Latest information in the informationthread :p

[flupke]

Confirmed today from Valve:-

QUOTE
Response (PatrickMc) - 10/06/2004 09:32 AM
Hello,

HL2 [RETAIL] can only be played through Steam and will require an Internet connection, but you will be able to play in Offline mode once you have registered your cd key.
END QUOTE

--
Grumps

________________________

What? Does this mean you need to have Steam installed on your PC to be able the play HL2 which is compeletely SP & requires NO internet connection at all? How the h* should i do that, i have no internet connection on my PC in my room?!

 

[Wraith]

seems to me youll need to have an active internet connection on the computer you plan to play with, at least long enough to register the key. run a phone line to your comp in your computer, get on dialup, register, then disconnect it.

 

[flupke]

Shouldn't i be able to insert the disc in this computer, register & then install it on my pc in my room? Probably not i guess..

 

[ZeeM]

haha how funny...

it seems that although I`ll buy the game, I`ll have to use a crack again...

 

[PvtRyan]

Just register the cd-key on the pc you're on now. It's not rocket science.

 

[Robert]

Well.. err.. I don't like this.. I mean.. well.. nevermind.

 

[kaellinn18]

I dunno, that last post didn't sound very credible. No email headers, not even who responded to his question (which was also not posted). I smell BS.

 

[DannoHung]

I can't comprehend that there are people who don't have at least a modem on their computers that can actually run Half-Life 2.

 

[PvtRyan]

I dunno, that last post didn't sound very credible. No email headers, not even who responded to his question (which was also not posted). I smell BS.

PC Gameplay also said it in their review, internet connection required, was mentioned two times.

 

[kaellinn18]

PC Gameplay also said it in their review, internet connection required, was mentioned two times.

Ah, ok. I wasn't aware of that.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

Just register the cd-key on the pc you're on now. It's not rocket science.

hmm..but what about pple who do not have/do not care for having internet access?
my young cousin's parents do not have the internet but i am pretty sure he will be getting HL2.

now what?

 

[Wraith]

Just register the cd-key on the pc you're on now. It's not rocket science.

yes but then of course valve will know you bought the game, but when you run the game on the pc without internet connection, its not going to boot into offline mode because it cannot connect to the internet in order to find out that it was registered on the other computer

 

[Kel Thuzad]

This solution sounds dumb to me...there are certainly shitloads of ppl out there who dont have intternet connection and still want to buy HL2...doesnt seem very reasonable...

 

[Kel Thuzad]

yes but then of course valve will know you bought the game, but when you run the game on the pc without internet connection, its not going to boot into offline mode because it cannot connect to the internet in order to find out that it was registered on the other computer

if its indeed so...then its ok...sort of...
edit - WAIT !!! i msiunderstood...of course its not ok...thats whats so stinkin about it...

 

[VodkA-HLC-]

Guess we will just have to wait and find out. I am sure there will be a nocdcrack type of crack for it. The cd key authorization is probably for the cs. s portion of the game. Since it is built in, dont you think? Makes sense to me. Once you authorize the cd key online, you can play the game offline so it probably is cs.source that requires the authorization.

 

[jaguar_987]

Wow what a way to cause a lot of people unnecessary hassle. I have to lug my computer up here to the phone line thats signed up to the net just so I can get this game running on my own computer lol Niiiiiiiiiice

 

[chu]

The computer I plan to play HL2 on doesn't have a modem. So what, Am I going to have to buy and install a modem just to register it? Gay.

 

[clarky003]

:/ not impressed, I hope retail doesnt need online registering to play, that's just gayer than Batman's pants.

 

[<RJMC>]

thats mean that if you buy the retail version you need to connecto to internet to play the game?

 

[clarky003]

according to that response yeh,

 

[Sprafa]

I doubt there are many people who can run HL2 but don't have an internet connection.

Sure, they'll lose a few sales, but it's not like they have to worry much about that do they ?

 

[Shuzer]

I'm fairly confident, myself, that the retail version will not have any Steam authentication. Same as Condition Zero.

However, the Steam version will probably have this.

Don't quote me on that, though. Though, that only makes sense if you ask me.

Unless, the installation CDs are simply Steam GCF files, in which case I have to say "wtf?"

 

[Wraith]

i bet you anything that all versions will make you register through steam. VALVE wants their games to be secure, they dont want you guys copying the cds and giving them out to people. they WILL make you register through steam, if not ill eat 5 hats. WITH cheese sauce.

 

[Dekstar]

Well that's unlucky. I would have thought the only reason people bought the retail in the first place is if they dont have a connection (or one decent enough to DL all of HL2)... VALVe should consider this.

 

[ukfluke]

no way they cant make everyone who buys the cd register online b4 they play. thats plane dumb.

 

[Doop!]

It's a bit like Microsoft's activation system, but at least they allow you to do it over the phone if you have no net connection. Seems a bit odd to deprive so many people of the game.

 

[Mountain Man]

Will we be able to play the Steam version in offline mode?

 

[Gunner]

Will we be able to play the Steam version in offline mode?

I think so, yes

 

[Homercidal]

My friend is a huge HL fan, like me. He doesn't have an internet connection. (He was bad... His wife disconnected it!)

So, although he has a VERY capable computer, he has no internet. So besides the fact that MP is not in the game, now he can't even play the SP game!?!?!

And this was a guy who planned on getting the fanciest retail package he could find. I'm tellin ya, everyday I expect to hear GOLD, but I only get more bad news. :frown:

 

[RTC]

If this is true, Valve / VU Games are doing this to prevent piracy.

 

[Gunner]

Homer I'm sure there are lots of people who would like to play HL² but don't have an internet connection but it's part of the minimum requirements. It's like saying it's unfair that I have a 486SX 25mhz pc and I can't run the game! Times change you know

 

[Shuzer]

If this is true, Valve / VU Games are doing this to prevent piracy.

It won't prevent it. It may delay it for a day or two, but I've never, ever seen an online activiation type of deal go uncracked. Whether it be Windows XP, Norton Antivirus or any other "highend" product, it always gets cracked. ALWAYS.

 

[epmode]

I'm fairly confident, myself, that the retail version will not have any Steam authentication. Same as Condition Zero.

However, the Steam version will probably have this.

did you even read the email? "HL2 [RETAIL] can only be played through Steam and will require an Internet connection."

both the steam download and the retail cd/dvd version will authenticate and run through steam, btw. you're going to need that internet connection, as silly as it seems.

Don't quote me on that, though.

too late.

 

[Yellonet]

So, you'll only have to connect to Steam once? If so, that's ok... sort of... I don't want to be registered.. but what can you do?

 

[Homercidal]

Homer I'm sure there are lots of people who would like to play HL² but don't have an internet connection but it's part of the minimum requirements. It's like saying it's unfair that I have a 486SX 25mhz pc and I can't run the game! Times change you know

Yes, time do change, but your example is completely off target. Your "hardware" requirements deal with a technical limitation of the game. The required Internet connection is arbitratry. It has nothing to do with changing hardware, software or anything else related to the game. It's a piracy protection policy determined by Valve as an attempt to keep people from making copies that their friends (or strangers) can play with.

I don't plan on pirating the game. I planned on getting the best edition possible. Now, though, I'm not sure. I could see where the Steam authentication could have been used to log people who are playing the game online, on Valve's servers.

On the other hand, there are "some" people who prefer to play offline. I myself like to play LAN MP games. The SP game, as good as it is, will likely not keep me involved enough to play through. Therefore, I have no need for an internet connection just to play the game, technically.

Times change indeed. Perhaps it's time I got over this silly business of wasting my time on video games...

 

[DreamWraith]

silly silly wabbits.

Of COURSE steam activation will be required. HL2 is being built on steam. Integrated with steam. The only way to *crack* that said system is to remove the steam component completely. thats would take some work. Shure, just like everything else there will be a cracked version on the net. But it is going to take alot more work than current games, because they have to figure a way to get around steam. In any case, people need to realize that it is pirating that has caused this to come about. don't blame valve. blame the pirates.

 

[DreamWraith]

Yes, time do change, but your example is completely off target. Your "hardware" requirements deal with a technical limitation of the game. The required Internet connection is arbitratry. It has nothing to do with changing hardware, software or anything else related to the game. It's a piracy protection policy determined by Valve as an attempt to keep people from making copies that their friends (or strangers) can play with.

I don't plan on pirating the game. I planned on getting the best edition possible. Now, though, I'm not sure. I could see where the Steam authentication could have been used to log people who are playing the game online, on Valve's servers.

On the other hand, there are "some" people who prefer to play offline. I myself like to play LAN MP games. The SP game, as good as it is, will likely not keep me involved enough to play through. Therefore, I have no need for an internet connection just to play the game, technically.

Times change indeed. Perhaps it's time I got over this silly business of wasting my time on video games...

Just like star wars galaxies has a minimum requirement of an internet connection, so does HL2. If you don't meet that requirement, your SOL. (no pun intended)

 

[Shuzer]

did you even read the email? "HL2 [RETAIL] can only be played through Steam and will require an Internet connection."

both the steam download and the retail cd/dvd version will authenticate and run through steam, btw. you're going to need that internet connection, as silly as it seems.too late.

Problem is, that makes no sense. What's the point of retail, then? If it requires Steam, what's on the CDs? GCF files? I can't see how there will be *any* installation files if you MUST use Steam.

I guess we'll see..

 

[Homercidal]

I read once where someone at Valve, Gabe I think, Said that although Steam comes with the CD version, the authentication is available by putting the CD in the computer.

Playing over Steam online though, doesn't require a CD, but requires authentication to their server.

I'm beginning to believe the posted email that started this thread is bogus. I have a hard time believing that Valve would not want to sell the game to the thousands of people who don't have Internet at home. There are LOTS and LOTS of people who can't "Play" online and who don't have an Internet connection because of it.

Someone should look this up in the Steam FAQs or something.

 

[epmode]

Problem is, that makes no sense. What's the point of retail, then? If it requires Steam, what's on the CDs? GCF files? I can't see how there will be *any* installation files if you MUST use Steam.

it'll fully install from the cds/dvd.. it's just that the game will be programmed to require an initial authentication, presumably to cut down on piracy. it's a bad idea, as pirates always find a way around similar schemes (win xp,) and it only alienates the few that don't have a readily available internet connection. xp got away with it because it's required to even run your computer.. hl2 obviously isn't, and will likely suffer some backlash if this is true.