisations made for consoles. If LAA reduces the number of crashes then it isn't because the game is coming across the RAM ceiling.

A common misconception regarding moving to 64bit (or anything beyond 32bit memory addressing schemes) is that programs have more memory to play around with. While that's true, the biggest and most immediate benefit a programmer gains, even with less than 4GB, 2GB or much smaller amount of system memory, is large addressing space that virtually eliminates the problem of virtual address fragmentation that could prevent the program from allocating new memory (and subsequently crashing if not handled properly).

If Skyrim only uses 1GB memory but prone to crash that could be solved with large addresses, then it might be running into fragmentation issue.

theyarecomingforyou wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 08:27:
I see a lot of people complaining about the game breaking LAA support but a lot of the criticism seems to be aimed at the 2GB restriction of 32bit processes, when in fact Skyrim typically uses about 1GB of RAM - no doubt due to the optimisations made for consoles. If LAA reduces the number of crashes then it isn't because the game is coming across the RAM ceiling.

theyarecomingforyou wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 11:48:

StingingVelvet wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 11:39:
Considering the irrational love people have for Valve and Steam itself, I don't really take majority opinion on my comments as some kind of clear sign that I am in the wrong. Sorry.

There's nothing "irrational" about it. Steam offers a service that is miles beyond anything offered by the competition. It's certainly not without its flaws and I'm the first to point them out, whether it be with their policies regarding VAC, the inability to block automatic updates, the requirement to have Steam running for retail games and the (mild) form of DRM they use.

But Steam has dramatically improved gaming from how it used to be, with CD-checks, manual patches, inconsistent screenshot functionality, OS compatibility, manual installers, purchasing, etc. Going forward I'd like to see increased use of Steam Cloud (including a manual version that creates a local backup that supports all games), removal of existing DRM (and blocking of 3rd party DRM), the ability to roll back to previous versions of games, further improved security, etc. But improvements are being made all the time.

StingingVelvet wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 11:39:
Considering the irrational love people have for Valve and Steam itself, I don't really take majority opinion on my comments as some kind of clear sign that I am in the wrong. Sorry.

There is a huge amount of placebo effect going on here, likely stemming from the fact that people with crashes are scouring the internet and applying each and every suggested "fix" they can and then speculating that a particular one was the 'holy grail' and fixed all of their issues.

Considering the irrational love people have for Valve and Steam itself, I don't really take majority opinion on my comments as some kind of clear sign that I am in the wrong. Sorry.

nin wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 10:10:

planar_rift wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 10:03:
I've been trying to explain to a friend of mine why he should wait 3 to 6 months before buying this (or any) major title.
Instead, I'll just point him to this thread.

Carry on...

Bethesda games in particular are notorious for issues, when they first ship.

theyarecomingforyou wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 08:27:
I see a lot of people complaining about the game breaking LAA support but a lot of the criticism seems to be aimed at the 2GB restriction of 32bit processes, when in fact Skyrim typically uses about 1GB of RAM - no doubt due to the optimisations made for consoles. If LAA reduces the number of crashes then it isn't because the game is coming across the RAM ceiling.

Verno wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 11:32:
Plenty of others call you out for it around here, you've developed that reputation all by yourself.

Darks wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 11:26:
Wait until the day comes when Steam gets hacked like Sony did and they are down for a few weeks. Let’s see how much you love Steam then when you can’t get on and play any of your games.

Its only a matter of time until this happens.

It seems to be a pretty thin line with you between complaining about Steam and hating it with an irrational passion that could level the Sun, so I just wanted to make sure complaining about this was okay. Glad to have your support, it meant a lot in my life.

Verno wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 07:29:
Do you need me to hold your hand while you go potty too?

Darks wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 11:26:

avianflu wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 09:54:
These days, alternative game purchase options, like buying a CD not tied to a network client, are dwindling. So gamers are forced to use Steam.

Skyrim is a perfect example: the retail disk version is just the Steam client installer with the actual game compressed in a Steam format.

So Yes, I love Steam just like I love my cable TV company.

Wait until the day comes when Steam gets hacked like Sony did and they are down for a few weeks. Let’s see how much you love Steam then when you can’t get on and play any of your games.

Its only a matter of time until this happens.

avianflu wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 09:54:
These days, alternative game purchase options, like buying a CD not tied to a network client, are dwindling. So gamers are forced to use Steam.

Skyrim is a perfect example: the retail disk version is just the Steam client installer with the actual game compressed in a Steam format.

So Yes, I love Steam just like I love my cable TV company.

Dev wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 10:57:

theyarecomingforyou wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 08:27:
I HATE, HATE, HATE having to backup all the obscure hidden folders that modern games use - when the FUCK did backing up saves become so much hassle? GFWL especially is a step backwards.

Don't forget flash games if you are into casual flash type games. They usually save save games in a flash object. Those can be hard to track down too. And nowadays (thanks to a recent decision by adobe), when you wipe browser cache, flash automatically clears out all flash objects too.