Computer Hope
Software => Computer games => Topic started by: bullwinkle on March 10, 2009, 10:30:56 PM
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I knew nothing about Steam until I attempted to buy Defense Grid: The Awakening. I looked online and unknowlingly bought it from Steam.
Now I can't run the game without Steam's interface.
What's worse, the next day I bought Empire Total War at a local store and that TOO installed through Steam. Now I can't even play the game I bought without Steam's interference!
I've deleted Steam using Win XP's software removal. The Total War game STILL installs with Steam and the Defense Grid game disappears!
I'm considering a manual delete where I delete the appropriate System32 files. I'm now willing to lose Defense Grid if it will free me from Steam's grasp!
Does anyone have an answer?
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Have you tried Revo Uninstaller?
http://www.revouninstaller.com/
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no, but I will.
Thanks
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Keep us posted...
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the only way to play the games without steam is to get an illegal crack. Obviously we cannot help there.
IS steam causing you problems?
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Do NOT delete steam. the only way to play the game legally is through steam. The CD Key is registered to ur account and will only work for ur account. Thats why you should not delete steam.
I know steam may be a pain in the arse (I have it too) but sometimes it is a very good game platform
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I'll tell you why I want to get rid of it. (let me count the ways)
1. If I bought the game, I should be able to play it without a third party being able to provide it. I didn't rent the game, I bought it.
2. I shouldn't have to wait until Steam initializes before running MY game.
3. I don't like software that lurks in my system - feels like I'm being watched
4. I don't like their interference in a game that has nothing to do with them.
5. I don't see the use for Steam. I play alone and do my own updates.
6. Let me add another one - you can't contact these guys! No phone nr., email, NOTHING!
Now if I bought the game from Steam (which I did in the case of Defense Grid) OK - my stupidity for getting into this mess.
But I did not buy Empire Total War from them and I resent their interference with a game that should not concern them at all.
So if I erase them from my system entirely, I will lose Defense Grid but be able to install and play Empire freely.
This is correct, isn't it?
BTW, what's "illegal crack"?
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I'll tell you why I want to get rid of it. (let me count the ways)
4. I don't like their interference in a game that has nothing to do with them.
5. I don't see the use for Steam. I play alone and do my own updates.
6. Let me add another one - you can't contact these guys! No phone nr., email, NOTHING!
Firstly, the game developers has decideded to use steamworks, because games with steam are less likely to be cracked and pirated.
Secondly, Steam is an interactive platform that alllows for constant game updates and patches, in addition, it allows you to play the game anywhere, just as long as you log into your account.
BTW, if you search deeply enough, you'll find a email that can be used to contact steam. And let me tell you, steam provides one of the best customer service. (I got my account hacked last week, and in two days, steam helped me retreive and change my account password.
FYI, illegal cracks are things that allow you to play games without purchasing a real copy. and here in computerhope, we don't support fake things
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games have to be programmed to run with steam... it doesn't just "take over" the game like you seem to be implying.
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I agree with Bullwinkle. I bought a game, in a store, and having had tons of problems with Steam from games my son installed on our desktop PC, never would have bought it, had I known Steam was involved. I'm not a teen. I want to play the game I bought and did, for some time, just starting it in off-line mode. The other night I connected to my ISP for other purposes and when finished, I opened Civ 5 and Steam connected. Now, I have an "Incomplete Installation error #3". Why would it be installing? WHAT is it installing? The absolute arrogance of implying they (Steam) have control of what is or is not installed on my PC is incomprehensible! Because crackers or hackers or whoever, are out to destroy or rob them? NOT MY PROBLEM! Now we all know return policy on software... so now they have STOLEN the product I PAID FOR! Yes, I'm irate and have every right to be. Steam is invasive, useless and it should be DISCLOSED on the label that use of the product requires Steam!!! Had I known... I would not have bought it. Incidentally, in order to get rid of it on my desktop PC the only thing I found that worked was a total system recovery and reinstallation of all my other software and files. It will take a boycott or a class-action lawsuit in order for these narcisistic designers and developers to get their heads out of the clouds and visit us here in reality. Not every customer is the enemy.
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1. If I bought the game, I should be able to play it without a third party being able to provide it. I didn't rent the game, I bought it.
2. I shouldn't have to wait until Steam initializes before running MY game.
This is where some problems arise when people think that because they 'bought' the software, that they now 'own' it.
You do not, the EULA more than likely states that you just have a license to play the game. You do not own it.
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Why would it be installing? WHAT is it installing?
Updates for the game and the steam client itself.
The absolute arrogance of implying they (Steam) have control of what is or is not installed on my PC is incomprehensible!
Steam is a program, not the company; Valve is the company behind steam. And If you want to really blame anybody, blame the game makers, because they chose to use steam as their distribution platform. Note that Steam doesn't interfere in the operation of games that weren't specifically designed to use it.
Because crackers or hackers or whoever, are out to destroy or rob them? NOT MY PROBLEM!
Again, complain to the developer of the game in question, not Steam itself.
Now we all know return policy on software... so now they have STOLEN the product I PAID FOR!
I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a conclusion.
Yes, I'm irate and have every right to be. Steam is invasive, useless and it should be DISCLOSED on the label that use of the product requires Steam!!!
Well, every game I have that uses steam says so on it's label, or at least in the requirements on the rear of the box.
Had I known... I would not have bought it. Incidentally, in order to get rid of it on my desktop PC the only thing I found that worked was a total system recovery and reinstallation of all my other software and files.
Weird. I just uninstalled it using add/remove programs and didn't have any problems. Seems people seem to think that Steam and the games that use it can be teased apart (and they are, but not without illegal tampering of the games files, or if you manage to get an older version of the game that wasn't steam-enabled). Steam is a distribution platform more than anything, really.
It will take a boycott or a class-action lawsuit in order for these narcisistic designers and developers to get their heads out of the clouds and visit us here in reality. Not every customer is the enemy.
Steam isn't about Digital Rights or anything like that. The basic idea is to provide a distribution platform for developers. Instead of having to make their own download and update infrastructure on their servers and integrated into their applications, they just use steam; steam keeps the game updated, detects broken game installations, etc.
Additionally, once you've bought a game into steam, you can download that game anywhere; without the disc, and play it. It's a a step up from the "only work when you have the CD in the computer" games.
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A lot of irrational anger here over a software distribution platform, a great one even.
I have over 200 games on steam (deal junkie) and love it but everyone should be aware of that Steam is DRM, although a well made one.
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Tons of melodrama. DRM of some kind more than your average cd key is a norm in todays pc games. Compared to the alternatives (i.e. Windows live, Ubisofts recent DRM additions, etc.) Steam is a very efficient system. While I believe this, I also know that any system, including Steam, is not invulnerable to crashing. This is why I make sure to get my cd keys for each of my games (when I can of course.). Bioshock, Borderlands, Fallout nv, I have made sure to keep my keys after buying each copy. I once asked a steam rep what would happen to my purchases if Valve was to go out of business and its servers were shut down. He gave me the polite version of the I don't know bro speech. So I started getting hard copies or doing the forementioned task of keeping my cd keys. Hope this helps.
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If Steam ever dropped their service, they might issue patches to allow the games to run without it. If they don't, there already exists cracked versions of these games that work without Steam, but also without multiplayer in some cases and people would likely start using those (not that I'm condoning that behavior).
I do hate Steam though. Nothing like having Portal 2 come up and tell you it's going to erase your save game data because it can't communicate properly with the Steam servers.