C:\ Program Files\ Steam\ ANGRY COMPLAINT.exe- Why must I download my games via steam dispite bying the RTAIL HARDCOPY version?

[jockgrey21]

I recently purchased a retail version of Company of Heroes 2 from EB games, after inserting both disks and undergoing the usual installation process the game installs just 4GB of the game from disk before my Steam client interjects and forces me download the remaining 15GB of game files from the internet which Steam insists are "necissary updates". I cannot play my game until this process is completed, which takes 8 hours on my limited broadband connection. After downloading 10GB of these "updates" my internet session times out and the entire bloody download has reset itself and started from scratch again. If it actually works this time i will have used up around 25 f***ing GB of my 100GB monthly data cap, just so i can play a game i paid $40 for and that i know is right there, in its entirety, sitting in two DVD disks next to my computer. Sadly its not the first time this has happend either. Ive tried everything to get the game to istall from disk like it should, redirecting the install.exe, deleting local content and trying to install via the RUN menu, going offline; there appears to be no solutuion that does not require delving deep into the system and tampering with ♥♥♥♥ i dont want to touch, im a PC gamer, not a programmer. THIS IS COMPLETE B******T, i walked into a store and thaught i was buying a game, not a F***ing product key, if i wanted to download the entire game i would have gone to the Steam store and done just that. What gives this stupid cash devouring black hole of a company the right to reach across the vast expanses of the web just to cheat me out of GETTING WHAT I BLOODY PAID FOR! Has it not occored yet to the noble creators of VALVE that there is actally a reason people buy reatail version games?, that not everyone has the capacity to download such rediculous amounts of data on a whilm without it having significant negative impacts on their time, finances and gaming experiance? NOT HAPPY JAN!... Imput is welcome from anyone else eperiancing similar dissatisfaction with this web service that appears to have invaded every facet of PC gaming. Perhaps if we shout loud enough, Valve might hear us over the sound of their own self satisfaction and actually put some improvements into those usless updates they insist we download every second day.

[Ranko]

It's because of the updates that you have to download so much, if you got it for console you'd have the same issue.

[Findanniin]

That is frustrating.
If you knew it was going to happen though, can you not simply go offline and install/play the un-updated version?
That's an honest question - maybe it forces you to go online as a DRM-check and then it pounces?

[Satoru]

The box says 'broaddband connection requried' not 'maybe sorta'

[jockgrey21]

Thanks guys, wasnt expecting to get replies so quick. To answer your question Findanniin i have tried going offline, but it simply wont let you install without connecting to the Steam client, and then this hapens. My guess (from my pretty limited knowlage of computers) is that your right, i buy a CD copy thats been on the shelves for x months and theres been so many tweaks and changes to the software of the game since that Steam just thinks "oh damn it, just give him the fully updated version from the web". But that doesn't make it right, it should atleast install as much of the the base game files from the disk as possible and THEN update it, not just make you download the whole game. Im no tech head but im pretty sure Relic or Sega couldn't have heaped 15 gig of updates on the game since it was released. I have browsed internet forums and there is very little illumination on the subject. Anyway my point is that there is no information or warnings provided on Steam or when you buy the game that this may happen or why, and it shouldnt have to be my responsibility as a consumer to find out. The last game i installed -Shogun 2 Total War- had exactly the same problem, 20GB of download, i blew my data cap and wound up having to pay exra on my service. That was nearly two years ago and it seems the problem still hasnt been adressed. Maybe its my fault for stubbornly clinging to PC as a gaming medium, but its still crappy and i want Valve to know that.

[Findanniin]

Much the same is happening on consoles now (except obviously, playing offline is always an option there).
I'm a pc-gamer - but I'm often in places where bandwidth is scarce.
I'm currently on 12kb/s downloads in China, and will be for another month or so.
Trust me, the industry's assumption that everyone is on broadband can be a bit annoying.
(Also, I sorta want FF XIII-2, but I dread downloading for over a week straight).

[Fox]

jockgrey21 eredeti hozzászólása:

Thanks guys, wasnt expecting to get replies so quick. To answer your question Findanniin i have tried going offline, but it simply wont let you install without connecting to the Steam client, and then this hapens. My guess (from my pretty limited knowlage of computers) is that your right, i buy a CD copy thats been on the shelves for x months and theres been so many tweaks and changes to the software of the game since that Steam just thinks "oh damn it, just give him the fully updated version from the web". But that doesn't make it right, it should atleast install as much of the the base game files from the disk as possible and THEN update it, not just make you download the whole game. Im no tech head but im pretty sure Relic or Sega couldn't have heaped 15 gig of updates on the game since it was released. I have browsed internet forums and there is very little illumination on the subject. Anyway my point is that there is no information or warnings provided on Steam or when you buy the game that this may happen or why, and it shouldnt have to be my responsibility as a consumer to find out. The last game i installed -Shogun 2 Total War- had exactly the same problem, 20GB of download, i blew my data cap and wound up having to pay exra on my service. That was nearly two years ago and it seems the problem still hasnt been adressed. Maybe its my fault for stubbornly clinging to PC as a gaming medium, but its still crappy and i want Valve to know that.

If you want the disk to take priority, you can try this link.

Note that publishers are free to put a whopping nothing on your disc, leading to a full download anyway. But if that's not the case, it'll install the CD version first, then update.

[jockgrey21]

Ahh thanks Fox, but i already tried that tactic, no luck. Thats certainly an interesting to know. I just had a closer look at the box and there is a tiny inconspicuous little peice of info in the small print that says "internet connection reqired to install", but if the game isnt actually on-disk(s) you'd think they'd be obliged to write something a little more overt; for instance - "High speed broadband connection with plenty of data required if you want to have your game installed by next week". Shouldnt the guy who sells it to you in the shop atleast give you a heads up? Whats the point in even bothering to go to the shop and by the retail if this is the case?

[HLCinSC]

By the way this is not Steam's fault (except the download fail). Devs/Pubs choose whether or not to implement and require steam. Devs/Pubs are the ones shipping an old incomplete version on the discs. Devs/pubs decide if updates are mandatory. So if you buy a game always check to see if it requires Steam.

[nigelcrouch123]

This does raise the issue with steam users who say to users who have issues with games and service if you dont like steam,why dont you just leave " , but then you buy a game and it FORCES you to use steam ?,

[Black Blade]

nigelcrouch123 eredeti hozzászólása:

This does raise the issue with steam users who say to users who have issues with games and service if you dont like steam,why dont you just leave " , but then you buy a game and it FORCES you to use steam ?,

Well ya, some Dev decide to use Steam as there system
Its the same you can say abut Ubisoft and all there games that use UPlay, if you do not want to use Steam you do not have to, but that will limit the games you can get (also you can not use Steam, or not buy from Steam and use other stores with Steam keys to buy)