Clearly show if a game has an online requirement, esp. for Steam Deck

[Toggle]

It would be great if the store page would let you know if a game has an online requirement before buying it. It's a little disappointing to find that out after you've purchased it. I just had to request a refund for Ride 4 after finding out that you have to be online just for the game to start up, even if you're only playing singleplayer.

It would be even better if Valve used some of their influence to discourage games from doing that, but at the very least, let people know on the store page whether or not the game can be played without an internet connection (besides multiplayer, of course).

While that's usually just an annoyance, it would be a major blow to the Steam Deck if people started buying games only to find out that a whole bunch of them can't be played on the go.

[kitt]

you know what Steam is and whys Valve created it?

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by Toggle:

It would be even better if Valve used some of their influence to discourage games from doing that, but at the very least, let people know on the store page whether or not the game can be played without an internet connection (besides multiplayer, of course).

You overestimate the influence Valve has there. And while Valve could add a field to the features that are listed on the right on the store page (which is something they probably will end up doing), ultimately it's up to the developers/publishers to actually check the checkbox so it gets displayed.

[76561198407601200]

It's safe to assume any game that shows "online" besides "Single Player" is going to require internet connection. Though some games do explicitly show if network connection is required, though that is up to the developers of the game to list that.

[Toggle]

Originally posted by AAARRRGGHH!!!:

Steam can create another tag (where you see Single Player, Remote Play with Other, ect) that says "Offline" to indicate that the game can be played in offline mode.

Yeah, a tag would be great. Although I hope that "single player (works offline)" would be the default that you could expect for most games, and "single player (but requires connection)" would be the exception. Maybe instead of a separate offline tag, there could be a little asterisk next to the existing single player tag.

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

You overestimate the influence Valve has there.

True, I might be. But they could make a strong(er) case for offline play if the Steam Deck sells well. Deck users will be disappointed if many of their games aren't playable outside on their new portable device because of some artificial online requirement. If the Deck gets a lot of users, "playable on the go" would be a selling point for games. And that would mean it shouldn't need a connection to play single player mode.

Originally posted by The Living Tribunal:

It's safe to assume any game that shows "online" besides "Single Player" is going to require internet connection. Though some games do explicitly show if network connection is required, though that is up to the developers of the game to list that.

That's true when playing a mode besides single player mode, but I'm talking about the games that require a connection just to run at all. I think not enough games explicitly say when a connection is required, and I wish Valve would encourage developers to be more clear about that. Steam Deck users will be surprised when they take their game outside for the first time, only to find that they can't even play the single player mode.

[Nx Machina]

Based on the simple premise that having a Steam account on your PC or Deck means you actually need to download games and the client and games need updates an internet connection is required, irrespective of an online component.

Vac enabled, online coop, remote play on the store page already tell you there is an online component of some sort. The developer, publisher are the ones who need to indicate online required on the store pages they maintain.

[DC-GS]

Yeah, I would like this information shown on storepage too.

@Nx Machina
We are not talking about "need internet for setup", we are talkin about "need internet to play".
You take your Deck at home, connect it to Wifi, download and install games, then you take the Deck with you on a tour and play mobile w/o internet.

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by DC-GS:

Yeah, I would like this information shown on storepage too.

@Nx Machina
We are not talking about "need internet for setup", we are talkin about "need internet to play".
You take your Deck at home, connect it to Wifi, download and install games, then you take the Deck with you on a tour and play mobile w/o internet.

We are talking about Steam as a platform, what it is and store page listings, requirements which are maintained by the developer, publisher.

Secondly you should already know which games are capable of doing what and put them in collections before you even get a Deck.

I have a Switch and i can play all my games including ones which have an online component - Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate been one example and play when having no internet connection. I can also do this with my 3DSXL and PSVita which also have games with online components.

[DC-GS]

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

Secondly you should already know which games are capable of doing what and put them in collections before you even get a Deck.

Post purchase.

We are talkin about storefront, so we can purchase games which can be played offline.
Only way now is to buey a game, try it, refund.

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

I have a Switch and i can play all my games

Big surprise.
Nintendo Switch is a mobile first console.
It was DESIGNED to be played offline. Nintendo can enforce each game to be playable offline, without any 2nd DRMs snitched in.

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by DC-GS:

Post purchase.

We are talkin about storefront, so we can purchase games which can be played offline.
Only way now is to buey a game, try it, refund.

We are talking about Steam as a platform, what it is and store page listings, requirements which are maintained by the developer, publisher. If they do not update the information then you need to contact them.

Steam can be used offline for the majority of games on my PC and i understand that Steam will require me to connect online once in blue moon to verify licences and i assume the Deck will work the same way.


There is another way - go to the developer website and read what the game is and or read reviews about the various components of a game before purchasing.

Originally posted by DC-GS:

Big surprise.
Nintendo Switch is a mobile first console.
It was DESIGNED to be played offline. Nintendo can enforce each game to be playable offline, without any 2nd DRMs snitched in.

I play Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate exclusively online with friends (docked) and when my internet is down i still play docked, in fact my Switch is always docked. When i am away from home i take my 3DSXL or PSVita.

[DarkStar]

p

[76561198407601200]

Originally posted by Toggle:

Originally posted by The Living Tribunal:

It's safe to assume any game that shows "online" besides "Single Player" is going to require internet connection. Though some games do explicitly show if network connection is required, though that is up to the developers of the game to list that.

That's true when playing a mode besides single player mode, but I'm talking about the games that require a connection just to run at all.

Which again is why I said it is safe to assume that any game that shows "online" besides "Single Player" is going to require internet connection.

[wuddih]

do you guys not have phones that you can tether to the deck?

anyway. if an internet connections is required is in the system requirements and/or 3rd party drm section.

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

Regarding phones, it should be noted that many cell phone plans have limited data transfer.