Half-Life 2 Steam dependent?

[SilverBullet]

We know if you buy HL2 from Steam you'll need to use Steam and have an internet connection to play, but:


Will the boxed version of HL2 be dependent on steam in any way? Will we need to install Steam to play online and get updates (patches)?

Personally i dont see why they wouldnt give us the option to forego the use of Steam, but Steam is their product and making HL2 dependent on it is one hell of a way to push it. I dont like the idea of having my game('s) dependent on another program which also downloads things for me.

I've emailed Gabe but didnt get a responce and was wondering if this information has already been made available.

 

[Northwood83]

I doubt it will be dependant on steam...BTW theres a steam forum.

 

[LoneDeranger]

Originally posted by SilverBullet
We know if you buy HL2 from Steam you'll need to use Steam and have an internet connection to play, but:


Will the boxed version of HL2 be dependent on steam in any way? Will we need to install Steam to play online and get updates (patches)?

Personally i dont see why they wouldnt give us the option to forego the use of Steam, but Steam is their product and making HL2 dependent on it is one hell of a way to push it. I dont like the idea of having my game('s) dependent on another program which also downloads things for me.

I've emailed Gabe but didnt get a responce and was wondering if this information has already been made available.

Yes, HL2 is very much integrated with Steam. It will not download stuff unless you set it up to do so.

 

[FatCombine]

Yes, HL2 is very much integrated with Steam. It will not download stuff unless you set it up to do so.

Are you sure? Where did you get that info from?

 

[elhispano]

Do you prefer dependent of gamespy?

 

[LoneDeranger]

Originally posted by FatCombine
Are you sure? Where did you get that info from?

Threy said it everywhere. I'm not 100% sure, but I think HL2's multiplayer functionality comes thru Steam.

 

[Banana]

Originally posted by LoneDeranger
Threy said it everywhere. I'm not 100% sure, but I think HL2's multiplayer functionality comes thru Steam.

Not if it is the boxed version.

 

[Chris D]

Gabe has stated that it will use the same VGUI system as CS1.6...
Valve plan to abolish the normal http downloadable .exe patch by having automatic updates via Steam. I think it's very much so the way forward and a lot of people will invest in Steam and jump on the bandwaggon.

It's a bit buggy now, but as the weeks go on, Steam is getting much more reliable and the updates are getting smoother. I think it's a good system and if HL2 is dependant on Steam then it'll be a good thing.

 

[Chris D]

Everyone's speculating again - the truth is guys no body actually knows yet. The only official word I know of is that Valve has stated that it will use the same VGUI system as CS1.6 and that HL2 will be available via Steam.

 

[SilverBullet]

Originally posted by elhispano
Do you prefer dependent of gamespy?

Do you mean would i rather be dependent on gamespy?

I dont depend on gamespy now... i just use the ingame browser to find games and download patches from the many game sites.

If you like Steam and use it... thats fine. I dont like Steam and would like the option to not use it in any form.

And please confirm your statements with a source link... dont just speculate/guess.

 

[LoneDeranger]

Originally posted by SilverBullet
Do you mean would i rather be dependent on gamespy?

I dont depend on gamespy now... i just use the ingame browser to find games and download patches from the many game sites.

If you like Steam and use it... thats fine. I dont like Steam and would like the option to not use it in any form.

And please confirm your statements with a source link... dont just speculate/guess.

Yes, your in-game browser will now be in Steam. It will also download patches and bug fixes. Beyond that I can only guess.

 

[urseus]

Id rather have a downloadable Exe.


This is for 2 reasons:

1/ I have a download limit, and thus for bigger downloads sometimes i wait untill my capp runs out and i get knocked back to a 28k and download it overnite.

2/ I am in australia, meaning i dont want to wait an hour for an update from american steam servers, when i can just grab an exe from aussie sites.

I dont like steam. I dont like the fact of connecting to a server, then having to sit there while it uploads a new 30mb skin to me.

 

[SilverBullet]

Originally posted by LoneDeranger
Yes, your in-game browser will now be in Steam. It will also download patches and bug fixes. Beyond that I can only guess.

No offence pal but it sounds like you are just guessing... if you're not then please point me towards the direction of where you got that info. The only things i've read that sounds similar is the email answeres about how HL2 is completely Steam dependent if you buy it from Steam.

 

[FatCombine]

I dont like steam. I dont like the fact of connecting to a server, then having to sit there while it uploads a new 30mb skin to me.

Thats only in the servers that people customize, you know, custom admin models etc. Just join a normal one.

 

[LoneDeranger]

Originally posted by SilverBullet
No offence pal but it sounds like you are just guessing... if you're not then please point me towards the direction of where you got that info. The only things i've read that sounds similar is the email answeres about how HL2 is completely Steam dependent if you buy it from Steam.

I'm guessing, but it's an educated guess based on emails from Valve regarding this.

 

[urseus]

How do you mean?


In day of defeat, they update model skins all the time. Some of them are up around the 10 mb mark. Im only assuming that hl2 models and skins will be about the same.

Plus games that are updated all the time, like dod, will be steam when dod2 comes out.

 

[Koldfire]

I hope the developers and mod makers arent stupid enough to make thier work MALWARE dependant.

 

[what]

Originally posted by Koldfire
I hope the developers and mod makers arent stupid enough to make thier work MALWARE dependant.

Steam is a virus/trojan now? When did this happen?

 

[RUBBERMONKEY]

None of us know the extent that half life2 will be dependant on Steam. But I really dont want to pay a monthly fee to find servers and get updates. Steam may just be an alternative to other methods, but if it is the most popular way to find servers, there will be big pressure to use it (and therefore pay).

Here's to hoping Valve doesn't try that evil scheme.

 

[Jmgr]

Hum

And what if I have a computer who haven't a Internet access ???

How can I upgrade my game ?

 

[Nathaniel]

I've never heard of an FPS that has the players pay to be able to use the Multiplayerfunction, and I don't think this will be the case with HL2 either

I am concerned about this Steam-business though, since my gamincomputer doesn't even have internet access. that's right, no internet.

how am I supposed to patch the game, or perhaps even play it if I can't have steam on it? I sure hope Valve really take this into consideration.

 

[SilverBullet]

Someone email one of the Valve devs to get an answere to this. I already tried but they seem to be selective when it comes to asnwering so many emails.