As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/

[STEAM] Maxed out like your credit card. Go post in the new thread!

minor incidentminor incident expert in a dying fieldnjRegistered User regular
edited December 2011 in Games and Technology
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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

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.

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.

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. How does trading items/games work?
Trading is now built in to Steam, hurray! Read all about how it works right here.



fzsT8.pngSome Words on GiftingtErbf.png

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!"



fzsT8.pngAn Important Word on ConteststErbf.png

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.



fzsT8.pngHelpful StufftErbf.png

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.

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.



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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:
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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:
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And now it is our unofficial official motto.

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During the Winter Sale there will be special Christmas Achievements posted every day. Each one you complete nets you a coupon, a free game (at random) or a lump of coal, eventually redeemable in bulk for better prizes. A full list of the winter achievements can be found right here.

Just note that you can complete the achievements any time, even before they appear on the Steam homepage, but you won't get the reward until the day Steam posts it.


//credit for the op contents goes to the ever classy @TychoCelchuuu

Ah, it stinks, it sucks, it's anthropologically unjust
minor incident on
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Posts

  • Lord_SnotLord_Snot Живу за выходные American ValhallaRegistered User regular
    When's the sale start? Tomorrow, no? Or is it today?

    In which case.

    HELL YES! :D:D:D:D

  • SteevLSteevL What can I do for you? Registered User regular
    From previous thread:
    rikdaly wrote:
    oakke wrote:
    I know this has been said before but whoever designed that 1.11 level in Bit.Trip Runner is a terrible, evil person.

    It certainly doesn't help that I keep trying to get perfect instead of just finishing the damn thing.

    I tried for about half an hour last night and failed that level :( gonna try it today with less alcohol

    Hehe, Odyssey is rough and probably is the longest level in the game. I love it though.

    Still never got all the gold bars in it.

  • TaminTamin Registered User regular
    Looks like I'm going to be marathoning Poker Night again.

    they really missed an opportunity for multiplayer there.

  • minor incidentminor incident expert in a dying field njRegistered User regular
    edited December 2011
    Lord_Snot wrote:
    When's the sale start? Tomorrow, no? Or is it today?

    In which case.

    HELL YES! :D:D:D:D

    Likely suspicion based on developer's comments about it is tomorrow, the 19th.

    Hopefully we'll still have at least half a thread left before the sale proper starts.

    minor incident on
    Ah, it stinks, it sucks, it's anthropologically unjust
  • chocoboliciouschocobolicious Registered User regular
    Hm... THQ day on Amazon, some pretty good sales on Steamworks stuff.

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  • TaminTamin Registered User regular
    edited December 2011
    I shall count cards!

    edit, 3 minutes later: well, that was short-lived. They must shuffle before each deal.

    Tamin on
  • chocoboliciouschocobolicious Registered User regular
    Countin down them 27 hours. Tick tock tick tock.

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  • BarneyLBarneyL Registered User regular
    Ahh new thread smell!
    Just a reminder, there's 5 hours left on my Terraria give-away only 5 people have entered so far:

    http://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/4WR0J/terraria

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  • IoloIolo iolo Registered User regular
    Hm... THQ day on Amazon, some pretty good sales on Steamworks stuff.

    Like? (For those of us on the holiday go go go. :) )

    Lt. Iolo's First Day
    Steam profile.
    Getting started with BATTLETECH: Part 1 / Part 2
  • chocoboliciouschocobolicious Registered User regular
    Space Marines: 24.99
    Saint's Row the Third: 29.99
    Red Faction: Armageddon: 11.99
    Metro 2033: 7.99
    Homefront: 11.99

    Though Metro is usually cheaper during sales, so eh.

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  • AsheAshe Registered User regular
    New thread, yay. New sale incoming, woop! I have no hope of keeping up - I'm struggling even in the relative down-time!

    Go forth and be classy, gents!

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  • An-DAn-D Enthusiast AshevilleRegistered User regular
    So, the rumored grand prize this Christmas season is *all* the games on Steam. Is there a way to figure out how much that is actually worth?


    I'm estimating a quarter bazillion dollars. Give or take a zillion.

  • Lord_SnotLord_Snot Живу за выходные American ValhallaRegistered User regular
    Oh man, I really want Saints Row 3. What's the likelihood that it'll go cheaper than $30 in the sale?

  • CorpekataCorpekata Registered User regular
    Can't imagine it'd be any lower. Maybe same price.

    However, it IS THQ, who are pretty good about aggressively pricing most of their PC releases.

  • heenatoheenato Alice Leywind Registered User regular
    I'm just REALLY hoping they have a sale on the season pass.

    M A G I K A Z A M
  • SteevLSteevL What can I do for you? Registered User regular
    An-D wrote:
    So, the rumored grand prize this Christmas season is *all* the games on Steam. Is there a way to figure out how much that is actually worth?


    I'm estimating a quarter bazillion dollars. Give or take a zillion.

    I think people have entered known Valve employee usernames into the ddgamer calculator to find out that number.

  • SkyEyeSkyEye Registered User regular
    So have we come to a consensus on which Shogun 2 DLCs are worth it? If the blood pack is purely cosmetic then I prolly won't pick it up.

    Steam: Autumn_Thunder - SC2: AutumnThundr.563 (NA) - Hearthstone: AutumnThundr.1383

  • chocoboliciouschocobolicious Registered User regular
    SkyEye wrote:
    So have we come to a consensus on which Shogun 2 DLCs are worth it? If the blood pack is purely cosmetic then I prolly won't pick it up.

    They are all pretty much worth it. I mean they add unique factions or a unique campaign thats pretty ball busting.

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  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    the clan and unit packs probably worth it, especially for a buck or so. rise of the samurais is a full cmapaign and that is the cheapest it has been

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  • jclastjclast Registered User regular
    So after getting it in the last humble bundle I fired up Jamestown to get its Christmas achievement. Holy crap, I love it. I'm not really good at shmups, but I managed to clear the first 3 levels on normal and then the first 2 again on difficult by myself. Of the three ships I have the only dud (by which I mean needs to be used by people smarted than I am) is the gunner ship - I just can't do anything with it. Also, I didn't see any options for it in the menus, but does Jamestown support online multiplayer? I doubt I'd ever get more than just me sitting at my PC (thought I do have 4 360 controllers that we could all use), and I'd love to see some of the later levels.

    Also, assuming it goes on sale which, if any, of the DLC packs are worth it?

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  • CantidoCantido Registered User regular
    Okay, Shogun's pretty. I'm sold.

    3DS Friendcode 5413-1311-3767
  • RoyceX7RoyceX7 Registered User regular
    nice. a new thread and the sales is just a few steps away.

    Steam: RoyceX7

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  • PeewiPeewi Registered User regular
    An-D wrote:
    So, the rumored grand prize this Christmas season is *all* the games on Steam. Is there a way to figure out how much that is actually worth?


    I'm estimating a quarter bazillion dollars. Give or take a zillion.

    Well, it depends on whether it includes DLC. Railworks and all that.

  • John ZoidbergJohn Zoidberg Registered User regular
    Does anyone recall the cheapest Payday has gotten?

    Want to grab a 4 pack for some buddies and myself if it drops in the sale.

    Xbox Live: Ink Pouch / PSN: Stiff_Ninja / Origin: PAZoidberg / Steam
  • -SPI--SPI- Osaka, JapanRegistered User regular
    Having all the games almost seems like a curse as much as a prize.

  • John ZoidbergJohn Zoidberg Registered User regular
    -SPI- wrote:
    Having all the games almost seems like a curse as much as a prize.

    Especially if the winner just has Steam on a very basic laptop.

    Xbox Live: Ink Pouch / PSN: Stiff_Ninja / Origin: PAZoidberg / Steam
  • Lord YodLord Yod Registered User regular
    oh man someone help me

    i really don't need to be buying shogun right now

    but ninjas

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  • FugaFuga Registered User regular
    Oh man, I entered a group giveaway on steamgifts and actually won.
    Thanks, pabloprice!!

  • XeddicusXeddicus Registered User regular
    Yeah, thanks @pablo_price for Frozen Synapse. Though I only got it because everyone was too snobby to accept a non steam game apparently, so thanks Steam people too! :P

  • SaraLunaSaraLuna Registered User regular
    heh, grats guys

  • heenatoheenato Alice Leywind Registered User regular
    -SPI- wrote:
    Having all the games almost seems like a curse as much as a prize.
    How will they serve the newell if he already served them?

    M A G I K A Z A M
  • LawndartLawndart Registered User regular
    Does anyone recall the cheapest Payday has gotten?

    Want to grab a 4 pack for some buddies and myself if it drops in the sale.

    It was a $10 daily deal during the last sale, and it's been on sale for $10 elsewhere (I'm pretty sure it's a Steamworks game).

  • chocoboliciouschocobolicious Registered User regular
    heenato wrote:
    -SPI- wrote:
    Having all the games almost seems like a curse as much as a prize.
    How will they serve the newell if he already served them?

    By doing what I end up doing, buying stuff for other people because you always have whats on sale.

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  • tsmvengytsmvengy Registered User regular
    Does anyone recall the cheapest Payday has gotten?

    Want to grab a 4 pack for some buddies and myself if it drops in the sale.

    Just take any steam URL and replace "store.steampowered.com" with "steamgamesales.com"

    http://www.steamgamesales.com/wW3Kb/payday-the-heist

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  • CorpekataCorpekata Registered User regular
    Payday has a christmas achievement. Wait for it in the sale, it'll be there.

  • John ZoidbergJohn Zoidberg Registered User regular
    Thanks guys. Will hopefully be able to nab a 4 pack soon.

    Xbox Live: Ink Pouch / PSN: Stiff_Ninja / Origin: PAZoidberg / Steam
  • Big ClassyBig Classy Registered User regular
    I hope the internet dies at the stroke of midnight tonight. I don't get paid till Tuesday and over half will go to there bank because goddamn bullshit assholes charge for every freaking thing. :(

  • ElinElin Registered User regular
    I came home a day early because I was having Internet withdrawl shakes. Man, that sucked so bad. Anyhow, back in time for the sales!

    Switch SW-5832-5050-0149
    PSN Hypacia
    Xbox HypaciaMinnow
    Discord Hypacia#0391
  • ZenitramZenitram Registered User regular
    Shogun is awesome, but goddamn does it take a long time to load every screen. Anything that can fix this?

    And do we get one more daily deal, or does the Winter sale start in 45 minutes?

  • minor incidentminor incident expert in a dying field njRegistered User regular
    Zenitram wrote:
    Shogun is awesome, but goddamn does it take a long time to load every screen. Anything that can fix this?

    And do we get one more daily deal, or does the Winter sale start in 45 minutes?

    It should be one more deal today, and then Winter Sale in 24 hours.

    Ah, it stinks, it sucks, it's anthropologically unjust
This discussion has been closed.