A case for forum members easing up on 2K a bit

[azzaman333]

azzaman, how did you get warned for trolling, and then troll another moderator?

I'm not trolling (anymore)

 

[kozzer]

I read the entire EULA for Steam, and that's a pretty darned standard online service/software EULA. I was expecting something more nefarious, actually, like when Google makes you agree to give up your first-born to use GMail.

 

[Greybriar]

I read the entire EULA for Steam, and that's a pretty darned standard online service/software EULA. I was expecting something more nefarious, actually, like when Google makes you agree to give up your first-born to use GMail.

Standard, eh? I'm no legal eagle, but Liberal over at the 2K Forums feels it isn't on the up and up.

But since I refuse to purchase games requiring Steam, it's no skin off my nose.

 

[Senethro]

So why is it you still read this forum about a game you refuse to buy and preach to others if its no skin off your nose?

 

[kozzer]

Standard, eh? I'm no legal eagle, but Liberal over at the 2K Forums feels it isn't on the up and up.

But since I refuse to purchase games requiring Steam, it's no skin off my nose.

Well, I guess it's more that it's just like any other EULA. What specifically does "Liberal" see wrong with it? I work in the legal system, and while some of the disclaimers they have on there aren't exactly ideal from a user's standpoint, the fact that Valve provides customer service (which their EULA and most others say they don't have to) shows that it's not as if they're sticking to it, just like others' EULAs and contract disclaimers I've seen. It's all standard sort of stuff. But I'm not a lawyer, so I'm not trying to portray myself as an expert.

 

[Greybriar]

So why is it you still read this forum about a game you refuse to buy and preach to others if its no skin off your nose?

I suppose it's for the opposite reason that you take potshots at anyone who criticizes Steam.

....What specifically does "Liberal" see wrong with it?...

Read the thread I linked to and then you will probably know more about it than I do, since I don't work in the legal field.

 

[kozzer]

Read the thread I linked to and then you will probably know more about it than I do, since I don't work in the legal field.

I would, but I'm at work and they block all gaming sites (I'm actually surprised that these forums aren't blocked, since www.civfanatics.com is...heh). I'll take a look tonight when I get home, though. I do appreciate the link, and even though Steam doesn't bother me (if using Facebook and Google don't bother me, then I doubt anything in the Steam EULA will), I'm not a 'fanboy' and like to have as good of an understanding as possible.

 

[mjs0]

Look on the bright side...it could be worse...
At least Valve would never do something like this! Would they?

Apple updated their privacy policy yesterday adding a paragraph that allows Apple and unspecified 'partners and licensees' to collect and store user location data. Users are prompted to agree to the new terms and conditions when they purchase apps or media from the iTunes store; they cannot download anything through the store until they agree.

Apple claim the data is collected anonymously but the news is creating quite a stir is some quarters as there doesn't appear to be any way of opting out completely.

This doesn't surprise me since Apple's record in this area is not the best, especially in their policing of the app store, and is one reason I have never bought an Apple product.

Personally I haven't observed similar behaviour from Valve so at the moment I can't see anything preventing my purchasing civ5 on or around release day, but I am interested in any data that exists on unilateral changes Valve have made to their privacy policy in the past.

 

[2K Greg]

I can't find an official statement by either Firaxis or 2K about why that line was included, how it got removed, and what their official position on the whole affair is, and if the original statement is, as claimed by some, still part of the Civilopedia. If missed that statement, my apologies, please direct me to the link.

I did post in that thread, and it's here:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=9275121#post9275121

 

[treadwin]

Also, software should be the same as a book. They are both written material.
I don't lease books. I buy them and put them on my bookshelf.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but books are going electronic/online too.

 

[abj9562]

I have a couple of questions about Steam if someone could help.

1) I change my motherboard and video cards out every year. Will steam see this as a new computer and will I have to pay again and again for CivV?

2) What limitations are going to be heaped upon the modding community especially if the mod has a dll with it?

3) Since the computer industry is full of bright starts followed by dismal failures. What happens to Civ V updates, reinstalls, etc... if Steam goes out of business or has to shut down services for any number of reasones?

 

[bjbrains]

I have a couple of questions about Steam if someone could help.

1) I change my motherboard and video cards out every year. Will steam see this as a new computer and will I have to pay again and again for CivV?

2) What limitations are going to be heaped upon the modding community especially if the mod has a dll with it?

3) Since the computer industry is full of bright starts followed by dismal failures. What happens to Civ V updates, reinstalls, etc... if Steam goes out of business or has to shut down services for any number of reasones?

1: No, steam doesn't care about how many/what computers you use. It's all linked to your account.
2: They haven't said many specifics about modding, but they've said that they're not going to limit what you can mod.
3: The answer to that question is pretty unknown. Most likely, steam would be bought up by a competitor if valve ever got into trouble. Valve has also said that if the steam servers were going to go down permanently, they'd disable authentication. The idea of steam going "down" is pretty unlikely though, it's been around for long enough for it to be stable.

 

[abj9562]

1: No, steam doesn't care about how many/what computers you use. It's all linked to your account.
2: They haven't said many specifics about modding, but they've said that they're not going to limit what you can mod.
3: The answer to that question is pretty unknown. Most likely, steam would be bought up by a competitor if valve ever got into trouble. Valve has also said that if the steam servers were going to go down permanently, they'd disable authentication. The idea of steam going "down" is pretty unlikely though, it's been around for long enough for it to be stable.

Thanks for the quick reply. I am pretty sure I understand the answer to my next question is no problem since Steam is account based. However, I use a multiboot setup, will it care about what OS I am in (provided the OS is capable of handling CivV)?

 

[bjbrains]

Thanks for the quick reply. I am pretty sure I understand the answer to my next question is no problem since Steam is account based. However, I use a multiboot setup, will it care about what OS I am in (provided the OS is capable of handling CivV)?

Nope, it's all universal.

 

[tom2050]

Originally Posted by Senethro
So why is it you still read this forum about a game you refuse to buy and preach to others if its no skin off your nose?

I suppose it's for the opposite reason that you take potshots at anyone who criticizes Steam.

The potshots are the Pro-Steam Zone of Control that is in effect.

1) I change my motherboard and video cards out every year. Will steam see this as a new computer and will I have to pay again and again for CivV?

New hardware means you will have reinstall the game, redownload all updates, or something strange like that though. Steam does monitor your hardware configuration of your rig so it knows when to require this. Or it might have been something simple such as needing to re-authenticate the game. I've never had to do this, so I can't remember off the top of my head.

 

[Jugalub]

New hardware means you will have reinstall the game, redownload all updates, or something strange like that though. Steam does monitor your hardware configuration of your rig so it knows when to require this. Or it might have been something simple such as needing to re-authenticate the game. I've never had to do this, so I can't remember off the top of my head.

Stop talking utter false rubbish. It's kind of clear you're trying to cause trouble and either you do know that nothing is required or you're clueless and making it up as you go along.

Steam doesn't care about what computer it is used on - it's one of the main selling points of its DRM. Feel free to changed your hardware over and over and you'll still be good to play as soon you log back on to Steam. I use Steam on three different computers, one of each I regularly change hardware, and it's as simple as logging in and playing - or in actuality logging in isn't required as I've set it to automatically do this.

 

[The_Coyote]

He didn´t said that there is a limit, he only said that after you change some hardware it could be necessary to do one of the points he presented. And following the til known offizial guess, steam "looks" at the hardware (would be hard to not detect changes without), and if you change to much

it might have been something simple such as needing to re-authenticate the game

or if you like it a bit more offizial:

5) Nope, no limit at all! I believe (I need to confirm) that upgrading/changing a significant amount of hardware in your computer will make Steam need to reauthenticate, but as I said there are no limits to the number of times this can happen.

 

[tom2050]

Someone else here has already gone over this, if Steam detects a hardware change, you need to re-authenticate the game by going online... It's something simple like this. No need to get all defensive and angry about it. Just letting the other user know.

I just couldn't remember exactly what it was.

EDIT: Yea, what was quoted from 2K Greg above, not sure if he has confirmed it yet or not.

 

[Commander Bello]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but books are going electronic/online too.

Which is exactly one of the reasons why the current approach has to be fought.

In 5 - 10 (ok, maybe 15) years, we will have the same discussions about what today we know as "books".
And some bright 15year old then will tell you that "these are the modern times" and that you will just have to adjust to it.

The idea of steam going "down" is pretty unlikely though, it's been around for long enough for it to be stable.

One cannot point out this often enough!
How many weeks GM has been on the market until they faced some minor trouble?
Now, if they would have been around for - let's say - 10 years already....

 

[3 EMS]

Commander Bellow wrote:
One cannot point out this often enough!
How many weeks GM has been on the market until they faced some minor trouble?
Now, if they would have been around for - let's say - 10 years already....

Not to worry. Since steam keeps track of achievements the government won't let them fail. (jk)