Steamed!!!!!!

[Proteus_MST]

Same for me...
fortunately gamespy was purely optional,
so I always opted not to install it

[self biased]

I play mostly single player, but i've really taken to enjoying playing against Ming, rah, et al. nothing quite beats having a human opponent.

[Hauldren Collider]

I suck too much to play against other humans

I usually play cooperatively against bots with my brother (the other brother, not Kuci)

[Al B. Sure!]

I suck too much to play against other humans

I usually play cooperatively against bots with my brother (the other brother, not Kuci)

Does your brother back-stab you?

[Hauldren Collider]

No, we're on a team. Can't attack each other. Otherwise it would be a significant possibility

[Roman]

I've been a Steam user for years, and this is the only thing that make me a little scared. The rest don't bother me...

Well, the rest of the the complaints about Steam don't bother me either, but this one is strong enough for me to completely avoid games based on Steam or other dependency on external servers.

It does seem to me a bit silly to make a decision today based on a fear of what may happen 15 to 20 years from now, but maybe that's just because at 55, I'll probably be dead then.

That's your prerogative, of course. My perspective on the matter is different. I still sometimes play games that are 15+ years old, often from companies that no longer exist. Anyway, I don't like dependency on external servers (for the reasons I already mentioned) on any softwar and, therefore, try to avoid purchasing such software on principle unless doing so imposes undue costs. With games, however, it is particularly easy to avoid them on this basis, since they are just entertainment - I can get my entertainment fix elsewhere.

It's for this reason I roll my eyes when people complain about "what happens if Steam goes under???". What happens when you lose your CD/DVD or it gets scratched or it stops working due to deterioration? Those are far more likely.

Yes, it can happen, though I consider it far less likely if you take good care of your discs. Besides, how your CDs/DVDs age is under your control to a great extent, whereas a company going under or changing its business plan or thinking old titles are not worth the cost of supporting them any more or... is practically completely out of your control.

In any case, I certainly think your position is legitimate and if you consider say the convenience of downloading a game to be more important than the risk that the company will shut down its servers X years thence, than more power to you - enjoy your Steam games - I am happy for you. For me, however, the priorities are the opposite and I will consequently not purchase the game, just as I have not purchased Mass Effect, Command & Conquer 4 or Starcraft 2. Yes, computer gaming is moving in this direction and yes, as it does I am moving away from computer gaming. In fact, external server dependence is becoming so common that soon I will probably cease to be a computer gamer altogether. I guess the current situation in computer gaming may have a silver lining in giving me a prod towards more productive hobbies.

[Hauldren Collider]

You shouldn't purchase CnC4 because it sucks, not because it's on a download service.

[Wyrda Edocsil]

Honestly, your argument against steam based on the fact the you, at some point, might not be able to play the game any more, is stupid. If you like the game enough that you would be disappointed by not being able to play it any more, wouldn't you like to be able to play it some, at least, even if you wouldn't be able to play it forever? Your avoiding games that use steam doesn't do anything to stop games from using steam because some people, like me, accept it, or even like it. All you're doing by not purchasing the game is depriving yourself of the experience of playing it entirely.

[Guynemer]

I play mostly single player, but i've really taken to enjoying playing against Ming, rah, et al. nothing quite beats having a human opponent.

I've never taken on a human opponent, but I figure with a new edition coming out, I'll at least be on even footing with you experts. Or, less uneven footing. Assuming, of course, I end up getting the game.

[Al B. Sure!]

Does anyone have 15 year old game CDs that still work?

[Hauldren Collider]

Yes, I do. But they don't run so well primarily because they were made for DOS-based Windows.

Well they're not quite 15 years old. I was only 2 years old 15 years ago. But I have some 11 and 12 year old games, not too far off.

Granted they say "Operation Neptune" and "Math Blaster". I don't play them very often anymore , but they still work (My preschooler neighbor likes to play them).

[Proteus_MST]

Does anyone have 15 year old game CDs that still work?

I still have a lot of game CDs from the 90s...
just installed (for demonstration) Syndicate wars, which is from 1996
and it installs and runs fine (well, with the exception of sound/music...but I guess if I wished I could get this to run as well, by configuring it manually)

[Hauptman]

I toyed with multiplayer CIV at release, but a game that can usually take 20+ hours to complete jsut isnt multiplayer friendly. So now that steam is mandatory because they have a MP focus, does this mean a C5 game will only last 3 or 4 hours start to finish? Huge turn off there if that's the case. I exclusivly played single player CIV for the last years. I dont need MP support at all. If I wanted MP id play an MMO. Ive never used steam because Ive never needed to. So call it fear of the unknown if you wish, I'm still just not comfortable with it.

Chances are I will just install and deal with it, as I'm sure it wont be a big deal, and if steam ever does die off, there will be plenty of available hacks or emulaters to bypass its need of continued exsistance.

RIP SSI, Bullfrog, and countless other companies that went away even though they were huge in thier hayday. Steam will likely die as well as somone makes something better. Heck it doesnt even need to be better, just newer, when's the last time you fired up Myspace instead of Facebook?

[Proteus_MST]

I toyed with multiplayer CIV at release, but a game that can usually take 20+ hours to complete jsut isnt multiplayer friendly. So now that steam is mandatory because they have a MP focus, does this mean a C5 game will only last 3 or 4 hours start to finish? ...

From my experience through playing it at the gamescom I can definitely say that this isn´t the case...
the turns felt like Civ IV turns on epic or marathon speed setting

[Robert]

Casual civ MP games are a different game then SP games. Oftenly on quick speeds with special rules (like, lose 1 or 2 cities and you're out). that works pretty well. It's still civ, but games don't last that long. Not to mention of course simultaneous turns.
And there are of course lengthy pitboss style games, or multiple-session games, that are a lot like SP.