Is Half Life 2 EULA being properly upheld?

[kram 2.0]

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=21105

Any of you had outages lately on trying to connect to HL2 through Steam? Interesting article concerning that and the messload of strings attatched for distributing software through Steam.

kram

[sataraid0]

Interesting article kram8806, however how many individuals can afford to take action?

As to your question, no I have not personally had any problem thus far. I did get a work around to be able to play off line without having to hookup to steam, which made me happy. The only reason I would want to hook up to steam for would be any updates for the game.

Regards......................Sterling

[TwoRails]

Nice link, and action should be taken IMHO. It's rediculous to have to go thru any / all of that BS just to play a game. And what happens if someone moves to the boonies, or just wants to Not be online?

[shadowbreaker513]

I honestly don't care. As a matter of fact I may be one of the select few that actually likes steam. I think it streamlines everything down, and it's a better system than other games have. I don't want to see Valve sued out of business because some people don't want to get offline mode to work.

[TwoRails]

I think there is more to it than that. For instance, what happens if I want to give HL2 as a gift (like birthday present or the like) to someone who is not online? I snail mail it to them as they are out of state. They open it, can't play it, I can't return it, and I'm out $50 freaking dollars. That isn't right...

[shadowbreaker513]

Originally Posted by TwoRails I think there is more to it than that. For instance, what happens if I want to give HL2 as a gift (like birthday present or the like) to someone who is not online? I snail mail it to them as they are out of state. They open it, can't play it, I can't return it, and I'm out $50 freaking dollars. That isn't right...

It's like that with every game. Not just HL2

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by shadowbreaker513 It's like that with every game. Not just HL2

??? HL2 is the *only* game I've ever played that requires you to be online. And, I for one, was Not aware that was a requirement.

[Hi Ho]

I have been happy with it. I bought it through Steam and it was worked flawlessly so far. I was not able to connect once for a couple hours but other then that it's fine. This is not a game to buy if you have dial up unless you plan to use the offline mode. They should mention the internet requirement on the box.

I agree with TwoRails about the gift giving part. That is a hassle.

[TwoRails]

Ya, it is a hassle. And that's not to mention: When you buy a movie, for instance, when you're done with it, you can simple give it to someone who's never seen the movie, or really wants it when you don't. You can even give / trade / swap DVDs, music CDs, cassettes, and so on.

And, you use to be able to do that with games. For example I just traded a spare, legal copy of the original DooM, which cost me under $10, for a legal copy of the $45 PainKiller game. Try that easy exchange with HL2...

[spyder003]

It says "Internet connection required" right on the box, under minimum system requirements.

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by spyder003 It says "Internet connection required" right on the box, under minimum system requirements.

Maybe so, but: 1) how many people actually every read that part of the box? What? maybe 1 out of 10? I've never read it personally. 2) of the people who did read that, how many thought the online requirement was just for the Online play portion of the game? I'd bet that would be at least 90% of them. 3) And, in general, how many people actually read an EULA anyway? Maybe 0.5%? In over 20 years of buying and using software, I've never once read one, nor have I ever meant anyone who has.

[spyder003]

Originally Posted by TwoRails Maybe so, but: 1) how many people actually every read that part of the box? What? maybe 1 out of 10? I've never read it personally. 2) of the people who did read that, how many thought the online requirement was just for the Online play portion of the game? I'd bet that would be at least 90% of them. 3) And, in general, how many people actually read an EULA anyway? Maybe 0.5%? In over 20 years of buying and using software, I've never once read one, nor have I ever meant anyone who has.

1. Me
2. Considering HL2 was a single player only game when it was released... but I know what you're talking about. I thought it would be for activation ONLY, not every friggin' time you wanna play it.
3. Never read one, probably never will.

[netnamakan]

I'm with shadowbreaker on this one, I really like the steam system, you get the updates news, and anything you may need through it all in one place. very convenient.
Also, if you dont have an internet connection to register it (although who doesn't these days) its not very hard to take your tower to a friends sometime and get registered.

namakan

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by netnamakan Also, if you dont have an internet connection to register it (although who doesn't these days) its not very hard to take your tower to a friends sometime and get registered. namakan

You need an internet connection to enter Steam every time - you need to enter Steam everytime you play HL2.

kram

[shadowbreaker513]

You don't need an internet connection to enter it every time. I also believe you can register over the phone.

[suitcase]

Originally Posted by kram8806 You need an internet connection to enter Steam every time - you need to enter Steam everytime you play HL2. kram

Well Kram, with all due respect, I think you're wrong on that. I've completed the game twice and I never have to go online to play the game. I'm on dialup and multiplayer is out of the question too. As long as I don't shutdown my pc, all I have to do is clik the icon on the desktop and the game starts fine. If I've shutdown and want to play when I bootup, I have to clik "play in offline mode" or something to that affect. I think it's the best game I've ever seen or played. I bought the boxed platinum edition with all of the Half life games. I have alot of trouble with them though. I'm actually stuck in Half Life and Blue shift and can't get on with it.

Back to offline mode. I can't remember exactly what I did to get it work like it does. I know that I had to go online to play it the first time but after that it offers me the option to play in offline mode.