Sure its been asked and answerd

[Antor]

I'm sure I am asking somethnig has allready been asked but since I only can check these forums once ni a while at work I don't have time to read everything.. I read a couple pots and I bearly know anything about this whole 'Steam' thing, never heard of it before this forum, I don't know what it is or hwo it works or what it does.. However I just read that to play this game you MUST be connected to the internet?! So I can buy the game in a store bring it home and then I can not install/play with out being able to get online? This is a major problem for me as I save money by NOT spending 50+ a month for internet since I don't need it to play the games I enjoy (Like MLB 10 for my PS3 and Civ IV).. So if someone could confirm or deny this that would be extremely wonderful. As long time Civ gamer I am hoping that I won't be locked out of playing the last installment of my most beloved game of all time.

Thanks!
Antor

[Juan29.Zapata]

Steam is an online game distribution software made by Valve. I've been wondering about this too, it will be given in stores normally and by Steam, but it's not a 100% clear if it will be able to play offline like any other PC game.

[Antor]

Hmm.. guess I'll have to wait and see but I personally can't imagine a game comming out that isn't an MMO that the designer would require you to be online to play, seems you'd be removing potential buyers of the product without a reason. Seems liek bad planning if it's the case.

[Peregrinati]

You have to be online at least once to activate it. After that... well, that's a topic of much debate. :P Here's what Valve (Steam) has to say about it:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_...3160-AGCB-2555

[Yachmenev]

You have to be online to activate the game, but after that you do not need to be online to play the game. There is no debate about that.

There is a discussion about Steam checking for internet connection even in offline mode, but you don´t need an online connection to play the game.

[civ_king]

You have to be online to activate the game, but after that you do not need to be online to play the game. There is no debate about that.

There is a discussion about Steam checking for internet connection even in offline mode, but you don´t need an online connection to play the game.

offline is so you can use it without needing an internet connection

[machinelawn]

offline is so you can use it without needing an internet connection

yes, but that is it, if you do have an internet connection then steam wants to get in on that.

[RideASpaceCowboy]

Can the "Offline Mode" be selected a single time after installation and then never addressed again, or shall we be required to select this option each time before playing the game?

[machinelawn]

Can the "Offline Mode" be selected a single time after installation and then never addressed again, or shall we be required to select this option each time before playing the game?

ITS NOT A GODDAMN "option" its a setting available when no internet is available not something that you can activate and deactivate, and there is no point in doing so anyways.

go try steam, download it, get a demo, or one of the free games and just try it, then come back to the forums.

[vip]

Can the "Offline Mode" be selected a single time after installation and then never addressed again, or shall we be required to select this option each time before playing the game?

You select offline mode for Steam, not the game. Once you have started Steam in the offline mode, then every time you restart Steam, it will directly go to the offline mode. So you do not have to select the offline option everytime.

But as far as the 'never addressed again' part is concerned, I don't know. I have had not problem running ETW (it requires Steam) offline for a week or even 10 days, but I have had problems after that. Mind you, this is not a hard fact, it is just my experience. Some people say they don't have any problem playing it offline for longer.