Discussion
Sorry folks for another HL2 thread, but I have a burning question and would be grateful if anyone could shed some light.
I have recently installed via Steam a copy of HL2 (bronze) so I can start playing it from the 16th. Valve has a new anti-cheat system in place (good). I want to play it on my LAN as multiplayer only with one licesne, but do not want to have to license it per seat, as this would cost me a fortune as I have 4 networked dedicated games machines, which I want to use only for LAN games.
I have been unable to find any dedicated server (LAN) software for HL2, but only for hosting web based games. Being as Steam / Valves policy automatically bans illegal or copied codes for one year, I don't want to end up banned because I have installed all my machines with the same code. I don't intend to play online with 4 codes at the same time (just the one license online) but also I dont want to get kicked for a year as a result of this.
As an example, UT2004 allows me to install as many LAN based machines as I like, but will tell me (if it can see an UT server) that one or more of my licenses is not valid. The same is true with Quake and the Battlefield series.
Does anyone have any experience or advice or know where I could ask this question? I have already asked these questions on Steams forum without any answers as the game has not been realeased no one seems to know.
I don't mind paying for a license once for all my home PC's but no way willI pay five times over for the priviledge of playing in my own house.
Only 10 days to go now
I have recently installed via Steam a copy of HL2 (bronze) so I can start playing it from the 16th. Valve has a new anti-cheat system in place (good). I want to play it on my LAN as multiplayer only with one licesne, but do not want to have to license it per seat, as this would cost me a fortune as I have 4 networked dedicated games machines, which I want to use only for LAN games.
I have been unable to find any dedicated server (LAN) software for HL2, but only for hosting web based games. Being as Steam / Valves policy automatically bans illegal or copied codes for one year, I don't want to end up banned because I have installed all my machines with the same code. I don't intend to play online with 4 codes at the same time (just the one license online) but also I dont want to get kicked for a year as a result of this.
As an example, UT2004 allows me to install as many LAN based machines as I like, but will tell me (if it can see an UT server) that one or more of my licenses is not valid. The same is true with Quake and the Battlefield series.
Does anyone have any experience or advice or know where I could ask this question? I have already asked these questions on Steams forum without any answers as the game has not been realeased no one seems to know.
I don't mind paying for a license once for all my home PC's but no way willI pay five times over for the priviledge of playing in my own house.
Only 10 days to go now
I have ordered the boxed DVD version of HL2, rather than use Steam as I have heard some bad things about it's reliability. I even went out to buy the DVD drive specially! Whist there, I also pre-ordered Need For Speed Underground 2, which looks neat from the demo.
Anyway, it seems to me that one license per machine would be needed fro HL2 - that is the usual rule, and i suppose that otherwise, there would be nothing to stop casual copying followed by a claim of LAN-only use. I would try posting an email to the publishers to see if there are any exceptions for private LAN use. Given their thirst for cash, I wouldn't hold your breath, though
. This is a shame as I recall older games like Command & Conquer (and one of the Colin McRae games?) coming with either a special LAN-play install option for other machines, or 2 game CDs which could be used simultaneously on 2 PCs for multilayer.
They seem very keen on HL2 copy protecion as I understand that every copy installed, even single-player, will "phone home" to verify and log it's license key. I assume that this would also be tied to IP address, so if you're running your LAN on a router with NAT addressing, things could get ugly anyway!
[k]
Anyway, it seems to me that one license per machine would be needed fro HL2 - that is the usual rule, and i suppose that otherwise, there would be nothing to stop casual copying followed by a claim of LAN-only use. I would try posting an email to the publishers to see if there are any exceptions for private LAN use. Given their thirst for cash, I wouldn't hold your breath, though
. This is a shame as I recall older games like Command & Conquer (and one of the Colin McRae games?) coming with either a special LAN-play install option for other machines, or 2 game CDs which could be used simultaneously on 2 PCs for multilayer. They seem very keen on HL2 copy protecion as I understand that every copy installed, even single-player, will "phone home" to verify and log it's license key. I assume that this would also be tied to IP address, so if you're running your LAN on a router with NAT addressing, things could get ugly anyway!
[k]
Thanks Karl. Red Alert is a good example of a software company being quite happy for you to use multiple machines on the same license.
When we play UT2004 on the LAN we simply turn off the WAN connection and the game runs without even querying the codes. Also, providing the original DVD is in a drive on a networked PC it doesn't prompt for the disc in any other machine - more proof that some developers are not just out to fleece you and understand how their software is used.
Incedently what rumours did you hear about the valve / steam installations? I have succesfully downloaded five copies, all from the same account onto my home PC's without any problems. Each install is 4.5GB
SO its not realistically feasable on a dial-up connection. The proof of the pudding will be whether or not it works on the 16th
When we play UT2004 on the LAN we simply turn off the WAN connection and the game runs without even querying the codes. Also, providing the original DVD is in a drive on a networked PC it doesn't prompt for the disc in any other machine - more proof that some developers are not just out to fleece you and understand how their software is used.
Incedently what rumours did you hear about the valve / steam installations? I have succesfully downloaded five copies, all from the same account onto my home PC's without any problems. Each install is 4.5GB
SO its not realistically feasable on a dial-up connection. The proof of the pudding will be whether or not it works on the 16th On another board I am a member of, I have heard many people complaining about Steam downime, and authentication problems. Many appeared to be connected with insufficient server bandwidth and the number of users connected simultaneously. There also seemed to be numerous bugs in later versions of the Steam client software.
I have to say that I vastly prefer spending £30 and having a box and CD which I know will definitely work and can be reinstalled quickly, rather than just a code number and URL. Having to download 4.5GB after a re-install of Windows does not appeal! That said, I hope it works out for you. The game looks good, but I have deliberately kept away from any detailed previews or spoilers so as to enjoy the game fully when it arrives.
I was slightly concerned to note from one forum thread on another board that the single-player game (which is my main reson for purchase) is only 15 hours long. I hope that this is a mistake/just a rumour.
[k]
>> Edited by [k]ar| on Saturday 6th November 18:01
I have to say that I vastly prefer spending £30 and having a box and CD which I know will definitely work and can be reinstalled quickly, rather than just a code number and URL. Having to download 4.5GB after a re-install of Windows does not appeal! That said, I hope it works out for you. The game looks good, but I have deliberately kept away from any detailed previews or spoilers so as to enjoy the game fully when it arrives.
I was slightly concerned to note from one forum thread on another board that the single-player game (which is my main reson for purchase) is only 15 hours long. I hope that this is a mistake/just a rumour.
[k]
>> Edited by [k]ar| on Saturday 6th November 18:01
Thing is [K}arl is you are still going to need steam client and a steam account to get your DVD installed. Once you install off DVD you run steam and activate your copy then you put steam in offline mode so that you don't have to use it every time you play HL2. Which is a bit much for my liking. This means any machine with no internet connection cannot play HL2. Steam in offline mode caches your activatoin if you log off steam (you can still close it down without logging off) then you must log back in and sign on before you can play HL2 again.
This is not very nice for people who go to lan party things as they need to make sure they have disconnected from steam in the right way before going to the lan or they will not be able to play if the lan has no net connection for them to use.
This is not very nice for people who go to lan party things as they need to make sure they have disconnected from steam in the right way before going to the lan or they will not be able to play if the lan has no net connection for them to use.
[quote=[k]ar|]On another board I am a member of, I have heard many people complaining about Steam downime, and authentication problems. Many appeared to be connected with insufficient server bandwidth and the number of users connected simultaneously. There also seemed to be numerous bugs in later versions of the Steam client software.
I have to say that I vastly prefer spending £30 and having a box and CD which I know will definitely work and can be reinstalled quickly, rather than just a code number and URL. Having to download 4.5GB after a re-install of Windows does not appeal! That said, I hope it works out for you. The game looks good, but I have deliberately kept away from any detailed previews or spoilers so as to enjoy the game fully when it arrives.
I was slightly concerned to note from one forum thread on another board that the single-player game (which is my main reson for purchase) is only 15 hours long. I hope that this is a mistake/just a rumour.
[k]
>> Edited by [k]ar| on Saturday 6th November 18:01[/quote]
thats fine, but ive been playing counterstrike source for the last 3 weeks....and its been the best 3 weeks of gaming i can remember
Of course you get CS source free with the HL2 preload.
I have to say that I vastly prefer spending £30 and having a box and CD which I know will definitely work and can be reinstalled quickly, rather than just a code number and URL. Having to download 4.5GB after a re-install of Windows does not appeal! That said, I hope it works out for you. The game looks good, but I have deliberately kept away from any detailed previews or spoilers so as to enjoy the game fully when it arrives.
I was slightly concerned to note from one forum thread on another board that the single-player game (which is my main reson for purchase) is only 15 hours long. I hope that this is a mistake/just a rumour.
[k]
>> Edited by [k]ar| on Saturday 6th November 18:01[/quote]
thats fine, but ive been playing counterstrike source for the last 3 weeks....and its been the best 3 weeks of gaming i can remember
Of course you get CS source free with the HL2 preload.
peterpeter said:
[quote=[k]ar|]On another board I am a member of, I have heard many people complaining about Steam downime, and authentication problems. Many appeared to be connected with insufficient server bandwidth and the number of users connected simultaneously. There also seemed to be numerous bugs in later versions of the Steam client software.
I have to say that I vastly prefer spending £30 and having a box and CD which I know will definitely work and can be reinstalled quickly, rather than just a code number and URL. Having to download 4.5GB after a re-install of Windows does not appeal! That said, I hope it works out for you. The game looks good, but I have deliberately kept away from any detailed previews or spoilers so as to enjoy the game fully when it arrives.
I was slightly concerned to note from one forum thread on another board that the single-player game (which is my main reson for purchase) is only 15 hours long. I hope that this is a mistake/just a rumour.
[k]
>> Edited by [k]ar| on Saturday 6th November 18:01
thats fine, but ive been playing counterstrike source for the last 3 weeks....and its been the best 3 weeks of gaming i can remember
Of course you get CS source free with the HL2 preload.
[/quote]
Agree, if Counter Strike Source is anything to go by, HL2 should be amazing. I particularly like the weapons loading sessions when the game first starts. Quite amusing watching everyone tool up
When we go live I will keep you posted as to whether or not I get kicked for running simultaneous licenses.
ultimasimon said:
Thanks Karl. Red Alert is a good example of a software company being quite happy for you to use multiple machines on the same license.
When we play UT2004 on the LAN we simply turn off the WAN connection and the game runs without even querying the codes. Also, providing the original DVD is in a drive on a networked PC it doesn't prompt for the disc in any other machine - more proof that some developers are not just out to fleece you and understand how their software is used.
Incedently what rumours did you hear about the valve / steam installations? I have succesfully downloaded five copies, all from the same account onto my home PC's without any problems. Each install is 4.5GB
Simon there is a backup utility built into Steam, that will let you burn your install to cd or DVD or just copy it.
open a browser window and paste in steam://backup/ no http!! anmd it will run the backup utility.
>> Edited by rich1231 on Monday 8th November 08:51
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