Will Steam be compulsory with NTW

Really a question to CA, If I buy this game will I be required to use Steam in order to play it, Or will CA give the customer a choice this time?

Still uses Steam just like ETW

Yeah, smells like it will.

Boggles the mind why they stubbornly refuse to make it Optional. There is no excuse except where it must suit them privately. And they won`t tell us about that as it no doubt doesn`t help the customer.

There are many reasons why it is bad, but one is that Steam is a handicapp for those of us who play single player almost exclusively, especially if we do not intend to stay on the net 24\7 on a long campaign.

Originally Posted by Humble Warrior

Boggles the mind why they stubbornly refuse to make it Optional. There is no excuse except where it must suit them privately. And they won`t tell us about that as it no doubt doesn`t help the customer.

There are many reasons why it is bad, but one is that Steam is a handicapp for those of us who play single player almost exclusively, especially if we do not intend to stay on the net 24\7 on a long campaign.

You only need to be online to install the game (since you are downloading) or if you want to get a new patch. Steam has had an offline mode for a LONG time. I've never had any problems with Steam, outside of the Friends List, since it's beta in 2004.

I think it may be a bad idea, because of Steam's reputation on the internet, but more than likely Valve and CA have a partnership of some kind. I don't really feel ill about the fact it's on Steam, all of my Total War titles are on it, except the first Medieval.

Originally Posted by luciusETRUR

You only need to be online to install the game (since you are downloading) or if you want to get a new patch. Steam has had an offline mode for a LONG time. I've never had any problems with Steam, outside of the Friends List, since it's beta in 2004..

Some people have used Steam for so long, yet don`t really know what it does on their PC. Maybe it wasn`t like this in 2004, Maybe it changed. If you buy the disc in Store you need to be Online to install the game. No internet=no install=no game.

There is also a reccurent Online Activation -you need to reconnect to Steam, (even in Offline mode), every 3 weeks. Offline mode in Steam is really Offline on a 3 week timer. If you stay truly Offline for 3 weeks or longer while playing ETW on Steam, you will be STOPPED from playing ETW until you connect to the net, EVEN OFFLINE!

Originally Posted by luciusETRUR

I think it may be a bad idea, because of Steam's reputation on the internet, but more than likely Valve and CA have a partnership of some kind. I don't really feel ill about the fact it's on Steam, all of my Total War titles are on it, except the first Medieval.

I believe you. CA have made some kind of clandestine deal with Steam which seems to have forced them to go in 100% with steam. a sort of deal with the devil, if you will and this might explain their rampant stubborness to allow a non-steam version of the game.

Originally Posted by Humble Warrior

Some people have used Steam for so long, yet don`t really know what it does on their PC.

There is also a reccurent Online Activation -you need to reconnect to Steam, (even in Offline mode), every 3 weeks. Offline mode in Steam is really Offline on a 3 week timer. If you stay truly Offline for 3 weeks or longer while playing ETW on Steam, you will be STOPPED from playing ETW until you connect to the net, EVEN OFFLINE!

It just launches whatever games I have for it, I've had Steam on my computer for four years and haven't had a single problem. And lots of other people have been using Steam for years without a problem so I have no damn clue where this "OMGZ ITZ STEALIN' MAH CRIDIT KARD ADN PERSUN0L INFOURMATIUNZ!!!11!" crap is coming from.

So what? What's wrong with online activation? Would you rather have an unremovable rootkit on your computer that can stop you from playing a game if it thinks you're using a program that conflicts with it?

And If you don't have access to the internet, how the hell are you posting on this forum complaining about it?

Originally Posted by GroupofSpearmen

And lots of other people have been using Steam for years without a problem so I have no damn clue where this "OMGZ ITZ STEALIN' MAH CRIDIT KARD ADN PERSUN0L INFOURMATIUNZ!!!11!" crap is coming from.

You wouldnt notice it if it would gather information...

Originally Posted by GroupofSpearmen

What's wrong with online activation?

And why do you have to have online activation? And Steam is not a simple online activation because you actually have to connect to Steam even in Offline mode to update Steam.

"The Steam client application's files must be updated to allow for the use of Offline Mode. If your game's status is "100% - Ready" but you receive the message "This game cannot be started in Offline Mode" when attempting to play offline, the Steam client application's files need to be updated.
Firewall settings preventing Steam from updating itself are the most common cause for this problem. Please see the Troubleshooting Network Connectivity topic for instructions to configure your network so Steam may update if you encounter any difficulties with Offline Mode."
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_...3160-AGCB-2555

Originally Posted by GroupofSpearmen

Would you rather have an unremovable rootkit on your computer that can stop you from playing a game if it thinks you're using a program that conflicts with it?

Well i'd rather have neither...

Choice is obviously preferable, I don't think anyone is disputing that.

It will absolutly be mandatory. If CA wanted, they could make it optional. Other game developers do, and quite sucessfully. Dragon Age, a great game, does not force Steam installation.

Most definitely, apart from the fact that Steam is crap, its an excellent business model.


Edit: Im going to regret saying that

Yep, we are stuck with Steam for the forseeable future.

Steam works, I don't know why you're all being whiny about it.

Yes of course you´ll need Steam, otherwise they would not be able to sell you their precious dlc

Originally Posted by D.B. Cooper

Steam works, I don't know why you're all being whiny about it.

Because you should be given the option whether or not you want to use it.

I have only a 2GB Broadband connection, and I don't want something crowding it and accessing the internet randomly if not needed. Steam is intrusive in my opinion and if used for anything other than games most customers would view it as an insidious piece of malware.

I personally encounter no problems with Steam. For CA, it's extremely useful for business and making money, seeing as they can sell DLCs more easily and prevent piracy more easily, among other things. It makes logical sense that they'd use it, especially as the clamouring disapproval of the fans never seems to have any great bearing on the decisions they make.

ETW was a sale success thanks to Steam. The game was unplayable at the release, so, many "pirates" were forced to buy the game in order to have access to the updates. I don't see why CA would not do the same with NTW. Releasing unfinished games with Steam is the best way to fight piracy .

Originally Posted by Boicote

ETW was a sale success thanks to Steam. The game was unplayable at the release, so, many "pirates" were forced to buy the game in order to have access to the updates. I don't see why CA would not do the same with NTW. Releasing unfinished games with Steam is the best way to fight piracy .

...And here I was thinking CA were just lazy... Turns out they're actually geniuses!

Originally Posted by Boicote

ETW was a sale success thanks to Steam. The game was unplayable at the release, so, many "pirates" were forced to buy the game in order to have access to the updates. I don't see why CA would not do the same with NTW. Releasing unfinished games with Steam is the best way to fight piracy .

Actually, games available on Steam are pirated just as frequently, in addition to most updates. No type of DRM will keep someone from pirating a PC game. It hasn't yet.

CA is not using Steam to prevent piracy. They are using it to keep updates current and give the user a easy way to purchase DLC. It's a central hub for digital distribution.

Personally I'm ok with Steam, but I don't support it being mandatory in the slightest.

Originally Posted by Abspara

Actually, games available on Steam are pirated just as frequently, in addition to most updates. No type of DRM will keep someone from pirating a PC game. It hasn't yet.

CA is not using Steam to prevent piracy. They are using it to keep updates current and give the user a easy way to purchase DLC. It's a central hub for digital distribution.

Personally I'm ok with Steam, but I don't support it being mandatory in the slightest.

I think it has definitely reduced the amount of piracy out there - it is a very secure system, the biggest weakness being hackers but even they cant re-distribute.

TBH i dont think CA used Steam to force patches down our throats, its just an unfortunate situation that Seam doesnt have an archiving system.
And before someone says it, im sure CA are leagaly tied up so as they cant release the patches elsewhere