Skyrim and Steam? Noob questions incoming...

[anandus]

Thanks again to everyone that replied -- I think all of my questions have been answered. Now I just have to decide to either bite the bullet, or miss out on what I'm sure will be a fantastic game =/

You can download steam to try it out.

There are several free (to play) games and plenty of demos to try out.

That way you can see what you think about Steam, how much of a performance impact it is (none probably), etc :)

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry a short offtopic answer:

@anandus

My configuration: steam is running in offline mode, FOMM, NVSE + NVSE 4 GB Patch (the steam friendly one), NV in real windowed mode

Hmmm, it's basically the same as I have running (apart from the fact that I have Steam in online mode). I never see the launcher (except when I reinstall my computer)? I give up *shrugs*

[moho25]

Also the official Beth forums would be a better place to vent your issues but I doubt it would make much difference and probably result in a flame fest.

 

Yeah, I highly doubt anyone's opinion would make a difference. The new mission of every gaming company out there seems to be to create or integrate with social media, which is not something I'm at all into. While my posts were certainly sprinkled with some venting, I mostly just had a lot of questions. I chose these forums, rather than Bethesda, because the TES Nexus community has been very welcoming and helpful in my past experience. And, have been so again :)

[CalibanX]

Quick Answer: I too was forced to get Steam after purchasing FNV. That irritated me. Since then, I haven't had any problems with Steam. I would not let any fears or concerns about it stop you from getting Skyrim. That would be blasphemy. :) Seriously, once you get Skyrim up & running you'll probably no longer care about Steam.

[Rydan]

This might come in handy for those of us who don't want the Steam client constantly active and connected to the net: How to use Offline Mode

[Nebrule]

teeth, "plaque conspiracy", metallica

 

 

It is a shame what they are doing to those who do not have internet access, but that extremely small, declining percentage weighed against the potential profits of their micro-merger with Steam is a loss they can more than afford, but why they don't update the box art on the retail sites or at the very least mention "Steam" under the system requirements (it is in fact a "system requirement") is beyond me. I know false advertising happens all the time and is rarely addressed, but come on!

 

I'm still up in the air about buying a physical or digital copy although Bethesda clearly states that "some of the files may be pulled from the internet through the Steam client to complete the installation, rather than all being on the DVD." ...For us laymens that simply means that the physical copy is pretty much useless and the game probably wont even require the disc to be in the drive to play.

 

I'll admit I've used both Steam and Direct2Drive in the past and have had no issues. They both provide great service when needed and their software can be easily ignored. So lets be realistic, as far as the theory of Steam going out of business and we're suddenly not able to play our purchased games,... well first, for that to happen Bethesda would also have to go out of business prior to Steam and that will be because of one or two things;

 

1.) Fallout 4 and/or The Elder Scrolls VI were complete and utter failures.

 

2.) The US/Global economy has collapsed.

 

1.) Probably wont be the case.

 

2.) Probably will be the case at some point and when that happens playing a stupid (but really cool) computer game will be the last thing on your mind.

[Tilarium]

teeth, "plaque conspiracy", metallica

 

 

It is a shame what they are doing to those who do not have internet access, but that extremely small, declining percentage weighed against the potential profits of their micro-merger with Steam is a loss they can more than afford, but why they don't update the box art on the retail sites or at the very least mention "Steam" under the system requirements (it is in fact a "system requirement") is beyond me. I know false advertising happens all the time and is rarely addressed, but come on!

 

I'm still up in the air about buying a physical or digital copy although Bethesda clearly states that "some of the files may be pulled from the internet through the Steam client to complete the installation, rather than all being on the DVD." ...For us laymens that simply means that the physical copy is pretty much useless and the game probably wont even require the disc to be in the drive to play.

 

I'll admit I've used both Steam and Direct2Drive in the past and have had no issues. They both provide great service when needed and their software can be easily ignored. So lets be realistic, as far as the theory of Steam going out of business and we're suddenly not able to play our purchased games,... well first, for that to happen Bethesda would also have to go out of business prior to Steam and that will be because of one or two things;

 

1.) Fallout 4 and/or The Elder Scrolls VI were complete and utter failures.

 

2.) The US/Global economy has collapsed.

 

1.) Probably wont be the case.

 

2.) Probably will be the case at some point and when that happens playing a stupid (but really cool) computer game will be the last thing on your mind.

 

To the bolded part.. you won't need the disk in the drive to play. One of the advantages of steam. The only use of the disk (other then looking pretty) is so to install you won't need to DL 6+ gigs. I was iffy on steam on my first game (left 4 dead) and have sense fallen in love with it. My steam library is pretty big and only getting longer.

[Nebrule]

yeah, after contemplating it for a while I think I'm going to buy on steam and pre-load this sucker. What the hell, "ride the snake"

[Nebrule]

Done.

 

I feel like I need to wash my hands now.

[anandus]

To the bolded part.. you won't need the disk in the drive to play. One of the advantages of steam. The only use of the disk (other then looking pretty) is so to install you won't need to DL 6+ gigs.

If one has patience one doesn't even need to use the disc to install. I often buy games in stores, but don't even have a dvd-drive. I just punch in the serial an let Steam do the rest.

 

I was iffy on steam on my first game (left 4 dead) and have sense fallen in love with it. My steam library is pretty big and only getting longer.

The same with me.

I was a very staunch of opposer of Steam (like many here), but last year couldn't go around it any longer as both New Vegas as Civ 5 required Steam.

So hestatingly I installed it and after a while I actually really started to love it (and the Steam sales as well!).

Most of my games are on Steam. I even bought games I already had again on Steam so they'd be in my Steam account/library! (During sales ofcourse, but still, it goes to show.)

[HellsMaster]

So If i am to understand correctly.. even if I buy the Disk version I need to have steam?

 

Is there any way to use steam online once for the activation and then somehow block ALL communication steam has to the internet and to my HDD? I got enough of EA's spyware and I don't want another f***ing spyware on my PC.