Steam!

[directhex]

A few of you probably already know about Steam from CS 1.6, i thought i'd give a brief explanation for those who haven't - and tell you why it's the best thing ever.

1. go to www.steampowered.com and download the Steam client
2. run it, fill in details etc
3. pick a game from the list. so far, it's Half Life & its mods
4. it'll download a multiplayer-only version of the client and launch. that's right, Counterstrike legally for free, even if you don't own Half Life.

why is this a good thing? simple - it cuts out the middle man, and makes games cheaper. think of the following scenario: half life 3 is cut into 4 chapters. chapter 1 is free, on steam. chapter 2, 3, 4 cost a few quid each, also on steam. or basic deathmatch is free, and the ability to use any mods or even teamplay costs a tiny monthly subscription. the oppertunities are overwhelming.

if i go & visit my girlfriend & cannot sleep, i just get steam, click on Counterstrike, wait a few minutes, then dive into a game. no mess, no fuss, no CDs.

yes, it needs broadband. it won't be ready for real primetime for a year or so yet, but with satellite, wireless and other rural broadband services rolling into action, it's only a matter of time.

this could well be the biggest step in games since Shareware

--jo

[Stylez]

Ive been playing cs 1.6 on steam for ages and think its a great idea of doing this so people can get used to the game before it comes out. I know that whenever they have brought a new version out you always need to get used to it.

[KraniX]

i just hope by having the software remotely controlled might cut down on the number of cheaters, which is the reason i stopped playing CS ages ago.

[gilgamesj]

CS is full of (insert generic nasty word)s

everytime u make 2 headshots in a row its, AIMBOT, WALLHACK, LAMER!!

i just cba with anything other than the fun maps like aim_scout and the fy maps. Shame really :/

[Stylez]

Originally posted by gilgamesj
CS is full of (insert generic nasty word)s

everytime u make 2 headshots in a row its, AIMBOT, WALLHACK, LAMER!!

i just cba with anything other than the fun maps like aim_scout and the fy maps. Shame really :/

That is why i mostly stick to clan games now, and dont go on publics much any more.

[Flibb]

Have noticed the same thing happening on DoD now, the one that really f***s me off is being called a camper. Grrrrr bugger off back to CS if you dont like me defending the flag. I dont camp spawn areas but do protect strategc alleys etc. My team did do a nasty the other day though. We had to defend a church on one of the maps, so we had 2 MG's setup and the rest of the team covering windows etc. We kept cutting the opposition down whenever they got near. Anyway normal calls of lamers campers whine whine winge winge, most of it directed at the MG's, then I spotted 1 of their MG's running around, swift spading later and we have another MG for the defence That really pissed them off. I was polite and thanked them for the MG.
Flibb

PS wil look at steam

PPS Just spotted DoD is on steam will dload it 2nite

[Zak33]

I'm not a real onliner.....just FB really...BUT...I gotta say.....this is what we need.

Make games accessible for low distribution costs......and that way we ALL get what we want...and if we dont lie the game half way through...weonly paid for half of it...

WHICH MEANS developers wil work harder to make them good ALL THE WAY THROUGH....

Imagine is Halflife (original) had been like that....I'd never have paid for the last (and best) bit cos the Alien World bit was CACK....

and Valve would SOON have realised

Cheers Jo

[Lowe]

Whoever thinks the games will be cheaper just because it's being distributed through the net needs to take off the rose tinted glasses.

Think of the bandwidth bill. And yes, you and I will have to pay for it.

Still, it makes like a little easier and I quite like the Steam system. Hope it works.

[directhex]

i was wrong. it's not half lfie deathmatch. it's the whole single-player game.

downloading a level at a time is a little irritating, but not having to bother with CDs ever again is godlike.

and the bandwidth bill is one thing - a developer gets £1 to £2 for every £35 game you buy. the rest goes to the publisher, distributor & retailer. cut out three layers of middle men and a few m,eg of bandwidth pales next to the money saved by putting 3 layers of crap out of a job.

--jo