Venting About Valve Again

[Ragsnstitches]

I wouldn't bash Steam on the Escapist OP. Gaben's cock is deep in this one. People are quick to forget just how full of shit Valve is in general.

I find it funny that not liking Steam or Valve on this site is a mortal sin and you should be burned at the stake. It really quite ridiculous. I absolutely despise Valve for the way they've been about HL3, trolling their fans, and Steam's customer support has to be the most unhelpful and condescending thing I've ever used.

The irony here is that you are the only 2 people thus far in this topic reacting in an irrational manner.

I find it pretty hilarious that, while most of the other folks posting here are trying to help the OP despite his anger towards steam, you are throwing around hateful generalisations and perpetuating intolerance.

I suppose you practice what you preach amirite?

@bigfatcarp93
You should really listen to what Critickitten has to say. Your problem seems to come from some confusion about how the steam accounts work. You need to go back to square one and work from there.

The only issue I see coming up once you sort the account issue now is Deus Ex being linked to a separate account. I can't see any way for you to merge it into your old account (or your old account into the new one) since Steam don't allow mergers.

Do you have any record of your contact with steam support, or was it over the phone?

 

[Signa]

I find it funny that not liking Steam or Valve on this site is a mortal sin and you should be burned at the stake. It really quite ridiculous. I absolutely despise Valve for the way they've been about HL3, trolling their fans, and Steam's customer support has to be the most unhelpful and condescending thing I've ever used.

I don't throw this word around lightly, but entitled much? Valve doesn't owe you HL3, and hating them because they haven't announced it is like hating your mom for not cooking a dinner you wanted.

As far as the "mortal sin" goes, depends on who's responding to you, and what you said. Your position in this thread isn't a very strong one.

 

[Signa]

-Hackers got into your old Steam account while you were mucking about with the new one. Not unheard of at all, a friend of mine was hacked for his TF2 items overnight, and yes this included his collection of unusual hats.

This is actually more likely than I first thought. If he was having problems accessing his old account, it could have been hijacked.

On the other hand, the things he's complaining about are starting to sound like trolling. Deleting his own games and then screaming "my saves are gone! DAMN YOU STEEEEEAM!" isn't exactly normal troubleshooting procedures/user expectations.

 

[GAunderrated]

-Hackers got into your old Steam account while you were mucking about with the new one. Not unheard of at all, a friend of mine was hacked for his TF2 items overnight, and yes this included his collection of unusual hats.

This is actually more likely than I first thought. If he was having problems accessing his old account, it could have been hijacked.

On the other hand, the things he's complaining about are starting to sound like trolling. Deleting his own games and then screaming "my saves are gone! DAMN YOU STEEEEEAM!" isn't exactly normal troubleshooting procedures/user expectations.

Yeah when I read his response that he deleted his games without backing up his saves then blaming steam for it I know he was a technological infant and was trying to blame steam for problems on his side. I knew he was also full of crap when he couldn't get a hold of steam support. I'm willing to bet he never even attempted to contact them because he doesn't have the correct information to give them through his own incompetence.

Bravo to all the people posting helpful information to the OP but I think its a waste.

 

[Snotnarok]

I don't understand, how do you lose your TF2 items by uninstalling TF2? They're not saved on your PC unless you mean you had to switch to a new account and therefore you simply don't have access to your old ones. You can't lose your items unless your account is hacked, they have a server for items in TF2 relating to peoples accounts. There's literally no data for that saved on your PC.

 

[Vivi22]

I'm on a DIFFERENT account, though. That's the whole reason I had to uninstall Steam in the first place.

This makes no sense to me for two reasons though. First, even if your old email was gone, there's no reason you should have had to set up a new account. You could easily have set up a new email account on your Steam so long as you knew your password. If not then you'd be out of luck, but that would be your fault, not Valve's.

Second, you did not have to uninstall Steam to use another account. You can log into different accounts from the same computer and have access to the games purchased on those accounts.

As for your supposed losses, you're just flat out wrong. Half-Life and your TF2 items are still tied to your old account. Log into your old account and you'll still have all of them. And if you can eventually get a hold of Valve to help with the Deus Ex issue, you'll have that on this new account as well.

Sorry, but all of the supposed issues and losses you've suffered sound like they either don't exist or are the result of error on your part.

To that end, I'll add that I agree with everything Gigastar said.

 

[lwm3398]

I don't throw this word around lightly, but entitled much? Valve doesn't owe you HL3, and hating them because they haven't announced it is like hating your mom for not cooking a dinner you wanted.

As far as the "mortal sin" goes, depends on who's responding to you, and what you said. Your position in this thread isn't a very strong one.

I don't think he meant his HL3 comment to be taken that way. He isn't annoyed that Valve hasn't announced it; he's annoyed that Valve has been basically teasing its fans for years. They occasionally feed into rumors and speculation when there's no intention of actually announcing the game. I don't see that as a reason to hate Valve since they're probably not doing it for the sole purpose of annoying fans, but I can see why he might.

 

[Bloodstain]

I... I don't think Steam works like you think it does.

You've basically been very, very foolish and over-reacted instead of showing patience and consulting the forums or Google.
I have nothing else to say -- everything you should have done was already explained in full by others in this thread.
Good luck with your issues, but I wouldn't expect an account merger.

 

[Signa]

I don't throw this word around lightly, but entitled much? Valve doesn't owe you HL3, and hating them because they haven't announced it is like hating your mom for not cooking a dinner you wanted.

As far as the "mortal sin" goes, depends on who's responding to you, and what you said. Your position in this thread isn't a very strong one.

I don't think he meant his HL3 comment to be taken that way. He isn't annoyed that Valve hasn't announced it; he's annoyed that Valve has been basically teasing its fans for years. They occasionally feed into rumors and speculation when there's no intention of actually announcing the game. I don't see that as a reason to hate Valve since they're probably not doing it for the sole purpose of annoying fans, but I can see why he might.

Most of that teasing is just fans looking too deep into things that Valve has said or released.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

Can you tell us why valve is full of shit? I couldnt care less about gabe. I just enjoy their games and have a LOT of money saved on steam. Thats reason enough for me as a consumer to like them.

The problems with Steam should be obvious. For example, why is it that you're unable to play games you purchased using Steam without being connected to the internet and having the Steam app installed? Incidentally, no other DD service aside from Origin does this. Let me repeat that, no other DD service aside from Origin, powered by the fucking satan of video games, does this.

Living in a first world country in a fairly well off family this isnt an issue for me. My internet connection is good and you actually CAN play games offline if the internet goes down. Steam does have an offline mode if a game has been previously confirmed as being real. Ive played halflife in offline mode several times. The steam app is a benefit, i can easily talk to all friends playing at the same time, view achievements and get good deals at the store all at once. I actually really like the app.

 

[lwm3398]

I don't throw this word around lightly, but entitled much? Valve doesn't owe you HL3, and hating them because they haven't announced it is like hating your mom for not cooking a dinner you wanted.

As far as the "mortal sin" goes, depends on who's responding to you, and what you said. Your position in this thread isn't a very strong one.

I don't think he meant his HL3 comment to be taken that way. He isn't annoyed that Valve hasn't announced it; he's annoyed that Valve has been basically teasing its fans for years. They occasionally feed into rumors and speculation when there's no intention of actually announcing the game. I don't see that as a reason to hate Valve since they're probably not doing it for the sole purpose of annoying fans, but I can see why he might.

Most of that teasing is just fans looking too deep into things that Valve has said or released.

Which is why I said his being annoyed might not be justified.

 

[Signa]

I don't throw this word around lightly, but entitled much? Valve doesn't owe you HL3, and hating them because they haven't announced it is like hating your mom for not cooking a dinner you wanted.

As far as the "mortal sin" goes, depends on who's responding to you, and what you said. Your position in this thread isn't a very strong one.

I don't think he meant his HL3 comment to be taken that way. He isn't annoyed that Valve hasn't announced it; he's annoyed that Valve has been basically teasing its fans for years. They occasionally feed into rumors and speculation when there's no intention of actually announcing the game. I don't see that as a reason to hate Valve since they're probably not doing it for the sole purpose of annoying fans, but I can see why he might.

Most of that teasing is just fans looking too deep into things that Valve has said or released.

Which is why I said his being annoyed might not be justified.

Nuh-UH! I said it first! (kinda)

If he said TOS blackmail, I'd agree with him, but my mind boggles at the sheer number of companies I could be pissed at for not making another sequel to a game I liked. Some people just like to hate popular things I guess. I do to, but I try to substantiate it first, so I can explain why I think something is bad.

 

[Radoh]

I don't throw this word around lightly, but entitled much? Valve doesn't owe you HL3, and hating them because they haven't announced it is like hating your mom for not cooking a dinner you wanted.

As far as the "mortal sin" goes, depends on who's responding to you, and what you said. Your position in this thread isn't a very strong one.

I don't think he meant his HL3 comment to be taken that way. He isn't annoyed that Valve hasn't announced it; he's annoyed that Valve has been basically teasing its fans for years. They occasionally feed into rumors and speculation when there's no intention of actually announcing the game. I don't see that as a reason to hate Valve since they're probably not doing it for the sole purpose of annoying fans, but I can see why he might.

They don't tease their fans, nor do they feed rumors.
EThree comes around and they say they aren't announcing Half Life Three, so people assume that there is some sort of secret message hidden in the coding for the video being released and come up with a pattern of numbers by random. Valve then says this has no merit because they aren't announcing Half Life Three.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

You missed the point. Have you never asked yourself why you need to be constantly online to play your games?

And in order to use said offline mode you first have to be connected to the internet so it's not really an offline mode after all. Even if you ignore the option is notoriously "buggy". I use the term lightly because Valve had a reason for implementing it as an afterthought.

Again, that's not the point. Why should you have to use the app in order to play your games? Why not make using it optional? Why would Valve force you to depend on a piece of software they made in order to play your games? No other DD service does this.

Why should i complain about HAVING to use something i like? Why would i be unhappy being forced to do something easy and not even note worthy? Ive never cared because its never raised a single issue with me. Hating being forced to use it is like hating having a coffee shops where all hot chocolates MUST have marshmallows! Sure for others its weird if they dont like them and i often ask "why must i have marshmallows" but i dont care. I LIKE marshmallows. If you dont then dont shop here. I like marshmallows so i dont care. Why would i randomly make a fuss about something that has zero impact on me "just because" the system works and benefits me, so why care?

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

Why should you be constantly online to play games?

Why should you be forced to use an external applications to play the games you purchased?

Whether you are capable of being constantly online because you have a decent internet connections or that you don't mind having your games wired through and dependant on an external application is irrelevant. I'm not asking you whether you're OK with these things, I'm asking you what the point is.

The simple answer is that its DRM that rewards the user rather than punishes them. The app is unintrusive (unlike an anal probe) and cant lead to anything malicious (unlike an anal probe) and is also totally my choice to use or by from (unlike an anal probe).

I put up with these small negatives because i accept DRM is a usefull tool against piracy when used right. Steam is using it right. I dont mind DRM if it helps me and helps the developer also.

Youve asked me why i accept these negatives. The answer that the negatives dont affect me and the positives outweigh the negatives is a good reason to accept them.

 

[Overusedname]

Awesome, I remembered to bring popcorn!

This'll be a show. *nom*

 

[Something Amyss]

If you love a company, you're doing something wrong.

Also, use of the word "steal" here is a meaningless appeal to emotion. That will probably label me a Valve fanboy, which is ironic.

 

[gigastar]

Can you tell us why valve is full of shit? I couldnt care less about gabe. I just enjoy their games and have a LOT of money saved on steam. Thats reason enough for me as a consumer to like them.

The problems with Steam should be obvious. For example, why is it that you're unable to play games you purchased using Steam without being connected to the internet and having the Steam app installed? Incidentally, no other DD service aside from Origin does this. Let me repeat that, no other DD service aside from Origin, powered by the fucking satan of video games, does this.

I love how often i have to bring this up. The online startup confirmation is not enforced by Steam, its an option which developers and publishers can use at thier discretion.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

I'm on a DIFFERENT account, though. That's the whole reason I had to uninstall Steam in the first place.

This makes no sense to me for two reasons though. First, even if your old email was gone, there's no reason you should have had to set up a new account. You could easily have set up a new email account on your Steam so long as you knew your password. If not then you'd be out of luck, but that would be your fault, not Valve's.

Second, you did not have to uninstall Steam to use another account. You can log into different accounts from the same computer and have access to the games purchased on those accounts.

As for your supposed losses, you're just flat out wrong. Half-Life and your TF2 items are still tied to your old account. Log into your old account and you'll still have all of them. And if you can eventually get a hold of Valve to help with the Deus Ex issue, you'll have that on this new account as well.

Sorry, but all of the supposed issues and losses you've suffered sound like they either don't exist or are the result of error on your part.

To that end, I'll add that I agree with everything Gigastar said.

You summed it up nicely.

And no, OP, I really see very little emotional or other nonsensical responses to the item you posted yourself. You post it here, people respond to it. If you intend to keep not liking what people tell you, you have either the option of not posting things or trying to figure out why the responses tend to not go in your favour. Valve is - to date - not evil, and Valve did not make you lose access to that old/obsolete/defunct email address of yours.

Also, if OP did indeed lose both access to an old email address AND the Valve account password, then it's two substantial faults on OP's behalf.

It's just superbly bad management, and trying to keep blaming Valve for OP's own mistakes/laziness/not giving a damn is really bad style.

The fault of somehow losing access to an email-address linked to an account is a userland problem. User decided not to bother to contact support and have email address updated/changed, user decided to set up a new account. Not sure why any stuff bought with one account should miraculously pop up in the other, new account. I have not yet heard of moving one accounts contents to another account outside of hacking.

Also, I really wonder why OP seems to not have used Steam forums or Steam support, I would be amazed if his issues would not get proper responses and solutions there. This 'venting' seems to want to cast a bit of a shadow on Valve, but that shadow belongs to either OP's ego or OP's unwillingness to play by the rules.

 

[gigastar]

I love how often i have to bring this up. The online startup confirmation is not enforced by Steam, its an option which developers and publishers can use at thier discretion.

Are you saying publishers/developers are the ones who are restricting users from accessing their accounts unless they're connected to the internet? Because that doesn't exactly make things any better.

Yes, i am. Ive seen a developer go on record that thier publisher was forcing them to apply the Steam online startup confirmation to thier games on release. Pleasingly said developer has always patched out the startup confirmation thing post release. And i have been able to play thier games without an internet whether Steam was in online or offline mode.

Now the only reason you would need an internet connection to play all of thier current games is to be able to access a Steam-exclusive difficulty mode that autodeletes the save file when you die in game. If youre wondering i would charitably call it a challenge mode.