Steam News
MonsieurEvil
Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
<div class="IPBDescription">(official, for once)</div> (from <a href='http://www.steampowered.com/news' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/news</a> )
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Status Update; New Installers to be Released Tomorrow
September 15, 2003, 5:18 pm · Greg Coomer
Well, the release process last week and over the weekend was pretty rocky. The community managed to get 500,000 accounts created and are currently seeing about 15,000 people playing Counter-Strike 1.6 at any given time. We know that the conversion process has been anything but smooth for many of our users. We're going to get this fixed. We've done our best to support the Half-Life community over the past 5 years, and we're still committed to doing whatever it takes to make the community happy. We've listened to the response, and we'll be repairing the problems with Steam until it performs the way we all want it to.
Tomorrow we will release new installers which include the cache files for all of the games available via Steam (Day of Defeat, Team Fortress Classic, the dedicated server, etc). If you haven't already done so, please use the installer that includes Counter-Strike and Half-Life.
Here's what's going on at Steam HQ:
We ran into some pretty serious bandwidth and server limitations after the release last week, which has caused several other problems like long wait times and UI unresponsiveness. The load is starting to die down now and we're getting more content servers lined up, so these problems are becoming less frequent. As more people begin using the new installers which include the game caches, their experience using Steam will improve greatly. If you're having problems connecting to Steam or launching Counter-Strike, please download the latest version of the installer and give it a try.
Some other Steam problems -- "JIT" error messages, expired ticket errors, etc -- will be fixed with a Steam update this week.
Other stuff:
Counter-Strike 1.5 is still available, and will be for a couple of weeks. After we're confident that the Steam authentication servers are functioning as they should (and not before), we'll be turning off the WON servers and migrating everyone over to the new system.
There have been some reports of the Conversion Wizard failing during account creation. If this happens for you, please try downloading and installing the most recent version of the Steam client from one of the mirrors listed on this site.
We're preparing a new installer on CD for cyber-cafe owners. Contact biz@steampowered.com if you're interested in receiving this.
We've heard from several people who are having trouble getting their MODs working with Steam. We've updated our FAQ with new information about this. Check it out and then email us if you're still having trouble.
Feel free to get in touch with us you're having difficulty, or for whatever reason. Thanks for hanging in there with us through these first few days.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
As pointed out by more level-headed forum readers multiple times, this is a work in progress. Valve obviously knows about the issues and is working through them. Better now than the day HL2 released, naturally.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Status Update; New Installers to be Released Tomorrow
September 15, 2003, 5:18 pm · Greg Coomer
Well, the release process last week and over the weekend was pretty rocky. The community managed to get 500,000 accounts created and are currently seeing about 15,000 people playing Counter-Strike 1.6 at any given time. We know that the conversion process has been anything but smooth for many of our users. We're going to get this fixed. We've done our best to support the Half-Life community over the past 5 years, and we're still committed to doing whatever it takes to make the community happy. We've listened to the response, and we'll be repairing the problems with Steam until it performs the way we all want it to.
Tomorrow we will release new installers which include the cache files for all of the games available via Steam (Day of Defeat, Team Fortress Classic, the dedicated server, etc). If you haven't already done so, please use the installer that includes Counter-Strike and Half-Life.
Here's what's going on at Steam HQ:
We ran into some pretty serious bandwidth and server limitations after the release last week, which has caused several other problems like long wait times and UI unresponsiveness. The load is starting to die down now and we're getting more content servers lined up, so these problems are becoming less frequent. As more people begin using the new installers which include the game caches, their experience using Steam will improve greatly. If you're having problems connecting to Steam or launching Counter-Strike, please download the latest version of the installer and give it a try.
Some other Steam problems -- "JIT" error messages, expired ticket errors, etc -- will be fixed with a Steam update this week.
Other stuff:
Counter-Strike 1.5 is still available, and will be for a couple of weeks. After we're confident that the Steam authentication servers are functioning as they should (and not before), we'll be turning off the WON servers and migrating everyone over to the new system.
There have been some reports of the Conversion Wizard failing during account creation. If this happens for you, please try downloading and installing the most recent version of the Steam client from one of the mirrors listed on this site.
We're preparing a new installer on CD for cyber-cafe owners. Contact biz@steampowered.com if you're interested in receiving this.
We've heard from several people who are having trouble getting their MODs working with Steam. We've updated our FAQ with new information about this. Check it out and then email us if you're still having trouble.
Feel free to get in touch with us you're having difficulty, or for whatever reason. Thanks for hanging in there with us through these first few days.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
As pointed out by more level-headed forum readers multiple times, this is a work in progress. Valve obviously knows about the issues and is working through them. Better now than the day HL2 released, naturally.
Comments
(O/T, is it true HL2 has been delayed until October 30th? Or is my m8 Sam a d**k head?)
Sounds like this quote will turn out to be really useful at shutting people up.
Well done. However, I cannot see that forum as I cut my own access months ago, so technically, I still win. Dai!!!!!!!!
<!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
*assumes Q3 voice* HUMILIATED!
Nah, just kidding, I'm contradicting my previous posts otherwise. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
But that's a rare occasion, admitted.
Well done. However, I cannot see that forum as I cut my own access months ago, so technically, I still win. Dai!!!!!!!!
<!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I thought the discussion forums was like your little pet forum.... *scratches head*
Or did you have enough with teen angst... you don't like teen angst do you... MonsE? *poke*
...
*poke*
that was my one major scare
If Valve pulled off something as dunderheaded as the Steam release I was not going to put it past them to kill WON to soon. It seems that they will not kill WON anytime soon <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
mmm, the truth behind why the discussion forum still lives, MonsE can't see it <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
The hl+cs installer is 388 mb for the exe and 37x mb for the zip. Im on dialup. It takes 30+ HOURS to download just one of those two. So I hold off and see if Valve will come up with a sensible solution (like fixing steam), and what big news do I read? I find out that instead of the 388 mb file I would hafta download....I have to download a file TWICE AS LARGE. TFC and DoD are easily bigger than HL+CS, and all four are included in one file. Plus they are throwing in other games I dont want. I dont want TFC, DoD, or any of their crappy mods. I just want Steam to work so I can get back to playing NS. I look at this as Valves way of saying, "Yea, you can use a modem to play. But since we can't upload purchasable content to you, gtfo anyways" One question, why not leave the current update process in place. Multiple updates spread accross multiple mirrors. Everyone downloaded it alot faster, and the installers were able to be backed up. Now everytime I want to update a game, I would have to fight the broadband users for it instead of getting it off a friend through AIM or a private FTP. So what would am I supposed to do. Quit a game Ive been playing since 98 because Valve wants to overcharge for crappy content, or leave my connection on for a week... And even IF I downloaded this new file. I cant back it up. It will easily be over the burnable limit.
BitTorrent
get the 'cs and HL' Rar off of bittorrent and then just pop em in over your curent install of steam
find em here:
<a href='http://www.counter-hack.net/content.php?page=steamlinks' target='_blank'>http://www.counter-hack.net/content.php?pa...page=steamlinks</a>
and also info on BT if you don't know it <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
This quote from the faq worries me:
"Any Steam game, when played on a LAN or otherwise, requires that each individual client be able to authenticate via the Internet.
At a LAN party, this means that Internet access must be available to every machine on which Steam games are being played. "
<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/faq.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/faq.htm</a>
I'll never use steam until this "feature" is removed. Along with this one:
"Note: some Steam-enabled single-player games (such as Half-Life 2) purchased at a retail store will allow offline play until the user decides to play online or enable other Steam functionality. From that point on, an Internet connection will be required."
Authenication to play a single-player game! You got to be kidding me. I guess no portable steam powered games for me. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo--> Go to steam forums and nicely post that you don't like this. I'm sure they just put it in the FAQ to see what they could get away with. So we need to give 'em a little negative reinforcement, but no heavy flaming please.
-JD
<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/faq.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/faq.htm</a>
Authenication to play a single-player game! You got to be kidding me. I guess no portable steam powered games for me. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo--> Go to steam forums and nicely post that you don't like this. I'm sure they just put it in the FAQ to see what they could get away with. So we need to give 'em a little negative reinforcement, but no heavy flaming please. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, that's a commonly misinterpreted paragraph...
What they <b>REALLY</b> mean is:
You can play single-player all you want, offline. However, online play requires authentication every time.
Well done. However, I cannot see that forum as I cut my own access months ago, so technically, I still win. Dai!!!!!!!!
<!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Damn, well we'll always have Zimbabwe.
Anyway I am laying off steam for the minute until they get it all sorted (hurrah for astronmically high ID number!)
They didn't seem to have a problem with copy protection and anti-cheat stuff on LANs before.... And the problem with running old clients is that you're also running old versions of MODs. Unless I missed something....
He said "Man, just you wait, 2 more years, and were gonna talk about how people hated steam because it had a rocky start, and no one is gonna believe us while saying 'Steam is the best!'"
We are SOOOO right.
He said "Man, just you wait, 2 more years, and were gonna talk about how people hated steam because it had a rocky start, and no one is gonna believe us while saying 'Steam is the best!'"
We are SOOOO right. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
*WISTLE* Personal foul, defence #14759. Claiming victory before the game is over. 3 Post penalty, repeat first down.
He said "Man, just you wait, 2 more years, and were gonna talk about how people hated steam because it had a rocky start, and no one is gonna believe us while saying 'Steam is the best!'"
We are SOOOO right. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
*WISTLE* Personal foul, defence #14759. Claiming victory before the game is over. 3 Post penalty, repeat first down. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
L O L
Owned, man, that was good.
At a LAN party, this means that Internet access must be available to every machine on which Steam games are being played. "
<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/faq.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/faq.htm</a>
I'll never use steam until this "feature" is removed. Along with this one:
"Note: some Steam-enabled single-player games (such as Half-Life 2) purchased at a retail store will allow offline play until the user decides to play online or enable other Steam functionality. From that point on, an Internet connection will be required."
Authenication to play a single-player game! You got to be kidding me. I guess no portable steam powered games for me. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo--> Go to steam forums and nicely post that you don't like this. I'm sure they just put it in the FAQ to see what they could get away with. So we need to give 'em a little negative reinforcement, but no heavy flaming please.
-JD
<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/faq.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/faq.htm</a> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=13370' target='_blank'>What's this? Official word? pipht.</a>
Scroll down to the last post of that page. You has been ownt.
..... whats this?
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->yes you can install the HD pack from blueshift actually, i have it installed right now infact, <b>it works wonderfully, just like steam</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<i>emphasis mine</i>
so... it really doesn't work then? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
They didn't seem to have a problem with copy protection and anti-cheat stuff on LANs before.... And the problem with running old clients is that you're also running old versions of MODs. Unless I missed something.... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
They DID have a problem...it just wasn't OUR problem, so we didn't care about it.
The hl+cs installer is 388 mb for the exe and 37x mb for the zip. Im on dialup. It takes 30+ HOURS to download just one of those two. So I hold off and see if Valve will come up with a sensible solution (like fixing steam), and what big news do I read? I find out that instead of the 388 mb file I would hafta download....I have to download a file TWICE AS LARGE. TFC and DoD are easily bigger than HL+CS, and all four are included in one file. Plus they are throwing in other games I dont want. I dont want TFC, DoD, or any of their crappy mods. I just want Steam to work so I can get back to playing NS. I look at this as Valves way of saying, "Yea, you can use a modem to play. But since we can't upload purchasable content to you, gtfo anyways" One question, why not leave the current update process in place. Multiple updates spread accross multiple mirrors. Everyone downloaded it alot faster, and the installers were able to be backed up. Now everytime I want to update a game, I would have to fight the broadband users for it instead of getting it off a friend through AIM or a private FTP. So what would am I supposed to do. Quit a game Ive been playing since 98 because Valve wants to overcharge for crappy content, or leave my connection on for a week... And even IF I downloaded this new file. I cant back it up. It will easily be over the burnable limit. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
If you just want to download Steam, and not all the game files, <a href='http://cstrike.gamewarriors.com/' target='_blank'>GameWarriors</a> has that.
It's less than a MB.
<a href='http://cstrike.gamewarriors.com/downloads/dir.php?dir=games/client-side/STEAM' target='_blank'>http://cstrike.gamewarriors.com/downloads/...ient-side/STEAM</a>
It should allow you to import the mods from your old HL install to minimize downloading time.