Clarity on the issue of needing Steam to play HL2

[TseTse]

When asked:

Will Steam be required to have an internet connection active when starting up a singleplayer game or a LAN game?

The now notorious Gabe replied:

No, it won't.

yet then contradicts himself with...

There will be a brief transition (like two weeks) when [steam/internet] is necessary, but then it will go away. It's a temporary issue.

(source )

what on earth is he saying? can these guys get somebody who knows how to COMMUNICATE CLEARLY, maybe get some public relations tips? goodness... they offend, alienate and confuse people with every damn statement they make...

ANYWAYS.

i have interpreted him as saying that, yes, basically HL2 will require you to install and run steam. fair enough interpretation, dont you think???

is he even talking about HL2?

does or does not HL2 require steam to be running for solo action?

does or does not HL2 require steam to be running for solo action once you have installed steam?

is this "transitional period" about now/steam roll-out or about HL2 release?

if it is merely about HL and right now, what is the stated "reason" for this "feature"?

 

[sayam]

SHWEEEEET

 

[scribblehead]

why not just post this in the valve info thread....we really did'nt need another thread about this....did we?

 

[tedge]

I don't know of any instances where Gabe has offended anyone, they are probably the most responsive and courteous developers out there. But to answer your questions:

Most of this info is / will be on the steampowered site, their just having a tough time with server loads currently. The site is being brought back up / improved.

He's talking about any games played with Steam. At the moment a connection is needed even for LAN/ singleplay. This will be changed shortly.

HL2 won't need a connection for single play either

Steam is a part of HL2. If you don't have it already, it'll be installed.

Its about Steam

 

[MaDMaXX]

not only are you being offensive to VALVe, you're also quoting well out of context :/

The reference of two weeks was in answer to what happens with Steam at the moment re lan and solo play, steam and the hl updates are in the middle of a transitional period, thus the "problem" of needing a net conenction to play lan or solo will be removed in about two weeks.

 

[switch]

tedge basically said it, but when hl2 comes out, you will not need an internet connection to play steam. at the moment you do need an internet connection to play single player game son steam but a patch will be released to remove that.

and perosnally i think Gabe is doing a great job, hes not even the PR guy at valve and its not like this is a press statement it was just a reply to an email (one of thousands a day) where the recipient would understamd it perfectly.

 

[TseTse]

god... some of you need to CHILL OUT and stop being such little prissy defensive fans.

these are EVRY basic, simple, honest questions on a HL2 website and i shouldnt HAVE to search through endless forums and threads for answers to REALLY basic things like this.

and... again, of course you regulars here prolly think he's doing a great job... but yet you flame at all his potential customers coming here and having to ask such SIMPLE questions...

think about it (they are the least responsive developers ive seen, just comparing them to legends, epic, irrational, vice, digital extremes - shall i continue?).

tell me what HL2 mp looks like? there are about 100 really simple, honest questions that arent answered in any honest or clear way.

im sorry some of you do not understand the frustration and confusion.

and for the record, i did NOT quote out of context... and find you, madmaxx, obnoxious for saying im being offensive to valve for askign for clarity. you arent helping this game community with that kind of response...

if i understand it, the issue is really about the definition of "transitional period." he meant that in terms of steam roll-out, an issue for existing HL products, thus it THEORETICALLY isnt a problem for HL2 users when it comes out.

i suspect you guys are right about that... although right now, i dont believe a damn thing Valve says... but i'd like to hear it straight from them.

they assume way too much...

(and im being honest as a customer in shock at a whole range of things)