8 replies to this topic

[WayneKerr]

I feel like Yosemite Sam wanting to rage on my basement PC right now.   I tried to install my $5 steam game, Dirt 2, but for some reason I have to install it through Games for windows live.   So far I have had to install some blue sound driver shit, install silverlight, do various updates.  45 minutes and I still haven't played this fucking game. And what else?  Still don't have a wheel, so its not the authenticity I want anyway. Urgh *expletive* fucking *expletive* Windows live on top of steam is bullshit.

[nodle]

Yup I had one game through Steam that used that also. And that was about the last time I played it lol. Steam is good, windows Live, not so good.

[ndboarder]

What's not good about the "Games for Windows" thing?  Aside from any initial setup I would think once the game is downloaded and installed you would be up and running (plus it then ties to your Xbox Live account for gamer score, right? Note it is not Windows Live, that is the suite of Messenger, Mesh, Mail, Photo Gallery, etc.... which are all actually very useful in the new release...

[nodle]

Well If you have ever used it, it just doesn't plain work. It's a horrible design. They don't need a double system. Just let Steam handle it.

[ndboarder]

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Well If you have ever used it, it just doesn't plain work. It's a horrible design. They don't need a double system. Just let Steam handle it.

This does not answer my question at all.  How does it "not work."  Does the game not get installed to your machine?  Can you not click a shortcut on your desktop or wherever and play the game.  The above statement to me sounds like something from a fanboy (i would know right) who likes steam, and will just shoot anything else down.  I'm genuinely curious what makes the Games for Windows client warrant this review.  I don't bother with PC gaming, so the most I've done is to install the client and look at it once

[nodle]

Ok here you go my game Blacklight Tango down uses it. So you install it though Steam after you get it installed then you goto play it, it has a slider that comes down from top. The first thing it says is it needs an update. Ok let's do the update. So it says it updates. Well it says it needs to be restarted. Well there is no way for me to exit the game no ESC etc. So I have to ctrl-alt-del the game. Then I fire it up again. It says it needs another update. I just did one! So i have to do this 3 times. Why not just make one big update? Then it installs. Well on top of a Steam account you have to have a windows live id. Luckily I have one already, so I don't have to go through the pain of signing up. so basically you have to sign in twice. Then you goto play the game, wait none of the servers work. So I try a bunch of time. So I goto support, everyone else is complaining about the same problems as me. I was able to join once, just once. It was such a headache trying to play the game I gave it. I played like 5 minutes. Trust me you have to experience it for yourself. Lack of servers and to many hoops to jump though to play a game. That is why it sucks.

[ndboarder]

At least that's a better explanation.  It sounds like part of the frustration is that you are buying a game that steam is reselling, so you are in steam and they are directing you to Games for Windows.  You could avoid multiple sign-ins simply by launching Games for Windows right.  Patching, sure it should be one big patch, but the patches are done by the developing studio so better talk to the makers of tango down.  As far as servers I can't say much since I haven't tried it.  I do find it hard to believe, I doubt you'd have that issue if you got it from xbox Live and played it there.  Is it still a problem to this day or was that resolved for this one particular game?  Was it for all games. FWIW I downloaded the games for windows client.  WIthin 5 minutes I had it installed, had signed in (btw, who the fuck doesn't have a live account for one reason or another these days, invalid point of "luckily I already had one", fgt), and was able to start downloading a demo game.  The interface is a lot like the game marketplace within xbox.  A little easier to use since it can show more on the screen at a time and has better searching.   If there's major issues with playing online I can see the problem.  If the complaint is about signing in twice and updates you need to just use Games For Windows to get these and abort steam for a few games to cut out the extra step  For the updates talk to the game studios

[WayneKerr]

It seemed weird to me that I was logged into GFW's website, that when I launched the set up I had to login again to the client.  I wonder if it will be automatic next time.   Ok, here is what I think, if I am logged into the gameforwindows website, I shouldn't have to log into the client again, and I also shouldn't have to log into games for windows once I try to launch the game from the client.

[ndboarder]

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It seemed weird to me that I was logged into GFW's website, that when I launched the set up I had to login again to the client.  I wonder if it will be automatic next time.   Ok, here is what I think, if I am logged into the gameforwindows website, I shouldn't have to log into the client again, and I also shouldn't have to log into games for windows once I try to launch the game from the client.

Websites and clients just don't talk like that though.  Its the same as saying if I'm logged into Hotmail I shouldn't have to login to the games for windows client (or MSN).  The fact is that you do have to.  They don't talk that way for security purposes.  From the client however you should be able to launch a site without signing in (exmaple of Messenger and the mail button).  I'll buy the latter argument.  If you are signed into the client you shouldn't have to sign in again if you launch a game.  As far as being automatic it will all depend on if you chose the options for the client to remember your login, password and whether or not to sign in automatically.