Flying-Emu said:
*snip*
Get better internet? I bought TESIV: Oblivion and was playing in under twenty minutes.
Your problem with it seems to stem solely from the fact that it is, after all, a digital distribution platform. Complaining that you don't get a CD is like complaining that they don't serve hash brownies at McDonalds: it's just silly. In addition:
1) You don't have to update if it's not a multiplayer game. Cancel the update, go into offline mode, bam: Done. For those of you who say that offline mode doesn't work, I don't know what to say, because I've used it quite a bit and it hasn't failed once. If it is a multiplayer game, well, too damn bad. I don't see people whining about updates to Halo, however few and far between they may be.
2) Bwahaha, there are so few games these days that require a CD in the drive, that's no longer a valid argument either way.
3) I COULD go to the site to check for updates. Or I could let an automated service take care of it when I'm not playing. Hrm... waste my time... or don't waste my time... I'll go with option A.
4) Why do PC gamers like Steam? The store is cheap, convenient, and has some great games that you can only get there, as well as some fabulous deals (TF2 for $1, anyone?). The social aspect of it (the chat functions, groups, etc.) are all adequately done, and the "Non-Steam Game" function (which allows you to access Steam Community from any game you choose) lets you chat with friends during breaks in the game, or what have you, without having to alt-tab or lose function of an entire key (Like Ventrilo requires with the CTRL button, or wherever you bind it.)
5) What's cooler? *Snip*
Right, so first of all I don't care about the CD, other than it's simplicity, but sometimes steam advocates use this as an argument.
As for your first point... are we using different programs? Empire total war, first time using steam, I "cancelled" the update and went offline. Steam would not allow me, and does not allow me, to play ANY game that is in the process of updating be it offline or online. I have as of yet never found a way to stop an update AFTER it has started.
BTW, last year we (the people in my dorm) used to play COD4 all the time, no problems whatsoever. The only inconvenience was when you first installed it and updated it. NOW we barely play, due to all the problems with steam, specially since you can't host LAN games.
is my only answer to point 2
I never go to the site to check for updates, and Steam has never updated "in the background". It only ever updates when I wish to play, which is only when I turn steam on because Why in the world would I run it otherwise? I choose option C, don't bother with updates unless I have problems or can be bothered, and where I can play the non-updated game whilst downloading the patch for said game
Point four.... who needs social interaction?
But seriously, sure that is a nice function, but it's not worth the hassle that is steam. It's like the cast for your broken arm is cool and people can write on it, but it's not worth it to break your arm/leg.
Seriously though, I'm fine with you liking steam, have fun with it and all that. BUT
to me and most of the world who don't have good internet, steam sucks. The two main updates to steam that I demand are simple :
Allow the players to play their game while at the same time downloading the patch (why is this a problem? How does downloading interfere with playing?), don't shove the patch down our throats (especially the ones that destroy saves, (like ETW) or the ones that destroy the game (like ETW!!!)), and allow the player to uninstall the patch if they don't like it.
.......... Steam is just a lot of hot air.............
http://theundergrowth.com/cdumpmag/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Space_Marine_Motivation_Poster_by_Kasin971.jpg
or
http://image-photo.weather.com/79/B6/full/79B690DC-9996-4697-A2E4-608EDF181544.jpg
