Current sales/deals on games (steam, impulse, etc.)

[johnspack]

Have to admit, I'm starting to warm up to steam. I used to think it was like a trojan ect.. but it's really not that intrusive, you get good deals on games, you can backup your saves and reinstall complete with your progress intact. Just wished I hadn't missed that sale on BD2!

[Zebeon]

Same hear, use to not like steam, but it is not so bad!!

Great sales on games for sure!

[FordGT90Concept]

Only reason why I put up with Steam's antics (they're frequent and quite horrendous) is because of the deals.

[Darkleoco]

GetGamesGo has all of the Borderlands 2 DLC for half off so if you don't have the season pass now is a good time to pick up the DLC cheap.
http://www.getgamesgo.com/product/bo...ancer-pack-dlc
http://www.getgamesgo.com/product/bo...n-scarlett-dlc
http://www.getgamesgo.com/product/bo...of-carnage-dlc

[Guitarrassdeamor]

Steam's antics? Steam intrusive?
What application are you guys using?

[FordGT90Concept]

These are only the tip of the iceberg:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=38
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...07&postcount=4
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=23
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...5&postcount=32
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=98
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=85
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...5&postcount=89
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=97
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...43&postcount=8

In short:
1. It locks up frequently due to inadequate use of asymetrical multithreading (e.g. activating a product, verifying cache).
2. VoIP volume is inconsistent--easier to just use something like Ventrilo or Team Speak.
3. The download/pause/resume/download all buttons behave eratically at best.
4. No option to limit bandwidth usage.
5. Important things (like verify game cache) are buried in menus.
6. Updates when it wants to, not you.
7. Updates have broken the software on more than one occassion.
8. Their servers are inadequate for user load--often slow/no service during sales.
9. Steamworks doesn't allow games to be Large Address Aware patched without an official patch.
10. Logins take forever and often fail.
11. Offline mode doesn't work without being online first.
12. Installing games to its own directory by default is stupid (they're all supposed to be under Program Files, not Program Files\Steam).
13. I've had more problems (unable to play) with Steam's DRM than any other type of DRM.
...the list goes on.

[1Kurgan1]

I agree that most of those are problems. But many of them don't matter because if you were to DL these games, you wouldn't be able to ;limit bandwidth. Many games don't have a repair option, so even having an option to verify game cache (thats not seriously that hard to get to) is awesome. VOIP would be nice if it was better, but we have a PC for a reason, theres already so many great options out there dedicated to this. And slow service during sales is a lifetime problem, it's not just with Steam, thats what a sale causes.

Like I said, I agree with much of that. But when it comes down to it, that stuff doesn't effect me daily, heck even weekely or monthly. Once in a great while one of those might bother me, but it's not very often. Normally I have Steam running, I message my friends, right click the icon in my bar and select the game I want to play, and play it. And I don't have to worry about my kid getting his hands on my games, or my horrible disk management, also nice to have all of my game icons in one location. Which is the most important things to me, these are the reasons I use Steam, and they do benefit me daily, deals are just the topping that makes it even better.

[Mussels]

ford: the voip volume can be solved by disabling a setting in windows, namely the last tab in control panel/sound, it mutes audio when voip is used. disable that, then tell steam to not screw with your volume (as you should in every voip app) and it works well enough... but i prefer teamspeak anyway.

[Guitarrassdeamor]

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

In short:
1. It locks up frequently due to inadequate use of asymetrical multithreading (e.g. activating a product, verifying cache).
2. VoIP volume is inconsistent--easier to just use something like Ventrilo or Team Speak.
3. The download/pause/resume/download all buttons behave eratically at best.
4. No option to limit bandwidth usage.
5. Important things (like verify game cache) are buried in menus.
6. Updates when it wants to, not you.
7. Updates have broken the software on more than one occassion.
8. Their servers are inadequate for user load--often slow/no service during sales.
9. Steamworks doesn't allow games to be Large Address Aware patched without an official patch.
10. Logins take forever and often fail.
11. Offline mode doesn't work without being online first.
12. Installing games to its own directory by default is stupid (they're all supposed to be under Program Files, not Program Files\Steam).
13. I've had more problems (unable to play) with Steam's DRM than any other type of DRM.
...the list goes on.

1. Never had the problem.
2. Don't use it, as like most people if they really want a good dedicated channel.
3. No they don't?
5. Because they are advanced options.
6. Mine auto updates, don't see a problem with that.
7. Once again, not for me.
8. Never experienced this issue bad enough to notice it out of normal behavior. All servers have lower speeds during higher times of traffic...that's how networks work.
10. I have 2 accounts which I log into absolutely fine, and my primary which I login to at least twice a day usually when switching computers. Only fails if I put in the wrong password or have a bad connection.
12. Um...no? The games are in Steam....so it installs them in the Steam folder. It is easier to manage and helps when you uninstall/reinstall Steam to find games.
13. I get the "Not available right now" message every now and then. Usually works 5 minutes later, minimal niggle but not really a huge deal to me.

Really don't see the huge issue here. Whatever small "problems" it might have, the pros FAR outweigh the cons.

[FordGT90Concept]

Just because you don't have them doesn't mean they don't exist. I have issues with Steam on almost a daily basis.

[entropy13]

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

Just because you don't have them doesn't mean they don't exist. I have issues with Steam on almost a daily basis.

Still can't install Steam after all this time.

[Guitarrassdeamor]

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

Just because you don't have them doesn't mean they don't exist. I have issues with Steam on almost a daily basis.

I didn't say they didn't exist. What I am saying is you seem to be nitpicking the software that is otherwise one of the best things that has happened to PC gaming IMO. These are not daily issues and not things that happen often, and on my many Steam installs on different PCs I've never had these problems and haven't heard them from people I talk to that use Steam either. Just giving you my input.

[FordGT90Concept]

If it was my program, I'd have all those problems fixed, and others, in less than a week. They've been present for years and have showed no intent to fix them. Steam, aside from the sales, is the worst game store I've come across. Gamer's Gate, Impulse, GOG, Amazon Digital Library, and uPlay are all better. Origin has its share of problems too but customer service has taken care of it quickly (namely, errors when activing games that were purchased previously/third party).

This isn't the place to be discussing this.

[1Kurgan1]

Originally Posted by Guitarrassdeamor

I didn't say they didn't exist. What I am saying is you seem to be nitpicking the software that is otherwise one of the best things that has happened to PC gaming IMO. These are not daily issues and not things that happen often, and on my many Steam installs on different PCs I've never had these problems and haven't heard them from people I talk to that use Steam either. Just giving you my input.

People nitpick different things (thinking of another thread here). Whats a small issue to some is a huge issue to others.

[FordGT90Concept]

Didn't see these before:

Originally Posted by Mussels

ford: the voip volume can be solved by disabling a setting in windows, namely the last tab in control panel/sound, it mutes audio when voip is used. disable that, then tell steam to not screw with your volume (as you should in every voip app) and it works well enough... but i prefer teamspeak anyway.

Communications? It's set to "Do Nothing." I don't see any settings like that under Steam/Voice.

Originally Posted by 1Kurgan1

But many of them don't matter because if you were to DL these games, you wouldn't be able to ;limit bandwidth.

For sure GOG's downloader does. HIB's delivered via torrent do too. This is the 21st century. There's no excuse not to.

Originally Posted by 1Kurgan1

Many games don't have a repair option, so even having an option to verify game cache (thats not seriously that hard to get to) is awesome.

Because it is completely unecessary on all services except, apparently, Steam. I've installed at least two games that refused to work right until I verified game cache. I'm talking same day here: install Absolution, can't finish the first level until I verified. I think it was Saints Row The Third that refused to run at all until the cache was verified. The pirate version (based on Steam version) of both worked the first time. How's that for irony?

I can't name one game in over 15 years that I've had to reinstall (excepting Steam) because of something wrong with the game's file system.

Originally Posted by 1Kurgan1

And slow service during sales is a lifetime problem, it's not just with Steam, thats what a sale causes.

They should be prepared for it. They never really are.

[Absolution]

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

3. The download/pause/resume/download all buttons behave eratically at best.
6. Updates when it wants to, not you.
7. Updates have broken the software on more than one occassion.
10. Logins take forever and often fail.
11. Offline mode doesn't work without being online first.

These are things I hate about steam too. Especially Offline mode.

[1Kurgan1]

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

For sure GOG's downloader does. HIB's delivered via torrent do too. This is the 21st century. There's no excuse not to.

I haven't ever bought anything off GOG. I think it's a great service, but I haven't ever felt the need to pick up the older titles off there. But yeah of course torrents do, thats really only 2 services though, and the 2nd is so dependent on the community seeding properly and for a good length of time. I do think this should be added to Steam and many other clients (even updates for MMO games), but for me it's not a deal breaker.

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

Because it is completely unecessary on all services except, apparently, Steam. I've installed at least two games that refused to work right until I verified game cache. I'm talking same day here: install Absolution, can't finish the first level until I verified. I think it was Saints Row The Third that refused to run at all until the cache was verified. The pirate version (based on Steam version) of both worked the first time. How's that for irony?

I can't name one game in over 15 years that I've had to reinstall (excepting Steam) because of something wrong with the game's file system.

I've had non-Steam games act up over the years where I just found it simpler to wipe the game. But those are usually titles that you can mod, then come out with updates and such. But theres been other times I've done it. It's not common, but I also rarely ever verify game cache's as well. Though you do list 2 games, it could vary from game to game, I have not played hitman yet sadly.

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

They should be prepared for it. They never really are.

That goes for any sales or heavy load of any type, but no one ever is. I'm a huge MMO fan, and one of the best memories for me ever was WoW Gates of AQ opening up. I remember I jumped on a gryphon for a 10 minute flight to get down South to head to the location. And the server crashed right as my gryphon landed. When it came back up I was just leaving my original location, so 10 min flight again, crashed at same spot. I had to ride that flight 5 times before it stopped crashing. Then there of course was more crashing later, since then, WoW nor any other MMO has ever done huge world events like that sadly. Because no matter how much they prepare, they don't think people will skip out on work or school just to be there for something like that, and people will.

Seen many MMO launches where people complained, said that there should have been preparations in place, and usually there was or is, but they always guess on the low side, since it's the cheapest. Then they can just say "the amount of interested people surprised us".

Though in recent times, Steam and other games taking on massive amounts of stress during these times does seem a lot better. Can just hope that trend continues. I think part of the issue is, PC gaming is actually gaining a lot of popularity. And they just haven't been able to predict how popular some of these titles would actually be.

[FordGT90Concept]

Originally Posted by 1Kurgan1

I haven't ever bought anything off GOG. I think it's a great service, but I haven't ever felt the need to pick up the older titles off there. But yeah of course torrents do, thats really only 2 services though, and the 2nd is so dependent on the community seeding properly and for a good length of time. I do think this should be added to Steam and many other clients (even updates for MMO games), but for me it's not a deal breaker.

Steam, Amazon, GOG, and torrents are the only ones I downloaded 10+ GB from (where bandwidth becomes an issue). I think the issue might have more to do with behavior than ability to moderate transfer speeds. By behavior, I mean GOG downloader, Amazon, and torrents are meant to do only one thing: download. If you don't want to be actively downloading, you simply don't run it or, you can use the pause/resume feature which works excellent on all three. Steam, on the other hand, has to be running a lot even when it isn't downloading something. For example, maybe I want to play a single player game like FTL: Faster Than Light. Steam has to be running to run that game. Sometimes it automatically pauses downloads when starting a game, sometimes it doesn't. In the case of FTL, it doesn't use internet so I want it to keep downloading. With Amazon/GOG/torrents, it's one click away from downloading. Steam, on the other hand, I've caught it not downloading when it should be download, downloading when it shouldn't be downloading, not resuming all when I tell it to resume all, or downloading updates when I didn't even say it could/should. It has a mind on it's own where the others do not. They obey user commands to the letter where Steam seems absent minded and has been that way since I first used it 4 years ago.

I only have a 3 mbps/256 kbps ADSL connection, it isn't very stable, and there's many computers on the network using it. I QoS'd Steam to the lowest priority and it is still a PITA.


Edit: ...that kind of turned into a mess. I hope you get the jist of it though. In short, Steam does a craptastic job at it's primary job (content delivery). I've seen threads made by other people that even Origin's download speed is better than Steam's; nevermind all the other issues. And, oh yeah, Origin pays attention to pause and resume better than Steam too. I don't know what protocol Steam uses for file transfers but it has got to be the shittiest on Earth.

Originally Posted by 1Kurgan1

I've had non-Steam games act up over the years where I just found it simpler to wipe the game. But those are usually titles that you can mod, then come out with updates and such. But theres been other times I've done it. It's not common, but I also rarely ever verify game cache's as well. Though you do list 2 games, it could vary from game to game, I have not played hitman yet sadly.

I don't mod (nor play MMOs). Using 3rd party software in a game that doesn't support 3rd party software is always begging for trouble.

[AsRock]

I've caught it not downloading when it should be download, downloading when it shouldn't be downloading, not resuming all when I tell it to resume all, or downloading updates when I didn't even say it could/should. It has a mind on it's own where the others do not. They obey user commands to the letter where Steam seems absent minded and has been that way since I first used it 4 years ago.

I have never caught it not downloading when it should be downloading but for the rest yeah automatically updating i have seen that and i do hate it stopping my other downloads when starting a game although it never failed to stop other downloads which i just normally minimize the game and start the download again lol.

As for steam automatically updating i don't mind never have and understand why they do it..

For me steam was buggy back when Half Life 2 was offered on ATI v cards in fact it's were my account originates from. Although once HL2 was released about 6 month after the steam platform has been near issue free for me with the odd issue which happened twice and it told me the new game i just got and downloaded was not playable lol.

I only have a 3 mbps/256 kbps ADSL connection, it isn't very stable, and there's many computers on the network using it. I QoS'd Steam to the lowest priority and it is still a PITA

.

Feel ya pain, i remember those times when i was only on 56k or less even. Maybe Steam need to get some servers or better ones were you live ?.. And is a shame that you cannot lower the download speeds though steam however you can turn automatic game updates off which again never been a issue and i always stop it from automatically downloading updates on my single player games..

Edit: ...that kind of turned into a mess. I hope you get the jist of it though. In short, Steam does a craptastic job at it's primary job (content delivery). I've seen threads made by other people that even Origin's download speed is better than Steam's; nevermind all the other issues. And, oh yeah, Origin pays attention to pause and resume better than Steam too. I don't know what protocol Steam uses for file transfers but it has got to be the shittiest on Earth.

Never had a issue with either with pausing downloads not even 4 years ago.. Maybe your one of the few who get unlucky either way or what ever reason it sucks...

For me Origin being a total pain to get back on my account due to forgetting the password and waiting for the email that never arrives. Which i hope was a temp issue and is resolved now just have not got back around to it and probably will not till DA3 comes out lol.

I like the Gamefly one tbh still needs work but i find it way easier to use and faster as well..

And if it been 4 years since you used steam maybe it's worth trying again..

[FordGT90Concept]

Steam starts with my computer. Even that functionality broke (the automatically start Steam when my computer starts option) and I ended up adding a in Startup menu items.

I think the #1 reason why Steam has all these problems is because it uses a Windows Service as well as an Windows Application. If they got rid of the service and put it all in the tray application, I bet 99% of the download problems would go away.

I haven't tried Gamefly yet.

[1Kurgan1]

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

Steam, Amazon, GOG, and torrents are the only ones I downloaded 10+ GB from (where bandwidth becomes an issue). I think the issue might have more to do with behavior than ability to moderate transfer speeds. By behavior, I mean GOG downloader, Amazon, and torrents are meant to do only one thing: download. If you don't want to be actively downloading, you simply don't run it or, you can use the pause/resume feature which works excellent on all three. Steam, on the other hand, has to be running a lot even when it isn't downloading something. For example, maybe I want to play a single player game like FTL: Faster Than Light. Steam has to be running to run that game. Sometimes it automatically pauses downloads when starting a game, sometimes it doesn't. In the case of FTL, it doesn't use internet so I want it to keep downloading. With Amazon/GOG/torrents, it's one click away from downloading. Steam, on the other hand, I've caught it not downloading when it should be download, downloading when it shouldn't be downloading, not resuming all when I tell it to resume all, or downloading updates when I didn't even say it could/should. It has a mind on it's own where the others do not. They obey user commands to the letter where Steam seems absent minded and has been that way since I first used it 4 years ago.

I do see what your saying. But I do got to say this, Steam is an actual client, comparing it to GOG, Amazon, or other things that are not actual clients is going to be a bit rough. To say Amazon is just one click away means going through the hoops to (I can't remember exactly only bought one game from there) I think the site or whatever fired up when you started it's download, and resuming or what not. I always have Steam running, since comps now days have more than enough power to keep it running. So to start or stop a download is very simple. The only problem I've ever had while dling is that if you had some downloads going and oyu start a game it pauses them. Which isn't the problem, but the problem is, when I right click to resume, it doesn't say resume, it says pause, and so I hit that and it pauses it (even though it was already paused). Then I have to right click and hit pause again and it fires up the download. But otherwise, never had a mixed bag type of result on it pausing dl's when I start games. Whenever I start a game, it always pauses my DLs.

Either way, I still think it's hard to compare Steam to those other services. They might have a few extra features, because that is the only service they provide, they don't have any other client. It's strictly a client to download with. And being like that allows them to specialize a bit more. Steams kind of like the Jack of all trades, master of none. Though I think comparatively to the other clients out there, Steam is a good bit ahead.

Originally Posted by FordGT90Concept

I don't mod (nor play MMOs). Using 3rd party software in a game that doesn't support 3rd party software is always begging for trouble.

That it is, but it's a risk I think is worth it. Many games I've modded, even ones as simple as MMO modding where it's just UI modding have made my gaming experiences much better.

[FordGT90Concept]

Originally Posted by 1Kurgan1

The only problem I've ever had while dling is that if you had some downloads going and oyu start a game it pauses them. Which isn't the problem, but the problem is, when I right click to resume, it doesn't say resume, it says pause, and so I hit that and it pauses it (even though it was already paused). Then I have to right click and hit pause again and it fires up the download.

That's exactly what I'm talking about.

GOG you can download directly using a browser or using their downloader. I'm talking 10+ GB downloads here so I'm talking about the GOG downloader and Amazon downloader. Both are small executables (<1 MiB) that do not require install. You download the downloader, run it, queue games (in the case of GOG), and it downloads. When it is done downloading, you delete the executable and they're gone for good. GOG has an option to change max bandwidth. I don't know if Amazon does. Both have pause/resume support. They are both clients: they authenticate you and grant you access to download the software just like Steam does. The only difference is Amazon and GOG downloader's don't mascarade as a store or have chat/VOIP/achievements/etc. Their sole objective is to deliver the product.

If Valve's developers are so incompetent that they can't manage to merge the product delivery with the other features (which is actually quite simple), then perhaps they shouldn't. Just look at what they waste their time on (e.g. Big Picture) instead of making the fundamentals sound. It's pathetic.

Amazon has "other clients" for delivering movies and music.

[Thrackan]

Can we not make this a thread about how good or bad Steam is?

[Ikaruga]

- Online DRM is always worse than no DRM, Steam is no exception in that regard, I generally dislike anything which hinders my ability to do things with the stuff I own, and let's not forget that I don't even own anything on Steam, I can't gift or sell any app/game there, nor I will be able to properly use/play any of those if the backend goes down for some reason, so it's very far from perfect.
- Lots of people have horrible problems with Steam, I had (still have a few of them too), but lots of people have problems with games without Steam as well, it's always like that with hardware and software, again, Steam is no exception in that regard.

- But there are many good things too: For example I really like good deals, the ability to redownload/reinstall software any time i want/need, and the account based cloud feature of Steam is something I really enjoy because I don't have to copy my configs from machine to machine all the times, etc...

ps.: new GMG code if someone needs it: GMG30-DPLIM-DN831 (I tested it when I bought Doom3 as a xmas-gift for somebody and it worked)

[erixx]

Just give us the sales and deals mates!!!!