I'm going to close this. Zero discussion value left and all we have now are people replying with the same stuff that others have already said awhile ago.

RTFM

Hey guess what. If i bought the same game as you, installed it right now, i would be able to play it as soon as it is installed.

Fucking weird right?

You're whining about security designed to keep people out of your account.

Steam aren't catering for people like you, with your 56k internet and your fucking Mac.

They're catering to people like me, with 300 games on steam, a real PC and a real internet connection.

I use steam every single day and am glad for the security, because if I lost my account id be down about £1,500.

So continue to complain and I shall continue to enjoy features you complain about.

You're living in the past my friend. Technology has moved on and you need to move with it to expect decent results.

@AhmadMetallic said:

No need to be so angry and hostile, OP. None of us is forced to help you, we can ignore your thread like *snap* that.

Actually Ahmad, my comment wasn't angry or hostile. You're a cool guy and I like you, so when you made that comment about Macs, I assumed you were being flippant and having fun. My comment back was intended the same way and not intended to be taken serious. These are the vagaries of text - it lacks facial cues.

As for everyone else:

My rant was purely about how Steam doesn't work for me - a personal experience. Why the Steam Defence Force needed to take it so personal, I don't get.

I have gamed on my Mac with Windows for years and enjoyed many, many RTS/TBS games, like Civilisation, Age of Empires, World In Conflict, Total War, Empire Earth and The Settlers, all trouble free. Why is wrong of me to expect to be able to continue playing these games without hurdles and hassles? I have no desire to own a gaming rig - I don't need it and I don't want it.

My internet is what my internet is. It is satellite and the best I can get with this restriction. Why should I give up gaming, something I love because some of you think we should all go digital and perhaps move to civilistion? I like my life.

I now have Steam up and running, but it took me a grand total of 13 hours to get it to work before I could play the game. That isn't convenience. I shouldn't have to do that. I should be able to just activate the game and play it. Is that so wrong?

Yes, I did miss the code thing, but that was the least of my problems and resolved quickly. I had never seen that before and I missed it - clearly a hanging offence. The main problem was I had to keep rebooting the computer to get the email on the Mac side and then go back to Windows to activate it. Again, not convenient. Upside, I did manage to fix the internet connection issues I had with Windows.

There is nothing wrong with expecting a gaming experience to be convenient. A PC game on disc should be as simple as security against making copies, exactly the same as console games. Nothing they do to stop piracy will work and it never has. Making it hard to actually play the game you bought isn't helping.

I don't think a Mac is a superior computer. Stop taking everything you read so serious. Stop assuming everything is posted serious. I prefer a Mac and it does exactly what I want it to do and that makes it the right computer for me.

Have a nice day everyone.

@fisk0 said:

Just wait a few years and the game will be up DRM free on GOG. Until then, get one of the other DRM free games already on GOG. Or make sure to always buy games from Paradox or Stardock, who generally have DRM free games even at retail.

His internet is currently at dial-up speed so he's probably incapable of downloading most games anyway.

@fisk0 said:

Just wait a few years and the game will be up DRM free on GOG. Until then, get one of the other DRM free games already on GOG. Or make sure to always buy games from Paradox or Stardock, who generally have DRM free games even at retail.

His internet is currently at dial-up speed so he's probably incapable of downloading most games anyway.

@Contrarian said:

@august said:

Why is he logging into Steam on both Windows and Mac? Is it a game that works on Mac? What is he trying to "fix?" My brain!

Windows to play the game ......... Mac is where I do everything else. I downloaded Steam for Mac, so I could access the site. Stupid Windows won't allow me to connect to the internet, even though Windows shows that I am connected to the internet. I have no idea why it won't connect, yet it talks to Steam - or at least it did.

Now the game just comes to a grinding halt and won't connect to Steam. This is why I hate Windows. A game should just play and it doesn't and it won't. I wasted 7 hours with no reult trying to get it to work.

If you can access Steam on Windows and it connects to the internet why do you need to download it for Mac? You can access the entire Steam website just through a web browser. Although I'm still not clear why you needed to "access the site" in the first place.

Just wait a few years and the game will be up DRM free on GOG. Until then, get one of the other DRM free games already on GOG. Or make sure to always buy games from Paradox or Stardock, who generally have DRM free games even at retail. DRM is shitty, but Steam is the best option right now for DRM'd games, as it is as non-intrusive as DRM will get, unless it's a simple disc checker like the original release of Borderlands, Universe At War or The Saboteur (which of course still screws over people who buy games for their macbook slim or netbook that doesn't have an optical drive, who apparently didn't see the DVD-ROM logo on the front of the box).

@Tim_the_Corsair said:

You're an outlier. It sucks for you, but this is the same thing as complaining that you can't play a game at ultra detail on your Pentium III. Time marches on.

Pretty much this.

@Baal_Sagoth: You have a problem with Steam, and then suddenly everyone who likes it is ignorant? You're a cool guy.

I hear you man, I have had way too much trouble with a platform that supposedly just easily manages digital distribution and DRM of games over the years. You're experiencing Steam's "fuck you for buying it retail" approach. I do begrudgingly use the service for cheap-as-fuck deals, indie games like Bastion I can't get any more conveniently and the rare exception like Skyrim and Space Marine which are games I NEED to play no matter what and it honestly works fine for that. When I buy retail with a Steam requirement I just do it because of better pricing for a key I punch into Steam. I guess you'll have to let the fact sink in that Steam is a complete and utter piece of shit as a solution for online activation of games. I doesn't do that part well at all because it forces you to use a broad service that tries to do a billion different things at the same time. Don't buy games under the delusion that Steamworks is simple "one-click" activation! It isn't pretty, but that's the way it is.

Then again, if you use Steam as the all access bargain bin that it really is, rarely invest more than 5 to 15 bucks and have access to even low-end but constantly connected internet (like my pitiful circa 400kb/s line) it is quite nice and is hopefully another pillar of succesful PC gaming. People who make Steam out to be the best thing since crack are probably focussed on that side of the service with an enormous amount of tunnel vision going on. You know, the same ignorant people that "go with the times, are all pragmatic and shit" and start fucking whining the second Origin comes around or a game is NOT on Steam...

No need to be so angry and hostile, OP. None of us is forced to help you, we can ignore your thread like *snap* that. 
 
@Rolyatkcinmai said:

Hey guys, I don't have a PC or the internet.

So why doesn't my gaming PC experience matchup?

I'm going to have to agree with the rest of these guys, it seems like it's more a problem on your end rather than a steam issue. I get that it sucks but honestly, the instructions are clear, and research on the subject isn't hard to find.

Steam fanboy here, Steam is the best thing since sliced bread. I can take my games anywhere I have an internet connection, and not have to have shelf space for 250 game cases. I'm ok with this.

@SeriouslyNow: because pc gamers, PC GAMERS

If you played a game like Battlefield 2 you would have to download all those patches, in a specific order, with weird names. With steam you are automatically downloading it without having to do a thing. This is especially useful for multiple (hundreds of games) saving tens of hours of faffing about. The muliplayer aspect of Total War is now vastly superior thanks to steam. With Shogun 2 I can join clan groups and freinds at the click of a button. My progress is saved online so even when I reinstall, the data still remains. With Shogun 2 a game that works with unlocking veterain units and skill trees that can take over a hundred hours, this is invaluable. Likewise DLC can be bought and automatically installed at the touch of a button, it take less than a minute. It seems to me you are having minor quibbles and just inflating them.

@Questionable said:

@Stonyman65 said:

, but trying to Steam games on a Mac (even when dual booting to Windows) is dumb. If you want to play games on a PC, get a gaming PC. Period.

Your understanding of Mac gaming is so 2004.

It's not as bad as it used to be, but still pretty janky with some games, Sometimes the hardware just doesn't want to work right.

@Stonyman65 said:

, but trying to Steam games on a Mac (even when dual booting to Windows) is dumb. If you want to play games on a PC, get a gaming PC. Period.

Your understanding of Mac gaming is so 2004.

Seems to me like spending that 10 seconds checking the box really would have saved you a lot of hassle. Also even attempting to download a game on dial-up is retardedly pointless. Believe me I've tried doing the same and it isn't worth it. I sympathize with your miniscule download cap as we once had the same (aussie as well btw) but you are kind of complaining about a situation that is entirely your fault. Luckily the world is going through a slow but sure process of everyone getting easily accessable widely available cable internet for lower cost but its going to take time and especially in our country where things like this seem to take years longer than in other developed nations yeah its a pain. Don't even get me started on the R18 rating we should have had years ago and still don't urgh.

@Contrarian said:

Oh well, I am being spoken to by the PC brigade ...... nuff said.

Sorry, but it's you who doesn't know how to use Steam. It's neither the game's nor Steam's fault. I would have tried to help you, but you're coming off as a total douche.

@Contrarian said:

@AhmadMetallic said:

I'm sorry duder, you need real internet speed and a real computer.

@Rolyatkcinmai said:

Hey guys, I don't have a PC or the internet. So why doesn't my gaming PC experience matchup?

Wow, bitchy or what? I have a real computer, a superior one, that does EVERYTHING I need it to do. Also, I have internet. Sure, it is limited to 3Gb for the month, but I also get 20Gb overnight, which I really only use on the weekend when I am inclined to stay up to use it.

What do you not get? It says I need an internet connection and Steam to make the game work and it hasn't? Oh well, I am being spoken to by the PC brigade ...... nuff said.

If it does EVERYTHING you want it to do, then why are you bitching about it. Having bad internet is a big problem, but trying to Steam games on a Mac (even when dual booting to Windows) is dumb. If you want to play games on a PC, get a gaming PC. Period.

It sounds like you're an idiot and blaming steam for your own misunderstandings and stupidity. Well done!

valve is run by probably the only people in retail that understand piracy. They are the reason pc games today sell.

I am only guessing you are Australian as you use AU in front of your purchase price. Ignore this paragraph if not true. If you are paying around $30 or more for that abysmal plan, cancel it. Go get a new deal with TPG or an ISP that isn't Telstra or Optus if you need it cheap. The minimum deal at TPG ($30 for 25GB on and off-peak) is significantly better than your paltry 3GB on-peak per month and it's a decent speed as far as dated Australia internet is concerned. Pay more for way more for your caps but have a look at them first.

Also all the issues you are having are problems you need to solve with tinkering settings. I'm sure your computer is fine and like most tech-savvy people who boot Windows within a Mac computer, it's just some settings you need to fix up, so go figure it out instead of complaining on the internet. Finally learn what Steam Guard is and know you can disable it, but honestly it's nothing big and you shouldn't over-react about it. Good luck solving your situation so that you can spend more time enjoying your games.

@DjCmeP said:

If you don't use Steam a lot couldn't you've just made another account?

That would imply making sepperate accounts for all his future steam games, a logistical nightmare.

Just keep everything nice and tidy on one account and you wont ever have trouble with single usage serial codes again.

If you don't use Steam a lot couldn't you've just made another account?

@Contrarian said:

PC games should be just like console ones - they have security and can't be played without the disc in the PC. How hard would that be

What security?

http://download.cnet.com/DAEMON-Tools-Lite/3000-2646_4-10778842.html

No offense but it sounds like computers a just too complicated for you, if you cant even handle downloading steam for the right platform and retrieving a access code from your own mail box (It tell s you to right there on the screen!) just grab a console. It does not sound like you are the type that would make any use of mods and player created patches anyway so its not like you will be missing anything,

Every fallacy you mentioned seems to originate from your own shortcomings, seriously.

All of these problems are your fault, not Steam's.

I run an iMac with Windows for RTS gaming. It won't connect to the internet to contact them - yet will talk to Steam to update it. I hate Windows.

I have a real computer, a superior one, that does EVERYTHING I need it to do. Also, I have internet. Sure, it is limited to 3Gb for the month, but I also get 20Gb overnight, which I really only use on the weekend when I am inclined to stay up to use it.

What do you not get? It says I need an internet connection and Steam to make the game work and it hasn't? Oh well, I am being spoken to by the PC brigade ...... nuff said.

Hahahahahha, Mac, superior, hahahahhahaha.

Retail PC gaming isn't dying, they are deliberately killing it.

No, steam saved PC gaming from dying out by bringing a new way to reach customers globally and selling products cheaply and quickly. I strongly believe there wouldn't be a resurgence in PC gaming if it weren't for steam. Heck, steam sets such a good example that XBLA and PSN's system look archaic when compared.

@Contrarian said:

Enter the details and now it wants to authorise this computer for Steam and apparently I have some code I should know that has to be entered. Where the hell did that come from?

I am not the first to point this out, but this is where the problem went from being a problem with Steam to being a problem with you not "reading the manual". The code you are told to input is said quite specifically to be sent to your e-mail address. It is, as far as I know, a one-use code generated each time you try to access your Steam account on a new system. This is to protect you in case someone manages to guess your password, or otherwise hack into your account, and is called Steam Guard. It can only be enabled once the e-mail you use on Steam has been authorized as well, so unless you have stopped using that e-mail you should get that message.

So all of those hours of trying to get it to work on Mac and whatnot could be skipped had you just read that, checked your mail and then copy-pasted the code they mailed you into the box.

Sorry, but this is in fact a "you" problem, not a Steam problem.

I can understand how some people don't like Steam, certainly, as I have had some issues with it myself from time to time. But those issues have always been either easy to fix, or user-errors. All in all Steam is a wonderful thing, and I have all but stopped buying PC-games on disc.

I think in this case it's mostly your fault and not the software you're using. I use steam and I love it. I have lots of friends there and we play lots of games together... Maybe PC gaming isn't your thing. Sorry.

@AhmadMetallic said:

I'm sorry duder, you need real internet speed and a real computer.

@Rolyatkcinmai said:

Hey guys, I don't have a PC or the internet. So why doesn't my gaming PC experience matchup?

Wow, bitchy or what? I have a real computer, a superior one, that does EVERYTHING I need it to do. Also, I have internet. Sure, it is limited to 3Gb for the month, but I also get 20Gb overnight, which I really only use on the weekend when I am inclined to stay up to use it.

What do you not get? It says I need an internet connection and Steam to make the game work and it hasn't? Oh well, I am being spoken to by the PC brigade ...... nuff said.

While I understand it can be frustrating to use a service that doesn't work right for you (ask me about origin) I have to agree with most users here. Everything you said sounds like a problem on your side rather then on steams side. The 3GB limit alone kills steam as a platform.

I'm never in a position where I want to play a pc game and also don't have internet access.... But I guess I can understand how some have an issue with how steam works and how offline mode isn't always the most friendly thing out there.

most of your problems aren't steams fault. a slow internet connection is a killer for every web based service, doesn't matter if its steam or youtube. it said on the box that it requires steam: you should have noticed that. complaining about steam because it has a higher /deeper security system then every other platform out there is kinda crazy too. (steam guard) and "i run an IMac for RTS Gaming" is not a "real gaming computer", i'm sorry to say so. mac machines aren't high def gaming machines. RTS games aren't the most power hungry games also. (starcraft may look nice, but it doesn't need a fast computer or graphic card to run it smoothly). i can bet you that a 400$ PC with a geforce 560 or anything else in that region would run all of your games better then your 2000$ IMac. why? because the imac hardware is not optimized for windows and the games aren't optimized for mac hardware.

and yeah, i'm a steam user since day one (sept. 2003). it's almost perfect now. it was pretty shitty 5-6 years ago.

You can turn the game updates off if you don't have the bandwidth to download it.

You are only required to use the latest version if you are playing online. But that would also be the case with are pure boxed version of the game, not just a steam version.

I also hate DRM with a passion. It's inconvenient for customers and does nothing against piracy. 99% of games are cracked on the day of release or sooner.

But there are a lot of worse DRM methods than Steam, even without all the great extra features Steam can provide if you have a more permanent internet connection.

Edit: Also if I buy a Windows game that requires internet to activate, then I would assume that it means working internet in Windows. If your internet only works in MacOS or on your Mobile Phone, then blame youself and your superior computer instead of Steam.

@AhmadMetallic said:

I'm sorry duder, you need real internet speed and a real computer.

@Rolyatkcinmai said:

Hey guys, I don't have a PC or the internet. So why doesn't my gaming PC experience matchup?

Wow, bitchy or what? I have a real computer, a superior one, that does EVERYTHING I need it to do. Also, I have internet. Sure, it is limited to 3Gb for the month, but I also get 20Gb overnight, which I really only use on the weekend when I am inclined to stay up to use it.

What do you not get? It says I need an internet connection and Steam to make the game work and it hasn't? Oh well, I am being spoken to by the PC brigade ...... nuff said.

Living out in the boonies, my connection usually averages under 256kb/s, but I absolutely love Steam. Sure, it takes around a day or 2 to download a larger game, but afterwards you can play in offline mode. And the deals. Those glorious deals :D

Hey guys, I don't have a PC or the internet.

So why doesn't my gaming PC experience matchup?

@twigger89 said:

No offense man, but it says on the box that steam is required. If you hate steam so much (it is your opinion you are entitled to it) then you should take the 10 seconds required to make sure that you don't need steam to play the game. It is unfortunate that this whole situation happened to you, but it was directly caused by your inability to pay attention. It makes it very hard to sympathize with you.

What on earth are you on about? I know it need Steam, and I have an account. I assumed it would just connect to Steam, authorise it and then allow me to load it up. The box says: INTERNET CONNECTION AND STEAM ACCOUNT REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE. I have that. If only it were that simple.

@august said:

Why is he logging into Steam on both Windows and Mac? Is it a game that works on Mac? What is he trying to "fix?" My brain!

Windows to play the game ......... Mac is where I do everything else. I downloaded Steam for Mac, so I could access the site. Stupid Windows won't allow me to connect to the internet, even though Windows shows that I am connected to the internet. I have no idea why it won't connect, yet it talks to Steam - or at least it did.

Now the game just comes to a grinding halt and won't connect to Steam. This is why I hate Windows. A game should just play and it doesn't and it won't. I wasted 7 hours with no reult trying to get it to work.

@rebgav said:

@Contrarian said:

It is easy for you people with super access to high speed broadband to say how great Steam and digital is. But spare a thought for those who don't. I don't begrudge people choosing digital, but I want an easy way to play legitimately purchased PC games. If I put as many obstacles in the way of my clients to access my product, I would go out of business. It doesn't stop piracy. In fact, it fuels it. Sure as hell makes me want to get a pirated copy.

Why not install the game from the disc and then download a cracked exe? Seems like a simple solution.

Also; You sure as hell aren't going to be doing much pirating over a 56k connection.

Who says I have to use my computer to get it?

I actually expected not a single bit of sympathy from you lot over this. What you don't get it that not everyone is like you. There is a whole world of people out there who rightfully expect games to just work. My computer can run it and I have internet. I shouldn't have to go through hoops and waste 7 hours to unsuccessfully get a game to run. I am not illiterate on computers. In fact the opposite is true. Some things are beyond me though and this is one of them. It is easy for you because it is likely you are using just digital games. When I buy a retail game it should work. PC games should be just like console ones - they have security and can't be played without the disc in the PC. How hard would that be?

you need to up your game. Go out and get a new computer and new internet.

I'm sorry duder, you need real internet speed and a real computer. 

@Contrarian said:

NowI don't have a great internet - it is running on dial-up soeed as my broadband has dried up until next week and I only get 3Gb of it a month. 3 hours later, it finally completes the update.

Sure as hell makes me want to get a pirated copy.

Steam isn't working for you so well with a slow connection but piracy on the same connection will somehow be a better alternative?

I read these stories and I just don't get it. I use Steam every day and it is an absolute dream. I used to be one of those guys that NEEDED a physical box for every game. Now that I have Steam I don't even care about it. Sorry friend, but this reeks of PEBKAC. Also, have fun downloading a pirated copy with those dial-up speeds you were complaining about.

@twigger89 said:

No offense man, but it says on the box that steam is required. If you hate steam so much (it is your opinion you are entitled to it) then you should take the 10 seconds required to make sure that you don't need steam to play the game. It is unfortunate that this whole situation happened to you, but it was directly caused by your inability to pay attention. It makes it very hard to sympathize with you.

well the fact that their requiring a good internet connection is kinda bad

but i guess stuff does have to evolve over time

@Contrarian said:

Oh wait, I can't remember my username - my fault, I must write that down, I just don't use Steam enough to cement it.

I'm sorry to say it, but this is basically your problem. At this point if you plan on gaming on PC you might aswell just always have Steam running and have it auto-login etc. Just be glad Steam is still as universal as it is, in a few years things are probably gonna be way worse (hi Origin, UPlay etc).