Internet Connection - Must Have?

[Rutgar]

Hi, I'm currently living in a temporary apartment, and I have no internet. I receive a copy of HL2 as a Christmas gift, and noticed that the package says an internet connection is a requirement. Can HL2 be installed and played on a stand alone PC without an Internet connection?

Thanks.

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

No. An internet connection is required for installation.

 

[Rutgar]

No. An internet connection is required for installation.

Thanks. Man that really bites. Pay $60.00 for a game and can't even play "Single Player" without an Internet connection. Guess I'll be taken this game back to the store.

 

[15357]

Err, you can't take it back to the store when its already been opened.

 

[Harryz]

You need an internet connection to "activate" the game for installation. After that, you can play it offline.

 

[Rutgar]

Err, you can't take it back to the store when its already been opened.

It's not opened yet.

 

[15357]

It's not opened yet.

Oh, good. You'll be able to get your money back then.




Although I strongly advise you getting a internet connection (preferably DSL or LPFO)....

 

[Fliko]

Yeah, just get a free AOL trial to activate it, then its all good.

 

[Rutgar]

Okay, well thanks for the help everyone. As I said, I'm only in this apartment temporarily until my new house is finished. So I won't be getting an internet connection while I'm here. Since I don't have a lot to do in the apartment, I wanted to be able to play the game. I think it really sucks that they would cripple a game from the stand alone single player portion, without an internet connection. First game in my life I've ever had that required that. Although it's not as bad as the new Age of Empires 3, which won't run on any OS except Windows XP (finding this out after I bought it, opened it, and tried to install on Windows 2000).

 

[Seagull]

Hopefully you'll get your new house soon with your internet connection so you can get HL2 again!

 

[kupocake]

Sadly, people without access to the Internet are a minority now. If games developers can put in net-based authentication, they will and at little impact to their sales figures, especially as the numbers of non-net users are probably similar to those who are forced to buy the game instead of pirating it. This is all particularly true of games like Half-Life 2, which have reasonably high system requirements, so people without net connections are even more of a minority.

If you happen to have an X-Box, you could get that version, though the PC version is superior. That or use a friend's net connection on your PC for the duration of the authentication and updating period. Once you have the CD-Key tied to a Steam account, and the game updated to 100%, you can activate Steam's offline mode, allowing you to play the game without a net connection.

 

[Laivasse]

Yeah, what kupo said. You can install it and update it on a friends PC then back up the install to DVD or a USB drive, whatever. Get it onto your comp from there and single player will work.

 

[Steven]

You'd have to keep going to the persons house becasue Steam sucks and forces you to update.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

its a slight downfall of having to internet access to play the SP portion of the game.
certainly by now one would think Valve would have come up with a way to overcome this for those only interested in SP and/or who do not have an internet connection.

oh well...all that aside its the best of all recent games

 

[Laivasse]

You'd have to keep going to the persons house becasue Steam sucks and forces you to update.

If he got it to update to 100% so that it worked okay in offline mode, then he'd never have to update again. Steam would never connect to the net or know about updates.

Having said that, if he updated at the moment he'd be stuck with funky weird urine-water-shiny-plastic-wrap-effect HL2 forever.

 

[Steven]

If he got it to update to 100% so that it worked okay in offline mode, then he'd never have to update again. Steam would never connect to the net or know about updates.

Having said that, if he updated at the moment he'd be stuck with funky weird urine-water-shiny-plastic-wrap-effect HL2 forever.

Yes but what abnout when you go to run steam in offline mode and it says it can't connect to the steam network, your forced to go online wether it's for updating or just becasue steam sucks.

 

[kupocake]

Yeah, what kupo said. You can install it and update it on a friends PC then back up the install to DVD or a USB drive, whatever. Get it onto your comp from there and single player will work.

Have you actually got it working like that? In my experience, this is insufficient because all the registry information isn't present to fool the Steam installation that it hasn't moved. The only way AFAIK is that you have to use YOUR computer to authenticate your copy and get the offline mode.

 

[Laivasse]

I've got it working this way, yeah. I have my entire steam folder backed up to DVD and USB, since I've had to format a couple of times recently. Once the format's done I just pop it back on the same letter drive it was on before and voila.

Now that you ask me though, I can't quite remember if I had to enter my password and log in for the very first time after restoring it...but then isn't the password info, etc, stored in the clientregistry.blob file?? Confused now. Fairly confident it works though.

Edit - my thinking is that if you put it in the same paths you used to install it, and the clientregistry.blob file is intact, it should work. Steam's an unpredictable little monkey though.

 

[Natedog102]

Have you actually got it working like that? In my experience, this is insufficient because all the registry information isn't present to fool the Steam installation that it hasn't moved. The only way AFAIK is that you have to use YOUR computer to authenticate your copy and get the offline mode.

I was on vacation when I got my copy. I was really impatient so I installed it on my uncles computer and played it there...Then when I got home, I put my account info in, and after "updating" for about two hours, I could play.

 

[Rutgar]

Sadly, people without access to the Internet are a minority now. If games developers can put in net-based authentication, they will and at little impact to their sales figures, especially as the numbers of non-net users are probably similar to those who are forced to buy the game instead of pirating it. This is all particularly true of games like Half-Life 2, which have reasonably high system requirements, so people without net connections are even more of a minority.

If you happen to have an X-Box, you could get that version, though the PC version is superior. That or use a friend's net connection on your PC for the duration of the authentication and updating period. Once you have the CD-Key tied to a Steam account, and the game updated to 100%, you can activate Steam's offline mode, allowing you to play the game without a net connection.

I'm just wondering where it's going to stop. First it was you had to have the original disk in the drive. Then they added having to put in a key during installation, and now you have also be verified over the internet?!?! Talk about "Big Brother". It's no wonder I don't buy very many games anymore. You have to jump through too many hoops just to play the silly things.

 

[jerkasaur]

aah, steam, i guess it's one of the reasons some people buy warez version of the game...
btw look at my sig for a laugh

 

[15357]

I'm just wondering where it's going to stop. First it was you had to have the original disk in the drive. Then they added having to put in a key during installation, and now you have also be verified over the internet?!?! Talk about "Big Brother". It's no wonder I don't buy very many games anymore. You have to jump through too many hoops just to play the silly things.

It is to make sure that people do not steal the hard work and time they have so selflessly put into to provide this gmae for us. And to make money. Capitalism ftw.

 

[StAtiC]

I still don't understand how you have a gaming computer and no good internet connection. I mean, at least something.

 

[jerkasaur]

It is to make sure that people do not steal the hard work and time they have so selflessly put into to provide this gmae for us. And to make money. Capitalism ftw.

then how come they still do?

 

[Rutgar]

I still don't understand how you have a gaming computer and no good internet connection. I mean, at least something.

I explained that already. But to furthur elaborate, even if I had an internet connection in my apartment, it would only be dial-up (they don't have DSL capability in this complex). And since I have internet at work, which is why I have access to write this, I didn't see the need for a slow dial-up connection at home.

Plus, that still doesn't change the fact that this whole "Steam" thing is a bad idea. What if everytime you wanted to listen to a music CD, you had to put in a key code, and connect to the internet? I understand about producers wanting to protect their stuff from thiefs. But we're the customers. And without us, they wouldn't be making ANY money. And if they piss enough of us off with all of this "protection" crap, they'll be making even less money because people like me are simply getting fed up, and stop buying. Like I said, because of this I'm taking the game back.

 

[bigbigbrother]

steam is for n00bs

 

[Shasta]

Take your pc to work, and do it all there. If your boss catches you, let him/her have a turn. They will leave you alone after that. Or bug you for another go.

 

[Steven]

steam is for n00bs

There we go, QFT.

 

[15357]

I explained that already. But to furthur elaborate, even if I had an internet connection in my apartment, it would only be dial-up (they don't have DSL capability in this complex). And since I have internet at work, which is why I have access to write this, I didn't see the need for a slow dial-up connection at home.

Plus, that still doesn't change the fact that this whole "Steam" thing is a bad idea. What if everytime you wanted to listen to a music CD, you had to put in a key code, and connect to the internet? I understand about producers wanting to protect their stuff from thiefs. But we're the customers. And without us, they wouldn't be making ANY money. And if they piss enough of us off with all of this "protection" crap, they'll be making even less money because people like me are simply getting fed up, and stop buying. Like I said, because of this I'm taking the game back.

Indeed yes, steam sucks. But, the protection you are talking about such as a cd-key, isn't really annoying unless you lose or something.

 

[Rutgar]

Indeed yes, steam sucks. But, the protection you are talking about such as a cd-key, isn't really annoying unless you lose or something.

Well, I totally disagree that the CD-Key also isn't annoying. As an honest, paying, game-player, I would rather be able to simply fire up any game already installed on my PC without having to dig out the key disk. Case in point, I've already explained I'm temporarliy in an apartment. Most of my stuff is in Storage. I have several games on my PC that I bought and paid for, but I can't play them because the key-disk is in a box, somewhere in a storage POD.

However with all of that said, the CD-key isn't the topic. Steam or having to have an internet connection to play a stand alone game is.

 

[Cole]

Yes but what abnout when you go to run steam in offline mode and it says it can't connect to the steam network, your forced to go online wether it's for updating or just becasue steam sucks.

Idiot thats when steam dosn't have your saved login information.

Plus, that still doesn't change the fact that this whole "Steam" thing is a bad idea. What if everytime you wanted to listen to a music CD, you had to put in a key code, and connect to the internet? I understand about producers wanting to protect their stuff from thiefs. But we're the customers. And without us, they wouldn't be making ANY money. And if they piss enough of us off with all of this "protection" crap, they'll be making even less money because people like me are simply getting fed up, and stop buying. Like I said, because of this I'm taking the game back.

1)Basically all Pc games have cd keys now days.(A few exceptions)
2)You only ever have to put in your Cd Key once on Steam.
3)Connect to the net get it updated have remember password clicked, there you go it will work offline for ages.

Pirating is becoming more and more and yes it does hurt Developers. What if you ran a business and people basically walked right up to your business and took your product and walked off. Not only this but everyday another person came and stole your product. Steam was mad for Online Content Distribution, and trust me thats gonna grow. Bill Gates supports it and will only look to push it out for the Xbox 3, Developers actually get the share of money they deserve(70% of the cut), Allows smaller Developers to get up with innovative ideas, dosn't force you to be under a Publisher all day, in the end Online Content Distribution is one of the best thing that will ever happen to Developers. Being about to get $35 off each game instead of $7. Being able to sell your games cheaper and get more money. Letting the little guy not need a publisher to accept his ideas so they can make the game and then be put under what the Publisher wants since there funding.
Steam is a great idea. It isn't perfect for everyone but nontheless is a great idea.

 

[bigbigbrother]

ok I changed my mind steam is for l337s