Steaming Valve in Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2

Valve Software’s Half-Life 2 is a sequel to the critically acclaimed and highly successful Half-Life game released for the PC in 1999. At the games core was the aging Quake 1 engine technology, which says allot about Valves ingenuity. Despite its aging game engine Valve managed to produce a very immersive game that offered a strong story line. (As far as PC games are concerned).

Six years later in November 2004 Valve released the long awaited Half-Life 2. This time the game boasts its own cutting edge engine called the Source engine. By January Vivendi (Valves publisher) had stated that they had sold 1.7 Million units in stores. It’s clear that Valve has another hit game in the making but other factors may hamper that success.

Getting Steamed

Anyone who has purchased Half-Life 2 knows exactly what Steam is. It’s Valves proprietary and some would argue buggy Internet software delivery system.

When you buy Half-Life 2 in stores or online, you are required to authenticate your copy via Steam. A broad band connection is most definitely required because once you authenticate your copy Steam will update your files with large downloads. More importantly you can not play Half-Life 2 if you are disconnected, this even after a recent update purportedly allowing you to do so. There are work-a-rounds but none are guaranteed to work.

There are pros and cons to Steam, and here are some points to consider before making your purchase.

• Are you familiar with online forums where you can get technical answers from other users?
• Are you familiar or comfortable editing files in installation directories?
• Are you aware of the differences between dial-up and broad band and which one you have?

The length at which Steam has burned more than a few of its customers relates to End Users License Agreement (EULA). Many are complaining that this agreement is illegal. This has resulted in potential legal problems for Valve. Already the German consumer association VZBV has sent a cease and desist order to both Vivendi and Valve.

Just visiting Valves forums can be a testament to the furor that technical problems customers face on a regular basis. Visit the Steam Forums

In a follow up I will give review on Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2 Deathmatch and Counterstrike Source purchased through Steam.



RC