HalfLife-2 download question

[dgk]

I received the offer from ATI to either download the game or get a disc (for $10 handling fee or such). When I first bought the card that qualified me for this offer, they had an option to get some other games as well. I did that and the software installed STEAM and was very intrusive on my PC. I would really like HL-2 but have no intention of playing it online, just as a single user. This little * on the email (*Note: the CD-ROM activation requires a valid STEAM account enabled with your ATI Half-Life® 2 key mentioned above. A new key, shipping and handling are not included.) sure implies that even a CDROM is going to require STEAM. Yet I'm sure that folks buying it at the store do not need STEAM.

Does anyone know if I can either download the game or get the CD and not have to use STEAM?

[aNTiChRisT]

You need steam, its how they are cutting down on piracy. Its annoying, but as far as i know there is no legal way to not have it.

It takes a few megs when not in use and about 14 when playing a steam game. Its really not that much, just hide the icon.

~t0m

[Z YA LTR]

I received the offer from ATI to either download the game or get a disc (for $10 handling fee or such). When I first bought the card that qualified me for this offer, they had an option to get some other games as well. I did that and the software installed STEAM and was very intrusive on my PC. I would really like HL-2 but have no intention of playing it online, just as a single user. This little * on the email (*Note: the CD-ROM activation requires a valid STEAM account enabled with your ATI Half-Life® 2 key mentioned above. A new key, shipping and handling are not included.) sure implies that even a CDROM is going to require STEAM. Yet I'm sure that folks buying it at the store do not need STEAM.

Does anyone know if I can either download the game or get the CD and not have to use STEAM?

I think you have to use steam no matter what.

--Josh

[dgk]

So you mean (both of you) that I can't run this game without being connected to a network?

[zip22]

i believe you have to activate it using steam. then you can play without a network

[austinbmxnig]

yeah you only have to activate it and play it once to be able to play it in offline mode. Just curious but do you not have internet? Its not that big of a file.

[ziggo0]

Steam really isnt that bad...but if your someone who has had tons and tons of problems with it - id be pretty frustrated with it !

[dgk]

I did not like it at all when I first had it. It kept doing things when I was trying to do anything BUT play a game. I simply don't like the idea of software on my PC that keeps contacting an outside source so I can do something. That is certainly the way it worked with that first set of games. If Microsoft pulled this crap everyone would be screaming.

[David]

I did not like it at all when I first had it. It kept doing things when I was trying to do anything BUT play a game. I simply don't like the idea of software on my PC that keeps contacting an outside source so I can do something. That is certainly the way it worked with that first set of games. If Microsoft pulled this crap everyone would be screaming.

I thought they did ... aka product activation ;)

I think its all just in the name of anti piracy. If people didnt pirate games then you wouldnt have to deal with things like that.

[EternalX]

you can play CS and HL2 without steam running or installed, there are guides for it on the internet.

[dgk]

Seems to be some debate about how well it works.