Fallout: New Vegas uses STEAM, but why...?

[Delusibeta]

Personally I think Steam is a good platform, but that is mostly because of the simplicity to get all my games back after a format. For a modifiable game like Fallout I'd prefer a regular install combined with a copy of my last data folder with all the mods and such.

 

I have no experience with FO3 nor Oblivion on steam, but if there's simply a folder much like the current one on my PC that's fine by me. (1) I doubt the DLC procedure could be worse than the current GfWL (which in the end you had to find on your PC and copy to files to your data folder). (2)

 

Just to get this clear, what scenario should I think of? (3)

 

1. Steam validates and downloads / install the game. You could manually start it without Steam by going to the installed folder.
2. Steam validates and downloads / install the game. You have to load up Steam and start it from there.

 

Also, are all the same features possible as now? Meaning tools such as Fallout Mod Manager, FOSE etc? If there's any protection on the executable file by steam that might be difficult, right? (4)

 

Lastly, I cannot imagine anyone in this age to not have internet. It's needed for nearly everything now-a-days and the cheapest connection is probably like 10 dollar a month.. A constant required connection is mad, but a one-time activation over internet is more than fair. (5)

(1) Basically, in terms of data folders, it depends on what the developer does. It should be a simple case that the data folders are in Steam/steamapps/common/fallout new vegas. Of course, we won't know until we get the game.

(2) While I haven't done it yet, the DLC procedure should be a simple case of buying the DLC from the Steam site and then opening the client and waiting for the content to download.

(3) Broadly speaking, scenario 2. Although in my opinion, the Steam client does an excellent job in managing my games. (I say "broadly speaking" because games that use DOSbox fall under scenario 1. Steamworks games, however, fall under scenario 2.

(4) Again, depends on what the developer does. I understand that Oblivion was initially incompatable with modding tools, but Valve fixed it. Since everyone should be using the same files, there should be even less chance of things not working.

(5) I've found that if you start Steam up in online mode, it works perfectly if you disconnect from the internet. Offline mode is still a bit wonky, but it's improved.

 

Excuse the double post.

[Agnot2006]

It sounds very much like we would be hiring New Vegas after paying for it

[dissentuk]

i've bought loads of games on steam and have never had a single problem in 4 years, i guess sometimes you get luck, or unlucky.

[KDStudios]

Dude, read the entire thread.

We're not talking about buying this game off steam.

Only that steam is required to activate New Vegas.

 

 

[Dain2]

Would agree with many of the “against Steam” entries.

 

I’ve had similar problems with getting games to run in Steam. The worst issue I had was with Empire, that took me almost a days effort to get to run without falling over just after the start screen. One of the many issues is that Steam forces you to have all the latest updates, even if you don’t want them, so you have wait whilst these download and install. After many different attempts at uninstalling and reinstalling the game I finally figured out what was causing the problem, which was the special add-ons. So decided not to install them and all was ok. I could have come to the same conclusion in a fraction of that time without Steam. I don’t wish to spend my limited free time fixing bugs and Steam only adds to these problems.

 

The other issue that hasn’t been highlighted in all the pages, is that not all PCs are connected to the Internet. Why do games companies assume every PC is connected to the Internet? They’re not.

 

I have a performance PC that is not connected to the Internet and the reason I do this is so that it doesn’t have to have all the usual protection software that is a necessity for one that connects to the WWW. And for us old cronies that have had numerous issues over the years with OS updates, Virus checkers (including their updates) etc etc that have conflicted with games. I can happily run games without these application overheads and with far fewer clashes and crashes. So for single player games that don’t require any external intervention, why must they connect to the Internet?

 

I can install Microsoft products using a telephone registering system, why can’t the games industry use this. Mount & Blade had a similar facility which worked fine, but then when they bought out Warband it was also Steam’ed to death. And some of the patches have crashed the game which you can’t then remove due to the Steam rules.

 

I’m also not the only one with PCs not connected to the Internet for very similar reasons. So I for one and many of my friends and colleagues will boycott New Vegas until such time as they remove this DRM. And if they do bring out a patch to remove this DRM, more than likely it will be at least 6 months after release, so the price will be much less, so less profit for the idiot decision makers. But I’d be more than happy to pay full price at release for an unrestricted game as I've enjoyed Morrowind, Oblivion and Fallout 3 with all their add-ons.

[Agnot2006]

I agree whole heartedly, I would never place my hand built top end gaming PC on the net. I can wait six months for the bugs to be ironed out and if it does run out of steam will purchase Vegas

[Delusibeta]

but then when they bought out Warband it was also Steam'ed to death.

I'm going to be blunt here. Why did you buy Warband from Steam if you didn't like Steam? (And you could just download the trial from Taleworlds and plug the CD key in there to get rid of it, if you really want.)

[Dain2]

Delusibeta, Ah but I didn't buy Warband. One of my friends did. He bought a CD version from Amazon I think because he liked it so much, even with the Steam activation. But things didn't go smoothly and I was called in to fix things.

 

When it first came out all the posts said it could only be operated using Steam. So I haven't bothered going back to it and haven't checked for any fixes. But from what you are saying there is now a fix.

 

Could you please detail exactly what is required and the process involved, so that I and other friends don't have to be "Steamed". It would be much appreciated. Again happy to buy it, but don't want the hassle of Steam.

[DarkZerker]

I don't really CARE about Steam and actually enjoy it because the PC really needs a system rivaling XBOX Live and PSN but there's no point in having a SINGLE PLAYER GAME on Steam. I mean what's the point of achievements when there's no value to them? Games like Call of Duty and Team Fortress 2 NEED to be on Steam because of the diverse community that rivals the console online database but single player games should only be on Steam when they are bought on Steam.

[adembroski]

I've personally had no problems with steam. I have three games on it (Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 were purchased through Steam, Empire: Total War was not but activated through Steam) and had no problems.

 

ETW has it's own problems, independent of steam, but I play it heavily modded (specifically, DarthMod and American Revolution 2.0) and haven't seen too many issues since the last patch. I plan to purchase an NV hardcopy, personally, as I expect that'll be less prone to issues.