A Message On Football Manager 2012 Activation

[metal_guitarist]

I have already stated that when I hit the icons I can't even get to that stage, when I goto start>steam>exit steam it still reads "steam is already running...". The only real option I have left is to unistall and try to reinstall. I can't download at the office and will have to wait untill tonight when I get home, I was hoping that others that have steam problems try this and get back if this is a feasible solution...

Looks like you're in the same boat as me then

[Loversleaper]

Looks like you're in the same boat as me then

Have you tried to uninstall and then reinstall as suggested?

[metal_guitarist]

Unfortunately, as a BT 'customer' I can't get on the Steam site.

[Kriss]

I have already stated that when I hit the icons I can't even get to that stage, when I goto start>steam>exit steam it still reads "steam is already running...".

Tried ending task on Steam.exe in Task Manager?

[metal_guitarist]

Managed to get the install file through the Proxy, and now I just get 'Steam.exe (main exception): To run Steam you must first connect to the internet'. Well I am connected to the internet or I wouldn't be posting this.

Edit- Peerblock doesn't like Steam for some reason Disabled it and it's working (I think).

[Scab]

If BT is blocking Steam on network level, no amount of fiddling client-side will fix it. Needs to be addressed by BT. If you can bounce via a proxy/vpn that would bypass the block, but yeah, you'd need to do that for all traffic to/from Steam.

[Loversleaper]

Tried ending task on Steam.exe in Task Manager?

Steam doesn't pop up in task manager before I try to either run it or exit it, when I end task on it then it just removes the "steam is already running..." message. There is no Steam.exe file in task manager...

[metal_guitarist]

@Scab- I take it there's no law etc that can prevent this from happening?

[Scab]

No clue to be honest. I wouldn't think intentional blocking of specific commercial services would fly. Though it may just be a network issue that BT will (eventually) resolve once they're informed and have had it investigated.

[milnerpoint]

yeah i dont think BT would legally be allowed to block Steam, there would be no good reason for it really, its not a bandwidth hog or anything, i would imagine its an issue with the BT network in your area, i'm on normal BT where i am and im having no issues with steam or the website.

[metal_guitarist]

yeah i dont think BT would legally be allowed to block Steam, there would be no good reason for it really, its not a bandwidth hog or anything, i would imagine its an issue with the BT network in your area, i'm on normal BT where i am and im having no issues with steam or the website.

It's not just my area. It's widespread. There's a thread on the BT forums (where BT haven't even bothered to give us a proper explanation), and there's people on the Steam forums who can't access it either.

[themadsheep2001]

It's not just my area. It's widespread. There's a thread on the BT forums (where BT haven't even bothered to give us a proper explanation), and there's people on the Steam forums who can't access it either.

Yeah, something about this really stinks at the moment

[milnerpoint]

It's not just my area. It's widespread. There's a thread on the BT forums (where BT haven't even bothered to give us a proper explanation), and there's people on the Steam forums who can't access it either.

Sorry i hadnt looked up the problem really i was just throwing a post out there, its very strange tho, like i say im on bog standard out the box net from BT up here in Aberdeen but i dont have any issues at all. You got a link at all for the problems? My old mans a BT tech, he could maybe offer some help if i can point him in the right direction to the problem.

[Loversleaper]

It's not just my area. It's widespread. There's a thread on the BT forums (where BT haven't even bothered to give us a proper explanation), and there's people on the Steam forums who can't access it either.

milnerpoint lives in heaven ...

I can't think of any good car analogies that could explain what is going on right now...

[milnerpoint]

i do seem to get the luck eh!!

[metal_guitarist]

Sorry i hadnt looked up the problem really i was just throwing a post out there, its very strange tho, like i say im on bog standard out the box net from BT up here in Aberdeen but i dont have any issues at all. You got a link at all for the problems? My old mans a BT tech, he could maybe offer some help if i can point him in the right direction to the problem.

Well here's the BT thread: http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infini.../291741/page/5

The problem is you can't access www.steampowered.com, nor can you access the Store/Community from the Steam client itself.

[metal_guitarist]

milnerpoint lives in heaven ...

I can't think of any good car analogies that could explain what is going on right now...

I can. Car dealership where everyone buys their car from are deliberately omitting one make of car to promote another.

[Loversleaper]

Sorry i hadnt looked up the problem really i was just throwing a post out there...

I hope you don't mind if I copy/paste this part and store it away somewhere...

My old mans a BT tech, he could maybe offer some help if i can point him in the right direction to the problem.

Anything word from pops? I am not in the UK, so it might be a global problem and might not really have anything to do with BT. Maybe Steam is just updating...?

[metal_guitarist]

I hope you don't mind if I copy/paste this part and store it away somewhere...



Anything word from pops? I am not in the UK, so it might be a global problem and might not really have anything to do with BT. Maybe Steam is just updating...?

Steam's not just updating, it works apart from the store, news and community, and that's both on the client and on the website which won't work at all.

[milnerpoint]

I hope you don't mind if I copy/paste this part and store it away somewhere...



Anything word from pops? I am not in the UK, so it might be a global problem and might not really have anything to do with BT. Maybe Steam is just updating...?

Just make sure and use it at the right time hahahaha
Ive asked him about the issue and emailed him the link so knows what im going on about, i doubt he is going to offer any quick solutions if its an issue with the BT network but im hoping at the least he can tell me they are aware of it or that it is something he has been working on, ill get back to you guys when i hear from him.

[metal_guitarist]

Just make sure and use it at the right time hahahaha
Ive asked him about the issue and emailed him the link so knows what im going on about, i doubt he is going to offer any quick solutions if its an issue with the BT network but im hoping at the least he can tell me they are aware of it or that it is something he has been working on, ill get back to you guys when i hear from him.

Thanks, much appreciated.

[pigfacemonkeyman]

Managed to get the install file through the Proxy, and now I just get 'Steam.exe (main exception): To run Steam you must first connect to the internet'. Well I am connected to the internet or I wouldn't be posting this.

Edit- Peerblock doesn't like Steam for some reason :confused: Disabled it and it's working (I think).

It's on this list:https://support.steampowered.com/kb_...9828-SFLZ-9289

[Loversleaper]

Steam's not just updating, it works apart from the store, news and community, and that's both on the client and on the website which won't work at all.

It's either the Chinese that are comming or we all got to move to Aberdeen to play our beloved game...

I hope that someone stumbles accross what's going on and shares it with the rest of us...

[milnerpoint]

It's either the Chinese that are comming or we all got to move to Aberdeen to play our beloved game...

Ive got a spare room if you desperate

[metal_guitarist]

Well BT have finally picked up on it: http://community.bt.com/t5/BB-Speed-.../292193/page/1

All updates in that thread apparently.

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

The general gist I'm getting from looking around is that BT have deliberately blocked the Steam store and anything related to it because with the sale on, they don't want people 'clogging up' the lines by downloading large files, which if true will have just lost BT a customer. Absolute disgrace.

Great so now we dont only need to worry about FM12 activation being prevented by "Terrorists" attacking servers it could also be caused by internet providers forcing decisions of choice of service upon us? Any more problems in waiting that we dont know about? Seems Oct 21st activation will be a lottery for some. Seriously is anyone ignorant or thick enough to still think Steam activation for FM12 (with no alternative method) is a good idea? If you do I pity you, as I pity those who will find FM12 activation a nightmare from start to finish.

I still plan to buy FM12 (this is not a walk-away post) but I think Steam activation is getting proven every day to be less and less a reliable vehicle for accessing the game.

[metal_guitarist]

Great so now we dont only need to worry about FM12 activation being prevented by "Terrorists" attacking servers it could also be caused by internet providers forcing decisions of choice of service upon us? Any more problems in waiting that we dont know about? Seems Oct 21st activation will be a lottery for some. Seriously is anyone ignorant or thick enough to still think Steam activation for FM12 (with no alternative method) is a good idea? If you do I pity you, as I pity those who will find FM12 activation a nightmare from start to finish.

I still plan to buy FM12 (this is not a walk-away post) but I think Steam activation is getting proven every day to be less and less a reliable vehicle for accessing the game.

Well if it's true (and I really hope not) then hopefully SI might reconsider.

[Dune297]

Great so now we dont only need to worry about FM12 activation being prevented by "Terrorists" attacking servers it could also be caused by internet providers forcing decisions of choice of service upon us? Any more problems in waiting that we dont know about? Seems Oct 21st activation will be a lottery for some. Seriously is anyone ignorant or thick enough to still think Steam activation for FM12 (with no alternative method) is a good idea? If you do I pity you, as I pity those who will find FM12 activation a nightmare from start to finish.

I still plan to buy FM12 (this is not a walk-away post) but I think Steam activation is getting proven every day to be less and less a reliable vehicle for accessing the game.

I don't understand your deep attacks against Steam but I know they're highly unjustified. Steam has worked perfectly for most people the last bunch of years, and it will continue to work perfectly. This is BT's problem, stop using it as an attack against Steam. Rarely ever does this happen. I've used Steam since 2004 and never experienced a problem, it's a very reliable client.

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

milnerpoint lives in heaven ...

I can't think of any good car analogies that could explain what is going on right now...

Steam activation of FM12 = carcrash. There's you analogy! Signed up to Steam on friday, every day since I have read about this problem and that problem. Am furious SI are hell bent on destroying the Collyers baby in this cack-handed way (destroying it for me anyway!). Still trying tokeep the faith though.

Still, as a ruse for prevent the bored and stupid from constantly asking for the demo release date this pantomime is beyond compare. Well done SI!

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

I don't understand your deep attacks against Steam but I know they're highly unjustified. Steam has worked perfectly for most people the last bunch of years, and it will continue to work perfectly. This is BT's problem, stop using it as an attack against Steam. Rarely ever does this happen. I've used Steam since 2004 and never experienced a problem, it's a very reliable client.

I have nothing against Steam per se but it is a fact, this is another link in the chain between purchasing and playing the game - and a lot of recent posts suggest it is (maybe through no fault of Steam's) a weak link.

[Loversleaper]

I think people should calm down, it's not as if this whole mess is due to being unreliable- and I am not just flinging this out, I got it straight from the horse's mouth. Due to this whole piracy issue and the whole SI/SEGA/Steam/Internet reality we can all endure being part of the 'big blame game'. God, I hate those pirates...

I've worked in the film industry for near on 20 years and I despise piracy but this isn't the answer. Even though the developers may think it will in some way deter people from from illegally distributing the game they are wrong

Maybe they can learn from you guys, after a short while the movies usually get sold out at 5 euros - which would be ridiculous to pirate when you can have the real deal - and you guys haven't gone bust yet (nor has the movies got worse in quality - statistically). Blu-ray and 3d has got the better of them, imagine a 3d FM - now how cool is that...?

[Eugene Tyson]

I've used Steam since 2004 and never experienced a problem, it's a very reliable client.

Ditto.^^^^^

[Keyzer Soze]

Of course Steam is a very reliable client, otherwise SI/SEGA would never choose them.
Millions of people use Steam, and perhaps under 0.01% has/had problems with it. The thing is, from those 0.01%.... almoust 100% will post in a forum saying bad thing about steam.

It's because of this, that steam is having a bit of a bad reputation between FM fans. Because, a minor percentage of them had problems with steam, and talk about it in this forum. But a big percentage of FM fans that use steam, didn't start a thread talking about steam, and how good it is.

Result: people who never used steam, and comes to this forum... what do they see? bad threads about steam.

[Kriss]

Still, as a ruse for prevent the bored and stupid from constantly asking for the demo release date this pantomime is beyond compare. Well done SI!

Are you the first to spot this? in truth it wasn't done for that but I'm on record as saying it's a blessing in disguise for that reason lol.

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Of course Steam is a very reliable client, otherwise SI/SEGA would never choose them.
Millions of people use Steam, and perhaps under 0.01% has/had problems with it. The thing is, from those 0.01%.... almoust 100% will post in a forum saying bad thing about steam.

It's because of this, that steam is having a bit of a bad reputation between FM fans. Because, a minor percentage of them had problems with steam, and talk about it in this forum. But a big percentage of FM fans that use steam, didn't start a thread talking about steam, and how good it is.

Result: people who never used steam, and comes to this forum... what do they see? bad threads about steam.

I hope you are right. My experience is:
Friday - cant log in old Steam account (due to software update apparantly)
Friday- create new account (worked eventually, had problems though due to software upgrade....)
Saturday - Steam Screenshot Manager starts intruding into the log off process
Sunday & Monday so far - no problems but havent used Steam since Sat
Within that same period others have experienced other problems accessing Steam which are well documented in previous posts.

I have no doubt that these posts only happen when the extraordinary occurs (eg log on problems, or indeed many years use use with no issues - not many services can actually boast that),and that Steam users with no access issues are un likely to search out this thread to state that all is fine so it is impossible to guage any stats on reliability or not of Steam, but the issues discused (Sotware upgrades, ISP interference & "Terrorist" attacks on servers do happen and it is the chance of those which bothers me - a chance percentage I cannot begin to calculate.

I suspect in ten years there will only be DRM of this type, it will be unproblematic and no one will have any issues with it (pirates aside!) BUT the experiences of the last 4 days suggest right now that reliability is a long way from being assured.

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Are you the first to spot this? in truth it wasn't done for that but I'm on record as saying it's a blessing in disguise for that reason lol.

Yeah but you forget....those worried about activation issues are likey to ask frequently "Wens da next Steem softwhere upgreyd owt?" ;-)

[metal_guitarist]

Despite being offline, I can't play Portal due 'the game not being available'. It's installed on my computer ffs

[metal_guitarist]

Aha, it's finally back. Or at least, was for a second And it's now working again

[Eugene Tyson]

Phone BT and tell them to fix it or you'll cancel your account.

Have someone in the background say "I found Sky Broadband phone number" really loudly.

[Pangaea]

Managed to get the install file through the Proxy, and now I just get 'Steam.exe (main exception): To run Steam you must first connect to the internet'. Well I am connected to the internet or I wouldn't be posting this.

Edit- Peerblock doesn't like Steam for some reason Disabled it and it's working (I think).

There is a very good reason why Peerblock dislikes Steam. Peerblock is meant to block applications like that. You need to either temporarily disable Peerblock or enter (probably lots of) allowance rules for Steam and Valve IPs.

[Eugene Tyson]

Why have you got Peerblock?

Was this then anything to do with SI, Sega, or Steam?

[metal_guitarist]

Had it for ages, and it does it's job as a Firewall. It was something to do with Steam, because their new 'update' busted the offline mode, and then BT have seriously cocked up too.

[Eugene Tyson]

Yeh seems to be an amalgamation of issues. Let's just say, if you didn't have to use Steam for Fm12 people wouldn't have these issues.

That's not to say they wouldn't have other issues though.

Steam as a piracy delay, will probably help. But I wonder how many configurations out there will block steam?

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Had it for ages, and it does it's job as a Firewall. It was something to do with Steam, because their new 'update' busted the offline mode, and then BT have seriously cocked up too.

Steam **** up & BT **** up. As SI are allowing these organs to contol the customer's access to FM12 by definition SI have cocked up too. Simple as. :-(

[Eugene Tyson]

Well FM12 isn't even out yet. And people with BT were able to get on before. So I imagine that will be sorted out - it's still about another month till FM12 - so if it's not sorted by then I'd consider changing broadband provider.

As FM12 hasn't been released yet, I'm not sure it's fair to say it's being cocked up?

Using Steam for FM12 seems like a relatively easy process.

[Wakers]

Eh..don't run peerblock while trying to run an application by Steam.

The people who update the lists for peerblock (which are downloaded once a day) are those that use it for downloading torrents. As such, they will look to block applications like Steam from interacting with your computer.

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Well FM12 isn't even out yet. And people with BT were able to get on before. So I imagine that will be sorted out - it's still about another month till FM12 - so if it's not sorted by then I'd consider changing broadband provider.

As FM12 hasn't been released yet, I'm not sure it's fair to say it's being cocked up?

Using Steam for FM12 seems like a relatively easy process.

"Easy process"?. Thats a sick joke, yeah? Re read the previous several pages and you will see what nonsense that statement is. east for you maybe, well arent you the luck one?

Yes, FM12 is not out yet - but if it were it would have been rendered unplayable for at least part of the last weekend. So what then, the Steam issue is "OK" bacause it will be sorted by 21st oct - not good enough for me, not good enoough for Loversleaper, Metal_guitarist & others. Now some say off line mode on other games is suspect!, being able to go "offline" and not worry about Steams relative incompetance or indeed my ISP's whims and fancies was my only reassurance until I read about that new issue. I just wish those that have no problems would stop pretendeing there are no problems and start demanding re-assurances on behalf of those that do have problems. All I want to hear is Steam saying that the software issues are all resolved and that it was all part of getting everything set to prevent future issues, and for ISP's to state that they will no longer jeopardise Consumer access to Steam and for SI to state that they are happy that the poblems of the last few days are fully resolved and that they have every faith there will be so such issues and no issues of any sort regarding activation on 21st oct. I have heard no such reassurance and expect none for the foreseable future. Someone has dropped a ricket here.

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Eh..don't run peerblock while trying to run an application by Steam.

The people who update the lists for peerblock (which are downloaded once a day) are those that use it for downloading torrents. As such, they will look to block applications like Steam from interacting with your computer.

Sounds like good advice - the only reassuring statement posted on here today.

[Eugene Tyson]

There can never be any guarantees. People will have issues. Regardless of using Steam or not.

Before Steam - there are support threads on these forums. 1885 threads (not posts a lot more of those) for PC Support. 8 threads for Mac Support.

What are you going to do?

You've been told that you'll need Steam and an Internet connection. There's plenty of time to sort out issues, with internet providers, Steam login issues, resolving offline mode issues and the other issues you may be having.

That's just the way I see it. Again, sorry you're having such difficulties. I just think you have the time to sort them out and then you'll be able to enjoy FM12.

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

There can never be any guarantees. People will have issues. Regardless of using Steam or not.

Before Steam - there are support threads on these forums. 1885 threads (not posts a lot more of those) for PC Support. 8 threads for Mac Support.

What are you going to do?

You've been told that you'll need Steam and an Internet connection. There's plenty of time to sort out issues, with internet providers, Steam login issues, resolving offline mode issues and the other issues you may be having.

That's just the way I see it. Again, sorry you're having such difficulties. I just think you have the time to sort them out and then you'll be able to enjoy FM12.

I hope you are right and as i said Im sure Steam (or similar) activations will be the norm very soon. I suspect that for a lot of FM'ers FM is their only game so maybe this year's switch to Steam-only activation will speed that process up by pulling in a whole new Customer base for Steam. I am concerned that there seem to be a range of problems rather than just one, and you would have expected Steam to have a tight system for when the FM announcement was made (a very basic PR requirement), they failed on that account. Actually I look forward to buying online and activating over breakfast without leaving my door (21st Oct being a day's holiday, naturally!), I just hope my trust does not end up misplaced. If I have any issue with the demo download I shall think twice and think again about whether the switch from FM11 is really worth the frustration but for now i look forward with optimism to my adventures in FM12.....

[themadsheep2001]

I hope you are right and as i said Im sure Steam (or similar) activations will be the norm very soon. I suspect that for a lot of FM'ers FM is their only game so maybe this year's switch to Steam-only activation will speed that process up by pulling in a whole new Customer base for Steam. I am concerned that there seem to be a range of problems rather than just one, and you would have expected Steam to have a tight system for when the FM announcement was made (a very basic PR requirement), they failed on that account. Actually I look forward to buying online and activating over breakfast without leaving my door (21st Oct being a day's holiday, naturally!), I just hope my trust does not end up misplaced. If I have any issue with the demo download I shall think twice and think again about whether the switch from FM11 is really worth the frustration but for now i look forward with optimism to my adventures in FM12.....

I think Eugene's post and your reply pretty much sum up the whole thing for me. Hopefully your Fm12 experience will be far less painful, and to be honest i expect it, because anything less would be a bit shoddy in my opinon. I use steam as a means to an end, and its been pretty good for me, so I hope it ends up being just as good for you when it really counts.

[Kriss]

Out of curiosity I checked and Steam had 25,000,000 subscribers in 2009 when somebody said FM was a small fish I had no idea how big the pond was, we really are just a fleabite lol.

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Out of curiosity I checked and Steam had 25,000,000 subscribers in 2009 when somebody said FM was a small fish I had no idea how big the pond was, we really are just a fleabite lol.

But you forget that every year the once-annually users need to open a new account (as they havent learnt cryptic French in the previous 12 months and would need to to activate their old account!), so you can consider a lot of users to have 2, 3 or maybe more accounts..... ;-)

Actually as the official line to circum navigate the software bug seems to be "open another account" I wonder what Steam think of this?, its hardly ideal getting flooded with duplicate accounts. I hope and pray their solution to that is not to release another software upgrade! LOL

[Loversleaper]

But you forget that every year the once-annually users need to open a new account (as they havent learnt cryptic French in the previous 12 months and would need to to activate their old account!), so you can consider a lot of users to have 2, 3 or maybe more accounts..... ;-)

Actually as the official line to circum navigate the software bug seems to be "open another account" I wonder what Steam think of this?, its hardly ideal getting flooded with duplicate accounts. I hope and pray their solution to that is not to release another software upgrade! LOL

Well, no wonder that there are 25mil users if everybody has 2 or 3 or more accounts. I'd be an unhappy camper if I had 166 games and had to create a new account...

So far, I think that Steam has some issues in certain countries and wi-fi systems, therefore it has caused some people problems. You need a better connection for it to work optimally, that is what I have gathered so far. Steam did have to update and I think it took time to for them to reach out to all corners of the planet. I still think that the reality around Steam is going to cause a lot of problems as many people don't know the technical side of how the whole thing works. It's a lot easier for poeple who understand what caches are and what not, but we have to remember that FM gamers are not your typical gamer - most of them are football fans, not computer geeks...

[Dune297]

But you forget that every year the once-annually users need to open a new account (as they havent learnt cryptic French in the previous 12 months and would need to to activate their old account!), so you can consider a lot of users to have 2, 3 or maybe more accounts..... ;-)

Actually as the official line to circum navigate the software bug seems to be "open another account" I wonder what Steam think of this?, its hardly ideal getting flooded with duplicate accounts. I hope and pray their solution to that is not to release another software upgrade! LOL

Everyone I know has one account. What you said is not true at all. Look at my account for example, made in 2004. Accounts never close unless by request of the user, even then I don't think Valve goes through with it. If I'm missing what you're saying, please correct me, but hardly anyone has two accounts.

http://steamcommunity.com/id/DUNEB/

[Kriss]

But you forget that every year the once-annually users need to open a new account (as they havent learnt cryptic French in the previous 12 months and would need to to activate their old account!), so you can consider a lot of users to have 2, 3 or maybe more accounts..... ;-)

Actually as the official line to circum navigate the software bug seems to be "open another account" I wonder what Steam think of this?, its hardly ideal getting flooded with duplicate accounts. I hope and pray their solution to that is not to release another software upgrade! LOL

Do I detect a tiny degree of cynicism in there?

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Everyone I know has one account. What you said is not true at all. Look at my account for example, made in 2004. Accounts never close unless by request of the user, even then I don't think Valve goes through with it. If I'm missing what you're saying, please correct me, but hardly anyone has two accounts.

http://steamcommunity.com/id/DUNEB/

Actually there were elements of irony in my post but it is true that opening duplicate accounts is an advised route to solve the software upgrade issues. I guess regular Steam users cannot understand this as their service is fine, it is mainly the FM, 1 time per year Steam visitors that have the problem making it appear that they are making a fuss about nothing when to them Steam has totally let them down on the rare occaison that they use it.

[ronaldo_1978]

Never really looked around steam properly apart from buying FM11 last year, Gotta say when you look around it you spot loads of really cheap deals, Think I have a new found love for steam

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Do I detect a tiny degree of cynicism in there?

Oui!

Now Steam would have asked thus:

Est-ce que je détecte "Ö", un degré "Ö", minuscule de cynisme"Ö", dedans"Ö", là ?

[Kriss]

Lucky they don't do it in Cantonese then

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Lucky they don't do it in Cantonese then

Its OK Steam havent beaten us all - yet, the new FM packaging will need to read though "Requires an internet connection, a Steam Account and Babelfish to play" :-)

[Kriss]

Never really looked around steam properly apart from buying FM11 last year, Gotta say when you look around it you spot loads of really cheap deals, Think I have a new found love for steam

Yes, it's a treasure trove of games you wish you'd kept and games you almost bought, I couldn't resist Railroad Tycooon 2 and Sid Meiers Pirates, and I'm eying Civ 4 Colonisation with increasing avarice

[Aim_Less]

those who have issues i created a steam faq to help people with problems ( it covers more than steam caused errors ) take a look at it

[Aim_Less]

yeah there is a major sale for sega products untill tomorrow just bought alpha protocol for 2 euros and alien vs predator 4.99

[Almondo]

Hmm just read the opening post and I predicted what the thread would be like as soon as I saw Steam will be required. 30 odd pages of people saying that they won't be buying the game etc and then others saying steam isn't the enemy. A lot of game companies are going to do this now as Steam is a very good system of buying games etc.

Personally I like the program even though I had reservations about using it when I got FM 2009 but now I own a lot of game son there and bar FM, Portal 2 and Fallout: New Vegas have not paid full price for a PC game. Hell I got Batman: Arkham Asylum for a Fiver and that was the GOTY edition.

[LARulz]

So to play FM I HAVE to do it through steam? Can I not just do it like I have before and do it with out having a steam account or something?

[Dune297]

So to play FM I HAVE to do it through steam? Can I not just do it like I have before and do it with out having a steam account or something?

Yes. You must have a Steam account and activate it through Steam.

[data6930]

No end of problems with steam it would seem and BT Infinity users can't even access steam, this all points to a complete disaster for SI, choosing one option to play the game through steam is an accident waiting to happen, maybe they will learn a lesson (for the 2nd time) not to put all their eggs in one basket!

I pity anyone that tries to play this on release day because it is highly likely that those in favour of steam will be up in arms also!!

Maybe next year I will buy FM2013 if other options to play the game are re-introduced, if not, my time with the FM series will come to an end.

[spankie]

As long as your ISP doesn't block Steam it's no real problem.
The only issue I had with mine is that as I've not played FM11 for a while I've not even had it running so it didn't work at first. A quick download of Steam from the website and re-installation soon sorted it out and my account quickly came up.
Off line mode works fine for me, although after my PC starts up there is a pop up that asks if I want to keep Steam running offline.

I've not heard of any problems with other games that also use Steam to activate on their release day.
Steam is designed to run at a high volume, so I very much doubt that their whole network will lock up due to a big demand from FM players. I would be surprised is FM activation on release day would make much of a dent in Steam's capacity at all especially as those pre-ordering it on Steam will have downloaded nearly all of the game a few days before release day.

[milnerpoint]

For any of those having an issue with BT the problem was apparently related to a DNS issue that came up because of an upgrade BT did, nothing at all to do with Steam in anyway, a cold re-start of your router/modem should sort it out if it isnt working already.

[themadsheep2001]

As long as your ISP doesn't block Steam it's no real problem.
The only issue I had with mine is that as I've not played FM11 for a while I've not even had it running so it didn't work at first. A quick download of Steam from the website and re-installation soon sorted it out and my account quickly came up.
Off line mode works fine for me, although after my PC starts up there is a pop up that asks if I want to keep Steam running offline.

I've not heard of any problems with other games that also use Steam to activate on their release day.
Steam is designed to run at a high volume, so I very much doubt that their whole network will lock up due to a big demand from FM players. I would be surprised is FM activation on release day would make much of a dent in Steam's capacity at all especially as those pre-ordering it on Steam will have downloaded nearly all of the game a few days before release day.

+1 Never been overly fussed with steam, but i expect this to be as painless as any other game i have activated over steam

[Wakers]

Steam is a brilliant distribution platform. But it shouldn't be required to play the game unless it is a Steam only game.

[Yasko75]

Off line mode works fine for me, although after my PC starts up there is a pop up that asks if I want to keep Steam running offline.

I hope it is possible to just activate the game and use "msconfig" to untick the virus from the start-up process so that it doesnt load at all after that....

[milnerpoint]

I assume your meaning Steam is the "virus" lol
Anyway, yes you can stop it starting when you start your computer but you will still need it active if you want to play the game. There is no legal way to play the game without playing it through steam at all times.

[Scamatoon]

Hello

I've always hated steam coz my net here in south africa was so ***** that it said it would take like 2 weeks to download but finally we are coming out of the dark ages and have decent internet speed, what i want to ask though is if my net dies(which it does) during download will i be able to carry on from where it bombed or will i have to start again?

Thanks

[nessi]

after reading, asking around and trying to get more info on steam, I think I can fairly say there's a history of (never fully solved) issues with the offline mode. Probably not for every steam user, but certainly for more than just a few.

Wouldn't be surprised to see the tech support forums going crazy towards the end of october...

[Kriss]

Hello

I've always hated steam coz my net here in south africa was so ***** that it said it would take like 2 weeks to download but finally we are coming out of the dark ages and have decent internet speed, what i want to ask though is if my net dies(which it does) during download will i be able to carry on from where it bombed or will i have to start again?

Thanks

Yup, a connection fail just acts as a pause and it continues from where it left off when you reconnect.

[Scamatoon]

Thanks Can't wait

[Crispypaul]

Something else to blame Steam for - I've hardly played FM 2011 since the weekend as I bought Alpha Protocol for £1.50 and its really quite good. I am outraged!

[Dune297]

Something else to blame Steam for - I've hardly played FM 2011 since the weekend as I bought Alpha Protocol for £1.50 and its really quite good. I am outraged!

That's horrible!

[milnerpoint]

Wouldn't be surprised to see the tech support forums going crazy towards the end of october...

You mean anymore than a normal release/patch day??!!
I bet Kriss and the rest can't wait for release day!!

[Kriss]

You mean anymore than a normal release/patch day??!!
I bet Kriss and the rest can't wait for release day!!

It'll be kool

[nessi]

You mean anymore than a normal release/patch day??!!
I bet Kriss and the rest can't wait for release day!!

Expect much worse

I've been incredibly lucky with FM11 as I had my first crash only after 11.3, but I know people who have been desperate since release day! Steam just adds another little thing than CAN go wrong, and tbh issues with offline mode don't seem to be exceptional.

luckily the guys of tech support won't have to worry about me and a few others...

[milnerpoint]

It'll be kool

you should just leave the GD modding to Purefun and Akter and go and enjoy your copy of FM :P hahahaha

[Babos]

SEGA and Steam are the same company aren't they ?

Forcing the consumer to create an account, download their client, activate the game through Steam... I mean come on... I know it's more a general matter than a specific one to FM, the complaints of the community won't change a thing, but still, it's not normal...

[Dune297]

SEGA and Steam are the same company aren't they ?

Forcing the consumer to create an account, download their client, activate the game through Steam... I mean come on... I know it's more a general matter than a specific one to FM, the complaints of the community won't change a thing, but still, it's not normal...

Lots of games use Steam as the only way of activation. Here's a list of Steamworks games.

[milnerpoint]

Expect much worse

I've been incredibly lucky with FM11 as I had my first crash only after 11.3, but I know people who have been desperate since release day! Steam just adds another little thing than CAN go wrong, and tbh issues with offline mode don't seem to be exceptional.

luckily the guys of tech support won't have to worry about me and a few others...

i actually couldnt play my save for a few weeks because of an issue that was sorted with the Xmas patch but your right this place is going to be mental in the first few weeks of the release. No doubt pigface and laz will drop into every steam related thread telling us "i told you so" and then me and Eugeen will come in defending everything and kriss will warn everyone about using car analogies, it will be a happy time for all involved.

[nessi]

i actually couldnt play my save for a few weeks because of an issue that was sorted with the Xmas patch but your right this place is going to be mental in the first few weeks of the release. No doubt pigface and laz will drop into every steam related thread telling us "i told you so" and then me and Eugeen will come in defending everything and kriss will warn everyone about using car analogies, it will be a happy time for all involved.

if I can't get the game, at least let me have the Great Forum Controversies

I still dream that SI will come up with a consolation prize for us (almost) estranged fans, like a late no steam version release. I wouldn't mind waiting until christmas to play without steam...

[Do you like dogs?]

Steam is horrible and reading this thread has me very disheartened about the future of FM.

Not looking forward to FM12.

[Kriss]

Not looking forward to FM12.

Of course you are it's Steam you're not looking forward to, but if your system is anything close to what passes for normal then it'll be seamless (I appreciate that might be too subtle for Milnerpoint but I do try)

[Dune297]

Steam is horrible and reading this thread has me very disheartened about the future of FM.

Not looking forward to FM12.

Steam is horrible because it has over 30 million accounts and 3 million gamers online at any time of day. Makes sense!

[milnerpoint]

Of course you are it's Steam you're not looking forward to, but if your system is anything close to what passes for normal then it'll be seamless (I appreciate that might be too subtle for Milnerpoint but I do try)

what is normal?

[Eugene Tyson]

Steam is horrible and reading this thread has me very disheartened about the future of FM.

Not looking forward to FM12.

It's statements like this that give no feedback to SI, Sega or Steam.

Tell us what you don't like about it. Or what you would prefer instead.

What makes it horrible for you?

[Scab]

SEGA and Steam are the same company aren't they ?

They are not. Steam is operated by Valve.

[Wakers]

Heh. If Sega owned Steam, they wouldn't be losing money all the time.

[grade]

For one, it gives us no chance to revert back to a older patch if we don't like the new current one.

[Dune297]

For one, it gives us no chance to revert back to a older patch if we don't like the new current one.

Reinstall it, turn off automatic updates. Steam Library -> Right Click on Football Manager 2012 -> Properties -> Updates -> Do Not Automatically Update This Game.

[milnerpoint]

But if you want to play on say, the second patch, you cant, either the game out the box or the most uptodate game, it is a point, although i have never gone back to previous patches, so yet again im living in the happy land. Loversleaper must really hate me

[Eugene Tyson]

For the automatic update issue, there's been nothing said about whether you'll be able to choose which patch you want, right?

Is it possible that this could become a choice before FM is launched?


Anyway, thinking about it, one would be able to create a separate login for the computer right. Install FM through Steam on just for that user account? If you download the patch on that account on the computer login - then you could test it there yourself?

If you like it, log back into your other computer account - then install the patch on there if you wanted to.


I know it's a roundabout idea, but would it work for anyone? It's a question at this stage not a suggestion.

[Eugene Tyson]

For the patch thing. I don't even notice if a patch has been added. It rarely phases me. I've never had the inclination to revert to a different patch. I barely notice when one gets installed as it is.