Making Steam work on a computer without internet access

[daminshi]

One of the computers in my home can't connect to the internet. I was wanting to know if there would be any problems if I straight transfered my account\games to the other computer. Would it work as intended in Offline mode without connecting to the Steam servers, as it would on my regular PC? Or would that be something Steam Guard (or some other piece of code on the client) does to keep it from playing on another PC unless I hook it up to the net?

[Omar007]

As far as I know you need to have been online atleast once before you can enter offline mode.

[Uueerdo]

Can't connect at all, ever? In my experience, offline mode mostly only works for games that have been installed by Steam (not just downloaded, but basically launched the first time). So, you could copy Steam and your games over, but you would still need to run the games once while connected to actually install them on the machine. Otherwise it would be way way way way too easy to pirate a whole Steam installation.

[daminshi]

Just as I thought, DRM. It's already too easy in other ways though, but the less time consuming part for now would be to bring the computer tower downstairs to hook it up to the modem.

[Satoru]

You have to activate the game once onine but then you can go offline without issue.

[Uueerdo]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Absinthe:

Just as I thought, DRM. It's already too easy in other ways though, but the less time consuming part for now would be to bring the computer tower downstairs to hook it up to the modem.

Not to pry, but why doesn't the desktop have a connection where it is at?

[Discussions_Acc]

The system requirements state "internet connection" for a reason.

[daminshi]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Uueerdo:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Absinthe:

Just as I thought, DRM. It's already too easy in other ways though, but the less time consuming part for now would be to bring the computer tower downstairs to hook it up to the modem.

Not to pry, but why doesn't the desktop have a connection where it is at?

Because the connection and cables are crap. Not everyone has good networking or ISP's.

[Dreakon13]

I'll pick up my desktop and move it around every once in a while (bring it outside to clean the dust, move it into the living room to play games on the TV). Personally, I'd love to find a platform with wheels of some kind to move it around easier lol.

I'm sure you can bring it downstairs for a day or two, connect to Steam, download/launch a few games and move it back. Unless you're beating those games in a day, it'll probably give you a few weeks of entertainment at least.

[Uueerdo]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Absinthe:

Because the connection and cables are crap. Not everyone has good networking or ISP's.

I can understand the cabling issue; though I ran them around my entire apartment when I moved in, I can understand the difficulty when furniture is already present (and I've had previous apartments that, due to nature of construction or basic layout, made wireless finicky at best); but ISP shouldn't really matter whichever room you are in.

[daminshi]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Archduke:

Note that the SSA you clearly agreed to and accepted states that maintaining an internet connection is a requirement of using Steam

Yes, but not all the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ time.

[King Cashew]

Meep

[Anonymus299]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Absinthe:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Archduke:

Note that the SSA you clearly agreed to and accepted states that maintaining an internet connection is a requirement of using Steam

Yes, but not all the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ time.

Actually, yes

2. LICENSES

A. General Software License

Steam and your Subscription(s) require the automatic download and installation of Software onto your computer. Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a limited, terminable, non-exclusive license and right to use the Software for your personal, non-commercial use (except where commercial use is expressly allowed herein or in the applicable Subscription Terms) in accordance with this Agreement, including the Subscription Terms. The Software is licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Software. To make use of the Software, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet.

[H3X]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Scarecrow:

Actually, yes

Not to completely undermine your argument or anything since that quote from the license does look correct..

But it has been confirmed by Steam staff that the offline mode when used on a legitimate account should work indefinitely. The only reason it doesn't is that it's buggy, and that's being worked on. While the requirement to be online to login and install games through the client, and access the other services is of course unchangeable, it's perfectly possible to have a machine only connected every once in a while and run steam on it, apart from aforementioned bugs (which can actually be worked around or avoided if you're careful).

[daminshi]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από H3X:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Scarecrow:

Actually, yes

Not to completely undermine your argument or anything since that does look correct..

But it has been confirmed by Steam staff that the offline mode when used on a legitimate account should work indefinitely. The only reason it doesn't is that it's buggy, and that's being worked on. While the requirement to be online to login and install games through the client, and access the other services is of course unchangeable, it's perfectly possible to have a machine only connected every once in a while and run steam on it, apart from aforementioned bugs (which can actually be worked around or avoided if you're careful).

http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Steam#Steam_Offline_Mode

This is the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I had to deal with because of their awful bugs and requirements.

[Anonymus299]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από H3X:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Scarecrow:

Actually, yes

Not to completely undermine your argument or anything since that does look correct..

But it has been confirmed by Steam staff that the offline mode when used on a legitimate account should work indefinitely...

I know, It's just that most people take a lot for granted, In theory steam could shut off acces to all your games tomorrow and oyu couldn't do anyhting. Same with the offline mode. You agreed to be online to use the content, the offline mode is just a bonus. (speaking from a strictly technical viewpoint). I do agree however with what you said.