Don't know what people saw in Battlefield 1942 to be honest, demo was fun for a few days even with the extremely bad lag but to me it was an over-rated arcade kiddie shooter and to top it all off it was published by the evil EA empire.

what he said!

http://www.Free360XBOX.com/?r=18566015
help me get a free XBox360, just sign up for a free trial...then cancel it...it really is that easy.

My personal opinion.

HL2 is not that impressive to me. I don't like steam and I didn't want any part of it when I purchased the retail version. Only after purchasing the game did it become clear that valve was putting in an internet security system for their game. The only reason I keep it on my system is:

A: I spent 80 bucks on the collectors edition
B: Try out new mods for the game
C: BF2 isn't out yet.

Calling the Offline mode an issue that doesn't affect most people is completly missing the point. Offline mode should not involve ONLINE anything. If valve wants to put all their games compeletly online and have this steam thing verifying everyone who wants to play well it's a free country and I won't be giving them any more money.

If a game crashes while playing in online mode, Steam won't let you back into the game for about a quarter of an hour while it waits for your account to ping out.

I've had this happen to me before.

However, I thought when I checked the "monitor" it said it was re-checking all of the files' integrity (probably hash-checking) to make sure your install didn't bork.

Fortunately I only had that happen to me once.


"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

Tried this 2 months ago and it DIDN'T WORK.
The Steam(ing pile of shit) told me I had about 6.3Gig of data to back up.
I set it to dvd sized files.
After a LONG time of compression it popped up a window that said "backup finished".
It had compressed the 6.3Gig down to 1 file 3.5Gig in size.

Eep. That sucks. Heck, I'd be pretty pissed off if that happened to me.

I've successfully backed up to CDs, DVDs, and a hard drive. But I'll admit I havent really done much with HL-2 or Steam during the past 2 months.

That sucks dude.


"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

Steam allows you to backup some or all of your games (with complete patches and what-not) into compressed files. The option allows you to backup the files to span CDs or DVDs, but also allows for 1 gigantic file if you want.

Tried this 2 months ago and it DIDN'T WORK.
The Steam(ing pile of shit) told me I had about 6.3Gig of data to back up.
I set it to dvd sized files.
After a LONG time of compression it popped up a window that said "backup finished".
It had compressed the 6.3Gig down to 1 file 3.5Gig in size.
Fine and dandy I says and burnt it onto a DVD.
I installed my new HD, reinstalled XP and then Steam(ing pile of shit).
I then copied the backup back into the "backups" folder in my Steam(ing pile of shit) install path and ran the backup file.
It showed me a list of games backed up within the archive and I ticked them all and clicked restore.
It was working for a LONG time again and then asked for "disk 2"

WHAT FRIGGIN' DISK 2???? THERE IS NO FRIGGIN DISK 2!!!!

Complete fail. Would not procede without the imaginary "disk 2".

Sent a support ticket to valve via Steam(ing pile of shit) forums and still waiting for a reply. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.......

You fanboiz can kiss Valves ass all you want.
HL2 is great
Steam(ing pile of shit) SUX

Dagok-

If a game crashes while playing in online mode, Steam won't let you back into the game for about a quarter of an hour while it waits for your account to ping out.

LOL bullshit. This one is funny.

Bullshit my ass. It takes 10 minutes before steam will let you back into the game. I don't care what you say, this HAPPENS TO ME. Every time Half-life has crashed. Not too many times, granted, but I cant name another game that I cant get back into immediately if it crashes. I dont like being treated like a pirate every time THEIR software fails.

Half-Life 2 and other Steam games are the only ones banned from installation by the IT department at my work (and many others, from what friends tell me) because of the potential they pose for an invasive attack.

Good. Considering its a place of WORK, you shouldn't have games installed to begin with. And this is common practice for most companies, they do not allow personal programs to be installed. Has nothing to do with Steam or Valve.

You know, I've worked plenty of places where we were professional enough, and they trusted us enough to load a few games on our computers. Usually only for after-hours play. As for the security risk which steam poses, I agree there too. I don't like any software on my computer which goes out automatically and tries to download things. Especially when I have as little control over it as I have over steam. Add to this that Valve has far from proven themselves in the area of security, and I have specific reason to mistrust steam. Even companies who have been doing security stuff for YEARS have their stuff cracked.

The one true problem is the Offline mode, it doesnt work perfectly for everyone and has it's flaws. Big fucking deal, I could care less as I have already said.

My my my. So the one problem you ADMIT is real, you classify as "Big fucking deal", and you could care less. Except for the people who don't have always-on internet connections, it's a huge deal.

Your claim that buying half-life 2 on release day via steam was cheaper than in the stores? Bullshit. Due to "it's a new release" discounts, most retail stores were cheaper than purchase via steam.

You pooh pooh all of us who have brought up real issues with Steam, and accuse those of us complaining of inventing problems and ignorance. All of the problems I mentioned were experienced directly by either myself or my friends. None of the issues I've brought up have anything to be adjusted in the steam configuration.

All the issues you claim to be imaginary.

I dont know what your motivation is, but you are either a world-class asshole, or very talented at seeing only what you want to.

--Ikarius

Time for you to go jack off with a cheese grater...

...if you are to stupid...

...you retard...

You are an ignorant ass...

you are bitching about petty crap

Isn't it ironic that I'm being flamed by 2 people that name themselves after roadkill!

Notice how I've been avoiding your bait tactics to get into a flame war with you?

Yeah buddy, you really dodged that bullet.

Steam currently has the largest VM size of any running program on my system. Yes, I'd say that's an issue. It needs to be cut down incredibly.


Zeph has become a one-trick pony with his conspiracy theories.

I worked for EA about 8 years ago, even back then they prohibited installing of unauthorized third party software of company computers. Somehow you think this is something new and special because you work at a gaming company?

Yeh, poor guy. I mean, at my company I'm technically not even allowed to install Mozilla Firefox! We're locked down pretty tight over here, though some of us have local admin rights for development purposes.


"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

Thanks, Kanninball!

I admit, I lack the knowledge that some of you have when it comes to Steam, its features, and programs in genral. However, I must ask: is there any way to archive the many updates needed to start HL2/CS:S after formatting a hard drive?

Here's what I do; it's easy for my since I have 2 hard drives as well as a DVD burner, but a CD burner will also work too.

Steam allows you to backup some or all of your games (with complete patches and what-not) into compressed files. The option allows you to backup the files to span CDs or DVDs, but also allows for 1 gigantic file if you want.

Depending on the media you want to use, select the appropriate option and backup Half-Life 2 (or whatever). If you have a second harddrive (internal or external) you can "backup" Half-Life 2 after every x updates if you want so you'll only ever be a little behind when you need to reformat.

If the only thing you have is a CD burner, then you'll have a bunch of CDs at the end (especially if you do all games like CS and what-not). Also, if you lack ANY backup media (second harddrive, CD burner, DVD burner, Tape, etc) then you're outta luck.



"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 May 24, 10:15.

I admit, I lack the knowledge that some of you have when it comes to Steam, its features, and programs in genral. However, I must ask: is there any way to archive the many updates needed to start HL2/CS:S after formatting a hard drive? I have a second hard drive with all of my game patches totlating over 20 Gigabytes of data. But with Steam, can I only auto-update? This to me is a significant issue, since the first 4 times my PC tried to connect to Steam, it couldn't - just told me to try again later. I could not get 'offline mode to work. When I eventually connected (45 minutes later), it took a long time to receive all the updates.

Furthermore, when I wanted to practice CS:S in singleplayer (I'm pretty bad) with just bots, I again was told unable to connect with Steam. So I couldn't play.

I cannot get HL2 or CS:S to play in offline mode short of putting my cable modem in Standby.

These are 3 BIG issues with Steam I have. Now, some of you may know fixes for these problems, but the point is: I shouldn't have to know a work-around for Valve's program; it should just work. I like HL2, Gabe's a good guy who gives back to the community, and Valve is as honest a company as you can find in this business. But Steam, I don't like.

The problem with asking someone to catalogue all of their issues with Steam in a forum is that there are no huge deal-breakers. Just a ton of minor annoyances. I would literally have to keep a pen and paper next to my monitor and jot down something every time I encountered an annoyance with Steam. Again it's the amount of annoyances which feeds my overall dislike of Steam.

So, I listed my problems with no insults. So now it's out there.

This comment was edited on May 24, 10:10.

Aftermath will be episodic, released in 10 small installments for $10 each. The first ever game sequel or game expansion ever sold for $100.

Running out of arguments/ego?

This coming from the person that is still avoiding actually giving a valid arguement to show why you think I am wrong. You can't, simple as that. You just want to keep fanning the flames in hopes I do it in return. Insult me all you like, but the fact is you are dodging the real discussion.

----------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Games Counter-Strike: Source server.
http://www.ztgames.com

I know, your ignorance is too thick to actually make you think about what others claim, but as you listed before, I am one of those who already said their problems with Steam too many times. Why should I break the ignorance of a fanboy with hard facts this time? You already proved that you play down facts and talk them bad, no matter how hard and realistic they are. There is nothing a rational being can say to get your head out of your ass.
Seriously, is that how stupid you think other people are?

Isn't it ironic that I'm being flamed by 2 people that name themselves after roadkill!

Running out of arguments/ego?

BTW, I remember arguing forever with you before and you simply blocking, and me giving up. Im not going to start it again. Have a nice day.


________
I'm not... gonna... cry... you... dumb... doo-doo brain!
This comment was edited on May 24, 02:13.

but when I read posts like yours which try to talk facts bad with quite some fanatism, it really makes me think how people like you would act in something similar, much more serious (NOT computer games).

I hardly call correcting bullshit complaints about Steam being a fanboy. I play CSS like 2 times a week, this makes me a fanboy? I know how to use Steam so that it doesn't affect me, this makes me a fanboy?

Why dont you back that up with actual examples. Fact is I speak the truth about the complaints Squirrel gave. You can choose to read it however you like. But at least respond with some substance with actual reasons, why I am incorrect other than just trying to insult me by making hitler comparisons.

I've given similar responses to the same complaints before, always they just end up with anti Valve/Steam idiots trying to flame me rather than actually giving rational reasons why I may be incorrect.

Isn't it ironic that I'm being flamed by 2 people that name themselves after roadkill!

----------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Games Counter-Strike: Source server.
http://www.ztgames.com
This comment was edited on May 24, 01:56.

I'm glad to see that they added the ability to turn off the ads.

Again, LOL. The feature has been there for over a year, if not longer. Just your ignorance if why you didnt use it before.

As I pointed out the only legit problem you list is the Offline mode, and appearently you chose to ignore that I fucking agree with you that Offline mode isn't perfect and has it's problems!

I worked for EA about 8 years ago, even back then they prohibited installing of unauthorized third party software of company computers. Somehow you think this is something new and special because you work at a gaming company?

Notice how I've been avoiding your bait tactics to get into a flame war with you? I'm sorry you don't like being called a moron and a retard, but the truth hurts. You even admitted not knowing about turning off Ads, which has been there for a very long time. You are an ignorant ass, plain and simple. I answered most of the concerns you listed about Steam. It's just unfortunate that your close mindedness blinds you from accepting the fact that you are bitching about petty crap, not to mention things like "security issues" that exist in 99% of the software that is installed on computers, except Steam has never had a security flaw.



----------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Games Counter-Strike: Source server.
http://www.ztgames.com

You know Dagok, this might sound a little harsh, but when I hear you talk, somehow the german people that let Hitler do his thing (and followed him) come to my mind.
Just play everything down and call it stupid, not true, etc.
To some degree I understand fanboyism (and you are a fanboy, if you deny problems other people have with your adored software), but when I read posts like yours which try to talk facts bad with quite some fanatism, it really makes me think how people like you would act in something similar, much more serious (NOT computer games).
Funny and sad at the same time.
At least I find it extremely amusing how YOU talk about how the "bitchers" here are ignorant.


________
I'm not... gonna... cry... you... dumb... doo-doo brain!
This comment was edited on May 24, 01:42.