Hi all,

I tried to list Half Life 2 on GTZ as a wanted game and was told that:

"game requires a Steam account to play, and they've made it very hard (and somewhat costly) to transfer the account from person to person. Because of this, we've prevented it from being listed so that people don't trade for copies of the game that they then can't use."

Does anyone know what that means. Is this game multiplayer only? I'm confused.

Hi, Oldman. It is definitely a single-player-shooter and can be played online as well as offline. You need to join Steam in order to play it on your PC or offline. This is done when you install the game, which amounts to an extensive registration of the game. It's well worth it in the end. A great game.

Thanks Soozie.

That kind of messes up the trading for it then. Guess I'll look into the local retails here. Fry's is usually the cheapest.

I remember seeing somewhere on the board that it was determined that you could trade, but it would involve getting the Seller's Steam I.D. or contacting Steam, or both etc., etc., etc.

Probably would be a better idea to deal with Fry's or you could look over GoGamer's site.

This Steam stuff is a pain in the butt. I recently tried to trade in my copy (I was very disappointed with the game) and EB told me they couldn't take it due to that whole mess. Looks like I'm stuck with this turkey.

What is involved in installing and running half life 2. What do I have to do to play the game?
Do I need to connect to the internet every time I want to play half life 2? How long does it take before I can play the game. I play a lot of games and I think I know what to do,but half life 2 has me stomped.That's a lot of money to dish out for something I don't if I can get it to play. Thanks
Richard

Richard, when you first install the game, Valve will kick in and put you through the setup with Steam. After that the program will unwrap the files and place an icon on your desktop. Take your time and answer the questions as they come.

Once you have your steam number and the setup is complete you should be okay. What happens is when you boot and get into desktop it will give you a message asking if you want to play online or offline. Just click offline. If your already online when you boot, it won't ask you; if your offline when you boot it will ask you.

It is a bit extensive at setup, but once that is complete it should be fine. I had no problems with it or playing offline at any time.

Soozie
I leave my computer on all the time how will that effect my playing? I use my modem to connect to the internet.
Richard

Kjos, if you mean you leave your modem on all the time or just your computer, or both, either way, it shouldn't be a problem. Just click your desktop icon and play.

I have done it both ways Cable on and Cable off. Didn't make a difference, except for the message asking if you want to play offline.

Soozie
I thought every time I want to play half life 2 I would have to get the OK from steam through the internet to play it.
Richard

Richard, once Valve has set you up with Steam and all the files are unwrapped, your set to go. You don't need permission to play online or offline every time you want to play. That is more or less granted you once your Steam Account is completed ... Steam's Registration and Your Account Information is stored somewhere in your compter. All you need to do is click on your Desktop Icon for Half-life 2, or Half-life 1 and play.

Thank you so much Soozie for your help. One more question. I have two computers can I install the game on both of my computers. Thanks
Richard

Not sure about that, Richard. You probably could, but would have to go through Steam; but then maybe not. The game is, in all probability, licensed for only one computer.

Don't take that to the bank. I'm not sure. You'd have to scout around ... you could look over to Valve's or Steam's Websites to see if this was discussed.

I installed half life 2 yesterday and everything went fine took me four hours. Today I can't run the game in offline mode. Steam says I'm not connected to the internet. I've got an account with steam what is the problem. Need help.
Thanks
Richard

You leave your computer on and are always connected to the net, right?

Try shutting down the computer and the modem, reboot and see if you get that message asking if you want to play offline.

Or if you're using a software firewall like Zone Alarm or Blackice, try disabling it before playing.

Thank you Soozie will do.
Richard

Visionism, nice to have someone around who understands the hardware and techie stuff.

Well I got this game. Waited for it to load 5 CD's, then waited for it to do whatever it does with this steam thingy. Took a couple of hours to get the game ready to go. I checked with VU and determined that to insure that I was playing off line I was to go to the steam/play games/Half Life2 and right click and then open properties. Check the off line stuff and finally after all that time good to go.

Then, because of the slow loading, I used MSconfig and used selective startup to disable all the startup stuff on my computer.

It still takes a while to load scenes but I guess that is normal.

There is no manual only a reference card. Maybe that's all you need to know but I feel more comfortable with a manual.

There doesn't appear to be a map in the game. Most games I've played have an option to view a map so you can tell where you are. I miss that. I really miss that.

If anyone knows a site that has maps for this game I would really appreciate the info.

I've made it to the part where you drive this boat around and just passed the pillars that fall down in front of you and don't know how I got there I just keep going by trial and error and use god mode when I get in too deep.

It's better than Doom 3 (which I did not finish) but it's not a "game of the year" for me but then again I'm not a teenage twitchy finger person.

Hehe, it is pretty hectic. Don't get discouraged. A walkthrough might help. Try this one at IGN. it's downloadable; also, GameSpot has one, also downloadable.

Oldman, there is no need for a map in this game. It is extremely linear, there's only one way to go, althought it may appear otherwise. Several times you will come to what appears to be a dead end because they've thrown a puzzle in your way, usually having to do with physics.

I think it is the game of the year and I'm stickin' with it.

-- a 50+ twitchy finger person

Not a problem Soozie. I used to be a senior editor for a major PC hardware review site so I really ought to know what I'm talking about!

You are right Craig. I've made it this far just going in whatever direction I could until I came to another area and when the game loads then I know I've reached it. I just miss my map in games. I'm used to hitting the 'M' key and seeing where I am and where I have yet to go.

Also I didn't mean to belittle those who are good at twitchy finger stuff it's just that I'm not. My oldest son is 40+ and has been good at arcade stuff all his life but my reflexes are such that without god mode I couldn't play these games. But I enjoy them anyway as a change.

Anyway, guess I'll just suffer through without a map. Have gotten to Ravenholm and facing a lot of Zombies with heads flying off and attacking me. wow!!!

Ravenholm! Man, that was tough and spooky! I particularly liked slicing zombies heads off with the G-gun and sawblades! A bit odd that there are sawblades and barrels of flamable liquids lying around everywhere, don't you think?

Best of luck! At least the zombies don't move too quick (at least most of them). If you want a game that doesn't require quick reflexes, you might look at the Thief or Splinter Cell series. More sneakers than shooters but with some action elements.

Have fun!

______________________________

If a man speaks in a forest with no one around, is he still wrong?

Ravenholm for me was one of the most dismal points of a very disappointing game.

I'll second that Splinter Cell recommendation though. It isn't so much a "shooter" as a "thinker" and a "planner" One of the best games I've played in the last few years