Buying a disk doesn't help you if the game uses Steamworks though. I've been bitten by this with Empire:Total War and Just Cause 2. Looks like Civ 5 is off the shopping list.
The install/activation limit can still apply with games on the Steam platform as well. It doesn't have any inherent advantage over other systems here. Products distributed via Steam are often still protected by another system such as Securom.
The convenience you're talking about with Steam is also a common property of other digital distribution systems as well. Stardock's Impulse for example also lets you log in on another computer and download your games - just as convenient as Steam.
Impulse has some advantages though:
One-time activation - no need to keep checking if you're allowed to play it
The Impulse client isn't required to play your games
No need for an offline mode (see 2)
Updates are opt-in instead of opt-out
Offline activation method available - as long as you can get to another computer with internet access.
These same benefits exist on other systems as well. Stardock's Impulse platform is pretty good at avoiding some of the pitfalls Steam has. On the other hand it still isn't quite as slick as Steam is.
Civilization 5 will be released as a boxed version in retail stores as well. You will still be required to install Steam because 2K Games have chosen to use Steamworks with it.
When you install Steam you are required to be connected to the internet for it to look for updates, and to sign in to, or sign up for, an account.
Put the.VDI on the flash drive, and then run it in VirtualBox on whatever system they have at home. VirtualBox works on Linux, Windows or Mac so there shouldn't be too many problems.
They don't need a linux computer at home, just a way to run the linux system he's using in the labs right?
The "X" series is worth checking out if you're looking for something similar to Elite. X3: Terran Conflict is probably the best one to get - the interface has been greatly improved in it.
Single player isn't all that great at the moment - just skirmish against some bots basically. It's okay, but if it's important to you then you're better off waiting. I think I remember reading on their forums that they're developing new single player content for a later patch.
I haven't tried the online multi player yet, but I spent all day yesterday playing it on a LAN with two others. It was a fantastic amount of fun. Good pace (which can be adjusted in game), plenty to do, great team gameplay. If you're able to play it on a LAN then I'd definitely recommend it.
They don't have any license restrictions for LAN play either. One copy can be used for everyone on the LAN.
Stardock forces updates through the client as a DRM measure. That's why.
They have made updates available as a standalone download in the past though, generally ones which fix bugs in the games. But to get all the patches they require you to use their client.
To avoid having to download all the patches again on a reinstall they allow you to create a backup of the game from your currently installed version. You can restore from this archive later instead of reinstalling. I think it even packages up any extra content(mods/tweaks etc) you have as well. I'm not sure whether reinstalling from an archive requires an activation check though.
If you can't be bothered learning how the API works, then how about you use a library which takes care of it for you?
Just because you're using a high level language doesn't mean you can ignore learning it's API.
For example, from the Python docs:
os.fsync(fd)
Force write of file with filedescriptor fd to disk. On Unix, this calls the native fsync function; on Windows, the MS _commit function.
If youre starting with a Python file object f, first do f.flush(), and then do os.fsync(f.fileno()), to ensure that all internal buffers associated with f are written to disk. Availability: Unix, and Windows starting in 2.2.3.
If you're writing applications robustly, this is something you need to be aware of.
I've downloaded a lot of video games. I started back when I got an Amiga 500 about two decades ago. Video games have been a large part of my life during this period, probably to an unhealthy level at times. The constant supply of new titles provided to me by piracy has fed this obsession.
Now that I have a much higher disposable income what do you think I spend it on? On my main interest of course - video games.
Preventing my piracy would not have resulted in any additional sales for the industry, it's already got everything it could out of me. Preventing my piracy would only have helped break my obsession - leading to me spending my money elsewhere.
Although I have pirated games, I find it hard to buy into the argument that I'm hurting the industry. I've spent a lot of money of video games, and I don't forsee that changing much in the future.
If I start yelling out how much you suck do you start detailing your life's accomplishments in order to refute me?
His article simply states that the internet sucks, hastily backpedals, then picks on specific protocols built on top of the internet instead of the internet itself.
His main gripe about the internet seems to be the lack of QoS controls throughout the network - that he can't download his youtube videos quick enough.
There's just no content worth refuting in his article. It's much more fun to just attack the guy.
Yeah, but at least with cars you can still buy insurance for a second hand one. Almost anything you can get with a new car, you can get with a second hand car - as long as you're willing to pay for it.
From what I've seen so far there won't be any similar market for these extras with video games.
Maybe Oblivion works the way I'd like though? An original purchaser can't pass on downloadable content, but second hand owners can still choose to buy it. Is that right?
People don't see them as consumables though. It's company policy which makes the extra content a consumable, not because it's technically impossible to pass it on. Hence the accusations of greed.
Slashdot Mirror
It still does.
NZ has similar laws: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0091/latest/DLM311053.html
English still has a distinction - I'd go to a joiner or cabinetmaker if I wanted some furniture made, not a carpenter.
Perhaps the lack of distinction is a North American thing?
Schools are workplaces. It's not just students in there.
Buying a disk doesn't help you if the game uses Steamworks though. I've been bitten by this with Empire:Total War and Just Cause 2. Looks like Civ 5 is off the shopping list.
The install/activation limit can still apply with games on the Steam platform as well. It doesn't have any inherent advantage over other systems here. Products distributed via Steam are often still protected by another system such as Securom.
The convenience you're talking about with Steam is also a common property of other digital distribution systems as well. Stardock's Impulse for example also lets you log in on another computer and download your games - just as convenient as Steam.
Impulse has some advantages though:
These same benefits exist on other systems as well. Stardock's Impulse platform is pretty good at avoiding some of the pitfalls Steam has. On the other hand it still isn't quite as slick as Steam is.
Civilization 5 will be released as a boxed version in retail stores as well. You will still be required to install Steam because 2K Games have chosen to use Steamworks with it.
When you install Steam you are required to be connected to the internet for it to look for updates, and to sign in to, or sign up for, an account.
sconeu's suggestion is still fine.
Put the .VDI on the flash drive, and then run it in VirtualBox on whatever system they have at home. VirtualBox works on Linux, Windows or Mac so there shouldn't be too many problems.
They don't need a linux computer at home, just a way to run the linux system he's using in the labs right?
So, greater demand leads to lower prices?
The "X" series is worth checking out if you're looking for something similar to Elite. X3: Terran Conflict is probably the best one to get - the interface has been greatly improved in it.
Just limit the maximum level of advertisements to the average level of the preceding show.
It shouldn't harm the ads' dynamic range too much, since they effectively run at one level now - maximum.
It also seems relatively simple for broadcasters to enforce.
I remember playing the shareware versions of his Exile games when I was a kid - I was hooked on them then. They are fun games to play.
It's a niche market he's going for, but if you're in that niche then his games will probably provide far more entertainment than most new releases.
He also provides very generous demos of his games, so you can try out a good portion of them before deciding whether to make a purchase.
Single player isn't all that great at the moment - just skirmish against some bots basically. It's okay, but if it's important to you then you're better off waiting. I think I remember reading on their forums that they're developing new single player content for a later patch.
I haven't tried the online multi player yet, but I spent all day yesterday playing it on a LAN with two others. It was a fantastic amount of fun. Good pace (which can be adjusted in game), plenty to do, great team gameplay. If you're able to play it on a LAN then I'd definitely recommend it.
They don't have any license restrictions for LAN play either. One copy can be used for everyone on the LAN.
I wasn't asked to activate Galactic Civilizations 2 when I installed it. I just had to activate it to get the updates.
So you should be fine when you want to install without an internet connection.
It was a retail boxed copy though, I'm not sure whether the downloaded version would be the same.
Stardock forces updates through the client as a DRM measure. That's why.
They have made updates available as a standalone download in the past though, generally ones which fix bugs in the games. But to get all the patches they require you to use their client.
To avoid having to download all the patches again on a reinstall they allow you to create a backup of the game from your currently installed version. You can restore from this archive later instead of reinstalling. I think it even packages up any extra content(mods/tweaks etc) you have as well. I'm not sure whether reinstalling from an archive requires an activation check though.
Or alternatively, don't buy from Steam. Then he'd have been able to do exactly what he wanted.
I picked up Empire: Total War not realising it required Steam in order to run. Steam has made playing it an uncomfortable experience.
If you can't be bothered learning how the API works, then how about you use a library which takes care of it for you?
Just because you're using a high level language doesn't mean you can ignore learning it's API.
For example, from the Python docs:
If you're writing applications robustly, this is something you need to be aware of.
For null statements, Python uses the "pass" statement.
They'll kick you off every time someone accuses you of infringing copyright? I'd be shopping for a new ISP if I was in your position.
I've downloaded a lot of video games. I started back when I got an Amiga 500 about two decades ago. Video games have been a large part of my life during this period, probably to an unhealthy level at times. The constant supply of new titles provided to me by piracy has fed this obsession.
Now that I have a much higher disposable income what do you think I spend it on? On my main interest of course - video games.
Preventing my piracy would not have resulted in any additional sales for the industry, it's already got everything it could out of me. Preventing my piracy would only have helped break my obsession - leading to me spending my money elsewhere.
Although I have pirated games, I find it hard to buy into the argument that I'm hurting the industry. I've spent a lot of money of video games, and I don't forsee that changing much in the future.
That's the point. The second hand titles are the defective ones, not the new copies.
Because he hasn't raised much worth refuting?
If I start yelling out how much you suck do you start detailing your life's accomplishments in order to refute me?
His article simply states that the internet sucks, hastily backpedals, then picks on specific protocols built on top of the internet instead of the internet itself.
His main gripe about the internet seems to be the lack of QoS controls throughout the network - that he can't download his youtube videos quick enough.
There's just no content worth refuting in his article. It's much more fun to just attack the guy.
Yeah, but at least with cars you can still buy insurance for a second hand one. Almost anything you can get with a new car, you can get with a second hand car - as long as you're willing to pay for it.
From what I've seen so far there won't be any similar market for these extras with video games.
Maybe Oblivion works the way I'd like though? An original purchaser can't pass on downloadable content, but second hand owners can still choose to buy it. Is that right?
People don't see them as consumables though. It's company policy which makes the extra content a consumable, not because it's technically impossible to pass it on. Hence the accusations of greed.