The Steam Cloud Cometh!

[biosc1]

From 1up (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3171088)

It looks like Valve's upcoming cooperative shooter Left 4 Dead will be harboring more than just the zombie plague when it releases November 17; the company's new Steam Cloud feature is also set to launch alongside the game. Left 4 Dead will be the first title to support the service, with updates to older Steam products scheduled to follow shortly after.

I've been dreading this day...next up, they'll make it even easier to purchase games :(

[squirrelTactics]

What is Steam Cloud? ...I don't feel like googling it.

[crazyD]

What is Steam Cloud? ...I don't feel like googling it.

It backs up your save game files and settings on their servers, so you can access them on any computer anywhere.

[Telefrog]

What is Steam Cloud? ...I don't feel like googling it.

From the link:

First announced toward the end of May this year, Steam Cloud automatically saves a Steam user's system settings, multiplayer configuration, and saved game data on Valve's servers, allowing players to quickly and easily retrieve those settings from any internet-connected PC. The press release notes, however, that game saves will not be making the cut in this initial version of Steam Cloud, and there's no mention of when to expect that highly anticipated feature's inclusion.

I'm not sure how useful Steam Cloud would be in a primarily multiplayer game like L4D. The advantage of Cloud is that Valve saves your user settings on their server, but if your booting L4D on another PC, wouldn't you need to adjust a lot of this stuff anyway?

[biosc1]

The rest of the "Cloud" is that it is more like your XBox Live profile. It will also save your payment information. Depending on how you feel about this, there are pros and cons. It's nice not to have to enter all my payment info...on the other hand, it's nice not having that stored on some server somewhere.

[KingGorilla]

I'm not sure how useful Steam Cloud would be in a primarily multiplayer game like L4D. The advantage of Cloud is that Valve saves your user settings on their server, but if your booting L4D on another PC, wouldn't you need to adjust a lot of this stuff anyway?

Valve acknowledges that we clear out drive space and format. What I like the most is that after that happens, my button mapping will be the same as the last time.

[Hotcod]

ya it's not going to be hugely useful for going to other PCs or the like but in the long run it would mean i could delete a game i'm not playing to clear up space and then download it and carry on playing with out any messing about what so ever. Also good if you find your self needing to format or the like.

The saves are going to be the most important thing in all this i think but given the server load there's going to be on stuff like that i can see why valve might be taking there time

[KingGorilla]

I forgot the more important part. Many of us have done upgrades or new builds when we are in the middle of something. I had to format once I was in actIII of the Witcher, like 8 hours just gone.

There is also sharing between say your desktop and laptop. Same save regardless of where you are.

Valve rivals Microsoft for focus testing and survey data of its customers. I have a feeling a feature like this was their solution to many of the niggles we tend to have of the hobby.

But what concerns me is that like GFW Live, Steamworks is not taking off. Third party support is vital to me.

[Hotcod]

the new gfw live is being integrated in to some big upcoming games as is steamworks... i think your expecting to much to soon off both of them. I mean gfw did fall flat on its face the first time out but they've all but restarted and it's honestly been rather good with fallout to the point i'm no longer scared about DoW2.

[Telefrog]

the new gfw live is being integrated in to some big upcoming games as is steamworks... i think your expecting to much to soon off both of them. I mean gfw did fall flat on its face the first time out but they've all but restarted and it's honestly been rather good with fallout to the point i'm no longer scared about DoW2.

It's definitely improved for Fallout 3. I'm actually amazed at how sweet it is compared to my horrible experience in Universe At War.

[Dukefrukem]

I've been dreading this day...next up, they'll make it even easier to purchase games :(

I don't get it...?

[biosc1]

I don't get it...?

Well...it's fairly easy to purchase from Steam, but now they are going to remember your payment details so you can just do it like iTunes...Click purchase button and you've bought it.

[Libuke]

But what concerns me is that like GFW Live, Steamworks is not taking off. Third party support is vital to me.

I was sorta thinking the same thing especially since valve is giving it away for free. But that may be changing as it looks like Empire: Total War is using it and I don't even think of total war games as multi-player. We will probably have to wait for more new games to start production as all I can think of is that they have already payed licensing fees for other products like game spy/GFW and so are going to use it. Unless I missed it and those are free to use too.

[Ghostbear]

I have been looking forward to this for a long time. Long live Steam!

[Dukefrukem]

Well...it's fairly easy to purchase from Steam, but now they are going to remember your payment details so you can just do it like iTunes...Click purchase button and you've bought it.

So why dread this? Because it will make you spend more?

[Everyone vs Dinosaurs]

So why dread this? Because it will make you spend more?

I was wondering that too, and what you said was the only possible explanation.

(That made a lick of sense)

[biosc1]

So why dread this? Because it will make you spend more?

Yes, I fail at humour.

[crazyD]

So why dread this? Because it will make you spend more?

I would assume because it makes your personal info less secure.


Edit - I guess not.

[GigaFuzz]

Yes, I fail at humour.

No, your humour was fine. It's the rest of those nubs who failed. :)

Even adding PayPal was a dangerous move. Any system by which I don't have to manually input my card details each time, thereby allowing me to purchase things incredibly quickly is going to be bad for my bank balance.

[Nura]

Single-click purchases ftl :/ i'm not strong enough to withstand such thing!

[biosc1]

Single-click purchases ftl :/ i'm not strong enough to withstand such thing!

Yah, I know, I just saw Steam update itself...this will be dangerous. Before, I had to pull out my wallet and Visa, giving me time to think about the purchase. Now...well, now it's just a click away.