Question of the Day, Feb. 19, 2010

[e2density]

Well, the thing is, my current awesome gaming PC has no internet because I have no router. So it's not connected to the internet, but I have installed a variety of games since very few require you have internet to play Singleplayer.

But I'm picking up my router later today from the post office, I ordered it online.

 

[Doug]

Most of the time I'm connected, but occasionally my connection dies for a few hours. Or days in bad cases.

 

[MurderousToaster]

I'm usually connected to the 'net (if my wireless feels like co-operating at the time). But I don't want to have to be just to play my games. My wireless tends to die very often, and having to go back to a checkpoint every damn time it drops (about once every five minutes if playing online) will frustrate the living hell out of me.

 

[Tharwen]

Internet at home, no internet at school (and before you ask, I spend most of my year living at school so that constitutes a large proportion of my gaming time)

 

[JRCB]

Always, but I still game even when there is no connection.

And I believe that DRM is going out of control.

 

[the1ultimate]

My gaming PC isn't my internet PC.

Aside from that I like to know that if I ever wanted to install and play my game I could, without requiring anything more than the disc.

Also, I don't necessarily have a lot of internet bandwidth anyway, so I prefer it when games don't take liberties with what they can download to my machine, such as unnecessary programs, unnecessary updates and extra security.

I like it when a game is a stand-alone application which is designed to be a game. Keep IT systems simple, it's the most efficient way.

 

[Brnin8]

I am always set to auto connect but my home network has been crashy lately so this has me somewhat worried...

 

[Captain Blackout]

I think I'm never buying Assassin's Creed 2. If I still had the chops, I would pirate it for a friend of mine...

 

[Ninjamedic]

Never, I despise all forms of DRM and mandatory digital distribution.

 

[Raigne]

I am usually connected to the internet, however, one of the things I do when my internet is down (which happened quite frequently up until about 8 months ago) is play a single player game, because they don't require internet access. Even though I'm often connected to the net when I play, it's not using bandwidth or generating traffic. A game that is constantly pinging a server to make sure I ponied up my $60 to play it is. It's irritating, regardless of whether I'm connected or not. Doubly so if I can't play a single player game when I'm offline.

 

[Callate]

It's kind of the wrong question, frankly.

Of course I'm online when I'm playing an MMO or a multiplayer shooter. And one could answer "always" simply by nature of the fact that many people who use the Internet for gaming in any way- whether it's playing World of Warcraft or downloading large game files from a site like Good Old Games- use an "always on" Internet connection simply because that's the way most broadband Internet connections work.

My preference, however, is to use firewall software like Zone Alarm and strictly regulate what software can use my bandwidth pipe to call back to base, download patches, and so on (thank you, printer driver, you work just fine without trying to patch yourself on a daily basis...) This is the kind of choice that shouldn't be taken away from an end user on a cavalier basis.

So, yes, maybe I am online, by various definitions, when I'm playing a PC game; that doesn't necessarily mean I'm okay with software I didn't choose being online at or over my shoulder simultaneously.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Never

I have to run a long cord down my stair case to connect my Gaming Pc to an internet line.

 

[InsaneFool]

I was tempted to simply answer "Always", but that is a bit over simplified. So I answered Sometimes because even though a vast majority of the time I am online, there are occasions where I happen to want to play while unable to connect...such as during one of my many trips on the train or in a friend's car.

 

[Radelaide]

I'm always online simply because while I game, I'm often downloading, researching or doing other internet things. The fact that Ubisoft want gamers to be connected to play won't discourage piracy, it'll just piss people off. I wish devs would stop trying to end piracy because it won't end. Be outraged, be against it in theory and morals, but don't try to be against it by punishing those who are legit in their intentions to play a game they purchased honestly. They aren't criminals and don't deserved to be treated as such.

~Rade.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Sometimes. Depends on whether I'm on Steam or playing a windowed game, and what game I'm playing. For example, I always like to have a Stardust guide open when playing Legend of Dragoon, and have the Elder Scrolls wiki open when I'm (god forbid) playing an Elder Scrolls game.

And I like to check my Facebook on occasion. Go figure.

EDIT: 5500 posts. Some kinda milestone, tells me I've been around for way too long.

 

[Dommyboy]

Dammit, put the wrong answer in the poll.

I'm pretty much always on the internet, though that doesn't mean I'm playing online games. My internet does seem to have quite a few hiccups though, unfortunately.

 

[Selifator]

The only time when I am not connected is when the router fails. Otherwise I'm always connected to the internet. Still won't buy AC2 though.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

I am regularly online when playing games, but I have, at many points, been without internet connectivity for months due to circumstances beyond my control (such as being in the middle east). It was during my first deployment that I learned just how obnoxious such a system could be when I was unable to play Half-Life 2 simply because I had no internet connection with which to validate the game.

 

[Xaryn Mar]

It depends. Most of the time I am but mostly because I have a good connection for my stationary PC. If I play on my laptop it depends on where I am.