Heh. Sorry, I'm just getting tired of posting the answers to these questions.
Anyway, it's:
No.ThenPlaySP.Yes.

Not to be "an" snotty doofus too, but in the 7 minutes between your posts, you probably could have read most of the discussion and gotten your answer.
This comment was edited on Sep 7, 20:04.

Errr.. "No"

"Yes"

What part of "I didn't have the time to read all these posts about steam" didnt you understand? If you'd written a simple yes or no instead of your whiney complaint (sorry to turn your world upside-down like that) you'd have answered my question in less time than it took you to be an snotty doofus.

Well why don't you actually read the rest of the conversations, then you'd probably know, wouldn't you?

<Sigh>... wanders off...
If you really wanna know, read the posts. I'm tired of writing em over and over.
Cya...

I didn't have the time to read all these posts about steam, but they can't be so stupid as to make Halflife2 unplayable without an internet app running, can they? What if you don't have an internet connection? This is only for multiplayer right?

Mmm steamy ambushes... that reminds me of a video I once saw...

This will not cut out "the middle man" for most developper. Most of them depend on a publisher to pay for their salary for the few year they spend developping the game. So there's no way to publisher will let them sell the game without them making the same profit.

Considering Steam is Valve only (currently), I think they could, theoretically, totally cut out the middle man (hey, Valve is rich!), but I doubt they will. There will certainly be a boxed release as well.

The fact that HL CD-Key system sucks doesn't mean that there aren't any good CD-Key system out there.

I agree, I was merely stating that because the HL cdkey system sucks, they plan to use steam for it. Perhaps they hope to gain a few more sales? Or perhaps the unified key system is put in place for simplicity...

Oh, and if I really can diseable every feature from the thing (yay!), then why would I need to let it run in the background always wondering if it's sneaking up on me (alright, that did end up a little paranoiac).

If the beta is any indication you can set it so it will not run on startup. You will only need to start it when you play, so you don't need to worry about any Steamy ambushes. =D

"-It has been confirmed you may use 3rd party server browsers. "

Cool ASE all the way baby!

This will not cut out "the middle man" for most developper. Most of them depend on a publisher to pay for their salary for the few year they spend developping the game. So there's no way to publisher will let them sell the game without them making the same profit.

If the game would really cost less when downloaded, then it could be worth it. But for only 10$ less, I'd rather have a shinny box with my manual (of course, they've been cutting on that too in the last few years...).

The fact that HL CD-Key system sucks doesn't mean that there aren't any good CD-Key system out there.

Oh, and if I really can diseable every feature from the thing (yay!), then why would I need to let it run in the background always wondering if it's sneaking up on me (alright, that did end up a little paranoiac).

It's a "patching/auto-updating/download/server browser" software. Please tell me why it needs a 1.0Ghz system with 256MB of RAM. We all know all this HD space is needed since Steam download stuff while your not looking and that internet connection because your fucked if you're on 56k. But why would it need a 1.0Ghz CPU with so much RAM. Since the only thing you were able to use it for in the beta was playing a 5 years old game.

I made a guess in a previous post, but really, I don't know.

The piracy argument doesn't even exist. For SP, there's nothing a firewall can't stop and for MP, there's been valid CD-Key system for years.

Right now, the Half-Life cd key system is not very good. My brother "borrowed" my key when he was living with me and we were consistantly able to play at the same time (just not on the same server), so long as we didn't join simultaneously. This system will, perhaps, make the checking more robust.

I have no problem with it if it wouldn't be required. An additionnal software for those who wants it. But I want to keep the ability to use an external server browser, download my patches on my own, run a server or play on one with the version of the game I decide to, etc.

-It has been confirmed you may use 3rd party server browsers.
-You will almost certainly be able to download stand alone patches, just like many other autopatching services currently in games.
-You cna disable autopatching so you can most likely run a server that is a different version.

The benefits include - hopefully good cheat protection
-online purchases that cut out the middle men (the publisher takes a BIG piece of the pie, currently).

Then again, all this, and more, has been said already.

There's defenitly something wrong with those requirements.

Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP
500 MB HD space
256 MB RAM
1.0 Ghz processor
1GB HD space (strongly recommended)
Broadband Internet connection (128kb/s or higher strongly recommended)

It's a "patching/auto-updating/download/server browser" software. Please tell me why it needs a 1.0Ghz system with 256MB of RAM. We all know all this HD space is needed since Steam download stuff while your not looking and that internet connection because your fucked if you're on 56k. But why would it need a 1.0Ghz CPU with so much RAM. Since the only thing you were able to use it for in the beta was playing a 5 years old game.

The piracy argument doesn't even exist. For SP, there's nothing a firewall can't stop and for MP, there's been valid CD-Key system for years.

I have no problem with it if it wouldn't be required. An additionnal software for those who wants it. But I want to keep the ability to use an external server browser, download my patches on my own, run a server or play on one with the version of the game I decide to, etc.

Additionally, try using a different e-mail address.. Although I'd recommend waiting until the official release since the beta is indeed over..

And the system requirements for Steam are as follows (Keep in mind that these were for the Beta, and may change)
Link.

This comment was edited on Oct 10, 2024, 03:00.

Bah, I'm stupid. Since the beta is over, you might not even be able to install, since it updates as you go.

Sorry, man. You'll have to wait for the real release.

As for Steam having higher reqs than HL2... this is just a guess, but maybe because steam runs on top of HL2...? You could run HL2 single player with less resources than with the Steam wrapper...? Maybe?

Could you link to where it lists the reqs that are higher than HL2?

Hrm? What appears to be the problem? I'm don't really know alot about debugging steam as I've had no problems, but here are some suggestions.

Can't boot
-Wipe it off, clear reg entries and reinstall.

Can't connect
-Turn off firewalls (XP has a native one), but wait. I have a firewall and have no problems. Hmmm.
-Decativate programs that prevent other programs from accessing the net.

Can't play games or access movies
-Sorry the Steam beta is over. No more content is accessible till they reset. No one can access it.

Well Wazootyman, got any tips on how to get this thing to run? I've just spent the last hour trying everything in the book and still no go? Any suggestions. The only thing I can think of is I don't meet system requirements, which is odd because the requirements for Steam are higher than they are for HL2??? How does that work?

To steam, or not to steam: that is the question,
-Shakespeare in Hamlet


Hrmm... maybe not.

If Steam has done nothing else, it has at least added a whole new Species to English Literature ... the booklets—the little thrilling romances, where the Murder comes at page fifteen, and the Wedding at page forty—surely they are due to Steam?
-Lewis Carroll