ARMA2 & OA's Steam Thread: All Steam Q's/discussions go here [covered by Dwarden]

[DaveP]

Steam version should be the same as retail and will definitely work with retail versions in MP, but as a slight caveat some releases on Steam end up having bugs that aren't found on other platforms and issues therein, Retail is your safest bet in that regard. Also sometimes there can be issues with modifying steam games in terms of where the files go and the like, but usually it isn't a big problem; Best bet is to wait a week or two after the steam release if that's what you're after.


In terms of multiplayer, there are all manner of different forms of Deathmatch, Team DM, Capture the Flag, Capture and Hold, King of the Hill, Coop, PVE (Player Versus Enemy, AI), Warfare, Evolution, and a limitless amount of aftermarket modes scripted together by crafty community members. In terms of player limits, pretty much the only limit is how powerful the server is and its connection.

[TCEd]

I have to disagree with my esteem colleague on his comments that Steam releases end up having bugs not found on other platforms, that doesn't even make sense, Steam is a download tool for ARMA2. Yes there are specific games through Steam on the Valve lable that use more intergration of the Steam app, but ARMA2 is a BIS product and Steam is used, for the most part, as simply a tool to buy/download the game through.

You don't even have to run Steam to play ARMA2. And as for a hard copy being your "safest bet", that also may depend on your personal likes & dislikes. A hard copy can be lost or damaged, a download version can always be re-downloaded should your PC crash.

And as for it being compatible, servers do not differentiate between those ppl who downloaded the game vs those who bought a DVD. That matters none in the least. Someone gave you some bad info on that.

As for the multiplayer question, I do agree with DaveP on that. So really it's up to you how you buy the game, but it won't matter on the other points.

[Peandreo]

I have many games on steam, and 0 problems running them, the good side is i can download anytime i want again the game if someting happens.

MOD you know on the release day 30 june, if the game will be already pachted trought steam? Or we will as to wait a little time to saw the update on the game?

Thanks

[DaveP]

I have to disagree with my esteem colleague on his comments that Steam releases end up having bugs not found on other platforms, that doesn't even make sense, Steam is a download tool for ARMA2. Yes there are specific games through Steam on the Valve lable that use more intergration of the Steam app, but ARMA2 is a BIS product and Steam is used, for the most part, as simply a tool to buy/download the game through.

Company of Heroes had some pretty dodgy bugs when it was first released on steam, mostly relating to keys/activation if I remember right

[Brent]

Hello all,

After several unsuccessful searches on the matter I've turned up empty handed, so here I am posting a new thread. I've seen a few threads with similar questions, but the answers seemed to be speculation at best - I would love for an official response but a quote, citation, or reliable link would also be great. Basically I'm trying to decide if I should wait for the Steam release or buy Arma II via a European digital download based on the criteria and questions posted below. Game pricing, obtaining hard copy of the game, biases for/against Steam or other distributors are all of no relevance to this particular thread and I would greatly appreciate if they were discussed elsewhere.
Thanks

Onto the questions:

• My fear, and first point in question, is that the Steam version of Arma may not be able to join/play with non steam versions of the game, ie Steam won't be able to play with the DE version. In a more interrogative form; can the Steam 'version' be played online/multiplayer with all other versions of Arma?
  
  
• In addition, will I have to be connected to steam to get Arma running if only to use the map editor or to play the single player campaign?
  
  
• And lastly, how are updates and custom additions(such as maps/addons) worked when the game is purchased through Steam? Does Steam automatically update the game for me, or will I be allowed to do so manually? I often enjoyed testing out the latest beta patch versions in Arma I and would like to continue doing so if the chance comes up for Arma II. As for the mods, maps, and other addons; how will Steam treat these?(will it allow for them even?)

Cant wait to start playing and thanks again,

-Brent

[Moklakins]

I also have a question relating to steam. I know the boxed version of arma2 has securom but does the steam version have it. I ask this because i refuse to infect my computer with the spyware/rootkit/virus that is securom. I would like an answer from a dev or mod if at all possible.

[PhailQuail]

My fear, and first point in question, is that the Steam version of Arma may not be able to join/play with non steam versions of the game, ie Steam won't be able to play with the DE version. In a more interrogative form; can the Steam 'version' be played online/multiplayer with all other versions of Arma?

Although I can't say for certain, I know of no previous games that have only been Steam-compatible, I would expect it to be extremely likely that the Steam version would be compatible with the non-Steam version.

In addition, will I have to be connected to steam to get Arma running if only to use the map editor or to play the single player campaign?

Steam offers an offline-mode, which allows you to play games when not connected.

And lastly, how are updates and custom additions(such as maps/addons) worked when the game is purchased through Steam? Does Steam automatically update the game for me, or will I be allowed to do so manually? I often enjoyed testing out the latest beta patch versions in Arma I and would like to continue doing so if the chance comes up for Arma II. As for the mods, maps, and other addons; how will Steam treat these?(will it allow for them even?)

Maps/Mods/etc will all work fine, the only difference would be the directory where you put the files.

I am uncertain about beta-testing patches.

There is a possibility that Steam will allow you to extract the CD-key associated with your "copy" of ArmA2, and there is a possibility that you would be able to use this key with the retail version, as possible with some other games on Steam, but I am unsure how applicable this is to ArmA2.

[Maizel]

Steam version should be the same as retail and will definitely work with retail versions in MP, but as a slight caveat some releases on Steam end up having bugs that aren't found on other platforms and issues therein, Retail is your safest bet in that regard. Also sometimes there can be issues with modifying steam games in terms of where the files go and the like, but usually it isn't a big problem; Best bet is to wait a week or two after the steam release if that's what you're after.


In terms of multiplayer, there are all manner of different forms of Deathmatch, Team DM, Capture the Flag, Capture and Hold, King of the Hill, Coop, PVE (Player Versus Enemy, AI), Warfare, Evolution, and a limitless amount of aftermarket modes scripted together by crafty community members. In terms of player limits, pretty much the only limit is how powerful the server is and its connection.

Thanks for the reply.

Could you, or anyone else for that matter, elaborate on the Warfare and Evolution game modus?

As I said, I've never played ARMA II, I wouldn't know what tose gamemodes are like.

[InFireBaptize]

You don't even have to run Steam to play ARMA2

Not too sure about that! i remember once when i didn't have internet i couldn't play any games i downloaded through steams! and when you launch a game you can see that steam runs first then the game.

[Sniperwolf572]

Merged all the new STEAM threads into this one, please use this thread for all ArmA2 Steam related questions.