Steam BETA Nears End

[Flynntargart]

I see. So Steam does in fact keep logs of user activity, and will run itself for updates, taking the trouble away from the end user.

That is both very useful and disconcerning.



That would make things very much easier, having it just auto-detect everything, and run simple updates in the background. But at the same time, the idea of Steam keeping records of me, and being able to scan my HDD to supply those records, is not something I look forward to.

[thor2488]

And you trust Microsoft, or Norton Antivirus, to do just that?



Most autoupdate mechanisms don't scan your harddrive. They contact the software's maker with your version, asking if there is a new one. If there is, it downloads it.



Steam will keep a database of what you have bought, as doodleman said, which is attached to your steam_id.



And besides, Steam updates when you open it, if there has been an update that is. It doesn't run in the background; when you open it, it says "updating steam to platform ##" with a progress bar until it's done.



Any more flimsy arguments, to be met by my flimsy explanations?

[Shuzer]

Flynntargart wrote..

This is just becoming too much.

So from what I understand, if I want to play HL, at all, any mod, ever, I must get steam?

I've kept up with Steams progress, and frankly its a pain in the arse. Its a good idea, but I don't think they are ready for the public, and they are dragging HL2, CS:CZ, and CS1.6 down with them. And personally, I like the fact that HL/CS is so simple to use. You dl a patch, click install and go with it. Will steam be that simple to use? just boot up HL and under the play online button have a Steam Update button? or will you have to load steam, search, dl, install, start HL and repeat untill your uptodate. I think that they should make it super simple for people, like Norton 2003's live update.

As for buying things through Steam, what happens if I buy HL2 and CS:CZ on-line and then get SoBig or something and have to format my harddrive? ( I personally will burn a CD for backup, but what if eh? ) would you have to buy it again, or will they keep some way of keeping track who got what, and how would they keep that from benig hacked/explotied so people get free copies of things?

And I know you can still get HL2 in stores, I've had mine preordered forever now, but how far are they going to take this? I really enjoy the simple act of going out, finding a game, buying with cash, then opening it up for that new game smell.



I'm for them making the game better, and making updates easier toget. But I also feel like they are kind of putting strings on everything too... They are trying to control the bushfire HLonline has become. In my view, one of the best things about HL is that its open, anyone can buy it and play, under any name, and they can change that name whenever they want. Anyone can get a server, make a mod, try something new. But with this 'control' they are creating through Steam, those things will eventually become harder and harder, until HL becomes more of an MMORPG. It wouldn't surprise me if in the near future Valve, or some other jackass who has too much power and too many ideas, decides to add a monthly fee to Steam so the only way to play HL will be to dish out 9.99$ a month. It's happend to a lot of other games, I can't say if it will happen to HL, but it could.

This entire thing just kinda gives off the 'wolf in sheepskin' vibe. I like it now.. but I have a feeling later down the road, its going to bite us all right in the arse.

but thats just my two cents :P

If you've been keeping up with Steam, then how come you don't know how updates work? It's as simple as NAV2003, you launch the game you want, if there's an update, it updates it in a minute or two, then it launches. All your settings/etc are kept.



Last I checked, HL is just as moddable on Steam as it is in it's current state (hence WC3 mod servers, AMX, ClanMod, adminmod, chickenmod, etc etc etc), and VALVe is working toward HL2 being even *MORE* mod friendly to the mod community, and Steam is the backbone of HL2.



Also, HL/2 would never become a pay-per-play game. Servers are run by independent people, not by VALVe. Sure, VALVe has the Steam content servers, but all they are is a simplified WON.net browser with alot more features and a far more efficient browser.



You won't ever need to buy VALVe products off of Steam, you'll always be able to go to the store and buy them, buying from Steam is just an alternate means of getting the game you want when you want it without leaving your computer, I see no problem with it :)

[[kcb]j@ckass[kcb]]

will i be able to install new skins and models for the steam i want to make it look cool but now happing

[marc___1]

Shuzer wrote..

If you've been keeping up with Steam, then how come you don't know how updates work? It's as simple as NAV2003, you launch the game you want, if there's an update, it updates it in a minute or two, then it launches. All your settings/etc are kept.



Last I checked, HL is just as moddable on Steam as it is in it's current state (hence WC3 mod servers, AMX, ClanMod, adminmod, chickenmod, etc etc etc), and VALVe is working toward HL2 being even *MORE* mod friendly to the mod community, and Steam is the backbone of HL2.



Also, HL/2 would never become a pay-per-play game. Servers are run by independent people, not by VALVe. Sure, VALVe has the Steam content servers, but all they are is a simplified WON.net browser with alot more features and a far more efficient browser.



You won't ever need to buy VALVe products off of Steam, you'll always be able to go to the store and buy them, buying from Steam is just an alternate means of getting the game you want when you want it without leaving your computer, I see no problem with it :)

only problem is you HAVE to be on the internet to play any mod of HL

you can turn the autoupdate off and do it yourself it you want but we are forced to have steam now

[orphy]

[kcb]j@ckass[kcb] wrote..

will i be able to install new skins and models for the steam i want to make it look cool but now happing

You will be able to on the "next major update", as it says in this very news post!

[Supersonic^]

Flynntargart wrote..

or will you have to load steam, search, dl, install, start HL and repeat untill your uptodate.

Have you even used Steam? It's nothing like that. If there is an update, then it will automatically download it, install it and start the game.

[Coolleroy]

Boomstick wrote..

You realize of course, they're never going to get rid of the shield, right? Looks like you're never playing Steam again I guess.

NOOOOOOOOOO!

[Shuzer]

marc___1 wrote..

only problem is you HAVE to be on the internet to play any mod of HL

you can turn the autoupdate off and do it yourself it you want but we are forced to have steam now

Thought they were working on an offline solution? I remember reading one of Gabe's e-mail answers and he said you'll be able to play HL/2 offline, so you COULD play something without being online, lol, why would you want to play a mod offline though? Unless it's a SP mod or something, or unless you're talking strictly lan

[|cyborg|]

I like the Idea of steam whens its cheat related, basically steam is like cheating death, only better. As i read in a interview the code for all the steam games is constantly changing so it is hard for and cheats to hook onto it. This is of course when the full version of steam is released and we all get steamID's.



I'm not sure about the necessity of an Internet connection though. especially for playing games offline. OK lan centers can get it sorted, but what if you want to just play the bots, or on a private LAN, or a LAN party not with the valve program. Will everyone wanting to play offline need additional software.



Steam also seems to be directed toward the people with broadband connections, what about those without. (the numbers of hpb has halved in the time I've played cs, most people got broadband just for games). Those still with 56k's will have trouble getting the updates, while usually they would get the update from a friend on CD.

Background downloading would also seriously affect the connection, if it didn't affect it then it would have to be really slow, which would just make everything take a long time. I'm not complaining as i have 1MB but i don't think anyone should be 'cut out'.



STILL on my system i get bugs with 1.6. My maps occasionally differ from the server, the game locks when loading, obviously updating something, or trying to but it doesn't say what.



Well hopefully i won't see these bugs when its all released.

[T|2i|34L]

I tried to play a bot game the other day without being connected and it would not let me start the game.

[lampwick]

I have a 56k modem and, although I will get ADSL soon, there are many ppl who won't. I know that its a real bitch to download anything. I don't download CS, I simply wait for the updates to come on PCG demo discs.



PS For those who are above, try downloading GetRight and NetPal (www.kookaburra.com) - its a utility that automatically redials when U get cut-off

[[PKM]GenocideS1]

Full Skin support in Steam.



Ah more proof that VALVe is spending all that money on Vacs for a reason....SO WE CAN USE CUSTOM MODELS.



More proof that HL-Guard 1.50 was a mistake.



If VALVe wanted us to have pure servers they would add an option.

They know there arent any offical high definition packs for CS.

[orphy]

[PKM]GenocideS1 wrote..

Full Skin support in Steam.



Ah more proof that VALVe is spending all that money on Vacs for a reason....SO WE CAN USE CUSTOM MODELS.



More proof that HL-Guard 1.50 was a mistake.



If VALVe wanted us to have pure servers they would add an option.

They know there arent any offical high definition packs for CS.

What in fuck's name are you talking about?

[naem]

HLG won't be allowed in CAL anymore according to an admin. No plugins at all will be allowed, actually. Only the crippled AMX provided with CALServer.cfg.