Talk:Steam (service)/Archive 1

message: -----------
I'm not entirely sure where to add it. But perhaps the new geographically based pricing system should be added to the article. I just looked on steam now, and Prey is retailing at around $50, but in North and South America, it is listed as roughly $20. Should this go under the criticism section?
-----------
The first sentance defining steam doesn't make sense and is very difficult to understand.
I removed Half-Life: Blue Shift as a likely future Source game on Steam. Neither Half-Life: Opposing Force nor Blue Shift will likely get the Source remake, as Valve did not create them, but Gearbox did. Blue Shift is not even available in the "classic" version on Steam, and probably will never be:
:Blue Shift is not available under Steam and there are no plans to make it so.
:Blue Shift was produced by Gearbox (not Valve) and so Gearbox would need to do the conversion.
From Steam support
I'd love to see where the info on 'Blue Shift' in Source comes from, and be proven wrong! Anárion 23:38, 5 Dec 2004 (UTC)
replies: text: Blue Shift is now available via Steam.  --Charron 01:36, 26 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Pricing 

message: :Steam is also an video game distributing system created by Valve( Half-Life , Counter-Strike , Day of Defeat are some of their more popular titles) that allows costumers to buy, download, and play games without ever leaving their computer. After download steam instantly updates all installed games allowing weekly updates to it's interface. Steam also contains development kits for dedicated servers and mods . Steam offers a instant messaging system that allows you to communicate with other users out of game and allowed them to play board games such as checkers and chess with each other.
Above text posted to the talk page by User:Aarchiba.
There's nothing there that isn't said in the article already. --Mrwojo 00:08, 31 Mar 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: It works fine under Linux, just load up a somewhat recent version of Cedega and play. --Tom Edwards 16:38, 27 August 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Not everyone can afford Cedega. I would much rather have bought that than Windows XP, but XP was included with basicly every computer, so that wasn't an option. Oh well, that's what dual-boot is for. --Kinkoblast 23:46, 15 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Chunk mistakenly added to [[steam]] 

message: "Another major issue is the auto-update model. To play a game offline, Steam and the game itself must be fully updated; and updates are always checked for when starting Steam while online. If there is an update the game is marked as not up to date, regardless of whether the user wants to update or not. They must then update the game before being able to play offline again. The worst affected are dial-up users: not only are they the ones who are most likely to use offline mode, they are the ones least capable of updating. Once applied, an update cannot be rolled back; thus, outside of offline mode, even buggy updates are mandatory." -- Taken from the criticism section, this is no longer true. Games can be marked as "DO NOT UPDATE" and the system will not automatically begin updates.
:It's actually do not automatically update. It doesn't make any difference except that the game not update on its own. It is still marked as not being up to date, and the game still cannot be played without downloading the update. --Tom Edwards 07:19, 8 June 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Removed paragraph

message: Most of the article concerns Steam's webservice side, with one section and a few other snippets specifically covering the client program. What do people think of making the distinction larger? Not to the point of having two articles, but having two top-level headings. --Tom Edwards 21:17, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Separation of Client and Service? 

message: I noticed a section in the steam client labeled meta score for some games, i didnt find anything about it in a quick search, does anyone have a source to add it to the article with? Mythmon 03:51, 17 May 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I would like to know what this is as well. Someone should put something in the article about it 69.136.162.114 22:27, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Here's the announcement. --Tom Edwards 09:07, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Meta Score? 

message: I remember posting on a forum of a website which was protesting against or boycotting steam, but I can no longer find it. It would be a good external link if anyone knows it.--Darrelljon 20:28, 26 May 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Are you thinking about steamwatch.org? It's been gradually shut down through lack of activity and interest. It was an 'open letter' and empty forum in March last year, then it became just a front page, and now it's been abandoned entirely. I guess they had nothing to talk about... --Tom Edwards 07:52, 27 May 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I used to visit http://atev.tk, not sure if it was the same thing, but that's closed now.--Darrelljon 17:09, 7 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Protest 

message: Because it's good to "be bold", I removed the *Stardock Central link in the 'See Also' section as I see no reason why there should be a link to Stardock - it is not mentioned in the article and seemingly has nothing to do with Steam. Does anyone know why it was put there in the first place?
Desire Campbell 24.222.158.63 17:42, 14 June 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Stardock link? 

message: ;SteamID reporting error
:In the Winter of 2005/6 to mid-Spring 2006...
Winter is rather relative, how can one know if it's the winter on the north or south hemisphere?
:Good point. It's North. I'll fix that now. --Tom Edwards 12:49, 18 July 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Regarding a time issue 

message: "...has led many to predict that Steam and future concepts like it will revolutionize the gaming industry in the same way that P2P threatens the livelihood of the music labels and movie publishing houses"
Not sure about that analogy. I mean, wouldn't it be more accurate to compare Steam with iTunes or bands/musicians who sell their own music directly from their website? --Joshtek 20:24, 24 August 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: That seems more sensible. --Tom Edwards 20:27, 24 August 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  P2P Analogy 

message: removed few dead links
Prithvi raj 14:42, 12 October 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Dead links

message: The Steam Review has found some info on a possible new feature in Steam called Guest Passes. The assumption is it allows your friends to play on multiplayer games with you that don't have the game for a limited time. Should we add this info into the wiki yet?
:While it isn't "official" yet it's fairly obvious that it's planned, so I'd say go for it. The article would need a new section for future functionality, mind. --Tom Edwards 09:13, 30 October 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Guest Passes 

message: In the article the following is stated....
On October 1 2006, approximately 40% of active Steam users [14] (50 000 at the time) were consistently disconnected from online servers with an error stating that their account did not own the game in question.
Now i would have thought that 50,000 would be a lot less than 40% of all steam accounts, even active ones, you dont mind me asking where these figures have come from?
Or am i reading that wrong?
:Click on the [14] link and you'll be taken to a footnote with source information. --Tom Edwards 11:58, 21 November 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  The Steam Account Does Not Own This Game 

message: New connectivity problems today posted on the steamforums. Added it to the article. 62.235.143.29 16:07, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Thanks. I wondered why it said my account didn't exist, and http://support.steampowered.com/ is unavailable. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 62.31.43.124 (talk) 20:38, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: This problem has still not been rectified, and in a statement, Steam said that they do not know when the servers will be back online and fully functional.
If this is referring to December 15, 2005, wasn't it resolved at some point? Or did someone just screw up and write 2005 instead of 2006? I'm kind of confused... there was a power outage knocking down Steam on December 15, 2005 and 2006?! --geoff 21:15, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Strange. 15 Dec 06 (today) 14:00 here in sweden I couldnt log onto the servers. But, don't they have servers in other places? Hope they solve it soon - I want to play Sin Episodes :/ Cybesystem 21:56, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: There was a storm until around 7 a.m. December 15, 2006 PST (UTC-8).  Power might still out at the VALVe offices, where their server farm is most likely at, in Bellevue, King County, Washington State, United States.--Rabbitdude 22:39, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Man, I hope they get them back online ASAP. I was planning to play Natural Selection for a while, but I guess I won't be able to. :( Ikki the Fox Breeder 22:59, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I hope they get back online soon too, I was planning on raging some servers today ;) — Joshua Johaneman  23:02, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

text: I think someone just screwed up, since that statement about 2005 was added today NHammen 23:03, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

text: That is the worst thing to do, look the main power lines are down and PSE is bringing people from out of state to help. This is not a local problem to Bellevue as I just confirmed that with my family in the area. Four people have died and millions are without power and all you care about is playing your games? Bitch all you want at VALVe for not having a backup server but please do not waist PSE's time because you have nothing better to do that play games. Wiki fanatic what your doing is totally idiotic and waisting the time of people that have better things to do, I really hope you grow up. BJTalk 01:59, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Please be respectful on wikipedia and please do not call me a moron or idiotic. I am very surprised that you would use such language. This is wikipedia, please be civilized. I will choose not to respond with name-calling. I am simply offering a solution to this problem. If you don't like my solution, then don't use it, but don't resort to abuse. Now, for those of you who want to help, call 1-888-225-5773. Its a toll free number, so no cost to you unless you're using a cell.--Wiki Fanatic | Talk 02:28, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Yes, help by wasting the time of the people that are trying to fix the problem, do you really think they don't know that 700,000 people have no power? Do you really think a bunch of childish gamers calling them up 10 times is make them fix the power lines any faster? Really this such a waist of their time it's not even funny and it is quite idiotic. BJTalk 02:35, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Steam is up! BJTalk 02:38, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I don't understand what your problem is. Please stop using disrespectful language towards me. I am well within my right to do this. If you call me idoitic again, I will report you to the admins and whatnot. I understand you have a different viewpoint than mine, but please do not use abusive langauge. If you have constructive criticism to add, please do, but statements like you're an idiot and you're a moron are just plain unnecessary. Do it again and I will report you.--Wiki Fanatic | Talk 02:45, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Love your Hypocrisy there fanatic, being abusive in wikipedia is wrong, but encouraging harrasment of people via telephone is quite all right(even though its illegal in many states)Puff65537 03:58, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: There is no hypocrisy. I am not using profanity or anything like that. I am simply telling the company they need to fix this issue urgently and hoping everyone else will too. Its promoting awareness. I am well within my right to do that and it is not illegal. If you doubt, you may refer me to your local police office. Its not illegal ask other people to call the company regarding certain issues. I'm certainly not the only one. Many organizations and even other companies do it. If you don't wish to call, thats up to you.And thank you for not resorting to abusive langauge.--Wiki Fanatic | Talk 08:25, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: "I've already called about fives times and I am setting up an autodialer with a recorded message" This is not "simply telling the company they need to fix this issue urgently" this is a harassment, if you did this to a person it is illegal and same applies to a company. What even more shocking is the fact that you're willing to promote the harassment of a company that needs to do it job to save lives just so you can play a game. PSE needs to know where the real problems are and thats why they have a phone number to call and report the problem, by calling for a mass harassment of their that number you impair their ability to find and fix the power lines that have not already been reported. I still have no idea why you think calling them at all was a good idea but 5 plus times? Give me a break. BJTalk 08:38, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: This arguement has gotton out of hand. This is not harrassment and even if it is, its not illegal. If it is, please inform the police. I will even email you my contact and address details if you like. Your arguement holds no merit. Telemarketers and poltical parties call me all time, many several times a day and they call thousands of companies and people around the area. I have yet to see one arrested. There is nothing shocking about my actions. I paid for my games and I want to play them. There is nothing wrong with that. The contact number provided on their site said general inquires. Like I said, this conversation is getting out of hand. I'm ending it here. If you wish to apologize for your rudeness, you may do so at my talk page. Otherwise, this talk page needs to gets back on topic about steam. BTW, it seems steam is back up and running and there is no need to contact the energy company anymore. My PLEASE READ public annoncement is void and obselete anyway.--Wiki Fanatic | Talk 13:44, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

text: Steam is not up to everybody.  The issue has not been resolved.  While I understand that you may be concerned about people in the greater Seattle area, please do not let your personal opinion get in the way of editing.  I do think that it is relevant that Steam (and Valve) do not know when the current issue will be resolved.  As the Steam website and forums seem to be running at a slow pace, and as people do come to wikipedia to check up on these sorts of issues, I do not think that you should be deleting information (that is sourced) regarding that. Dx87 03:06, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

text: Wikipedia is an encyclopedia not a news source, there is no need to provide updates every time something changes. BJTalk 03:53, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: The point is that it hasn't changed, there is no estimated time of recovery.  The other issues have all been resolved, and some show at what time they were fixed, or the amount of time it took to fix them.  The article right now does not make it clear whether or not the issue has been resolved or not. Dx87 04:10, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

text: I'm not insulting you just your actions. BJTalk 02:46, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

text: As far as I know you can remove the network cable from your computer and it will go into offline mode. BJTalk 02:06, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: But only if you have been authenticated beforehand. Once authenticated, offline mode is enabled and then you can yank the network cable and offline mode turns on.--Wiki Fanatic | Talk 02:32, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Steam can't connect to steam servers (Dec. 15, 2006) 

message: This is pretty recent, but it might turn into something:
http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/20/2034251
Basically, Valve could use their content delivery platform and VAC to force ad's into old games. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Matrixhax0r (talk • contribs) 02:22, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Wikipedia is not a crystal ball, but VALVe has said it would do it, so a blurb on the subject wouldn't be bad but I wouldn't put anything about community backlash till it happens. BJTalk 03:12, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

text: The chances are this will be handled through IGA's servers. --Tom Edwards 10:49, 23 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  CS Advertising 

message: The section states something is obvious, and then states that something is so, 'in some minds'.  These phrases do not present stated opinions of actual people or firms, so the reader can evaluate these arguments, but rather presents an issue as having already been decided by some pseudo-knowledgeble anonymous people.
Jerry lavoie 04:28, 2 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Well, I just removed the weasel words and the tag you added, plus added an unreferenced tag to the section. BJTalk 04:48, 2 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Weasel words in '''Resale of Steam games''' section

message: via Neowin: 
Here's a look at some of the key features to be rolled out to the millions of Steam users in this Winter Update:
Guest Passes
Guest Passes allow owners of certain Steam games (purchased either via Steam or at retail) to let their friends play games for free, for a limited time trial. The first game to take advantage of this new feature will be Day of Defeat: Source.
Background Client Updates
Since the Steam client was first released, it has always kept itself up to date -- but now it'll do so without making you wait during startup. Instead, it will acquire new updates in the background and then (once they're downloaded) ask if you'd like to restart and apply them. Steam will also let you know what's new whenever a new update is ready to apply.
New User Interface
Steam's got a new coat of paint. We've stripped away all the non-essentials and created a new streamlined appearance, available in five different colors.
Favorites
Steam's catalog of games has grown quite a bit over the past year or so. The new Favorites feature in the My Games tab of Steam allows for quick access to your favorite Steam games and additional functionality for personalizing your Steam library of content.
: Signing name Geologik 07:56, 7 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: New Steam update next week