Interview Turn-based Space Action RPG in the making from Ex-Troika

[bryce777]

There's some pretty heavyweight DRM, Valve reserve the right to kill all your steam games if you are suspected of piracy, they will also flag your account as banned if you are caught cheating - there has been one recorded false positive. In my opinion, this is necessary for multiplayer FPS's, as cheaters really screw up online gaming.

Not only that, but what happens in ten years when these clowns are out of business?

You can't connect to steam, so now suddenly you are just fucked and can't play at all....

 

[HardCode]

Steam isn't nearly as bad as Starfarce. Anyone here thinks Bill Gates doesn't own your balls because you use Windows? Get over it. As long as Steam doesn't fry your DVD drive, it's fine. Just connecting to the Internet, you waive your rights in a philosophical sense because you can get virused, trojaned, hacked, etc. anyway.

 

[Oarfish]

You can't connect to steam, so now suddenly you are just fucked and can't play at all

You download the "no steam" patch from teh internet, hardly a good commercial (or possibly legal by then, given the way copyright law is going) solution, but it will be possible.

CD's have a lifespan and are easy to damage.. you haven't been making backups have you?

 

[Atrokkus]

Phew... almost a half-day's work... finally put the translation together.

 

[Drakron]

I realized I am starfaced since IWD:HoW uses it as well some other games I have.

Yet you can kill Starforce, you can also use a NO-CD path that bypasses Starforce and even one games have released a "StarForce free" patch ... X2.

Yet Starforce does not call home, it does not have the ability to scan your conputer and send information to someone else your permission, I never had a problem with Starforce even if I realize my CD driver starting up from time to time is likely do its activities.

 

[bryce777]

You can't connect to steam, so now suddenly you are just fucked and can't play at all

You download the "no steam" patch from teh internet, hardly a good commercial (or possibly legal by then, given the way copyright law is going) solution, but it will be possible.

CD's have a lifespan and are easy to damage.. you haven't been making backups have you?

I have never had one go bad on me. The only problem I've had has been losing the fuckers.

Sicne the no steam patch will be unofficial, you can have no way to tell if that is all it does. Plus, how will you get the bazillion patches?

I think you will be fucked.

 

[Kraszu]

In my opinion, this is necessary for multiplayer FPS's, as cheaters really screw up online gaming.

Blizzard cd-keys in mp works as good as stream and have no side effects.

 

[bryce777]

In my opinion, this is necessary for multiplayer FPS's, as cheaters really screw up online gaming.

Blizzard cd-keys in mp works as good as stream and have no side effects.

I don't think they can stop cheats that way though...?

 

[Major_Blackhart]

Steam can fry your DVD drive? That might have been what happened to mine. What would be the effects? Would DVD's suddenly skip for no reason, as well as CD's?

 

[Zomg]

Also, if your power lines cross a graveyard, sometimes ghosts will fly into your power supply and cause it to overheat.

 

[Kraszu]

In my opinion, this is necessary for multiplayer FPS's, as cheaters really screw up online gaming.

Blizzard cd-keys in mp works as good as stream and have no side effects.

I don't think they can stop cheats that way though...?

They can ban your cd-key, Server have list of cd-keys so you can't share it (it will not give acces if you have cd-key that is already used).

 

[Mefi]

meh - we're debating the merits of Steam in a thread with such an encouraging OP.

 

[bryce777]

In my opinion, this is necessary for multiplayer FPS's, as cheaters really screw up online gaming.

Blizzard cd-keys in mp works as good as stream and have no side effects.

I don't think they can stop cheats that way though...?

They can ban your cd-key, Server have list of cd-keys so you can't share it (it will not give acces if you have cd-key that is already used).

That is just piracy prevention. You can already ban people, anyhow.

It doesn't keep people from modifying code....

 

[Mantiis]

there has been one recorded false positive.

for cheating? Do you have an actual reference for this or is this second hand knowledge?

 

[Human Shield]

Despite the fact that no EULA has held up in court to my knowledge...

License Terms.
Steam and your Subscription(s) require the installation of the Steam client and the automatic download of software, other content and updates thereto onto your computer (“Steam Software”). You may not use Steam Software for any purpose other than the permitted access to Steam and your Subscriptions. You understand that Steam may automatically update, pre-load, create new versions or otherwise enhance the Steam Software and accordingly, the system requirements to use the Steam Software may change over time.

ie We can download onto your PC whatever we want. When we want to. And you've just agreed to it.

It downloads updates is what it says. Most task tray items including Virus scanners do this. Valve is great on updates.

Third Party Sites.
Steam may provide links to other third party sites. Some of these sites may charge separate fees, which are not included in any Subscription or other fees that you may pay to Valve. Steam may also provide access to third-party vendors, who provide content, goods and/or services on Steam or the Internet. Any separate charges or obligations you incur in your dealings with these third parties are your responsibility.

ie We are going to spam you. And you've just agreed to it.

Where do you get that? There is a news update pop-up start up (that can be turned off) every once in a while that is hand-written. And Steam has its own library browser that "provides links", of course. I've never gotten any spam-like stuff.

VALVE DOES NOT GUARANTEE CONTINOUS, ERROR-FREE, VIRUS-FREE OR SECURE OPERATION AND ACCESS TO STEAM, THE STEAM SOFTWARE, YOUR ACCOUNT AND YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS(S). YOU ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK WITH RESPECT TO THE PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS OF THE STEAM SOFTWARE IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR HARDWARE.

ie We can download whatever we like. And if it fucks your computer, tough shit.

All software that connects to the internet doesn't "guarantee" such things. Any software that guaranteed prefect operation of your computer would get million complains pretty fast.

AMENDMENTS TO THIS AGREEMENT
Valve may amend this Agreement at any time in its sole discretion. As a Subscriber, you agree that Valve may amend the terms of this Agreement. If Valve amends the Agreement, such amendment shall be effective thirty (30) days after posting the new amended Agreement on Steam. You agree to review the Agreement periodically to become aware of such amendments. You can view the Agreement at any time at http://www.steampowered.com/. Your failure to cancel your Account thirty (30) days after an amended Agreement is posted on Steam will mean that you accept all such amendments. If you don’t agree to the amendments or to any of the terms in this Agreement, your only remedy is to cancel your Account or a particular Subscription.

ie You agree to a contract where the other party can do whatever the hell they like. If you don't like it, you can't play your game any more.

Again, EULA have been shaky in court. Any program that is constantly updated has something like this.

Do you read every EULA?

…In the event that your Account or a particular Subscription is terminated or cancelled by Valve for a violation of this Agreement or improper or illegal activity, no refund, including any Subscription fees, will be granted.

C. Termination by Valve.
1. In the case of a recurring payment Subscription (e.g., a monthly subscription), in the event that Valve terminates or cancels your Account or a particular Subscription for convenience, Valve may, but is not obligated to, provide a prorated refund of any prepaid Subscription fees paid to Valve.

2. In the case of a one-time purchase of a product license (e.g., purchase of a single game) from Valve, Valve may choose to terminate or cancel your Subscription in its entirety or may terminate or cancel only a portion of the Subscription (e.g., access to the software via Steam) and Valve may, but is not obligated to, provide access (for a limited period of time) to the download of a stand-alone version of the software and content associated with such one-time purchase.

ie. You don't own your game. If we decide to stop you playing, we can. So tough shit.

Would love to see the whole thing taken up by the Consumers people here in the UK.

You can already backup your games off Steam, canceled account means you can't download anymore.

You are fucking crazy for flipping out over the EULA. They have shit legal meaning, if you think Valve is going to load your computer up with viruses and then give an evil laugh while everyone still sues despite the EULA you're putting too much effort into this.

Steam has run fine for me, so has Stardock's Totalgaming.net (which probably has the same EULA). There hasn't been any findings of spyware (people keep tabs on running processes), if think any program you download is going to shrew you new content delivery is going to pass you by.

You can run Steam in offline mode, I downloaded Half-Life 2 the day it came out and I'm able to play if even with no internet connection at all. You just need to register it once, the updates and signing in isn't required.

 

[Atrokkus]

Could anyone tell me how exactl Steam works? What kind of registration is there, is it location-sensitive? How do you pay, exactly?

I don't think they can stop cheats that way though...?

I've been using publicly available cd-key before I had my own. Nothing happened, just used USWest, instead of Asia or Europe, where that key was already banned (or heavily used).

 

[Human Shield]

Could anyone tell me how exactl Steam works? What kind of registration is there, is it location-sensitive? How do you pay, exactly?

You only pay for games you want (demos and freebies is all you get with the software). You sign up with email and your own password. You need an address and a tax is added if you live somewhere dumb, but I think they accept from any country. You can get someone else to sign up with American credit card and send you the info or have them log unto your account and buy with US credit card, I heard that works fine.

They take credit cards. Which was a problem for some reason for people living in backwards countries.

There support page has lots of stuff. They even have a section on removing spyware, gasp!

 

[kingcomrade]

Unfortunately not viruses. I once accidentally ran a file called "hot mom fucks her son rides wild screaming.exe" and now I can't use Internet Explorer. And Steam uses Internet Explorer, even in-game (when those stupid server info tabs pop up) so I get booted out of the game to close down a pop-up. Kinda sucks with server that have autobans if you're inactive for like 5 seconds (more like 20 to 30, since alt-tabbing back into a HL2 engine game can take a while).

By the way, is anyone else fed up with connecting to a server, then having to wait 5 minutes while you download 20 minutes' worth of retarded, useless .wav files so that you can hear 12 year olds spam some shitty line from Family Guy over and over? I hate servers like that, I usually disconnect and to try to find another, but god damn they are so common.

 

[filogreek]

1st person is great for running around and blowing your friends, .

God-damn internet has corrupted my mind.

^Steam uses Internet Explorer? I actually didn't know that. Although the prospect of having to close pop-up windows during online-multiplay would be very frustrating, I haven't really run into that problem myself. Even so, I would definently go through all of the crap that Steam brings with it in order to play games like the one described in the OP. Although I haven't purchased anything over Steam (even though I do own Half Life 2 and had to go through that whole activation process thingy) I would probably buy games from Laid Back (or whatever he wants to call that company) even with having to constantly get it approved through an Internet connection (having Cable helps as well). Assuming his games are actually good

 

[Hazelnut]

Yep - it uses IE, which is why I've never been able to scroll any of the info windows I assume. Usually most of it fits, but it's annoying. I could maybe fix it by upgrading to IE 6, but I don't really want to - I never use IE. I'd love to see Valve move steam away from a microsoft centric, curvy cornered window app to something cross platform and streamlined to pure function. I aint holding my breath though.

I have been annoyed with Steam in the past, but it does seem to have improved over time. I think it would have been a complete flop without HalfLife 2 though. I know I would never have installed it without that game needing it.

 

[bryce777]

Why would they use IE? That's fucking crazy.

 

[Hazelnut]

I guess they needed a HTML pane and re-used the local windows HTML viewer software - i.e. IE

Not that I'm saying code-reuse is bad, mind.

 

[bryce777]

Is steam a vb app written by an MIS guy?

 

[Elwro]

My only experience with Steam was when it didn't let me play Half-Life 2 DEMO. Thank God I didn't lose money by buying the crap.

 

[Hazelnut]

Half-Life 2 was not crap - maybe not to your taste, but it was in no way 'crap'.

It's most definitely up there with the best of them in my "No regrets about purchasing" list.

(I would agree that it's a crap RPG though, but since Beth had no hand in the PR no-one actually thought that it would be.)