TrackMania United Coming to Steam

[CSN NewsBot]

TrackMania United, the newest in the popular TrackMania series of racing games, is now headed to Steam.

TrackMania United is the latest title in the TrackMania series, and will combine high-speed racing with pure, uncomplicated fun. The game contains all the features of the previous titles, and introduces an extensive new content editor. The new editor and in-game browser allow both veteran and rookie players the ability to create, showcase and share customized paintjobs, tracks, environments and videos. TrackMania United will offer players the opportunity to enjoy a rich gaming experience both online and offline, while taking part in a friendly and fun online community.

The earlier games in the series have had a huge following in the form of numerous custom made tracks. Many of these tracks being quite insane and off the wall (ramps, loops, etc.). The game, TrackMania United will be available for order shortly with a 20% discount if purchased before June 14th. Those interested can pre-order the game right now for $23.95.

[mr spoon]

Does this mean I can buy it and completely avoid StarForce? If there is still any SF crap in there I will avoid. Shame, as I loved Trackmania Sunrise until I found all the crap it had installed.

[Zips]

mr spoon wrote..

Does this mean I can buy it and completely avoid StarForce? If there is still any SF crap in there I will avoid. Shame, as I loved Trackmania Sunrise until I found all the crap it had installed.

From the product page:

http://storefront.steampowered.com/v/in...me&AppId=7200

Title : TrackMania United

Developer : Nadeo

Publisher : Focus Home Interactive

Release Date : June 14, 2007

Languages : English



Contains Starforce security software.

Why this has starforce on Steam is beyond me.

[LMN8R]

1) The Starforce included in Trackmania United, while unfortunate, isn't the full version that has caused so many problems. It does not install a driver. Rather, it is just a simple CD check within the .exe that doesn't install anything at all.



2) The game was listed for $23.95 on the web site, but now it's up to $39.95. The actual price is $49.95 and it was a price mistake.



**HOWEVER**

If you load the page inside of the Steam application, instead of clicking that link to steampowered.com, the $23.95 price is still there. I paid it and am downloading it now. However, who knows how long that will last until they change it over.

[mr spoon]

^^Pop a post on here to tell us how intrusive or not you find Starforce, and whether it's visible and not hidden like the old ones. Thanks for the feedback, both.

[LMN8R]

I'll let you know after the game releases next week, but considering that I didn't have a single problem with the full driver-installing version of Starforce, I don't expect to have any problems with this trimmed down version.



And from what I can tell, it looks like the price has gone back to $23.95. I guess it was the $39.95 price that was the mistake, not the other way around.

[K-16]

Pure, uncomplicated fun? I'd be excited if I even hit the finish line! Forget the laptime I get, forget the position I come in at the end, I have enough problems trying to solve the puzzle in order to understand what the heck it is I have to do to even see the finish line, let alone cross it. I still can't wall jump (wall run with a premature dismount to reach a side platform) without my car plunging uncontrollably from gravity. Hmm... That reminds me, I should reinstall Trackmania Nations again. I wonder who won the world competition? Sweden?

[ALT+F4]

LMN8R wrote:



I'll let you know after the game releases next week, but considering that I didn't have a single problem with the full driver-installing version of Starforce, I don't expect to have any problems with this trimmed down version.

Meaning that he/she/it is obviously a shill for someone who stands to profit from the sale of anything containing the contemptable malware that is StarForce.



Having had two DVD drives utterly destroyed by SF copy protection I figure I'd be owed about $126.05 if I'd actually bought this piece of crap rather than having acquired it through other means.



StarForce has unwittingly created more software pirates than it has deterred. They are complete and utter bastards and the Steam entity should be ashamed of having anything to do with them.

[LMN8R]

So because I've had no problems, I'm automatically a shill for the company? Get a freaking life. I not once denied that Starforce had it's problems, and I not once denied that it has ruined hardware. I simply stated that I personally had no problems and that, because I had no problems, I especially don't expect to have any problems with the trimmed down version.

[ALT+F4]

Well, it's a moot point because I'd never, EVER buy anything with StarForce protection of ANY kind. The company's arrogance and disregard for the damage their product caused is legendary and supporting their continued existence -- the settled class-action suit notwithstanding -- by supporting companies foolish enough to employ their methods is beyond the pale of all reasonable expectations. The version I have has no such contamination, thank you very much.

[LMN8R]

Great. And I'll continue buying products as long as I have no problems with them.



At least I'm not going around calling people "company shills" because they have an opinion and happen to have had no problems.

[ALT+F4]

Great. So you're not a company shill. You're just another sheeple lining up for potential disaster in the face of indisputable evidence that it's more than likely. Rest assured, Mr. LemonEater, there's a bullet out there with your name on it -- it just hasn't found you yet. Enjoy the ignorant bliss while you can.

[LMN8R]

You seem to be mistaken rare occasions for inevitable consequences. The vast majority of people who use products with Starforce have *ZERO* problems with them.



Also, cute dig to the user name.

[ALT+F4]

Well, I'd hardly call them "rare" occasions and even if the "vast majority" had no problems, the severity of the problems a large number of users did have, coupled with SF's outright denial then unconcern with the problems, spells market POISON as far as I'm concerned.



Glad you like the name thing. Gladder still you didn't get all fussbudgety about it. I propose a truce.

[Thortok2000]

I know nothing about this Starforce thing but people will make decisions based on what they've experienced directly or indirectly through people they know.



One of you has been screwed by Starforce or know people who have, one has not.



It's a shame, people generally just can't learn from other's mistakes until they make them themselves. I'll just keep mum on which is which in this particular argument.