Steamy question.

[Lusitani]

Since i am a weak and spineless individual, I couldn't hold the pressure and decided to register on Steam to try to get the demo.

Now...I went to the Steam website, downloaded the client, installed it and it started updating...and it remained like that for a couple of hours, just updating and stuck.

I thought this might me a firewall problem, so i searched the steam help and all that to find details on that and made the necessary arrangements for it to...at least logically work. But...it didnt.

I also found on the Steam website a list of several programs that might constitute a problem with using steam:

Software to Look Out For

The following applications have been known to cause severe issues with Steam and playing games:

Anti-Virus Applications

* Avast!
* AVG Anti-virus *
* Kaspersky Anti-virus
* McAfee Anti-virus
* Nod32 Anti-virus *
* Norton/Symantec Anti-virus
* VIGuard Anti-virus

Anti-Spyware Applications

* Ad Aware
* CA Pest Patrol
* Spycatcher Express
* Webroot Spy Sweeper *

Firewall/Security Applications

* Comodo
* CYBERsitter
* ESET Smart Security
* Netlimiter
* McAfee Personal Firewall
* Nvidia Network Access Manager/Firewall
* Peer Guardian
* Tiny Personal Firewall
* Verizon Internet Security Suite
* Zone Alarm

Other Applications

* Alcohol 120%
* ATI Hotkey Poller
* BitTorrent/UTorrent (all clients)
* Daemon Tools
* Download Accelerators (all clients)
* GhostSurf 2007
* Google Toolbar, Google Updater
* K-Lite Codec Pack
* LimeWire, BearShare or other Peer 2 Peer applications
* Slysoft AnyDVD
* TeamSpeak (can lead to mic issues)
* Total Recorder
* Tuneup WinStyler Theme Service
* Ventrilo (can lead to mic issues)
* VirtuaGirl 2
* WindowBlinds
* Xfire

* We recommend that these applications are fully uninstalled from your system if disabling them does not resolve the issue

Now...considering that some of these are actually very popular ones I asked myself...what is really the advantage of using steam without having to change a few things in one's setup!?
Moreover, why should anyone feel "forced" to get rid of a specific anti-virus or other type of software to use an online service( if anyone browses the Steam help forums there are plenty of threads about stolen or hacked accounts) that one's may not necessarily want to use??

So I have 2 questions for you guys:

1. Did anyone had the same problem or knows the solution?

2. Should i really complain about Steam when i have to spend 40 to 50 Euros in an... unfinnished product( and i say unfinnished cause apparentely i still need Steam to use something I payed for and i own...or will in this case).

To be honest I find this whole Steam issue disrespectful and a violation of my rights as a consumer...as I have stated in a couple of threads here and elsewhere.

Anyway...thanks in advance for any answers and opinions of course.

V.

[peacemaker]

well I quite frankly didn't have too many problems with the demo. When it asked for an update I just closed that window and continued with the original download. People complain about the demo being slow, it's only a minute or so till the battle starts on a mediocre computer like mine. I'm not sure if I have a solution to that, just wait for the demo to finish I guess(I have norton antivirus).

2)Well, I don't really think you should complain. It's your choice to buy the game as a customer, and if you don't want steam then you completely have the option to not buy the game. Steam and the game are a package deal, you can deal with steam or you can just not get the game. It's not really a violation of your rights as a customer unless they force you to buy the game...It's sort of a package deal.

[Lusitani]

well I quite frankly didn't have too many problems with the demo. When it asked for an update I just closed that window and continued with the original download. People complain about the demo being slow, it's only a minute or so till the battle starts on a mediocre computer like mine. I'm not sure if I have a solution to that, just wait for the demo to finish I guess(I have norton antivirus).

2)Well, I don't really think you should complain. It's your choice to buy the game as a customer, and if you don't want steam then you completely have the option to not buy the game. Steam and the game are a package deal, you can deal with steam or you can just not get the game. It's not really a violation of your rights as a customer unless they force you to buy the game...It's sort of a package deal.

The problem is...I can't even get to the point of being able to download the demo...it simply wont run Steam without that update thingy :).

2) Of course noone is making me buy the game, its my choice to do it...or not. The point is...i want the game... but I dont want Steam, shouldnt that be my choice also? (as with any other game i have bought for almost 20 years...). I still find that "package deal" very unfair.

V.

[hoom]

Most of the above software stuffs around majorly with either the internet or display related parts of Windows in ways that can potentially break either the internet connection that Steam needs or the Display of full screen 3D applications which Steam is mostly about.
Especially if there are multiple Antivirus/Firewall software installed, that can easily give lots of issues.

If properly setup those software should not actually cause issues but eg you need to make sure that firewall software is set to allow Steam to access the internet (probably both inbound & outbound traffic).

[pevergreen]

The point is...i want the game... but I dont want Steam, shouldnt that be my choice also? (as with any other game i have bought for almost 20 years...). I still find that "package deal" very unfair.

V.

No it isnt your choice.

Just be thankful the only DRM in this game is steam. We got off lucky.

I have never had any problems with steam either.

[The historian]

I have had a similar problem just insist you'll get it in the end.

[quadalpha]

I used Avast with no problems. Also, I like how they "recommend" you uninstall P2P programs.

When it started updating, did it display the progress bar?

[Thermal]

I have had a similar problem just insist you'll get it in the end.

What he said, happened to me but the second time around it worked after being stuck on 30% for 2 hours

[Lusitani]

No it isnt your choice.

I know its not...lol but it should imo.

Don't take me wrong guys I find the Steam concept an excellent one and a great way of getting games. i intend to buy it on a games shop and the point is that....by doing that I should not need the steam activation thingy. Thats what bothers me the most.

Thanks for the answers btw.

V.