Our new Indie Games subforum is now open for business in G&T. Go and check it out, you might land a code for a free game. If you're developing an indie game and want to post about it, follow these directions. If you don't, he'll break your legs! Hahaha! Seriously though.
Our rules have been updated and given their own forum. Go and look at them! They are nice, and there may be new ones that you didn't know about! Hooray for rules! Hooray for The System! Hooray for Conforming!
Go find the new STEAM Thread!
TychoCelchuuu
___________PIGEON_________San Diego, CA Registered User regular
___________PIGEON_________San Diego, CA Registered User regular
center]NEW THREAD
Steam Community Revamp Coming
What to do if your Steam is giving you a Fatal Error
Steam Greenlight coming soon(ish)
Adult Swim + Valve[/center]
Coping with Steam: Artistic Commentary on Our Shared Affliction
Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. Steam's search tool is cumbersome and not very informative. Is there a website, other than Steam's, I can go to find out what's on sale?
2. Can I register this copy of (Insert Game Here) on Steam?
3. If I buy a game pack that already includes a game I own, can I gift that game?
4. Why isn't {Insert Game Here} available in my horrible little corner of the earth?
5. How do I get an invite to the Penny Arcade Steam group?
6. As a Classy Person I am giving away a game on SteamGifts. How do I get the pretty picture to post in the thread?
Some Words on Gifting
If you receive a game or pack via a gift or a contest, remember to thank that person either through a PM or by announcing it in the thread. This is not optional. We are classy gentlemen and will act as such.
Steam's new gifting features allow you to store up games in your gift bank when you purchase them, instead of having to email yourself the gift link. It'll be an option during checkout.
A few things to remember as a giftee:
Generally speaking, if you're selected for a gift from a stranger on here it will be, usually, one of two ways:
Also, remember that a gifter can see when you added a game to your wishlist. If you add it on the day of the sale, you might have a smaller chance of being gifted it than someone who has been interested in it since release. Gifters should also make sure they are identifiable from Steam to PA Forums. Some people are shy and are too nervous to message a gifter and say "hey thanks, I have no idea who you are on forums!"
An Important Word on Contests
If you decide to run or participate in a giveaway contest for gift copies of games, please remember that all entry submissions must now be made via PM. The forum mods have stated that pages of the thread being filled with pictures, videos, etc. submitted as contest entries will lead to such contests being banned. So please, for the sake of the thread – take it to PMs.
Helpful Stuff
Steam Mover
Does your Steam library have 800 games? Do you wish you could move some of those games to different hard drives instead of deleting them entirely and then downloading them again when you want to play them? Steam Mover is here for you.
Steam Price Guide
Do you have the misfortune to live somewhere other than America? Steam hates you! Luckily, this cool website with prices for Steam games all around the world is here to help, so you can know if you want to ask an American friend to buy the game for you or not. Hint: you probably do.
Aussies
You need this program.
It reconfigures your Windows IPSEC settings (run it as an admin) to block out all but the servers which don't count towards your download quota on Steam. Now supports a bunch of ISPs through a graphical interface.
Basically guarantees you won't add to your download quota with Steam.
Also: Download TCPview: TCPView
Then, use TCPview to close all Steam TCP servers (this is important, NOT the UDP ones, just the TCP ones). Steam will then reconnect to a different server, which will hopefully get you a better speed. If you don't go faster in a couple of seconds, retry until you get a speed you like.
I've also been told you Aussies might want to try Angus Wolfcastle's SteamManager. Setting it up is easy is you follow the instructions here. If you find you're still being charged for your steam downloads, try changing the setting like in this link here.
Cool Community Add-Ons
Steam Signatures
With such a cool service, someone must have done some extra things to build on it. The forums have one such man, who made some super cool Steam signatures. Suds is his name and killing is his game. Except for the killing. The signatures automatically use backgrounds for the games and the correct icon. Pretty neat, and they're 100% free!
Steam Cleaner
Steam Cleaner is a handy little tool to remove all those .NET installers and DirectX installers and so on that every Steam game downloads because it's apparently 1927 in computer years and nobody has figured out how to let you install a Steam game without going through a 12 step process to reinstall a bunch of stuff you installed yesterday when you played another Steam game.
Steam Calculator
You can also use a script on his Steam Calculator page to see how much your Steam account would be worth if you had taken advantage of some obscure, arcane combination of special deals that nobody could ever have taken advantage of. Or something sort of like that.
Steam Roulette
Having trouble picking a game out of your burgeoning [strike]backlog[/strike] gamebank to play? Let VicWhiten's Steam Roulette decide! Just type in your Steam community ID (easier if you set up a custom URL on your Steam profile page), and Steam Roulette will read your library and randomly pick one game every time you hit "Spin the Wheel!" It even connects to Steam to allow you to install or start the game with a single click.
What's All This About "Serving the Newell?"
It started with this comic:
And now it is our unofficial official motto.
Steam Community Revamp Coming
What to do if your Steam is giving you a Fatal Error
Steam Greenlight coming soon(ish)
Adult Swim + Valve[/center]
Coping with Steam: Artistic Commentary on Our Shared AfflictionSpoiler:
Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. Steam's search tool is cumbersome and not very informative. Is there a website, other than Steam's, I can go to find out what's on sale?
2. Can I register this copy of (Insert Game Here) on Steam?
Here's a list of games you can register on Steam. You can always add a non-Steam game to your Steam games list, so that people can see you playing it. You can also use this to add your own shortcuts with fake names to your Steam games list to make it look like you're playing Episode 3. Hilarious, right?
3. If I buy a game pack that already includes a game I own, can I gift that game?
Not usually. You're welcome to ask in this thread, although if you Google it it'll probably be answered even faster. Valve games are typically the only packs that let you do this, and even then it sometimes doesn't work.
4. Why isn't {Insert Game Here} available in my horrible little corner of the earth?
Many Steam games might be unavailable in your country if you have the temerity to live outside of the United States. This is not Steam's fault. Regional game availability is determined solely by the publisher, who should be the source of your ire. Gifting works regardless of region so you might find some helpful person in North America who can gift you the game. This very thread is a great place to ask!
5. How do I get an invite to the Penny Arcade Steam group?
The most convenient way is to just post a link to your Steam profile page (getting one of the swank signatures described below makes it easy) and ask for an invite. Just as a word of advice, we tend to prefer that you be a regular contributor to get an invite to the group. The rule of thumb is 6 months of activity on the forums. We are well known for our generosity, and like to make sure any new additions are here for the good of the community, and not to leech during sales. That said, we're a friendly group, so make yourself at home and start posting and you'll be there in no time!
6. As a Classy Person I am giving away a game on SteamGifts. How do I get the pretty picture to post in the thread?
Some Words on Gifting
If you receive a game or pack via a gift or a contest, remember to thank that person either through a PM or by announcing it in the thread. This is not optional. We are classy gentlemen and will act as such.
Steam's new gifting features allow you to store up games in your gift bank when you purchase them, instead of having to email yourself the gift link. It'll be an option during checkout.
A few things to remember as a giftee:
1. Make it possible to track you from PA Forums to Steam. A link directly to your steam ID is usually the most convenient. Remember, your Steam ID is different than your steam name. If you just include text to your steam name, we have to search and scroll through 5 pages to find you (and we may not find you if you're not using the same name/avatar combo!).
2. Make it possible to track you from Steam to PA Forums. Best bet is using similar avatar/name. Understandably, some people don't want to do that. In that case, you should have "I'm ______ on Penny Arcade Forums!" in your profile blurb.
Generally speaking, if you're selected for a gift from a stranger on here it will be, usually, one of two ways:
You will either post in the thread (so they will go to your profile to friend you and then to the store to send a gift.
—or—
Someone will want to gift a certain game and go to the store page where you can see everyone who has it on their wishlist.
Also, remember that a gifter can see when you added a game to your wishlist. If you add it on the day of the sale, you might have a smaller chance of being gifted it than someone who has been interested in it since release. Gifters should also make sure they are identifiable from Steam to PA Forums. Some people are shy and are too nervous to message a gifter and say "hey thanks, I have no idea who you are on forums!"
An Important Word on Contests
If you decide to run or participate in a giveaway contest for gift copies of games, please remember that all entry submissions must now be made via PM. The forum mods have stated that pages of the thread being filled with pictures, videos, etc. submitted as contest entries will lead to such contests being banned. So please, for the sake of the thread – take it to PMs.
Helpful Stuff
Steam Mover
Does your Steam library have 800 games? Do you wish you could move some of those games to different hard drives instead of deleting them entirely and then downloading them again when you want to play them? Steam Mover is here for you.
Steam Price Guide
Do you have the misfortune to live somewhere other than America? Steam hates you! Luckily, this cool website with prices for Steam games all around the world is here to help, so you can know if you want to ask an American friend to buy the game for you or not. Hint: you probably do.
Aussies
You need this program.
It reconfigures your Windows IPSEC settings (run it as an admin) to block out all but the servers which don't count towards your download quota on Steam. Now supports a bunch of ISPs through a graphical interface.
Basically guarantees you won't add to your download quota with Steam.
Also: Download TCPview: TCPView
Then, use TCPview to close all Steam TCP servers (this is important, NOT the UDP ones, just the TCP ones). Steam will then reconnect to a different server, which will hopefully get you a better speed. If you don't go faster in a couple of seconds, retry until you get a speed you like.
I've also been told you Aussies might want to try Angus Wolfcastle's SteamManager. Setting it up is easy is you follow the instructions here. If you find you're still being charged for your steam downloads, try changing the setting like in this link here.
Cool Community Add-Ons
Steam Signatures
With such a cool service, someone must have done some extra things to build on it. The forums have one such man, who made some super cool Steam signatures. Suds is his name and killing is his game. Except for the killing. The signatures automatically use backgrounds for the games and the correct icon. Pretty neat, and they're 100% free!
Sample signature:
Steam Cleaner
Steam Cleaner is a handy little tool to remove all those .NET installers and DirectX installers and so on that every Steam game downloads because it's apparently 1927 in computer years and nobody has figured out how to let you install a Steam game without going through a 12 step process to reinstall a bunch of stuff you installed yesterday when you played another Steam game.
Steam Calculator
You can also use a script on his Steam Calculator page to see how much your Steam account would be worth if you had taken advantage of some obscure, arcane combination of special deals that nobody could ever have taken advantage of. Or something sort of like that.
Steam Roulette
Having trouble picking a game out of your burgeoning [strike]backlog[/strike] gamebank to play? Let VicWhiten's Steam Roulette decide! Just type in your Steam community ID (easier if you set up a custom URL on your Steam profile page), and Steam Roulette will read your library and randomly pick one game every time you hit "Spin the Wheel!" It even connects to Steam to allow you to install or start the game with a single click.
What's All This About "Serving the Newell?"
Spoiler:
Oh, and remember:
And also remember...
And also remember...
Spoiler:
TychoCelchuuu on
Posts
2008, 2012 D&D "Rare With No Sauce" League Fantasy Football Champion!
CHOO CHOO
(THE TRAIN IS STEAM POWERED)
CHOOOOOO
I did a grab bag - being back at work and on very little sleep made the puzzles hurt my brain. I figured out a few of them though - I can't wait to see the solutions.
Thanks for the input on Jade Empire - the only other question I have on it is do you play as just one character or do you control a small party?
I want to thank him grandly for sending me #10
I won't reveal it yet for those who are having too much fun.
1 Character. You have another with you that will act as either an AI combatant, or a support character in which they influence your stats while you're fighting.
I just bought it via this sale and it gives you a Steam code.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
The GTA Collection: I wanted to play San Andreas, figured the rest was a bonus.
The Fable III Collection: Wanted the Lost Chapters, figured Fable III was a bonus.
FO: NV: Ultimate: Cheapest way to get all the DLC, which I've never played.
Everything else that's come up I either own, or am not interested in. Quite a few "God damnit, why didn't I wait to buy XYZ" moments though.
Here's what I received, and I do apologise if I've left anyone out. I tried to thank people immediately within the thread but things got out of hand a few times
Last Remnant @chocobolicious
Project Freedom @maddoc
GalCiv II @maddoc
Zero Gears @Corpekata
Devil May Cry 4 @Corpekata
Botanicula @viking
Risen @Auburntiger by way of @aerynkelly
Blades of Time @Antecantelope
Judge Dredd vs Death @Antecantelope
Back to the Future @InitiateFailure
Waves @Eraserbrain
Quantum Conundrum @Usagent
ScaryGirl @Aerynkelly
Tiny And Big: Grandpas Leftovers @envoy1
The Baconing @Antecantelope
Fallout NV Gunrunners Arsenal @minor incident
Ys: The Oath in Felghana @viking
Stacking @HiT BiT
Alan Wake New nightmare @Mindstorm
Penny Arcade Adventures 3 @kain
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet @Geargirl
Assassins Creed Revelations @Geargirl
Dungeon Siege III Complete @satanic Jesus
Still Life bundle @Kalia
Rayman Origins @kanden
World Basketball Manager 2010 @bluedude
Trine 2 @redlance
From Dust @ironsizide
Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition @21st century
Binary Domain @Decoy
Analogue A Hate Story @minor Incident
The Walking Dead @minor incident
Batman Harley's Revenge DLC @Isorn
Armed and Dangerous @Arithon32
Two Worlds II Pirates DLC @DaringDirk
Witcher 2 @randomhajile
Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon @slimcea
Batman Nightwing DLC @BlackbirdSR71C
Saints row 3 Invincible pack dlc @shiflett
cubemen @Danweino
Again, thank you all for the loveliness!
Stuff I sent out now!
Skyrim @Gear Girl
Max Payne 3 @Corpekata
Lego Batman 2 @Rikdaly's daughter
Lego Batman 2 @canadianwolverine
Batman Arkham City @Lord snot
Batman Arkham City @woggle
Batman Arkham City @curlyhairedboy
Batman Arkham City @slimcea
Batman Nightwing DLC @InitialFailure
Batman Harley's Revenge DLC @malakaius
Batman Harley's Revenge DLC @Corkeh
Fallout New Vegas Ultimate Editon @MoosehatIV
Saints row 3 @iolo (pending)
Just Cause 2 DLC stuffs @Malakaius
Just Cause 2 @Adellios
EYE Divine Cybermancy @bluedude
EYE Divine Cybermancy @mindstorm
EYE Divine Cybermancy @kanden
EYE Divine Cybermancy @blackbirdSR71C
The Darkness II @minor incident
Zeno CLash @Joe Blaque
Alice Madness Returns @Auburntiger
Dark Void @mts
FEAR 3 @handgimp
Arma II: Operation Arrowhead @soulgate
Driver San Francisco @Suds
Driver San Francisco @Eraserbrain
Beyond Good & Evil @Adellios
Tiny & Big Adventure @malakaius
Tiny & Big Adventure @Initiatefailure
Tiny & Big Adventure @USAgent
Cargo! @ironsizide
GTA Collection @projectmayhem
Railworks 3 @borntohula
Armed and Dangerous @21st century
GTA COllection @KoopahTroopah
GTA Collection @Satanic Jesus
Armed and Dangerous @viking
Armed and Dangerous @Aerynkelly
Secret of the Magic Crystal @viking
Sid Meiers Pirates! @viking
Hard Reset @ArcSyn
Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam DLC @rhan
Lara Croft: The Guardian of Light @sumanai
Hack, Slash, Loot @21st Century
Max Payne bundle @Arithorn
Bioshock @someomen in the GOTR Chat
Bioshock 2 @Lord Snot
Renegade Ops @Eraserbrain
Two Worlds Pirates DLC @idolninja
Dear Esther @rhan
Dear Esther @joe blaque
Dear Esther @Apodionysus
Dear Esther @dirtyboy
Dear Esther @Auburntiger
Dear Esther @initialfailure
Dear Esther @daringdirk
Dear Esther @chocobolicious
Prince of Persia 2008 @decoy
Nuclear Dawn @21st Century
Divine Divinity @chocobolicious
Tom Clancy Splinter Cell Conviction DE @zebukiel
cubemen @decoy
The gifting broke the $500 mark (conversion and whatnot) with the actual cost £331.81 and it was worth every penny as all the games were incredible fun.
Here's what I bought for myself! No spoiler needed cause short list is short!
Thief II
Beyond Good and Evil
Arx Fatalis
A massive £4.49 spent on myself :lol:
Honestly, best atmosphere of any sale so far thanks to the community spirit and again, much love for all the gifts! <3
I'll likely sit out the next sale and try to repair the damage done to both bank accounts. Game bank and money bank! Gonna pass on the new releases this year with the exception of Sleeping Dogs which I bought a month or so ago. I can't wait to watch the action from the sidelines come winter!
My Backloggery PSN: Bigisy24
Yeah, after not buying anything the first several days of the sale I actually congratulated myself for having some willpower. Then I went and bought like 10 games over the weekend
2008, 2012 D&D "Rare With No Sauce" League Fantasy Football Champion!
Penny Arcade group members only, ends Wednesday afternoon, don't be a mooch, etc.
I still had $5 in credit from Disciples II I used to get Last Remnant. Seemed like a good trade to me.
I am genuinely relieved to see Steam back to normal (except for the madness that is the Jade Empire sale).
// Steam, LoL, & WiiU: VWinds // Livestream //
I can giftaway too!
Also, I have this
and also... I guess that's it.
Behance Portfolio I Amazonian I PSN- Subtle_Ties | 3DS: 3840-5210-2008 (Subtle)
RAP BATTLE IN THE STILWATER HOOD FOR ALL THE MIZZARBLES
That's right, Gs--you want a chance to roll with the Saints, then you've gotta show yo' flow. PM me your best beats, rhymes, hooks, and other such doggerel about how difficult the socioeconomic situation is in your vicinity, considering the amount of illicit activity engendered within it by your friends, enemies, and women of loose morals. It only takes one good verse, but the better you got the better your shot, as "they" say. Who are "they"? Who, indeed.
There are only two rules to keep in mind:
1) If you want to lay your verse down to the tune of an actual rap song, that's fine--just make sure you credit appropriately so that we can have it playing in the background as your prize-winning entry gets announced.
2) RADIO EDIT VERSIONS ONLY. You can use goose as much as you want. In fact, I recommend it. We all know what those songs are really saying when they go 'unh' or 'hish', so be creative--this is a family-friendly contest.
Relatively speaking.
The winner will be decided some time shortly after July 23rd, 2012 at 9:30pm PDT. The grandmaster rapper will receive a Steam key for Saints Row the Third. As if that weren't obvious.
So, who do you think made that troll decision to leave Jade Empire's big sale until the day the summer stuff expired?
Rock Band DLC / A Cheesecake Recipe / Xbox Live
Do I continue working through Borderlands?
Learn the Way of the Voice in Skyrim?
Carnage in the Streets of Saint's Row?
Or uphold the law in LA Noire?
Perhaps retire and open an item shop in Recettear?
This is why I started the Backlog thread in the first place...
Steam: DigitalArcanist | XBoxLive: DigitalArcanist | PSN: DigitalArcanist | Backloggery: Houn
Congrats to @Capfalcon for winning this and, here's a new giveaway for you Adventure Time folks!
Open for a day!
Steam: abunchofdaftpunk | PSN: noautomobilesgo | Lastfm: sjchszeppelin |
I have waited so long for jade Empire to go on sale
probably shouldn't have spent any more money but this was a special case
I'll vote for La Noire. Super linear, and you all of the side stuff is worthless so you can likely knock off the game from your backlog pretty quick.
Also, some people will try to tell you the "trick" to Recettear. Don't listen. It breaks the game and robs it of any challenge.
I didn't do any side stuff, and it took me over 30 hours to finish....
Helloooooo, backlog...
(Goodbyyyyeee sleep...)
Was that the complete edition? I don't think it took me much more than 15 without the DLC.
still left: 2, 4, 8, 9, 11 -15, 18, 20. Back in a bit
I already started Skyrim, so I'll probably wait until I'm "done" with that before I hop into LA Noire.
I also have been playing Borderlands, but it's entirely dependent on if I can scrounge up people to play with when I have time to sit down and play. Of course, SR3 is going to compete with that, since most peeps I know are playing that multi now thanks to the sale.
Oh, and a friend sent me Civ5. So, that's another "fuck you" to my free time...
Steam: DigitalArcanist | XBoxLive: DigitalArcanist | PSN: DigitalArcanist | Backloggery: Houn
Winter Summer Sale Wrap Up Giveaway Contest Thing Part 1!
I ain't done with you guys! But Steamgifts won't let me upload more than 3 at once, so I can't gift bomb this stuff Gear Girl style. Change of plans, then!
Whoever wants Sonic CD, PM me a piece of video game music funkier than this:
You have until somewhere around this time tomorrow. I'll pick a winner based on how many times I say "dayamn" while listening to their submission. Go! Roll around, at the speed of sound!
2008, 2012 D&D "Rare With No Sauce" League Fantasy Football Champion!