[Abarbarian]

Someone Flops I think very kindly donated HL2 and HL2 EP1 to me both Steam games.

I know I have to create a Steam account. So I have to get on the web with the pc I intend to play the games to activate, is that right ?

Do I have to be on the net to play the games, only going to do single player ??

Ta.

[Madxgraphics]

Originally Posted by Abarbarian

Someone Flops I think very kindly donated HL2 and HL2 EP1 to me both Steam games.

I know I have to create a Steam account. So I have to get on the web with the pc I intend to play the games to activate, is that right ?

Do I have to be on the net to play the games, only going to do single player ??

Ta.

I have recent;y been using "Steam"...You register then download "Steam" to your PC, from there you can play demos and purchase games..Have a look at this link, might be of more use than me....

[Madxgraphics]

Oh yeah Abar, to add when registering with "Steam" the code thingy, I forget what yuo call it, can be a bit tricky, one minute it is case sensitive, then not..You'll see when ya get there..

[floppybootstomp]

Yes, you do need to be online unfortunately, even for single player as each time you boot and/or start the game, it will check for updates and/or authentication.

Bit of a pain but I think Valve make it clear on the box you need a net connection to play.

Despite that I actually quite like Steam, it works well.

It may be worth Googling to see if there's a mod enabling you to play without being online.

[Ian]

I think you might be able to use something called Offline mode to play HL2 without connecting to the net:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_...3160-AGCB-2555

I use steam all the time in normal mode, and it works great

[Abarbarian]

Ta guys thats what I thought. I do not like the idea of having to be on line. Yes I know I amm on line a lot but that is my choice, an yes I know I could not buy the game. I just think it stops a lot of people from being able to play. The game makers loss though. Think of all them millions of folk who do not have a decent reliable connection to the web, and that includes a lot of folk in Europe and the USA etc etc.
I'll have to think quick about how to proceed as the jerries have surrendered and with technology moving at a pace I'll soon be on me way to Mars.

[Madxgraphics]

Originally Posted by Madxgraphics

Oh yeah Abar, to add when registering with "Steam" the code thingy, I forget what yuo call it, can be a bit tricky, one minute it is case sensitive, then not..You'll see when ya get there..

Capture code, lol thats what I was on about..I think one to many Jack Daniles was playinng games with my thought lol

[floppybootstomp]

Abarb, I had those fears originally but I've been using Steam for several years now and find it more helpful than obtrusive.

It's a kind of gentle security they use rather some of the more obnoxious forms of security employed by other publishers.

They have dozens of demos and lots of other games for sale at reasonable prices as well.

This isn't a general ****-licking of Steam by me, I'm actually against the idea in principle but Steam works well.

I don't think that many folk will be disadvataged by online activation, it's the norm nowadays and any serious gamer worth his salt will have a Broadband connection.

I do know of at least two people who only had dial-up and they have found ways to run the HL series whilst being offline, Google is your friend, as they say

Talking of Steam, has anybody here tried the Braid demo?

I had a go of it briefly and found it quite fascinating, if a little puzzling

It's a 2D scroller with puzzles with a nice musical soundtrack.

Only a tenner I think, I may very well make a purchase once I've had another go at the demo.

And I have now d/l the GTR-Evolution racing game demo from Steam, will try it later today.

[Abarbarian]

Ta Flops for the reassurance. It is not that I'm afraid in a security way as I'm sure that Steam is a reputable company and does its best in that respect. Though having to be connected to their server carries a small risk as does connecting to any server.

It is just that it is like buying a book that you can only read in the book store. It goes against my way of living : ie I like to do what I want when I want and how I want as long as it does not interfere with anyone else. Its a bit like,

Please sir can I go to the toilet.

As to serious gamers I'm sure that wealthy gamers have a broadband set up but that is a bit out of the way in the jungle or desert etc etc an I'm equally sure the many millions who live in such places earning pennies for food would still like to be considered serious gamers even if their equipment is like our scrapped pc's. Just seems like another hurdle those poor folk will probably never ever get over. An it is there just because someone wants to protec their pretty large profits.

I'm not against commercialism just as I'm not against MP's having expenses. I just feel that with a modified approach everyone could see a decent result. You only have to look at Star Wreck to see that you can make a bundle of loot by giving stuff away for free.

[floppybootstomp]

The phrase 'Mountain out of a molehill' comes to mind...

I'm rather gladdened to see that you aprove of commercialism cos it does help, living within a capitalist society as we are.

The alternative has died a resounding death in the USSR and Eastern Europe and is still a going concern in China, that veritable bastion of democracy.

This anti-Steam argument is old and worn out now, I've heard it a million times before. And those who whine the loudest are usually folk who just want something for nothing and then who justify their demands and complaints on some kind of warped socialist ideal.

As I said earlier I am basically against the idea in principle but it does work, I'm happy with it and Steam have more integrity than, say, Electronic Arts.

And as a footnote I didn't kindly donate those games to you as I remember, I believe I sold them to you which just goes to show what a dirty rotten scoundrel of a capitalist I am

Free the proletariat! Anarchy in the UK! Free orange juice for pensioners! etc etc ad nauseum

If children didn't have to ask to go the toilet in schools they would be taking the mick and walking in and out of classrooms as they please, probably en masse at times and disrupting the learning procedure.

The rules are there for a reason, usually, some work, some don't, most have good reason for their existence.

Enjoy HL2