CV on LAN

[krasny]

A ghastly thought has just occurred to me (forgive me I'm slow), Steam means no LAN option!

Please say this is not true!

 

[Nictel]

A ghastly thought has just occurred to me (forgive me I'm slow), Steam means no LAN option!

Please say this is not true!

This is not true.

But you probably want an explanation too ;p
There are plenty of Steam games with a LAN option: e.g. Red Alert 3. It all depends on Firaxis to implement it.

 

[Chalks]

It's not true.

Steam has an offline mode that lets you play anywhere regardless of whether or not you have an internet connection with full LAN functionality intact.

It's understandable that you missed this piece of information because it's only been mention 900 billion times.

 

[krasny]

It's understandable that you missed this piece of information because it's only been mention 900 billion times.

This maybe true.

However this is the only dedicated thread, all other references to LAN are buried in messages.

 

[eireksten]

Please say this is not true!

this is not true!

 

[PieceOfMind]

If it is true, then please direct us to where the information is confirmed.

At this point, it is only speculation. To me it sounds too good to be true. From experience that usually means it won't be true. But I would be quite happy to be proven wrong. I would be delighted even.

 

[Sir Spanky]

They stated that you only need to have 1 time Activation to play the game (Linked to Steam Account). Therefore you can use the game on a LAN connected to a WAN or not. As per all other Steamworks games that are 1 timed and are not Recurring activation such as Bioshock.

 

[PieceOfMind]

They stated that you only need to have 1 time Activation to play the game (Linked to Steam Account). Therefore you can use the game on a LAN connected to a WAN or not. As per all other Steamworks games that are 1 timed and are not Recurring activation such as Bioshock.

For me to be convinced of that conclusion, I'd need confirmation that two computers can play multiplayer with the same user account.
Comparison to other games may be a good guide but it's not confirmation. You can expect but you can't know.

 

[Ahriman]

For me to be convinced of that conclusion, I'd need confirmation that two computers can play multiplayer with the same user account.

There is a difference between "can/cannot play the game on a LAN" and "can/cannot play the game on a LAN using only a single user account".

 

[PieceOfMind]

There is a difference between "can/cannot play the game on a LAN" and "can/cannot play the game on a LAN using only a single user account".

Ah I see. I was under the impression we were talking only about the latter.

I'm not sure I understand Sir Spanky's comment any more.

 

[Chalks]

It would be classed as piracy to have installed the same copy of a game on two different systems with the intention of both copies being used by different people at the same time.

 

[Beardy Dan]

From the Steam store page for ciV:

In-Game Community Hub: Compete with Civ players from all over the globe via the Internet or compete locally in LAN matches, offering endless ways to rule the world. The game itself now serves as the hub of community activity, featuring the ability to share scenarios, compare scores, brag about achievements and visit one of the thriving Civ fansites without leaving the game. It's now easier than ever for players to become involved in the global Civ Community.

Looks like you'l be able to browse here while waiting for slow players as well.

 

[need my speed]

I never thought about that, but I think you're right. However, the police or whoever will not arrest you for it or something...In theory it thus is piracy, but in practice it isn't.

 

[Ahriman]

I never thought about that, but I think you're right. However, the police or whoever will not arrest you for it or something...In theory it thus is piracy, but in practice it isn't.

So... if the police aren't effectively able to enforce a law, it isn't a law anymore?

So murder is legal as long as you don't get caught?

 

[Lord Alderaan]

It would be classed as piracy to have installed the same copy of a game on two different systems with the intention of both copies being used by different people at the same time.

Surely not if they are part of the same household... I assume you don't have to buy a game twice just because you want both of your kids to be able to play it at the same time.

 

[Ahriman]

Surely not if they are part of the same household...

Yes.

assume you don't have to buy a game twice just because you want both of your kids to be able to play it at the same time.

If the game is playable on a single machine (eg hotseat, or team-play console games on a single machine) then you're fine. But making 2 copies so that they can play it simultaneously on 2 different machines, yes, that's piracy. It doesn't matter whether they're kids or strangers; you are purchasing a software license that allows you to run the application on one machine at a time.
Running it simultanesouly on 2 machines is a violation no matter whether the people are doing it are kids or adults, whether they're siblings or strangers, whether they're in the same building or in different cities.

 

[champinoman]

Running it simultanesouly on 2 machines is a violation no matter whether the people are doing it are kids or adults, whether they're siblings or strangers, whether they're in the same building or in different cities.

Not always. Some games these days are allowing unlimited lan play while still limiting the licence to 1 online account. So with these games you are free to install them on all computers in your house if you play locally.

Lets be honest, if you really want to install it on many computers in a house and play lan it CAN be done regardless. Companies know this and thats why this new type of licence agreement has been developed.

I know I bought a game with this agreement recently but I can't remember which one it was. RA3? or possibly Demigod?

 

[Ahriman]

Some games these days are allowing unlimited lan play while still limiting the licence to 1 online account. So with these games you are free to install them on all computers in your house if you play locally.

Oh absolutely, if the license specifically allows if then you're fine. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. But in general, this is not the case.

Lets be honest, if you really want to install it on many computers in a house and play lan it CAN be done regardless.

Depends on the game and the DRM system. I'm honestly not sure whether Steam would restrict this or not. Installing on both machines is fine. Connect to Steam on Machine A, set to offline mod, launch game. Connect to Steam on Machine B; launch game.
I'm guessing you're still able to do this but I'm not sure.

 

[mjs0]

Some games these days are allowing unlimited lan play while still limiting the licence to 1 online account.

This is not a recent development but one that has been out of favour for some time. I am very happy to see its return.
I seem to remember the rule with the original Age of Empires was one disc/CD key for every three LAN connected players

 

[Mercade]

Oh absolutely, if the license specifically allows if then you're fine. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. But in general, this is not the case.

Depends on the game and the DRM system. I'm honestly not sure whether Steam would restrict this or not. Installing on both machines is fine. Connect to Steam on Machine A, set to offline mod, launch game. Connect to Steam on Machine B; launch game.
I'm guessing you're still able to do this but I'm not sure.

Agreed on both. The license agreement from Civ4 is quite clear on this:

... LICENSOR hereby grants you the non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited right and license to use one copy of the Software for your personal use on a single console.

You agree not to:
(d) ... use or install the Software on a network, for on-line use, or on more than one console at the same time;
(e) Copy the Software onto a hard drive or other storage device and must run the Software from the included CD-ROM or DVD-ROM (although the Software may automatically copy a portion of itself onto your console during installation in order to run more efficiently);

So if the Civ4 license agreement is any indication, they don't want you to play multiplayer (or even dual single player) with one CD on two computers on your LAN.

I estimate that Ahriman's method will technically make it possible to play simultaneous single player on two computers (whether in a LAN or not). Since it uses the same account, Steam most likely prevents the same account to be connected to a multiplayer game, even on a LAN.