All my games in one neat collection, easy to use and unless you have something wrong with your PC, or it needs a serious update, no effect whatsoever on performance.
It has tons of communities, and is a huge social network for purely gamers, 90% of the best times I've had on PC gaming are through Steam friends, communities and the games it offers.
Also the sales mean that the lack of a used game market for PC is a non-issue when prices get so low it's crazy.
I think Steam's greatest downfall is for those with an unstable/slow internet connection.
I myself only have access to a USB broadband card at home that has a 5gb limit, after which it can slow down anywhere from 100kb/s to 2 (unfortunately it tends to be the latter). As such my offline mode won't even work because Steam improperly registers user information when I go online, causing it to give me a network access error whenever I try to start it up.
I guess my major gripe with Steam is that it requires you to update games (yes, I know you can deactivate automatic updates, but you can only do so once the game has finished installing and has already begun to download). I don't mind hopping on Steam and being online for installations, but the fact that it automatically starts updates causes my games to be rendered unplayable in offline mode, meaning I can either sit and suffer and let a game update for a full year, or just simply uninstall.
Otherwise, I've had very good experiences with Steam. Back when I still had fiberoptic it was beautiful, with moderately fast download speeds (Although I've found Origin's to be better on more than one occasion), an excellent in-game overlay UI, tons of features to help make gaming with friends easier and more enjoyable, and a solid userbase.
Try saying that when you lost access to the internet for a week or more unexpectedly and can't access your games because you have to be able to go online to go into offline mode. I think it's a bit of backwards logic there. "You can play offline. But you have to go online first then set it so your computer is in this special mode that lets you play offline."
That's not true at all. If Steam can't find a connection when it expects to, it automatically asks if you'd like you use off-line mode instead or keep trying the connection. Yes, you can set it while on-line, but you're in no way required to.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
Well, I tried it literally 10 minutes ago, just before I made that post, and it let me start Steam and play my games, all without any kind of internet connection to my computer.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
For the sake of science I just ripped out my USB wireless antenna, and I have no other way of connecting to the internet, restarted Steam and booted straight into offline mode and then straight into actually playing my games. Without any internet connection whatsoever.
It gives you a blank screen saying that to go online restart Steam, not TO PLAY GAMES, you just click library and there they are.
So finally can we all please stop mentioning this shit.
Why do I need a stable high speed internet connection, forced registration and membership to a site that I don't want, in order to play an offline SINGLE-PLAYER game
Jesus christ how many times do we have to say this before it gets through to you Steam naysayers?
Anyway, for me on all the other points, it's my personal preference, Valve have a track history of releasing decent to great games, they treat their customers with a bit of dignity and respect and they run ridiculously good sales and events and the developers who put their products on Steam get a better cut on the profits than they would with anyone else.
Try saying that when you lost access to the internet for a week or more unexpectedly and can't access your games because you have to be able to go online to go into offline mode. I think it's a bit of backwards logic there. "You can play offline. But you have to go online first then set it so your computer is in this special mode that lets you play offline."
That's not true at all. If Steam can't find a connection when it expects to, it automatically asks if you'd like you use off-line mode instead or keep trying the connection. Yes, you can set it while on-line, but you're in no way required to.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
Well, I tried it literally 10 minutes ago, just before I made that post, and it let me start Steam and play my games, all without any kind of internet connection to my computer.
I tried just now myself and it didn't allow me to. Did you have the computer up and running when you undid your internet connection? Because if it loses internet while you're online, it will still run. But when you boot up your computer without internet, it won't let you.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
For the sake of science I just ripped out my USB wireless antenna, and I have no other way of connecting to the internet, restarted Steam and booted straight into offline mode and then straight into actually playing my games. Without any internet connection whatsoever.
It gives you a blank screen saying that to go online restart Steam, not TO PLAY GAMES, you just click library and there they are.
So finally can we all please stop mentioning this shit.
I'll ask you the same thing I asked the other guy, did your restart the computer or just try going into offline mode without internet. Because Steam will still work if you lost internet while you have it running, but from past experiences I've had and seen from others, you can't boot up your computer and access your Steam library if you don't have internet connection and have it set to offline mode.
Try saying that when you lost access to the internet for a week or more unexpectedly and can't access your games because you have to be able to go online to go into offline mode. I think it's a bit of backwards logic there. "You can play offline. But you have to go online first then set it so your computer is in this special mode that lets you play offline."
That's not true at all. If Steam can't find a connection when it expects to, it automatically asks if you'd like you use off-line mode instead or keep trying the connection. Yes, you can set it while on-line, but you're in no way required to.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
Well, I tried it literally 10 minutes ago, just before I made that post, and it let me start Steam and play my games, all without any kind of internet connection to my computer.
I tried just now myself and it didn't allow me to. Did you have the computer up and running when you undid your internet connection? Because if it loses internet while you're online, it will still run. But when you boot up your computer without internet, it won't let you.
No, I shut Steam down entirely before I pulled it instead which, from Steam's perspective, is exactly the same thing.
But, for the sake of completeness, I just tried it the way you asked, and it was still fine. I shut my computer down, pulled connection, restarted, Steam ask if I wanted off-line mode and worked fine allowing me access to my games.
It sounds to me like you don't have your settings done properly. Have you saved your user-name and password for an automatic start-up, or do you input them every time?
Try saying that when you lost access to the internet for a week or more unexpectedly and can't access your games because you have to be able to go online to go into offline mode. I think it's a bit of backwards logic there. "You can play offline. But you have to go online first then set it so your computer is in this special mode that lets you play offline."
That's not true at all. If Steam can't find a connection when it expects to, it automatically asks if you'd like you use off-line mode instead or keep trying the connection. Yes, you can set it while on-line, but you're in no way required to.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
Well, I tried it literally 10 minutes ago, just before I made that post, and it let me start Steam and play my games, all without any kind of internet connection to my computer.
I tried just now myself and it didn't allow me to. Did you have the computer up and running when you undid your internet connection? Because if it loses internet while you're online, it will still run. But when you boot up your computer without internet, it won't let you.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
For the sake of science I just ripped out my USB wireless antenna, and I have no other way of connecting to the internet, restarted Steam and booted straight into offline mode and then straight into actually playing my games. Without any internet connection whatsoever.
It gives you a blank screen saying that to go online restart Steam, not TO PLAY GAMES, you just click library and there they are.
So finally can we all please stop mentioning this shit.
I'll ask you the same thing I asked the other guy, did your restart the computer or just try going into offline mode without internet. Because Steam will still work if you lost internet while you have it running, but from past experiences I've had and seen from others, you can't boot up your computer and access your Steam library if you don't have internet connection and have it set to offline mode.
Let me clear up the confusion between you three, as all of you are technically correct and wrong at the same time.
It's true that, without an internet connection, you can directly connect to offline mode via steam. However, in order to do so Steam must create an user information file to grant access to your library without a direct connection to Steam's servers. What happens is when you begin to switch to offline mode, Steam compiles this file and saves it in your directory. In theory, this should allow you to connect to Steam at anytime without internet...
... but it doesn't.
Those with a slower internet connection can commonly have problems with creating the UIF because of a high packet loss, resulting in the disappearance of information necessary to start in offline mode. It's for this very reason that I CAN NOT access Steam with my internet disconnected, because my internet connection on average is about 10kbps.
I dislike drm in general but as far as drm goes, steam is the best, now I tend to play all my games though it anyway even if I don't get them on steam.
Offline mode. Drag your computer to someones internet connection, let it run and do it's thing, then go home and enjoy the joys of offlineism.
Steam has flaws, but I love it.
I really don't feel the need to buy a games console or a TV as long as I have this.
The problem is not steam, the problem is game developers who sell you a CD and then won't let you play because there was nothing on the disk to install short of just telling steam to download a 5GB File.
THAT is cheeky as shit, and should not be allowed..
Otherwise if the game has installation setup, Steam requires very little of you except to add it to you library for convenience.
And trust me I've gone weeks without internet because of ISP's being dicks.
I've had to put up with it. There are problems, yes... But steam is my friend, don't talk smack about him just because he's got a small acne problem bro.
Those with a slower internet connection can commonly have problems with creating the UIF because of a high packet loss, resulting in the disappearance of information necessary to start in offline mode.
But, surely, such a loss of data to a file required for off-line mode would mean off-line mode could never be used at all by a user with the problem you describe?
I used to really dislike the idea of not having a physical copy of a game, then I got left 4 dead and the orange box, saw some stuff on steam that was an awesome price, so I bought it.
Then... that was it. I own it forever through Steam. I didn't have to keep track of some CD key or disk. Just download and play. I had already lost more than 1 game I liked just because I couldn't find a cd key or lost the disk.
Now it's hard to get me to buy a game that isn't on Steam.
Steam is great. Though at times their bandwidth leaves something to be desired. Sure it is DRM and requires an internet connection (unless you work offline) but the services is delivers outweighs the DMRness and I have a fast internet connection.
The only thing I miss is a steam community client for other platforms (android & linux).
I really don't feel the need to buy a games console or a TV as long as I have this.
The problem is not steam, the problem is game developers who sell you a CD and then won't let you play because there was nothing on the disk to install short of just telling steam to download a 5GB File.
THAT is cheeky as shit, and should not be allowed..
Otherwise if the game has installation setup, Steam requires very little of you except to add it to you library for convenience.
And trust me I've gone weeks without internet because of ISP's being dicks.
I've had to put up with it. There are problems, yes... But steam is my friend, don't talk smack about him just because he's got a small acne problem bro.
While I have given Steam money for a handful of cheap games here and there (Torchlight for 9 bucks for example) if I'm spending more than 10 bucks on a game it won't be on Steam. I have this weird quirk where I insist on actually OWNING games I pay any meaningful amount for. Say what you will about Steam but you no more own those games in your account than you do the fucking moon.
i love steam, though it's too expensive for me. i live in poland and we get Western Europe prices. one game is my whole monthly pocket. good thing we have alternatw source of games for steam with quater of their price.
No, I shut Steam down entirely before I pulled it instead which, from Steam's perspective, is exactly the same thing.
But, for the sake of completeness, I just tried it the way you asked, and it was still fine. I shut my computer down, pulled connection, restarted, Steam ask if I wanted off-line mode and worked fine allowing me access to my games.
It sounds to me like you don't have your settings done properly. Have you saved your user-name and password for an automatic start-up, or do you input them every time?
I do have the credentials saved to my computer. And as I said, it doesn't seem to just be me having the problem as it is a common complaint I ran into while looking for why it didn't work. But...
Reyalsfeihc said:
Kapol said:
Maze1125 said:
Kapol said:
Maze1125 said:
Kapol said:
Try saying that when you lost access to the internet for a week or more unexpectedly and can't access your games because you have to be able to go online to go into offline mode. I think it's a bit of backwards logic there. "You can play offline. But you have to go online first then set it so your computer is in this special mode that lets you play offline."
That's not true at all. If Steam can't find a connection when it expects to, it automatically asks if you'd like you use off-line mode instead or keep trying the connection. Yes, you can set it while on-line, but you're in no way required to.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
Well, I tried it literally 10 minutes ago, just before I made that post, and it let me start Steam and play my games, all without any kind of internet connection to my computer.
I tried just now myself and it didn't allow me to. Did you have the computer up and running when you undid your internet connection? Because if it loses internet while you're online, it will still run. But when you boot up your computer without internet, it won't let you.
Yes, it does ask you if you want to start in offline mode when you try to connect without internet. But it then attempts to connect to the internet in order to start it in offline mode. If it can't connect to the internet to start in offline mode, then it won't let you connect. I'm guessing this is for the times the servers may be down or something along those lines. At least that's how it worked last time I tried it a month or so ago.
For the sake of science I just ripped out my USB wireless antenna, and I have no other way of connecting to the internet, restarted Steam and booted straight into offline mode and then straight into actually playing my games. Without any internet connection whatsoever.
It gives you a blank screen saying that to go online restart Steam, not TO PLAY GAMES, you just click library and there they are.
So finally can we all please stop mentioning this shit.
I'll ask you the same thing I asked the other guy, did your restart the computer or just try going into offline mode without internet. Because Steam will still work if you lost internet while you have it running, but from past experiences I've had and seen from others, you can't boot up your computer and access your Steam library if you don't have internet connection and have it set to offline mode.
Let me clear up the confusion between you three, as all of you are technically correct and wrong at the same time.
It's true that, without an internet connection, you can directly connect to offline mode via steam. However, in order to do so Steam must create an user information file to grant access to your library without a direct connection to Steam's servers. What happens is when you begin to switch to offline mode, Steam compiles this file and saves it in your directory. In theory, this should allow you to connect to Steam at anytime without internet...
... but it doesn't.
Those with a slower internet connection can commonly have problems with creating the UIF because of a high packet loss, resulting in the disappearance of information necessary to start in offline mode. It's for this very reason that I CAN NOT access Steam with my internet disconnected, because my internet connection on average is about 10kbps.
That does seem to explain it. That's why I was actually asking to be sure that we were doing it via the same method, as I was wondering why there'd be different results for the same issue. But that would explain why it would happen like that. Hadn't realized that the packet loss was the reason for the inability to connect offline. It's odd as I think I have a pretty good connection. But oh well. Thanks for clarifying in any case.
Maze1125 said:
Reyalsfeihc said:
Those with a slower internet connection can commonly have problems with creating the UIF because of a high packet loss, resulting in the disappearance of information necessary to start in offline mode.
But, surely, such a loss of data to a file required for off-line mode would mean off-line mode could never be used at all by a user with the problem you describe?
I don't think so. After all, when a user specifically connects to Steam to access offline mode, it likely sends the file needed specifically instead of all Steam general network traffic.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
