I think (I say that because Valve really needs to clarify all of these things about steam) that the monthly fee is only if you want to try it out for a bit (um, what about a demo?) and you can still pay the full price to get full access to the game.
Personally, steam doesn't appeal to me that much (from what I've been told) because it means that you don't get a CD and you are reliant on your username and password to get you access to the content and allow you to play online (if something goes wrong/someone steals your info, you're screwed). I prefer the CD way and the CD-Key on the back that was secure so that if you're computer or something happened, you could just put the CD in and in less that 5 minutes you were playing the game online again. With Steam, even with broadband (and with game sizes getting larger and larger) it would take a while to download the content (downloading as you go can cause freezeups and other problems) and then the issue of your SteamID or whatever the heck it is that allows you to use the system (u/p I'll say), if something at wherever they store it goes wrong (If it can go wrong, it will) or someone gets a hold of your u/p then they could have access to your subscriptions and content that you paid for. A CD-Key is a bit more secure because it is long, you can't play online without it and as far as I know there isn't a way to generate them (well, I haven't seen/heard of anyone using one yet). Steam as a way to beta test the Mods/games was/is an excellent idea as it continually updates the software and even if you have Steam, getting into the beta would still be quite hard (I didn't see any leaks around the place), but moving it to become a replacement to the CD just seems ridiculous and seems to have caused many misconceptions about it. But as long as they still publish CD's and downloadable files and the WONID system then I'll be fine. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Jonathan Day Sent: Monday, April 22, 2002 1:05 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [hlcoders] Need new content... I'm just wondering if you, Valve, are planning on updating the content all the time. I mean, if I'm going to start paying to play, I'd want some new content to play on. New Maps each month or week or something. If someone told me that's how it will be, then I'd sign up and start paying right now. Take GTA3, for instance. I was lost when I first got the game, because I had to learn all about the gameplay and stuff...and learn my way around the city. Then, when I figured it out, I made it to the second island and had to learn all over again...making it feel like a brand new game. Then the same for the third island. But, it stopped after the third island, and now it's just never getting that new feeling. I still play GTA3 and TFC all day, but I'd like a new city to play around in, ya know? If they just made it possible to frequently download and play new cities, the game would last forever, and always keep that new feeling. Of course, they're probably going to be doing that with the PC version...or at least I hope they are. Anyway, I'm trying to say....if I'm going to pay a monthly fee to play Half-Life and some of its mods, I'm going to want some new content each month. Not just bug fixes and stuff like that. I mean new maps, models, game modes, and stuff like that. TFC could use some new maps and such. I keep mentioning maps, because that's what I think would need to be updated more frequently. New maps make the game have that new, complicated, confusing, new feeling. (What?) New models add a little, but nothing compares to a new map that you have to learn and get the hang of. I had that feeling with dustbowl, casbah, avanti, and warpath...I think those are the most recent ones. Anyway, now I've gotten use to those "new" maps, and want newer maps. Don't get me wrong, I still want to play all the classing TFC maps, I just want some new stuff. I'm just sayin...new content: it would make me pay money to play. But, I'm on 56K, so I guess it doesn't really matter what I think. I'll get broadband somtime, though. If you asked me what I just talked about, I wouldn't know. I'm about to go to sleep at 8 in the morning. I just started reading my new e-mails, and started to think outloud in this message. Sorry if you feel like I wasted your time. Jonathan Day Trepidaiton Software www.trepidation-software.net _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlcoders _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlcoders
