Archived from groups: alt.games.half-life (More info?)
First, let me make my position on Steam clear:
I have the retail version of HL2 and that was my first experience of
Steam. I'd heard a bit about it and read some of the comments on this
forum. My attitude has changed as I used it and as I read and
understood more of other people's problems and concerns.
Having used Steam now to play HL2, download patches and download the
SDK, I have formed an opinion based on my experience, but coloured by
the experiences of others.
Overall, I am on the "pro-Steam" side of the fence, meaning that I am
happy to use it. I'm not going to vote Gabe Newell for president, but
neither do I think he is the devil incarnate. Steam has worked for me
(partly due to the way my PC is set up - see point 1 below). I
personally have no concerns about it, but I accept that others do,
mainly due to point 1 below. I don't think Steam restricts my freedom,
intrudes or imposes on my life, humililates me, dictates when and what
I can play, or is ugly.
I don't have a problem with downloading software through Steam. As a
"content delivery system" I appreciate the way it automates the
searching, downloading and installation process - not dissimilar to
Windows Update. I also like having it check for and apply patches
automatically, so I don't need to bother searching for them.
Combining the product registration with the installation process and
linking it to a password protected account is, I think, a good move
against piracy. It doesn't matter now if the CD gets copied globally,
because the CD-Key is "used" and none of those copies can be activated.
The legitimate purchaser can install his games anywhere he has access
to Steam.
Things I would change are:
1) "Offline" means "offline". You should be able to select offline mode
easily and permanently (or until you switch to online mode), and Steam
should make no attempt to connect to the internet. Of course you miss
out on the auto-patching this way, but that's your choice. (Because my
internet connection does not connect automatically, this is how Steam
already works for me, hence some of my previous comments - I didn't
realise offline mode didn't work if you had an open internet
connection).
2) Patches should be optional. You should be offered the choice of
downloading the patch now or "remind me later" (perhaps a counter to
select how many days before the next reminder?) This is really just a
nicety, since you must have the latest patch to play online, but it
does allow you to choose when to do your downloading for those who
haven't got anytime or unrestricted internet access, or dial-up users
who don't want to tie their phone up during the day.
3) Instructions in the retail box. The installation is not intuitive
for the man in the street. If you're buying it through Steam then
you've already installed Steam separately and it's more obvious what
you're doing, but most people who buy the retail box expect to just put
the disc in the drive and for it to install automagically. HL2 is not
that straightforward, but nothing that another Quickstart guide
wouldn't have overcome. For most of us, Steam is new technology and new
technology always needs explaining in words of one syllable.
First, let me make my position on Steam clear:
I have the retail version of HL2 and that was my first experience of
Steam. I'd heard a bit about it and read some of the comments on this
forum. My attitude has changed as I used it and as I read and
understood more of other people's problems and concerns.
Having used Steam now to play HL2, download patches and download the
SDK, I have formed an opinion based on my experience, but coloured by
the experiences of others.
Overall, I am on the "pro-Steam" side of the fence, meaning that I am
happy to use it. I'm not going to vote Gabe Newell for president, but
neither do I think he is the devil incarnate. Steam has worked for me
(partly due to the way my PC is set up - see point 1 below). I
personally have no concerns about it, but I accept that others do,
mainly due to point 1 below. I don't think Steam restricts my freedom,
intrudes or imposes on my life, humililates me, dictates when and what
I can play, or is ugly.
I don't have a problem with downloading software through Steam. As a
"content delivery system" I appreciate the way it automates the
searching, downloading and installation process - not dissimilar to
Windows Update. I also like having it check for and apply patches
automatically, so I don't need to bother searching for them.
Combining the product registration with the installation process and
linking it to a password protected account is, I think, a good move
against piracy. It doesn't matter now if the CD gets copied globally,
because the CD-Key is "used" and none of those copies can be activated.
The legitimate purchaser can install his games anywhere he has access
to Steam.
Things I would change are:
1) "Offline" means "offline". You should be able to select offline mode
easily and permanently (or until you switch to online mode), and Steam
should make no attempt to connect to the internet. Of course you miss
out on the auto-patching this way, but that's your choice. (Because my
internet connection does not connect automatically, this is how Steam
already works for me, hence some of my previous comments - I didn't
realise offline mode didn't work if you had an open internet
connection).
2) Patches should be optional. You should be offered the choice of
downloading the patch now or "remind me later" (perhaps a counter to
select how many days before the next reminder?) This is really just a
nicety, since you must have the latest patch to play online, but it
does allow you to choose when to do your downloading for those who
haven't got anytime or unrestricted internet access, or dial-up users
who don't want to tie their phone up during the day.
3) Instructions in the retail box. The installation is not intuitive
for the man in the street. If you're buying it through Steam then
you've already installed Steam separately and it's more obvious what
you're doing, but most people who buy the retail box expect to just put
the disc in the drive and for it to install automagically. HL2 is not
that straightforward, but nothing that another Quickstart guide
wouldn't have overcome. For most of us, Steam is new technology and new
technology always needs explaining in words of one syllable.
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