DRM free?

[Ðatisan]

Is there any way I can buy this game outside Steam? that doesn't require a program like steam open, is there a disc version I can buy in stores?

[Baron]

You can buy a physical copy in stores but it will make you install steam anyway so no

[Ðatisan]

Originally posted by Baron:

You can buy a physical copy in stores but it will make you install steam anyway so no

So do you have to enter a code into steam how does it work if I buy it in the shop?

[EaglePrince]

You just enter the code before or after installation, Steam will install like Baron explained, and Steam will be required to play Stronghold Crusader 2.

If you believe you could get it from a Store for less money, or you simply want to have a boxed version, there will certainly be no problems. Only you would need Steam to play the game one way or another...

[TheBlackGrouse]

It is possible to play offline. I do it sometimes when I need all my memory (no virus scanner and things like that active) and I disconnect from the internet. The game is installed, you can play as a standalone computer.

Gives less lag in Single Player.

[Firefly_Studios]

Playing the game doesn't require you to be connected to the internet, but it does require Steam to be running in either online or offline mode. As Baron said, the physical box version will need to be installed/authenticated via Steam.

[Ðatisan]

thanks.

[EaglePrince]

So, I meant to ask this just in case... When you play in offline mode you go to Steam\Go Offline in the menu, and then restart Steam in offline mode? And plug out the cable?
And regarding virus scanner - you disable your antivirus for that? I assume Steam doesn't do those stuff on its own?

Sorry, this might be a little bit off topic, and you did mention it before, but I'm just asking cause I want to be sure, and I also need to have all of the power of my PC while playing Crusader 2. :) Also I don't have the permission to start a conversation here at Steam, nor to send a friendship invitation.

[TheBlackGrouse]

Forgot to mention earlier that Steam is active (best put it next to the other small icons like virus scanner, sound etc.)

Plug out the cable, block your wireless network.

Disable the Fire Wall and processor/memory eating things like that.

Next step is press 'play Crusader' in the Steam menu. You get a question if you want to play offline, but that it is impossible to synchronize (bla, bla, is only important when there are updates).

Play offline and your computer changes into a more-than-ever powerful machine.

Just checked and it still works.

[EaglePrince]

I tried those stuff, although it doesn't seem to be the issue when it comes to my PC... Steam does take some memory which would be better not to, and I always tend to keep unnecessary programs from running in background. Still, I can't tell it's not better, I believe there is a slight difference.

What my issue is that it starts to lag after some time of playing... It doesn't always behave like that, but sometimes I need to restart the game, and continue my fight.

[TheBlackGrouse]

To EaglePrince, there can be differences between systems. For me, it works quite well, but I have Mc Afee running...

The lag builds up as the number of units and buildings grows. After a while the AI-Lords have completed their Castles and have full armies waiting. The maximum numbers have been reached.

Restarting helps, I also noticed that the game performes better again after defeating an AI-Lord. Seems that the AI-Lords are not so eager to build new buildings after a while.

Have to say, the patch makes a difference, just enough to make most maps playable with 4 Lords.

[EaglePrince]

Thanks for your help regarding this issue. I will need to investigate things a little bit more further than I did before. :) Right now the only thing I see taking some more RAM while I play is Steam client... I mean, it takes the most RAM among all other applications - in my case.

You are right, the situation is far better than it used to be. In the beginning it seems that I won't be able to play against several AI lords, but yesterday I played against 3 of them, while one was my ally, so there were five of us on the map.

Also, you are right, for example, Sultana had lots of Arabian bowmen around her castle... That did have an effect, so after killing The Slave King and killing her I didn't have much problems. I did do another restart though even after that, but when I loaded the game again defending Sash and killing Richard was quite fun. :)

Well, maybe I did everything what could be done, but like I said, I will check things a little bit deeper to see if there is something more I could do. :)