New Steam Installers Tommorow!

[RaptorRage]

When bug fixes and content updates are available they will be automatically downloaded through Steam. That is the whole point, no longer needing to download seperate installers just to get updates. They are just providing the same Steam installer but with the game contents already available in the cache files, so players don't have to download the content from the currently overtaxed servers.



If you check the Steam status page at steampowered.com you will notice that nearly half of the available content servers are not even on the list. Most of those were provided by Gamestorm, and once they are all up there will be at least 32 content servers each providing between 50-150+ Mbps of bandwidth, or around 3-5 times the total bandwidth that is available now.

[Dredger]

Ah MS....



"Originally promised some months ago, the upgrade - being referred to as Xbox Live 2.0 - offers significant Live functionality right on the Dashboard, with the ability to view your buddy list, see what games people are playing and even launch voice chats without being in a game.



The system is also thought to have plenty of new functionality "under the bonnet" which will eventually enable tighter integration between Xbox Live services and the web. The "silent upgrade" system is also interesting in itself - although this isn't the first time that the Xbox has been upgraded online, it's the first really major update to happen over the service, and as a proof of concept for seamless console software updates online, it seems to have worked excellently. "

The Register



At least they can do it right

[DeAceShooter]

Altharion wrote..

is this a bug patch too??

Once and for all, to clarify matters:



There are two versions of the Steam installation file:



VALVe initially released the 500kb+ file, and the games (CS + HL) were downloaded off the content servers using Steam. VALVe realised that this caused a massive strain on the content servers, so they released a second 300+mb file, which already had the games cached (in layman terms, installed). This ensures that you can instantly start playing CS or HL without downloading content and causing the server to be overloaded.



The new installer tommorow will be the same as the 300+mb file, just that it has ALL the games cached.



The only difference is the waiting time needed for Steam to download your games.

[mutey]

Well this is a start, although it seems to defeat the whole intention of steam in the first place (on demand content eh?). At least now I can have an installer on cdr for all the half-life games to start with and go from there without having to download every time. I still dont like the idea of having to log in every time to play either single or lan play

[Mobius?]

and i still cant play it because of the fucking "no children registered" error

[Dredger]

To clarify, if we use one of these 'cached' installs, do we have to completely uninstall steam 1st ?

[CabalSoljea]

erm... now that EVERYONE is (should be) using Steam, will the massive slow down occur again should (which is a certainty) they release another update (minor or major)?



dun get me wrong. i love Steam.



STEAMSTEAMSTEAMSTEAMSTEAMSTEAMSTEAMSTEAM

[alvinliu]

people should read the whole thing before typing, like they think this just takes off bugs and stuff, it just adds more cache files, you only need this patch f you have day of defeat, team fortress and all these other mods



what's this bitching bout the riot shield, every fuckin' day, just stfu, and don't shoot the shield if the guy is blocking, cs needs some changes, and it don't matter, if you don't like the shield, i'm sure there will be servers up that disables it, only thing i'm mad at valve is the bugs and errors, not 1.6

[RaptorRage]

You don't need those mods preinstalled to get the new installer. They will be available in the cache files. Also you can just download those games as usual.

[bozer]

Here's my one and only post to make on Steam and Cs 1.6. I'm sure many people will disagree, and thats fine. This is just my opinion.



Reasons why Steam is no good:

1. It eats up a ton of resources.



2. If its open, I cant even load half the websites I go to.



3. Its pretty much virtually impossible for a newbie to figure out how to install it properly. I am an IT Director and it took me a while just to get it working. Computers were made to make life easier, not harder.



4. Its main purpose is to be used as a content delivery system, yet, it failed miserably at delivering itself.



5. It freezes and locks up 50 percent of the time



6. It was easier the old way to play CS. Why make life harder?



All of my points are valid because the program is no longer in beta. I actually was one of the people who raved about the beta, and couldn't wait for the final release. It should have never been released as final with that many bugs. Sure one or two bugs is bound to happen, but this is just out of control. It breaks more then it works.



Now lets get into whats horrible about CS 1.6



1. The riot shield ruins competitive CS play. Example: Two CT's find the bomb down in bombsite B of De_Dust 2. Both CT's have shields. Theres only one T left, and his mission is to either kill those two CT's or plant the bomb. Theres nothing he can do. His only option is to hide, since at least his team will get more money for having one player left alive. In any version of CS before this, there was a chance the T could perform a "clutch" move, and take out the two CT's. Now he can't. Thats just one small example of why it has changed CS too much. For pubs the shields are fine, but for Competitive CS, it just doesn't work.



2. The FPS drop is ridiculous. One of the main reasons many of us played CS was because it ran so great on our systems. If I wanted my FPS to drop like that, I'd go play an extremely graphically intense game like UT2003 or something that I don't like.



3. The hitbox's or recoil or something. I'm not sure what it was that was changed, but somethings changed, and I don't like it.



I have loved playing CS for over 2 years now. This is the first time (since this release), that I've started losing interest in the game. I find myself getting frustrated and playing a lot less. Perhaps if the shield were gone, and steam were gone, Id like it more. Too bad it doesn't look like thats going to happen. Hopefully my criticism can be used in a positive way, like getting it to all work properly. If not.. , Halo for PC anyone?

[cL-Jaw-KataNa]

Edited by [user="76028"] @ [time="1063732911"]

Ok, Here i go again complain about steam and valve. Anyways The "people" at valve and steam should have think real hard before releasing a new approach on updating there games. Also as you would know, many CS gamers or other mods play in dial-up(56k) which is believe to be 55% of the CS population.(the reasons: not available in area, lil kids cannot pay for them every month and parents think its uneccessary to have a fast connection just for games or w/e.) Well im one of those 56kers, simply its not available in my area(not yet). This is an outrage because i got a alienware comp. but as damn steam says the recommended connection is broadband... how bout us 56kers?!?!?. also, can PLZ! make steam "faq". Computer Lingo n00b friendly and Ohh Yeah, can you add a faq about: Why did Valve change the "Traditional Updating System" (CS 1.4>1.5, blah blah blah 1.5>1.6) It worked VERY VERY VERY!!! NICE and SMOOTH SINCE CS BETA 6 or w/e. and worked for EVERYBODY. so.... Why change now?!?! Is there any posibilities that they bring back WON?!? or the traditional update?!?!



HALO FOR PC!!!!!!! FUK CS!!!!!! STEAM MADE IT GAY!!! HALO IS THE NEXT GEN!!!!! UNLESS VALVE START MAKING CHANGES!! weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee so crazeh!

[stoke]

bozer wrote..

3. The hitbox's or recoil or something. I'm not sure what it was that was changed, but somethings changed, and I don't like it.

You make some good points. I've also noticed that "something" feels different. However, I've narrowed it down to your previous point about FPS drop. Recoil and the dynamic crosshair are definitely effected by FPS. You can make it less of an issue by messing with your config and changing some of the graphics settings (no decals, no shells, no smoke puffs, non-dynamic lighting, etc) but it never feels and smooth as 1.5

[cL-Jaw-KataNa]

KILL ALL! ahahahahha damn STEAM!! im going crazy!!!

[Jocky]

im not a religious man but i do believe this quote has a very connected meaning to all the bitchin and moaning like all u 12 yr old moms after a last night with me...oh shes a freak



"Let he who hath no sin cast the first stone"



Interpretation: SHUT THE FUCK UP

[G0tham]

bozer wrote..

4. Its main purpose is to be used as a content delivery system, yet, it failed miserably at delivering itself.

Actually, I'm not sure if delivering itself is a valid test, as it is the one case that's different from all the rest. We'll have to see how Steam will work. (Observe, though, that even if it did work exactly as advertised, it might not be beneficial, with all the internet-aware stuff going on.)

6. It was easier the old way to play CS. Why make life harder?

Damn I'm actually defending the piece of software that frustrated me, too, greatly, but in all fairness Steam is supposed to do a lot of other stuff too. But WON will still be missed, authentication through it seemed so easy.

1. The riot shield ruins competitive CS play.

Ah yes, as we have seen in two CPLs, a CXG, a WCG and a several seasons of CAL and UGS... what? No? Oh my, is it all just speculation at this point? Goodness.



Look, people, the shield may affect league play, or pub play, or both, in a significantly negative way, but it's still too early to tell, the beta nor the FEW DAYS 1.6 has been out can't be considered good evidence. Give it time, if the shield needs nerfing it will be nerfed, I bet.