LynetteC: So automatic updates are the main positive of Steam?
There was a time in days gone by that update systems were actually
written into the game by the developer instead of them relying on some 3rd party DRM/client to provide the service. Sure, you have to hiy the 'Check for Updates' button every now and again, but it's on your own terms snd at a time that's convenient to you.
There's only one thing more annoying than firing up a game for a quick blast and having to wait for updates to download and install because you don't have the choice of bypassing them - it's when the updates aren't even for the game, but the 3rd party client that it NEEDS to run!
zeroxxx: Steam can set each games so it won't auto update or let you bypass it completely.
Except for online games like Dota 2.
Get the fact right first before posting.
*snip*
Except that feature is disabling auto-updates has been fucked for how many years? It finally appears to be working after users complained over and over and over and over and over and...well you get the picture?
So you might want to get your own facts right :)
To others commenting on Steam as being DRM, it only uses DRM if the developer or publisher include it by using their:
"CEG (Custom Executable Generation) is Valve's alternative to the pitfalls of DRM and part of Steamworks, the company's free suite of publishing and development tools. What this technology does is register each copy of a game unique to one user, who can then use the title between compatible PCs without any kind of limits or root kits."
There are many Steam games who installation folders can simply be copied to other computers and don't even require the client once downloaded. Fortunately for those who care, GOG offers this with EVERY game :)
A lot has changed with Steam over the years and it is a hell of a lot better than it once was. I consider it a place to rent games mostly, not own them as I do with games from here and other DRM free sites.
Oh fuck it I got lured in to beating off that dead horse and feel dirty already :P
LynetteC: Wow, rude much?
I've highlighted the important part of my complaint about Steam so you don't miss it -
you can't turn off updates for the client itself. Try a little bit of reading comprehension before telling me to get my facts right.
I'm not even going to dignify that last insult with a response.
Jeez!
I'm going to make a cup of tea now that I couldn't help but get into this. Nice uppercut there Lynette, I reckon that comment of yours was a knockout blow :)
There are tons of threads on the Steam forums about auto-updating of games (not the client as Lynette mentioned) and
here is one from a different site but basically explains the issue(that might have been finally fixed earlier this year) where disabling auto-updates
didn't work. "This is a really old problem with Steam, it's been either unable or unwilling to remember that setting for as long as it's been around. If you have a real interest in working around it you can put your steamapps folder under source control, but it doesn't look like a fix is coming anytime soon."
