STEAM Question

[unwinddesign]

Steam is, *ahem* a steaming piece of crap (ahahaha...ok, sorry), and I would prefer not to use it. Unfortunately, Valve insists that I do (and I'm not sure if their games are even worth the hassle...but back on topic).

The long and the short of it is, I would like to know if there is a legit way of running my games -- which I bought hard, retail copies of from Amazon (i.e. I didn't buy them off Steam) -- when I am disconnected from the internet. Because lately, my DSL connection has been finicky as hell, and it has been cutting out. And then I cannot play Half Life Source or HL2.

Again, I'm not looking for key cracks or any crap like that. I own the real versions of these. But this is bullshit that I have to be online to play a single player game, and I'd like to have a backup plan available in case of future outtages.

[Drunk Billionaire]

for steam games like hl2? i know theres some type of crack out there that allows you to but thats it

[Geddon_jt]

I have the same problem. Would love to bring my lappy on vacation with my so I could finish HL2: Episode 1, but no internet connection. It's like the big brother of game engines. And it autoloads when you boot your PC... I *hate* that. :)

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

If you've connected once already and authorized your copy, there's an option to put Steam into "Offline" mode. I don't remember where that option is though.

[THATinkjar]

Hold on... Valve patched Steam a while back to add this feature. I have played Half-Life 2 many, many times without being connected to the Internet. I believe you have to "activate" the game, but from then on - you're good to go!

[Mr.FoodMonster]

And it autoloads when you boot your PC... I *hate* that. :)
Just like with anything else on your computer that autoruns when you start it up, it's fairly easy to disable.

And yeah, just put it in 'offline' mode, and you're good.

[exit]

You have to use steam even with the retail copy? What the hell kind of nonsense is that? I understand using it for easy updates, but other than that it's pointless. I tried playing the demo latnight and it was giving me problems, I don't know if it was because of steam or my computer.

[Ed Oscuro]

You'll have to get your PC on the internet somehow. Bad part of Steam is that you'll have to keep it hooked up forever if you're on 56k; Valve has applied a lot of patches to HL2 and the other games.

Sorry to hear that. I imagine thousands of people never were able to buy the game for that same reason. Luckily, I didn't have that problem.

[unwinddesign]

I've put it in offline mode. It says that I can't play HL2, HLSource, or anything else on Steam (with the exception of the free HL2: Lost Coast thingy).

Authorizing? How so? I already put in the CD key and all that. The game didn't come with a manual, just a little card that had some quick instructions on it.

x_x

[THATinkjar]

I've put it in offline mode. It says that I can't play HL2, HLSource, or anything else on Steam (with the exception of the free HL2: Lost Coast thingy).

Authorizing? How so? I already put in the CD key and all that. The game didn't come with a manual, just a little card that had some quick instructions on it.

x_x

I think you have to launch the game once while connected to the Internet. I think that, like, "activates" the game. I think that is how it works.

If not, check out the Steam FAQ. That is a very good place to find answers.

Edit: Yeah, I was right. Can't post this as a link, so here is a load of ugly text:

http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=213&p_created=1094245645&p_sid=HbBNQmbi&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfc m93X2NudD0yNzUmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N 2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

[Slash]

Yes, read that support page.

Also be sure to start the game(s) at least once while online to ensure it doesn't need to get more stuff. Then offline mode with that game should work.