Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (
More info?)
On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 17:46:54 +0000, Andrew <spamtrap@localhost.> wrote:
>On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 17:34:09 +0000, Shawk <shawk@clara.co.uk.3guesses>
>wrote:
>
>>I didn't think this was the case if it's set to not update games as the
>>OP stated. Mine have always been set to always update (permanent
>>broadband connection) so I may be talking out of an orifice...
>>
>>Does it perhaps just do this the first time out?
>
>That's what I meant. After the first time you can play it offline and
>not have to update it.
Yup, the first time you go to play it will update to the latest version,
regardless of what version you have installed (found that it had
converted my original HL to Steam but still insisted it needing updating
before playing although I had up to the last non-Steam patch installed).
Refused to convert my original OppForce, or accept the CD key in the
'register owned games' bit, says it's invalid, so I'll have to
re-download that through Steam.
First impressions;
The Steam install could do with some more config options, like where to
stick it in your program list and whether or not to set a desktop icon
(I prefer to group my games under a games folder and not have desktop
icons).
I like the window soft docking, very nice effect. I don't like the fact
that it opens up a new task for each window meaning that if you have a
lot of Steam windows open your task bar is full of Steam programs
although they will group properly.
I don't understand why Steam thinks on-line games like TFC and DM
Classic are considered ready to play when only 20% of the content has
been downloaded ? All this seems to get you is the main menu and config
options.
I like the fact that it switches all download resources to the game you
have selected to play, pausing other downloads if you have them running,
but it would be nice to be able to manually pause or start downloads, or
select a download priority.
HL2 demo is jittery as heck on my system for some reason [P4 2.5GHz, 1Gb
RAM, Geforce 6800 128Mb graphics, SB Audigy, XP Pro], sound skipping,
long load pauses (yes, have updated to current video drivers, tried
turning down setting quality levels, etc). Not sure how that will bode
for the full game but have seen some forum posts saying the demo does
not play like the full game (Valve have probably not updated the demo to
same Source engine level).
The backup option is very welcome for those of us that like to rebuild
our systems occasionally, or want to make some space on the HD. I guess
it also makes things a lot easier for those that have access to a
high-speed line (at work or college) but only have dial-up at home.
You have no choice over which content servers are used. That may not be
a bad thing because of Valve load-balancing their servers but does mean
you can be assigned a server geographically distant from you resulting
in slower downloads.
All in all, it's much improved over the first time I tried Steam (when
it was first launched), and the forum support has grown to a level that
you can usually find a well detailed response to common support queries.
I have to say I spent more time playing Codename Gordon than the HL2
demo, it's quite fun
--
Alfie
<http://www.delphia.co.uk/>
Americans pay their checks with bills, whereas the English pay their bills with cheques.
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