Dumb Steam Questions from a Noob

[Finsbury Girl]

G'day all - the steam website FAQ is utter rubbish so here goes:

- how exactly does it work? I assume it is just buying games online that has some sort of copy protection?

- can I install the game on a new computer if I get a new one?

- do you have to do stupid things like login to an account to play / be connected to the internet to play?

Any other general advice/criticism/observations from peeps who've used this service?

Many thanks,

[Bort]

G'day all - the steam website FAQ is utter rubbish so here goes:

- how exactly does it work? I assume it is just buying games online that has some sort of copy protection?

- can I install the game on a new computer if I get a new one?

- do you have to do stupid things like login to an account to play / be connected to the internet to play?

Any other general advice/criticism/observations from peeps who've used this service?

Many thanks,

Buy, either download straight away or leave it till later. Games have various types of copy protection.

You can download and install on multiple computers (I think there is a limit on a small number of games.) but only one copy can be played at a time. (Offline mode not counting.)

Once installed you can go into offline mode and the games will work fine without being connected online.

Steam used to be dreadful but it's fine now. Auto updating is the only minor gripe but you can change the settings for it.

[Finsbury Girl]

Thanks Bort!

[sj33]

You can install and play a game on any computer in the world as long as you log in with your account. There is no limit to the amount of machines it can be installed on because games are tied to your account, not machines.

There is an offline mode however. Once you have run a game once whilst connected to the internet, it can be played in offline mode.

[mekanor]

it really is a great system, certainly the only one I would even consider for pc digital distribution. + there are some amazing bargains to be had

[randombs]

Also, once you've downloaded a game you can back it up (I think by just right-clicking it in the list and choosing the option). It'll back the whole game up into one big file that you can do what you want with - copy to a usb stick/hard drive, or burn to dvd (that's what I do).

Then, if you have a problem and need to reinstall or you get a new computer (or even to just copy the game to different computers you'll use) you just take that one file with you instead of redownloading everything each time, which can save hours! I think you can also give it to someone else and they can install it (but can only play it on their account if they already paid for it). So, if you have any friends with Steam and they already have games that you are about to buy, you can use their files and it should work once you've paid for the games on your own account, which may also save you a bit of time.

I think you need to install Steam itself on whatever computers you'll want to play on, but that's it.

[Rep]

Thought i'd hijack this thread rather then make my own. Tried logging into steam and my account has been disabled. Rather worrying.

All payments have been fine and checked, not bought any games for a while and not played any online games.

What I have done is use a hack to unlock Gouken in SFIV, but not played any on-line matches. None of it was saved to my profile and didn't think at the time, thinking it was harmless. Is this likely to be the cause (it was about 3 weeks back though).

Support is awful and Steam client won't give me a reason as to why it's disabled.

[Hohum]

You'll have to contact Steam support with your account details (although not your password, obviously), and request to know why your account has been disabled and how to remedy it. Usually it's done for stuff such as fraudulent transactions or chargebacks, but you'll need to ask them to find out. Takes 3-5 working days.

[Rep]

Turns out my Sam n Max was disputed by Paypal, now I have to convince them to release funds to Steam or I lose my entire account with all the games. Can't find any info in the resolution centre on Paypal either.

[randombs]

Have you tried ringing them?