Spiral Knights - About Steam LIES

About Steam LIES

34 replies [Last post]

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 06:52

Fabispieler

I saw them so many times, I so many people which were disappointed. So I want to show the biggest lies about Steam that I had read on the forums:

1. Steam is only 1,5 MB small, so small!

LOL, one of the biggest strategies that Valve uses. After you installed Steam, Steam will download his content which has a size of 128 MB (I checked it by myself). So, if someone has a very very slow internet connection and he was happy about these 1,5 MB, he / she will probably have an angry face now...

2. Steam only uses 10 MB of your RAM, that is not much!

Even one of the biggest lies. Yes, the taskmanager sometimes shows that Steam is using 10 MB, but did you activated the column with the reserved RAM? That column is showing how much RAM what application it's reserving for itself, and that is really showing how much ram it uses. I checked that part a few times, and after the start of Steam its using 120 MB - 180 MB, after a long time with (Valve) games even 350 MB (!!!). 10 MB is there really far far away...

3. There are absolutely no bad things on Steam, so a Steam conversion can only be good!

Oh my... I'm really so sorry for the people which really believe that. After you converted your knight to Steam, you are granted to use these features:

- Steam itself, you have to run it all the time if you play Spiral Knights, people with less RAM will probably get performance problems
- Steam server downtimes, if Valve has again some server downtime (which is NOT rare! If you don't believe me, look here: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784745&page=27), then you can't login into Spiral Knights. If you are in the game, and the Steam servers have a downtime, then it's possible that you get kicked out of the game, which is "announcing" when your knight is lagging as hell or you stuck on a position. And yes, I have experience with that, and when that happend, I was really mad...
- You are forced to use the 32 bit Java while you play Spiral Knights. If you have a 64 bit operating system, then you could get a huge performance increase up to 40% if you switch to a 64 bit Java, but with Steam it is not possible or only with some special tricks which are currently unknown to me.
- If your Steam account somehow gets banned, then your knight is lost too.
- If you want to buy in Spiral Knights something with real money, you need to pay money into the Steam wallet. The minimum amount is 5$/€, so if you want to buy (for example) something for 2$/€, you need to pay 5$/€. The 3$/€ would be available in the Steam wallet, but there are people in this world which don't want to pay more than necessary.
- etc, etc...

4. These performance tweaks that I saw in the forums... are they possible for Steam too?

Short answer: No. You will not be able to put commands at the attributes of the shortcut, and if you enter them in the Steam properties, they will not work. But I heard that it's possible to put commands in a file called extra.txt in the game directory.

I know, Steam has advantages too, but I never heard the drawbacks in the forums, that's why I created this thread to let other people know which risk they are taking if they want to convert to Steam.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 07:03

Juances

There are already tricks to use a steam account with steam closed, and they work.

There, you have all the advantages and almost no drawbacks.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 07:06

Griseolar

There are a select few topics

There are a select few topics with people listing the downsides of Steam in it, so what you are doing now is just repeating what other people say, albeit in more words and with bad grammar.

Also, I find it funny that you acknowledge that Steam has advantages, so you are aware that there are people who still like to use Steam despite all this oh-so daunting drawbacks you listed. And yet, the tone of your post suggests that you are attempting to force your opinion onto everyone else that Steam is a lying organization and just downright evil. So I have to ask you this: What EXACTLY was your purpose in making this topic?

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 07:18

Fabispieler

@Griseolar Warning other

@Griseolar Warning other people. I saw people in my guild which were / are really upset when they can't play because Steam has downtimes again and I fully understand them. People with a website account can play in peace, and that is the huge difference. And to my grammar... maybe you prefer if I write in German? I try to write as good as possible in English since I don't have the glory to be an English native speaker.

@Juances I'm sure that this trick isn't intended (only for forum login if I'm right), but good to know that it's working.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 07:24

Rololf

You can bypass the steam

You can bypass the steam wallet thing by login into the main page of SK (via steam) then do the transaction there.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 07:40

Griseolar

Your guildmates are getting

Your guildmates are getting upset over something that they should've already expected, as with everyone else who uses third party programs. Nothing runs for all eternity without some sort of downtime for maintenance - Steam, PSN, Microsoft Live, etc. Steam doesn't go down that often either, but that may just be my luck of not playing when the downtime does happen. Anyone would be angry at not being able to play their favorite games, yes, but to say that Steam is evil using that as a reason is just ridiculous.

Also, it's not wise to be defensive about your grammar when there you are laughing at Nicoya's usage of the word 'multiboxing'.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 08:27

Sternlock

So how do I use 64bit Java

So how do I use 64bit Java with a Steam SK account? The one thread about this that I managed to find was waaay too technically worded for me.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 08:39

Somenubcake

i like how every steam

i like how every steam bashing post starts with something along the lines of "omg my comp can't handle having both steam and my games running"
get with the times and upgrade your computer...

"4. These performance tweaks that I saw in the forums... are they possible for Steam too?

yes it is possible to use the extra.txt and it works too.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 08:46

Eltia

Performance profiles

Follow me!

Yes they work for both Steam and non-Steam clients. Since the Antialiasing updates, some profiles may create more lag if you crank up Antialiasing. I would recommend start with no memory tweaking and just set Antialiasing to 2x or 4x first (without using the profiles). This seems to enable GPU acceleration and it works for some people.

Steam client. I think the political correct answer is that "Yes, it is good for SK community overall", with a sizable list of exceptional cases. Not to turn this thread into a stage to launch an anti-Valve / Steam campaign (because Nick will not be a happy camper when he sees this). But I just want to pose a question to everyone reading this thread: why should I be prohibited to play SK (which I paid for) when Steam goes down, without resorting to some sort of "workaround" that doesn't work 100%? Would it not be more beneficial to the SK community overall to have a contingency plan if Steam goes down?

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 09:05

Canozo

I like how...

I like how people talk about steam like being hell.

Im a steam user (actually without steam I would never met Spiral Knights) and im completly happy with it, the only downside for me its the server downtimes.

You can also get the Steam Knight mask (wich I HATE the steam sound on it)

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 09:29

#10

Dancinjen

I do NOT suggest conversion.

All the benefits that steam people have right now will come in due time.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 09:56

#11

Asukalan

They say those benefits will

They say those benefits will come...

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 10:45

#12

Eltia

Hypothetical question

Given the tie of OOO with Valve, I don't think it is likely the Steam conversion process will be reversible. But here is a hypothetical question for you guys. If you are to restart SK again and given the chance to convert to Steam, will you do it?

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 13:21

#13

Kirnan

This thread makes me LOL

Steam has server downtimes? I never use LOL as a term, so that should let you know how hilarious the accusations vs. Steam are.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 14:13

#14

Eldibs

1. Oh my god, a whole 128MB?

1. Oh my god, a whole 128MB? Sweet Jesus, how will I ever download that?

Seriously, if your connection is too slow to reliably download 128MB worth of data, then it's too slow to reliably play Spiral Knights.

2. Oh no! 350MB?! That's a lot of RAM. For nine years ago.

If 350MB of RAM is too much memory usage for you, then your PC is not up to par to play Spiral Knights. Here, I'll do you a favor.

Two gigabytes of RAM...
DDR3, $17
DDR2, $28

Keep your PC up to spec. If your PC uses plain-old DDR memory, get a new motherboard and processor.

3. I've had problems with Steam server downtime exactly twice since I started using it almost seven years ago. Granted, it has had more downtime than that, but I've only been hit by it twice. And like others have stated, there are ways to play Spiral Knights when Steam is down after you've done the Steam conversion, there are ways to tweak the game's performance even with Steam, and of course, you know, all the benefits to Steam (like Holiday Sales and giveaways, access to some other free games, not having to worry about losing game discs, automatic updates, etc...).

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 14:22

#15

Eltia

@Kiman

Yes, Steam has down time. They don't publicize it doesn't mean it does not exist. Off the top of my head, I have experienced at least 3 times.

Even critical system like telecommunication system has down time. They just make it small enough that the chance is either very small (99.999% up time) or when things do go wrong, they can recover very quickly.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 14:45

#16

Kirnan

Weird

I have never been hit.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 14:59

#17

Kuratiustwo

You don't really have to run steam to play with your steam skacc

There's still a glitch that allows you to login into your steam-linked spiral knights account, steam logs you into spiral knights by using steam:xxxxxxxx as a username without password, xxxxxx means a large idenfication number (definitely NOT your steam ID). Through a glitch I found out mine, if you start your steam-spiral knights, it automatically logs you in, but if you then go back, click on "login" and while you can't select your knight yet (still the previous page) you deselect "use steam account" (don't know the exact name in the english version, but it should be something similiar) and if you go back then, it shows the regular login screen with username and password, but with steam:xxxxxx as your username (password box is empty), I then klicked on login on this screen and it worked, so the spiral knights servers just need this ID in order to confirm that you're "using steam", but I haven't tested every possible combination through yet, it might bound to some conditions. So yeah, that probably doesn't count.
I think I already explained it there: http://forums.spiralknights.com/de/node/20517

It might not work for everyone though.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 16:47

#18

Guyinshinyarmour

Say what you want about how people lie about the actual size, but the end deal is still that it's a pathetic amount. 128MB on your hard disk? Oh god, it's not like most people have in excess of 500GB, and even older computers still have 50-100. 300MB of RAM? Dear Christ, it's not like most people have at *least* one GB, but usually 2-4. Seriously, if running Steam is an issue with your computer, I'm shocked it can run SK at all.

As for the rest, I have no opinion on the matter. If you don't want to use Steam, fine. But don't go and say it's because it'll cripple your computer, because that's a joke.

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 18:18

#19

Kirnan

Yeah

I have about 3.5 terabytes. Who are you people out there that still use dial-up and have ancient computers from the days of yore? Wyoming?? Are you guys from Wyoming, that mythical state?? Do they have interwebs yet?

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 18:28

#20

Maeko

@Kura

Could that Steam login number perhaps be the same as the number that you are logged in as if you use your steam knight on the forums? It's at the top of forum pages, "you are logged in as XXXXXX"

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 07:08

#21

Kuratiustwo

@Maeko

Could be, but I haven't tested it yet. You could try it yourself.

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 12:38

#22

Aerowind

The steam wallet thing is

The steam wallet thing is bogus and shows he's never actually used it. Steam wallet allows you to add the exact amount of funds if you are paying at the time of transaction.

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 13:08

#23

Eltia

@Kuratiustwo

Don't work for me.

And let me say it again.

It never worked for me. So please don't throw a half baked solution to people and expect it to work for everyone, then pretend the problem isn't here.

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 13:53

#24

Fluffyfoxxie

@ Aerowind Actually, you're

@ Aerowind

Actually, you're both kind of right. Steam wallet only allows a minimum of 5$ transactions... that is to say, if you buy something that costs less than 5$ after tax, then you have to add 5$ anyways, possibly leaving you with a remainder. Anything above 5$, though, and you can pay the exact amount.

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 14:14

#25

Kuratiustwo

@Eltia: Can't you read ? I

@Eltia: Can't you read ? I wrote "It might not work for everyone though."

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 16:05

#26

Alynn

MAD MAN!!!!!!

MAD MAN ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tue, 03/06/2012 - 11:01

#27

Sub-Skorpion

Peh

I've used steam throughout its existence.
Don't download steam if you just want to play SK.
If you want access to steam services which are not often down, then download it.
It may have problems, but I honestly have had a grand time and was relived when I saw SK on steam.

Tue, 03/06/2012 - 11:12

#28

Djawed

I think all the downsides

I think all the downsides only count for people with hardware and technoligy of 10 years ago

Tue, 03/06/2012 - 15:27

#29

Kirnan

Are there

still people here that can not use Steam well? *sighs* Oh internet, what do you give us so often...?

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 21:03

#30

Cluby

Steam

I am just wondering if this is suppose to happen: I just converted to steam, and now every time i log on the Spiral Knights website, it wont open the play screen when i hit play

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 21:07

#31

Zenpai

That's because you need to

That's because you need to launch Spiral Knights from the Steam client (normally).

Sun, 03/11/2012 - 06:07

#32

Heavyoak

the op needs a upgrade out of

the op needs a upgrade out of the stone age.

Sun, 03/11/2012 - 07:12

#33

Shoebox

Steam blows. Literally.

I have a good computer and internet and I still think Steam is garbage.

Couldn't pay me to link my account to it.

The only reason I use it at all is because my friends do.
And because most games require it now.

Sun, 03/11/2012 - 10:03

#34

Nielk

On number one, 128 MB is

On number one, 128 MB is pitiful. I could fit that on my first thumb drive. First of all, this data is not all downloaded, a good swath of it is programmatic generated from the binary executable and is only large because it is in ASCII format. With space so cheap who cares?

Steam indeed only uses a minimal quantity of RAM for most people. It does run a bit high for me but I have enough games that it is probably in shock. Now, this RAM usage will fluctuate over time with the need of the program. The more of SteamWorks that a game uses, the more the game running RAM use of Steam will be because it is in effect taking over for some function of the game. For Valve games, specifically the pre-L4D ones, Steam is the primary asset management system and thus has a massive increase in ram use one would normally expect to see in a game. This is the nature of the GCF files where games that don't cause this spike in Steam (those with files only listed via NCFs) have their own elevated ram usage for asset management.

I have only had Steam servers done thrice for me in all of the past Year. In these cases, I never bothered to try changing regions but would not be surprised if it was localized. When Spiral Knights doesn't want to let you log in via Steam its normally some sort of bug with the interconnect. Sometimes it is a client side issue where a quick SK client restart solves the problem right away. I do not know how it is possible you got kicked from SK when steam went down, for me, even when Steam goes down, so long as SK was already connected I remain A-OK except for in a rare case when returning to Haven (even after a long expedition in the clockworks with steam down).

I can understand the 32 bit thing except for one big flaw. It is down to the game to offer the 64 bit option for Steam, not Steam. While Steam might go in the 32 bit program files direction, it indeed can and does launch 64 bit games when those games bothered to make it available. I am not sure how SK normally does it but looking at Steam's files it come with the Java VM included. That would be why it is limited to 32 bit, simply because the VM that was included is only 32 bit. I wonder if you could swap it out. I am surprised however that the command line flags are not getting passed in from Steam. The way it launches any game is quite simplistic and easy to trace. I don't mean the bad simplistic, I mean the "this is the way you do it if you are not a moron, it is so clean and easy" sort of way.

Maybe it is just that I am a computer scientist who can explain any issues and even correct them locally, or maybe my experience has just been luckier.

And a note on that weird ID that you can log in with for a Steam user without Steam. Most likely, that is a Steam OpenID code or some sort of interop code. As such, it is only valid for a certain period of time which is why it is still safe and secure. Basically, it is a random code that will only temporarily work. (Or at least god I hope so.)

Search

About Steam LIES