Main > Software Forum
Orange Box, Bioshock, Registration, etc
EwJ:
With the Orange Box getting many positive reviews, I am thinking about purchasing it, but have heard there may be a bit of a 'hassle' installing these games. Same for Bioshock.
Is there anyone with these games that can confirm/deny or shed some light on the requirements for installation such as on-line registration, the use of registry keys that collect personal information, the need for the cd/dvd to be in the drive in order to run the game, or any other requirements?
Or is it simply a matter of entering a serial number from the box or game manual on installing,then running/playing the game.
I'm all for buying new games to try out, but am not for being treated like a criminal by the software companies i am supporting through the purchase. One would think that if the software companies want happy, loyal, repeat customers, they would not require things that are intrusive to their customers privacy, or cause annoyance like limiting the number of installs on your pc, or require the cd to be in the drive, etc.
After spending a relatively large sum of money for software, I have no qualms in circumventing things that collect personal information, or disabling things that are annoying like the requirement for the cd/dvd to be in the drive to run the game. It's just annoying that sometimes it has to be done.
So, the main question that I have is: Does anyone here know if either of these games have any 'extra' requirements for installation (like on-line registration (how would that work for customers without an internet connection anyway), collection of personal information, or require the disc to be in the drive). If they do, are there ways to circumvent these requirements for these games (no links please, just a yes or no for this stuff). I would just like to know if I am going to have a hassles/inconveniences before spending the hundred or two on new games.
Appreciate any info from those with these games. Thanks.
ahofle:
I feel the same way as you. I was going to purchase Bioshock until I read about the ridiculous piracy protection they incorporated (and rumors of rootkits, etc). You have a limited number of installs (used to be 3!) with the disc. So if your computer crashes, or you upgrade to a new computer more than that you are the proud owner of a coaster. I love anti-piracy software that encourages piracy! :laugh2:
The Orange Box requires you to install Steam which is constantly wanting to connect online, check your keys, versions, popup stupid ads, track your playtime, and just generally make playing a simple game into a big network-enabled production. I did end up buying this one because it was $25 on Black Friday and I wanted to be able to play TF2 online eventually.
I absolutely loathe software that installs unnecessary crap, tray icons, hidden services, etc so this trend lately of PC games requiring this crap is really irritating to me.
EwJ:
Thank you for the first-hand info. With that being the case with Bioshock, I'll hold off on that one - at least until they do something to rectify the situation. They must be aware of how many customers they are losing (or at least really pissing off) and , like you said , only serving to encourage piracy.
With the Orange Box - if Steam is required to be installed, can it be uninstalled after installing the games?(or is it somehow part and parcel of the whole thing). If not, can it be totally blocked with a firewall and still have the games install and function fully? Or does it need to connect to activate or some such thing?
I couldn't agree more about the software that installs all kinds of unnecessary crap, services, etc. Equally annoying is software that keeps trying to connect to the internet (which is most software these days). At least there is some that give you option to disable this (although almost never selected by default upon installation). A decent firewall is pretty much the #1 necessity for a pc these days.
Sprucemoose:
I had steam installed on my PC for playing Half-Life episode 1. It appears that steam and the software are "linked." Once you start a title such as HL2 it automatically opens steam and checks for updates. I don't think you can play the games without steam running. I am not a big fan of the system they use, but I love HL so it was worth the annoyance.
If you are going to hold off on Bioshock you should check out Gears of War/PC...cool game.
mybrainhurtz:
Just to give you guys another point of view...
I have Bioshock and actually purchased it on Steam. There are no keys to enter, no limits on number of installs, no protection to worry about, no cds to lose or get scratched. Just set Steam to autologin, and I can play any time. Once you have your game installed, you can have Steam run in "offline mode" so you can play your games when you aren't connected to the internet. You can even install it on multiple computers, all you have to do is login to Steam and you can play!
As for the Orange Box... I haven't had the chance to buy it for myself yet, but I have played Portal, and that game by itself is reason enough to get the Orange Box... go now... go get it! :)