razorpony Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I play the PC version. And I don't have any qualms about anyone trying to earn a buck. I'm trying to start my own company as well. What I DO have a problem with is this: I was playing just fine, then Steam auto-patched my game, without my having any knowledge of it UNTIL my game CTDed and a message popped up saying Steam had successfully updated my game. All of my saves no longer loaded. It froze my machine and I had to do a physical shut down on my system (never a good thing) in order to recover from it. So I had to start from scratch. Then, I am rewarded with massive CTDs at random times, and can no longer enter certain areas without a CTD (Solitude being one of them - bit of a quest breaker). And there is the issue of pre-patch mods vs. after patch mods. I believe it was the after patch mods that don't work right? So, I find that mod that prevents auto patching from steam. But, the damage is done. So I decide I need to reinstall the game from scratch, and prevent the patch. Guess what I've been doing for the entire day??? " The Steam servers are currently to busy to handle your request. Please try again in a few minutes." I cannot even install the game now!!! This is what one gets for relying on an online service to handle your game for you. Why can I not install the game from my CD/DVD as usual, and then log into Steam and have them download an enabler file after I have validated my game? Do I really have to go find a cracked version of this game (having bought it already, I wouldn't feel bad about it a bit) in order to actually play it???? No and threatening to do so could shorten your stay here, I'd be careful. Follow this link to install from the disc. http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=1318656&mpage=1 RP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VorrAkkagi Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 No and threatening to do so could shorten your stay here, I'd be careful. Follow this link to install from the disc. http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=1318656&mpage=1 RP Thank you!!! You are the first person to give me an answer and some hope. I've been emailing, leaving 'tickets' on Steam, searching, etc. And for the record, I have bought every Bethesda game (and Interplay for the earlier Fallout games) that I play. I've been in the industry and am in the process of making a company with a couple friends to make games. I completely support buying other peoples' hard work (games). But also, as a customer, feel I am entitled to actually be able to play what I bought. I'm sure you understand =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VorrAkkagi Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Update: This does not work. I attempted it a half dozen times, following step by step exactly as it says, corrected the CD drive letter, etc. Pressed OK and it went through exactly the same BS and the same "Steam is too busy to let you install your game and enjoy playing it" message. I opened the CD and made sure it wasn't screwed somehow. All the install files are there. It just keeps going to Steam to ask permission to install from the Steam servers. - ????? - I do not understand who thought this would be a good idea... The frustration continues... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neried Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Skyrim is the only game I typically play and making Steam stay in offline mode, since it tends to ignore explicit instructions to NOT patch until I tell it to, prevents the stealth updates. Keeping everything in offline mode prevents autopatching issues, and then once a patch goes live and I have a chance to look at the opinion of said patch, I may let it update. As far as CTD post-patch, do you go into 'Properties-local files-verify integrity of game cache'? I was having that issue until unchecking mods, verifying, then re-checking mods--no more CTD's without obvious cause. Massive spawns from Occupy Skyrim faction battle + Deadly Dragons event = slightly overloaded vid card, so I dont consider these sort of crashes an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRavyn Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 My take on this is that Bethesda finally learned from one of its mistakes. They took a lot of heat, including from yours truly, about their decision to use SecuROM as a copy protection scheme for Oblivion. SecuROM is a known culprit in a lot of problems which can even crash a user's computer and damage the operating system, requiring a full re-install. The DRM system of Steam is far more preferable to the intrusive, frequently suspicious activity of SecuROM, which installs itself "under the radar" and even disables certain legitimate system management software like Process Explorer (a Microsoft product, no less) because that software can spy on its activities. As much as many of us detest Steam, we at least don't have to put up with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VorrAkkagi Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Skyrim is the only game I typically play and making Steam stay in offline mode, since it tends to ignore explicit instructions to NOT patch until I tell it to, prevents the stealth updates. Keeping everything in offline mode prevents autopatching issues, and then once a patch goes live and I have a chance to look at the opinion of said patch, I may let it update. As far as CTD post-patch, do you go into 'Properties-local files-verify integrity of game cache'? I was having that issue until unchecking mods, verifying, then re-checking mods--no more CTD's without obvious cause. Massive spawns from Occupy Skyrim faction battle + Deadly Dragons event = slightly overloaded vid card, so I dont consider these sort of crashes an issue. I never consider MOD based crashes the fault of the game creator. That is the hazard of the mod. However, the update destroyed my saves files and CTDs multiplied by a factor of 100 at least. I literally had CTDs about every 40 meters running down the road trying to follow whatshername to kill the dragon to prove "you are dragonborn". Run, save game, run, CTD. Reload, run, save, run, CTD. Thus, I decided a clean install from the disk, prevent the update, and start again. Only now, I cannot reinstall the game. Period. Servers are too busy. And the suggestion from the link given above by 'razorpony' does not work. Maybe they have changed Steams functionality since posting that solution on their own site, but it still tries to install from Steam. As for going in offline mode. I did that mostly, but sometimes it would just ping at me when I tried to play the game saying there was an error and I was forced to log in - then I could play the game. Then the poop hit the fan =/ If I had my way, I'd simply install the game completely free of Steam influence or necessity and play and enjoy it as I have every other game I play. This way, I know exactly where any problems arise (a new mod i install, etc.). So far, as a result of these sorts of issues, I have exactly nothing positive to say about Steam and an awful lot of negative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy1123 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I think you are all missing the point about STEAMypile. First off, it no longer is your game. If they decide to not allow you to play, its game over. You can then play in offline mode, but technically that violates the STEAMypile EULA. In effect, making you a pirate. With that being said, Modding the program content is also a violation of their (THEIR) EULA not Bethesda's. Funny how they became overlords of your purchased game(s) and have given themselves explicite rights and priveledges with your system the moment you infect your hard drive with their garbage. You cannot use the Creation Kit without getting their approval and accessing their portal to use it. You are limited to what they consider "legitimate" game play only when their servers are up and running. On ANY steam game update or new game load, your auto-update miraculously gets turned back on. They inundate you with trash, often year old software and advertisements. My game is locked at 1.4xx and have stated many times, STEAMypile is not user friendly. It is not for free thinking entrepeneurs. It is an attempt to monopolize portions of any and all software you use with intent to monitor your system usage and personal data for their profit. I can't imagine why any PC user would even consider using them or anything they distribute- especially once you realize and see what they are indeed doing. If you are that tied up and need everything hand fed to you, then go buy a game box console, plug it in and play your games as you like. Don't buy into what they say you need, how they say you need it and when they allow you to have it. I can't possibly imagine the mindset of anyone investing more on a single video card then most generic system cost thinking this is a good thing for the free thinking, imaginative and often self motivated gamers in the present day game industry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsxMeUP Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 I can't possibly imagine the mindset of anyone investing more on a single video card then most generic system cost thinking this is a good thing for the free thinking, imaginative and often self motivated gamers in the present day game industry.Don't discourage me. I'm gonna buy a new computer soon just to see Skyrim in all its glory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VorrAkkagi Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 (edited) I think you are all missing the point about STEAMypile. First off, it no longer is your game. If they decide to not allow you to play, its game over. You can then play in offline mode, but technically that violates the STEAMypile EULA. In effect, making you a pirate. With that being said, Modding the program content is also a violation of their (THEIR) EULA not Bethesda's. Funny how they became overlords of your purchased game(s) and have given themselves explicite rights and priveledges with your system the moment you infect your hard drive with their garbage. You cannot use the Creation Kit without getting their approval and accessing their portal to use it. You are limited to what they consider "legitimate" game play only when their servers are up and running. On ANY steam game update or new game load, your auto-update miraculously gets turned back on. They inundate you with trash, often year old software and advertisements. My game is locked at 1.4xx and have stated many times, STEAMypile is not user friendly. It is not for free thinking entrepeneurs. It is an attempt to monopolize portions of any and all software you use with intent to monitor your system usage and personal data for their profit. I can't imagine why any PC user would even consider using them or anything they distribute- especially once you realize and see what they are indeed doing. If you are that tied up and need everything hand fed to you, then go buy a game box console, plug it in and play your games as you like. Don't buy into what they say you need, how they say you need it and when they allow you to have it. I can't possibly imagine the mindset of anyone investing more on a single video card then most generic system cost thinking this is a good thing for the free thinking, imaginative and often self motivated gamers in the present day game industry. I hadn't read into what they were really doing. Great info Brandy! I knew by the nature of how they were controlling my game playability that, in essence, they were doing what you pointed out so clearly. It just hadn't 'cognitized' into my brain yet. I agree 100% with what you have said regarding control vs. free-minded playing. This is what has been puzzling me all along - why did Bethesda sign on with the 'red fellow with pointy horns' in the first place??? Were they going broke and in need of more cash? In a nutshell, my experience with Steam is really making me question whether it is worth the effort to even buy Bethesda games anymore. I can simple choose not to play them and buy games I can play without all this hassle and control. It would certainly make my day a lot happier. I'd give Bethesda some user feedback, but their website seems to be designed around redirection to anywhere that isn't actually useful. 'Here kid, have some candy and go bother someone else'. I hear Angry Birds is a sensation. I've rubbed shoulders with the makers and watched an acquaintance play a bit. I've never felt the urge to play. I can go right back to Oblivion and Fallout 1-3 just fine. No Steam, no hassle, no control, no big brother. Oh, heh, I guess that means that since I already own all of these, Bethesda wouldn't be getting any more of my $. Ooops! Really, who IS their marketing genius??? Edited April 7, 2012 by VorrAkkagi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortunado3 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Er, no. Skyrim was compromised for consoles, and so newbs, casuals and the unreceptive could just pick it up and play it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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