Steam and Windows XP/Vista legacy client - discussion

[rvn515]

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1558-AFCM-4577
There are games sold on the Steam during XP and Vista era, which are more stable and bug-free on these older systems. Ability to use them in their original environment would be very useful. All I'm asking is simplified client without community features, which will be able to download games and verify your licenses.

[Matt]

The point here is to end support; a separate client would be continued support... They did the same for Win 98 and 2000 years ago.

[rvn515]

I'm not asking for ancient things (like someone exagerrating about MS-DOS and Steam somewhere else), Windows XP is a big part of Steam and gaming history. Both were released at similar time and I bought some games here with hope to use them on XP machine, without meddling with unofficial mods on new systems (in order to fix some things). In fact, despite this announcement, you can (still) see Windows XP/Vista requirements for some products within the shop.

[Satoru]

Originally posted by rvn515:

I'm not asking for ancient things (like someone exagerrating about MS-DOS and Steam somewhere else), Windows XP is a big part of Steam and gaming history.

Please try to explain how an OS that is 17 years old not 'ancient'

Atari and Colecovision are also part of gaming history

So is the NES

So are pinball machines

Things are not supported forever

[rvn515]

Because you can see Windows XP/Vista requirements for certain games, and they were sold like that. New features may be problematic, but all we need is simplistic client with download/verify license functions. I don't know why are you against this, it doesn't harm you in any way, but helps some people interested in older titles.

[Snapjak]

These are the exact same arguments people threw around when 98 was dropped. And again when 2000 was dropped.

It will not stop XP getting dropped. It will not stop 7 getting dropped. It will not stop 10 getting dropped.

[Matt]

Developers can still update their games. Look how Counter Strike continues to work on newer operating systems. There comes a point when the cost of supporting legacy systems is no longer worth it.

I don't think anyone is against your idea. However, we understand that it's not a realistic suggestion and has about a 0.1% chance of happening.

[rvn515]

Why are you ok with that, just because they can? This situation is different, Windows 98 is much older than Steam, XP and Steam started at the same time (more less). I don't need shop/community features on older systems, only library. I understand that they want to move with certain things, I just want to point out that there is no need for discarding certain users, it can be fixed with simple application. I'm not talking about developer's ability to maintain games, I'm asking for Valve's ability to maintain Valve's application compatibility.

[Matt]

Are you still running Windows XP as your operating system?

[MrL0G1C]

Originally posted by rvn515:

I'm not asking for ancient things (like someone exagerrating about MS-DOS and Steam somewhere else), Windows XP is a big part of Steam and gaming history. Both were released at similar time and I bought some games here with hope to use them on XP machine, without meddling with unofficial mods on new systems (in order to fix some things). In fact, despite this announcement, you can (still) see Windows XP/Vista requirements for some products within the shop.

I think this is a good point, if Valve is selling games that run on XP then Valve should be allowing you to run those games. It's very poor to be discontinuing games, that's very much not what gaming is about.

[MrL0G1C]

And some of us have multiple PCs of different shapes sizes and ages, I have 3, it wouldn't be worth upgrading the OS from XP on the older one, but it still works fine.

[rvn515]

One of my PCs is Windows XP machine. If they are concern with security reasons, then I assume that it is safer to use application in original environment instead of playing with third party patches, unofficial guides, etc. Some of Steam games are still advertised as XP and Vista compatible, so I want to use them. They are ok, I just need option for downloading them.

[Snapjak]

Originally posted by MrL0G1C:

Originally posted by rvn515:

I'm not asking for ancient things (like someone exagerrating about MS-DOS and Steam somewhere else), Windows XP is a big part of Steam and gaming history. Both were released at similar time and I bought some games here with hope to use them on XP machine, without meddling with unofficial mods on new systems (in order to fix some things). In fact, despite this announcement, you can (still) see Windows XP/Vista requirements for some products within the shop.

I think this is a good point, if Valve is selling games that run on XP then Valve should be allowing you to run those games. It's very poor to be discontinuing games, that's very much not what gaming is about.

What are you talking about. Nothing is stopping them from working.

Valve has DOS games. Does that mean we need a DOS client now?

[rvn515]

The point is, Steam does not exist since DOS, but exist since Win XP. Guys, you are not loosing anything, if they decide to create simpler Steam client with download/verification functions only. You can help some people by not being against, at least.

[Lord of the Infinite Clouds]

Originally posted by Matt:

Are you still running Windows XP as your operating system?

Steam's database/stats shows that VERY few people are using Windows XP as their daily driver. What folks are discussing here is not continued support but for an old version of Steam to launch on XP without locking folks out because it is trying to update to an incompatible version. This would allow folks to continue to access their XP library on their retro/legacy machines.

Origin and Uplay both already do this.

Also, your participation is appreciated, Matt, though I have to ask that we please be allowed to have at least one thread to have this continued discussion. One of the threads was locked for someone mentioning something against forum policies, but another was also locked with no reason and definitively had no violations.

[ KARR™]

Originally posted by Infinite Clouds:

Originally posted by Matt:

Are you still running Windows XP as your operating system?

Steam's database/stats shows that VERY few people are using Windows XP as their daily driver. What folks are discussing here is not continued support but for an old version of Steam to launch on XP without locking folks out because it is trying to update to an incompatible version. This would allow folks to continue to access their XP library on their retro/legacy machines.

Origin and Uplay both already do this.

Apparently they DID. If you can help the people on Origin do so, please do, they are saying that they can no longer install the "Legacy" version as it won't update and they are directed to install the main client which only installs on Windows7 or later...

The OriginThinSetup.exe link that you posted in your previous comment doesn't work anymore, it installs then fails to update & displays this message:

"Your update could not be completed. Please download and install the latest version of Origin from https://download.dm.origin.com/origin/live/OriginSetup.exe ."

When I download the OriginSetup.exe from that link it fails to install saying:

"Origin can only be installed on computers running Windows 7 or later. You'll need to upgrade your operating system or download a compatible version of our client at www.origin.com/download."

The download page that USED to say ....

you can still download and play your games using an older version of Origin. For Windows XP or Vista, click here to download

no longer has a link to an earlier version and just shows the Windows 7 download option. https://www.origin.com/gbr/en-us/store/download

Which is part of the problem, if they release a client at some point they are going to update file locations, server names, addresses, authentication methods, etc. Even if you aren't using the chat functions or community features, SOMETHING will change that means they need to go back and update the legacy items.

There has to be a line in the sand for this. If you stop support for 7, someone will say "but i use it". If you stop support for Vista, someone will say "but i use it" and so on. Even the people that MAKE the operating system don't support it anymore - it's rare to receive a patch unless it's a horrible security issue. When TLS1.2 becomes mandatory a LOT of XP users will find themselves cut off from almost everything on the internet unless they manually try to crowbar it into the system. Who knows if they will be able to use 1.3 or 1.4 when they come along. If not, there's no CHANCE of logging into Steam because there would be no security.

At some point you just HAVE to move in from what you like to what is newer. There isn't any way you can keep clinging onto the past, no-one (or very few) people are going to make sure their website works in IE 5.0 or Netscape Navigator because it costs time and money and no-one should be using them anymore.