[quote who="Tridus" reply="678" id="2781144"] So you don't think all that stuff Steamworks gives them that they'd have to get from somewhere else is a factor? If my options are Steamworks, Gamespy (which has licensing fees), or GFWL (which everybody hates), then this is not a tough call.[/quote] Primary factor, not sole factor. The other factors are important.
[quote who="FadedC" reply="677" id="2781129"] I was talking about Steam going out business and they have said that will unlock all games if this happens (and if somehow they didn't I'm sure Firaxis would release a patch that did). Steam going out of business is the only scenario in which I would need the security of a physical copy, otherwise I can use the electronic one.[/quote] Other scenarios include your Steam account getting stolen, Valve deactivating your account, or Valve
[quote who="FadedC" reply="675" id="2781118"] In terms of security it means you have a physical copy of the game so that if Steam goes out of business and you get a new computer you won't lose the game like white elk described happening to his purely digital music.[/quote] Actually, you do lose access to the game if Steam deactivates your account, game license, or otherwise locks you out. You not only need Steam to download the game, but you cannot play the game without Steam ope
[quote who="Tasunke" reply="672" id="2781097"]Is Valve a publicly traded company? Any takers?[/quote] No. Valve was founded and funded with Gabe Newell's Microsoft money, so they have always been under private ownership (they have not always been independent developers, however). Companies typically look to VCs, and later, public investment, in order to generate capital. Valve never needed the money, so the company could afford to remain private.
[quote who="FadedC" reply="669" id="2781075"] Something like Civ 5 however where you get both the digital copy and the stored electronic copy is the best of all worlds for me. [/quote] Stored electronic copy? Are you referring to the physical copy? Either way, this copy is still 100% Steam-dependent, so it offers none of the security of a traditional physical backup copy.
[quote who="Nesrie" reply="194" id="2781059"] Judging from the response to Elemental's release, and the fact the CEO himself wants people to review version 1.05, I don't think many, even the fans, would suggest the updating Elemental from v 1.0 as "optional". Hell, most of the reviewers said they couldnt' even get v 1.0 to run on their machines. I am certainly no Steam fanatic, and I actually perfer Impulse to Steam, but let's not sugar coat things.[/quote] Sugar coat
[quote who="the_Monk" reply="665" id="2781028"] Some of us approach gaming as a "consumer-sport" (to me it's like eating a cookie.....I consume it....and then I reach into the bowl for another one...hehe). No problems with the STEAM model. Rinse and Repeat! [/quote] If cookie-eating is a sport, sign me up for the professional draft. ...Wait, so if Steam is like eating cookies (which is apparently a sport), is that why Gabe Newell developed it? Is h
[quote who="_PawelS_" reply="191" id="2781012"] Elemental is "imprisoned" on Impulse (theoretically you can run it without Impulse, but to get updates you have to use it). Steam is evil and Impulse is good? [/quote] Let's compare: Steamworks games require Steam for installation, updates, and use. Updates must be installed in order to access the game, and should Steam choose to deactivate your account or game license, you will be unable to play it. Steamworks ga
[quote who="Rebell44" reply="661" id="2781006"] IMO another big reason is elimination of second hand sales.[/quote] Second-hand sales of PC games have been in a comatose state of near-death for years, but Steamworks rips the feeding tube out for good, I suppose.
The primary reason behind 2K's decision to use Steamworks: Piracy. All other features are secondary to Steam's ability to reduce piracy. Steam is the most beloved DRM system on the market. Its fans zealously defend it, the press adores it, and while publishers would prefer to keep more control over their products, Steam is a potent DRM system that doesn't generate negative press, publishers welcome it. Other than the forfeiture of some control, publishers love Steamworks becau
I choose you, Elemental! Quick, Elemental, use your Post-Release Support on that wild Civ V!
[quote who="Zalusithix" reply="173" id="2758315"]I don't get what confuses people so much about the financial situation here. The gaming division isn't producing enough revenue to sustain another independent team, and potentially not enough to sustain the current size of the Elemental team. Regardless of this, Brad will invest profits from the other divisions to continue to keep enough people in the gaming division to develop and improve upon Elemental. He won't, however, throw goo
[quote who="metalfacekevin" reply="8" id="2748345"]I posted a link to a reddit discussion of the book, but it was deleted. I don't think I broke any rules by posting it, so here it is again: http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/d6mvk/so_stardock_ceo_brad_wardell_wrote_a_book_about_a/ I hope Stardock stops this massive cover-up they have going on...deleted threads, comments, etc. Brad said that if the game gets bashed, th
[quote who="deductable" reply="8" id="2745245"]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220605[/quote] The item is no longer listed, but it shows similar items as EEE PCs. So you are playing on an entry-level netbook?
Heh. As for the bug, the AI appears to be cheating or something of the sort. What difficulty setting did you use for that opponent?
[quote quoting="post"] I'm hoping that's a bug, since if I don't have money, I can't build [/quote] 90% of homeowners would disagree!
This will give you some of what you crave, for now: https://forums.elementalgame.com/393516 [e digicons]:moo:[/e]
What am I thinking? I'm thinking Arby's.
Stardock lets professional skinners sell their work at wincustomize.com, so I would not be surprised if Stardock eventually allowed professional modders to sell their work for low prices via Impulse.
Did you happen to start the game before version 1.06 and then continue after updating to 1.06? If so, save the game to a new save file, and load that new file. That is the workaround, although it may not work.
[quote who="selfdeceiver" reply="6" id="2740900"] Thanks for the response: VIA® VT1708S 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC [/quote] VIA released a new set of drivers earlier this month. Try installing these: http://www.viaarena.com/Driver/v7900a-1.zip If they help, great. If not, let us know.
[quote who="selfdeceiver" reply="4" id="2739626"] (windows 7 -64, Creative Gigaworks T20 II speakers) Exiting the game and restarting helps though, for a while. The original posted problem, i have not. [/quote] It would be most helpful if you could post your sound card or audio chipset information here. It would be even better if you posted the debug.err mentioned by kryo.
Can you post your system stats, including the brand and model of your sound card or audio chipset?
Why the ultimatum? If you want a great turn-based strategy game with RPG elements that will receive thorough post-release support, buy Elemental. When should you buy it? If you trust Stardock to patch the game quickly and regularly (they will, I assure you), buy it now. If you are uncertain, wait for another patch or two and then ask again.
If you can build on them, they will give you whatever they claim to give. Keep in mind that you won't see benefits from any building in the game until construction is complete. If you have other buildings in your construction queue, the resource-connected building may not finish (or even start) for several turns.
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