Just a quick question

[caido_souls]

Lets say I download half life 2 off steam and pay for it that way, what if I loose my hard-drive, will I have to pay again to get half life 2 again. Or will it be possible to burn the download onto a backup CD? Thats the main worry I have, as at least if you have bought a CD you can hold in your hands you know you have always got it ready to reinstall back on if your computer dies lol.

Many thanks, guys and girls.

 

[Yellonet]

Lets say I download half life 2 off steam and pay for it that way, what if I loose my hard-drive, will I have to pay again to get half life 2 again. Or will it be possible to burn the download onto a backup CD? Thats the main worry I have, as at least if you have bought a CD you can hold in your hands you know you have always got it ready to reinstall back on if your computer dies lol.

Many thanks, guys and girls.

I would guess that when paying you recieve a code for unlocking the downloaded files. If you crash the harddrive you'll have to download the files again but can unlock them with your purchased key. That's what I think at least... I don't use Steam myself.

EDIT: And I guess you can always burn the preload-files onto a DVD/few CDs.

 

[oldagerocker]

No, the cd-key you get is locked to your steam account, whatever computer/hdd your on, log into your account and it will download the games you are allowed to have according to what your account has paid for. So aslong as you remember your log in detail, your be fine on any harddrive.

 

[switch]

Just to make things clear:
You can download the game as many times as you want using your steam account. This can be from any pc, ie go to a friends house and want to show him hl2.

You can also backup the downloaded files onto CD (use winrar to make 750MB rars) or onto a dvd.

 

[Yellonet]

Personally I'm going to get the shop-version. Feels better to have the original disc somehow.

 

[Chris D]

Yeah for example when we went to ECTS we went on the computers in the developers lounge. I downloaded and installed Steam and logged on with my account. From there I selected Counter-Strike:Source and it authenticated and downloaded the game files. At 3mbit/sec might I add

EDIT: While that was downloading, ComradeBadger leant over on the computer next to ours and hit the reset button by mistake. The lady using it still doesn't know to this day what happened She looked rather confused

 

[CrazyHarij]

Personally I'm going to get the shop-version. Feels better to have the original disc somehow.

Yeah, there's something about having a disc and a box that makes it worth buying it in the shop instead of "Steaming" it.

 

[TripleB-SM-]

I'm sure eventually we will become more accustom to the ways of steam and never going to the store to actually buy software anymore, however, at this point, I do not feel comfortable just paying 50 dollars for a cd key and then downloading it.

I would rather go to the store and pick it up myself. Then I don't have to use steam for snigle player. I know there's no difference, but I'd rather have the installed files on my pc for HL2 and then just use CS:Source through Steam.

 

[Tlaloc]

i dont get how having a CD and a box is better? unless you are a serious collector, in which case you wouldn't even open the box or use the CD.

valve gets more money from steam than from box
box = waste of resources (minimal but still a waste)
cd wont last forever, steam will (safe bet)

unless you dont have a broadband connex, which most of you do -- getting the boxed version is just not necessary in any shape or form...

even if you end up moving to some non-internet-able place, you can always just make backups of the files on a cd or dvd, as mentioned by someone above.

even if you buy the boxed version, you will end up using steam (off-line mode i guess) because steam is present in every way, even in offline versions of the game. It's not like they are gonna strip steam off of the game, that would be nearly impossible to do, since it's a core element of hl2. Console = steam, game menu = steam (right? i might be wrong but it looks that way to me)

not trying to put anyone down, i just feel like i'm forgetting an important aspect of getting the boxed version. So please, enlighten me, cuz i dont get your p.o.v

 

[kaellinn18]

not trying to put anyone down, i just feel like i'm forgetting an important aspect of getting the boxed version. So please, enlighten me, cuz i dont get your p.o.v

It's called tangible instant gratification. It's purely psychological. It's the same reason some people continue to get paychecks instead of signing up for direct deposit. With direct deposit, it's more efficient, and you have access to your money sooner. However, some people just like to hold that paycheck in their hands. It's the same situation here. Even though downloading through Steam is more efficient, and you will be able to play the game sooner, some people like to be able to hold the box/CD/manual in their hands. Hope this clears it up for you.

 

[Tlaloc]

It's called tangible instant gratification. It's purely psychological. It's the same reason some people continue to get paychecks instead of signing up for direct deposit. With direct deposit, it's more efficient, and you have access to your money sooner. However, some people just like to hold that paycheck in their hands. It's the same situation here. Even though downloading through Steam is more efficient, and you will be able to play the game sooner, some people like to be able to hold the box/CD/manual in their hands. Hope this clears it up for you.

So basically, there is no real reason why i should opt for the box. Although, I guess, psychological needs can be as real as any other. Understandable Have a good morning/afternoon/whatever everyone (cuz i'm going to work :smoking: )

 

[DvS]

It's called tangible instant gratification. It's purely psychological. It's the same reason some people continue to get paychecks instead of signing up for direct deposit. With direct deposit, it's more efficient, and you have access to your money sooner. However, some people just like to hold that paycheck in their hands. It's the same situation here. Even though downloading through Steam is more efficient, and you will be able to play the game sooner, some people like to be able to hold the box/CD/manual in their hands. Hope this clears it up for you.

If you add all the people together that can't buy through steam for one reason or another, it amounts to a very large number.. the reasons can be for example: Limited bandwidth, lack of credit cards, no internet.. it is pretty presumptious to assume that everyone should be able to download 3 or so gb's from another country and have a credit card to pay for it.

 

[kaellinn18]

If you add all the people together that can't buy through steam for one reason or another, it amounts to a very large number.. the reasons can be for example: Limited bandwidth, lack of credit cards, no internet.. it is pretty presumptious to assume that everyone should be able to download 3 or so gb's from another country and have a credit card to pay for it.

He was asking why one who IS able to download via Steam would want to choose to buy in a store. I could download HL2 via Steam just fine. However, I choose to buy it from a store due to the reason I stated above. (I do, however, have direct deposit )

 

[Vidrio]

well... if u buy the boxed version... u get a manual (not that u really need one for HL )
...but .. they would prolly put a acrobat .PDF manual in for us steamers.

infact I'ma email gabe or doug and ask about the manual :X

 

[Yellonet]

Now I'm getting worried.. it sounds like Steam is some kind of service that you HAVE to use. True?
And that it's enabled all the time... spyware!!
Big brother sees you.. iI'm gonna block every port from my pc when I get the game. Where is the world coming to? D@MN!

 

[Hellboy6400]

No lah

Ha ha haa... I think, if that happens, u might have to start it all over again! :naughty: