Just another Steam rant I suppose...

[LiquidSky]

Seems to me that people havent actually looked at what is in the My Products section of Matrix games....go take a look.. I will wait.

Done?

Good...notice: No games. Just Beta downloads or some useful help files. Matrix does not store the game for you. They may, given sufficient proof that you are who you claim to be, will give you a new download link... And when you purchase a game, will keep the download link alive for a short time.

What you can do (what I do) is archive the files. Space is cheap. You can use USB memory sticks, Google Drive, or cloud of your choice. You can store it on multiple hard drives. You can convince a friend to play the same game, so that he also has a copy. You can burn it onto a CD/DVD/BD.

What you shouldnt do is listen to Rtwfreak or anyone else who says Matrix will archive the game for you. They don't.

[Rtwfreak]

ORIGINAL: LiquidSky



Seems to me that people havent actually looked at what is in the My Products section of Matrix games....go take a look.. I will wait.

Done?

Good...notice: No games. Just Beta downloads or some useful help files. Matrix does not store the game for you. They may, given sufficient proof that you are who you claim to be, will give you a new download link... And when you purchase a game, will keep the download link alive for a short time.

What you can do (what I do) is archive the files. Space is cheap. You can use USB memory sticks, Google Drive, or cloud of your choice. You can store it on multiple hard drives. You can convince a friend to play the same game, so that he also has a copy. You can burn it onto a CD/DVD/BD.

What you shouldnt do is listen to Rtwfreak or anyone else who says Matrix will archive the game for you. They don't.

If you had taken some time to "learn" the members section you would know how to use it instead of making false and fail accusations about me which aren't true.

Goto the member section and find "My Games" down that list there you will see "My Orders" when you click on that link it will take you to all the games you've bought from Matrixgames and Digital River (that you registered) and guess what is over to the right hand side of that list of games? Why it's a "Download Again" link to each game you have bought from Matrixgames through Digital River. Imagine that. And amazingly you can "redownload" them again? WOW! Isn't that just fantastic?

So I guess what people "shouldn't" do is listen to you huh? [:D]

This even a quote from the members page

The Find My Order page allows you look up and find orders you placed with us over the years and to be able to re-download it.

Now I'll even tell you how to get your Plimus downloads again. Pretty simple yet may not be as easy as the Digital River portion. Just click on the Find my Order for Plimus and input the "required" information of the last 4 digits of your credit card and your email address you used to purchase games from Plimus (you did record and store this information didn't you?). Then when you get to the section that has your games listed just have them "resend you your receipt" (it's a scroll box that you can click on for either receipt or customer notifications) Be sure and click the SEND button. In the email you will get just click on the blue link that has your "Order Number" in it it's like an 8 digit number at the end of the link. The next page asks you to answer a few questions which namely is the "download" link and you check that box and of course put in your email address you used to purchase the game and then it will take you to a "ReDownload" page.

Such simple tasks to get your games back really. And before anyone says it, Plimus works as Matrixgames backup storage facility so don't try to be cute or silly by saying that's not Matrixgames storing your games. They Pay Plimus to do this I'm sure. If not then great free storage service provided by Matrixgames. [:D]

[JudgeDredd]

Steam = right click the "greyed out" (uninstalled game) in your library and click Install Game. Super easy.

Having said that - I'm a fan of both (here and Steam), though I spend far more money over at Steam because of the prices.

However, I do acknowledge that one day Steam may not be here and I may not have my library of games. Given I am not a fan of "old stuff" anyway and move on from games quite quickly that's not really a big deal and I wouldn't imagine I'd start crying when it happens - though if I do, feel free to bring this thread back up [:D]

What I would agree with is Steam's help service is a) less than helpful and b) about as responsive as a sloth

[Rtwfreak]

Well I think we could all take a lesson from just Microsoft. They no longer support Win 95, 98 and soon WinXP and certainly just about all of the DOS games before them. Things come and things go but at least Matrixgames is still supporting games over 12 years old and makes it easy to redownload them and play them as you wish. Yes, not everybody plays older games. I'm not of that group. I still play dos games from back in the 80's that I enjoy much more than todays games. Sword of Aragon, Battles of Napoleon, War of the Lance, Master of Magic and Civilization II just to name a few. I'm not playing them because Microsoft is still supporting them or their developers that's for sure.

We all have our likes and dislikes though and I certainly dislike Steam and EA right now. Gamersgate and GOG give me what I want and don't make me feel like I'm a prisoner of their service. I own those games when I download them (barring they aren't of a 3rd party download and DRM scheme such as Steam) and that's the way "I" likes it.

[IainMcNeil]

Guys I'm having trouble following the thread here but if there is an issue can you pass it to the Helpdesk and we'll work out what it is. If you have already done so please tell me teh ticket number so I can investigate.

[Perturabo]

I still play games that I have bought 16 years ago.

[Rtwfreak]

ORIGINAL: Perturabo

I still play games that I have bought 16 years ago.

I know gamers are still playing Civilization II and quite a few are still playing Master of Magic which is 20 years old next year. Just because a game is old doesn't mean it's still not fun to play. Big deal if the graphics are a little dated or even stickmen of the real olden days, if the game is fun then it's still fun now. One game I forgot to mention that is still very challenging today is "Centurion Defender of Rome" the ai in that game puts all other ai's to shame really. I still have a hard time winning on just normal setting. Graphics in it of course are horrible but I just love the gameplay and challenge of it. Even the Combat Mission series the older one is about 10 years old now and I of course still play it also. Change does not always mean better that's for sure. Steam doesn't really mean better it's just convenient is all. For me I'll spend a few more seconds or a minute or two backing up my games vs being under the rule of a service I don't like how they do things.

[parusski]

Steam sucks. Steam is great. Steam is horrible. Steam is wonderful. I love steam. I hate Steam.

[Rtwfreak]

ORIGINAL: parusski

Steam sucks. Steam is great. Steam is horrible. Steam is wonderful. I love steam. I hate Steam.

Well at least you finished with "I hate Steam." [:)]

[parusski]

ORIGINAL: Rtwfreak

ORIGINAL: parusski

Steam sucks. Steam is great. Steam is horrible. Steam is wonderful. I love steam. I hate Steam.

Well at least you finished with "I hate Steam." [:)]

Arrrggghhh.

Steam sucks. Steam is great. Steam is evil. I love Steam.

EDIT: I am trying to prevent flame throwers being pointed at me, hence the opposing positions(HEHE).

[Rtwfreak]

You started off with "Steam Sucks" as well....we know how you really feel now.

[mrensing]

Holy Crap. This is the first time I have ever had this happen in my 36 years of life. I was considering ripping into you about what a pretentious, obnoxious jerk you were and how your post added nothing but hate and discontent to the thread....then I thought, 'naw...why bait the troll, just ignore him'.

And then you go and apologize. On the forum. On the internet. To everyone. I salute you for showing a bit of class and courtesy where most others don't. Apology accepted and thank you.

ORIGINAL: Gary Childress

I apologize to Vyshka and CG_Gamer for my rudeness yesterday evening. Work has been extremely taxing lately and Steam's idiosyncrasies are just not helping me when I get home after a 12 hour day. Still I should have stepped back and taken a breather before posting...but I didn't. I apologize. [:o]

[mrensing]

Wow. You have just solved a problem that Matrix tech support could not. I have been downloading the links in the 'Downloads' part of the members section. I did not realize you had to to to the 'My orders' section to download the game. I am supposing the links in the 'Downloads' are strictly the patches? Why the hell would Matrix not put the game downloads in the 'Downloads' section??!! Thanks anyway. Perhaps you can help with the second half of the problem?

Rather than burn a disk I have always just copied and pasted the game folders onto my new computer. When I did that with GoA and EiA it didn't work. I am having a serial number error issue even though I have the proper serial numbers. Is there some sort of DRM in those games that wont allow you to C&P the game folders to a new computer even with the proper serial?

ORIGINAL: Rtwfreak

ORIGINAL: LiquidSky



Seems to me that people havent actually looked at what is in the My Products section of Matrix games....go take a look.. I will wait.

Done?

Good...notice: No games. Just Beta downloads or some useful help files. Matrix does not store the game for you. They may, given sufficient proof that you are who you claim to be, will give you a new download link... And when you purchase a game, will keep the download link alive for a short time.

What you can do (what I do) is archive the files. Space is cheap. You can use USB memory sticks, Google Drive, or cloud of your choice. You can store it on multiple hard drives. You can convince a friend to play the same game, so that he also has a copy. You can burn it onto a CD/DVD/BD.

What you shouldnt do is listen to Rtwfreak or anyone else who says Matrix will archive the game for you. They don't.

If you had taken some time to "learn" the members section you would know how to use it instead of making false and fail accusations about me which aren't true.

Goto the member section and find "My Games" down that list there you will see "My Orders" when you click on that link it will take you to all the games you've bought from Matrixgames and Digital River (that you registered) and guess what is over to the right hand side of that list of games? Why it's a "Download Again" link to each game you have bought from Matrixgames through Digital River. Imagine that. And amazingly you can "redownload" them again? WOW! Isn't that just fantastic?

So I guess what people "shouldn't" do is listen to you huh? [:D]

This even a quote from the members page

The Find My Order page allows you look up and find orders you placed with us over the years and to be able to re-download it.

Now I'll even tell you how to get your Plimus downloads again. Pretty simple yet may not be as easy as the Digital River portion. Just click on the Find my Order for Plimus and input the "required" information of the last 4 digits of your credit card and your email address you used to purchase games from Plimus (you did record and store this information didn't you?). Then when you get to the section that has your games listed just have them "resend you your receipt" (it's a scroll box that you can click on for either receipt or customer notifications) Be sure and click the SEND button. In the email you will get just click on the blue link that has your "Order Number" in it it's like an 8 digit number at the end of the link. The next page asks you to answer a few questions which namely is the "download" link and you check that box and of course put in your email address you used to purchase the game and then it will take you to a "ReDownload" page.

Such simple tasks to get your games back really. And before anyone says it, Plimus works as Matrixgames backup storage facility so don't try to be cute or silly by saying that's not Matrixgames storing your games. They Pay Plimus to do this I'm sure. If not then great free storage service provided by Matrixgames. [:D]

[Rtwfreak]

Rather than burn a disk I have always just copied and pasted the game folders onto my new computer. When I did that with GoA and EiA it didn't work. I am having a serial number error issue even though I have the proper serial numbers. Is there some sort of DRM in those games that wont allow you to C&P the game folders to a new computer even with the proper serial?

All I can think of here would have something to do with the 'registry' entries when you are 'installing' the game and that is why you need to burn the setup.exe file vs the unzipped game folder. Not going to say this is the process with all games but that would be the first thing to come to mind. Within the setup is that cd/key that has to match what you type in when you are installing the game. When you copy just a game folder over you are not copying what is in your 'registry'.

Also, if I'm not mistaken those links in the "download" section of the "members section" are for the "patches/updates" to your games. So, yes I can see where Matrixgames might have been misleading in the members section on where to go to download the full games vs updates/patches. I guess they should name it Updates/Patches. [:)]

I'm glad I could help you out and that you've found out you should listen to me from time to time. haha I too will apologize for sounding condensending. I guess online since there is no tone or real chuckles and laughter one could take things I type that way. I guess because I saw how simple it was I expected everyone to....sorry.

[parusski]

ORIGINAL: parusski

ORIGINAL: Rtwfreak

ORIGINAL: parusski

Steam sucks. Steam is great. Steam is horrible. Steam is wonderful. I love steam. I hate Steam.

Well at least you finished with "I hate Steam." [:)]

Arrrggghhh.

Steam sucks. Steam is great. Steam is evil. I love Steam.

EDIT: I am trying to prevent flame throwers being pointed at me, hence the opposing positions(HEHE).

Calm down Mr D. Vader If you pay CLOSE attention I took NO side in this debate. Many members siuffer what is known as the warspitewodin syndrome. If you have no idea about this forum problem read the extraordinary Mental Illnesses Of The Internet, S. Ambrose, who postulates this disorder is Caused by living in Uttoxeter[8D]

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: CG_Gamer

Wow. You have just solved a problem that Matrix tech support could not. I have been downloading the links in the 'Downloads' part of the members section. I did not realize you had to to to the 'My orders' section to download the game. I am supposing the links in the 'Downloads' are strictly the patches? Why the hell would Matrix not put the game downloads in the 'Downloads' section??!! Thanks anyway. Perhaps you can help with the second half of the problem?

Rather than burn a disk I have always just copied and pasted the game folders onto my new computer. When I did that with GoA and EiA it didn't work. I am having a serial number error issue even though I have the proper serial numbers. Is there some sort of DRM in those games that wont allow you to C&P the game folders to a new computer even with the proper serial?

IIRC Matrix Games stores the Serial Number in the registry. I could be wrong - but if I'm right that's likely why you cannot just copy your game folder across onto a new machine. Also if I'm right, I have no idea how you were able to do it before. Perhaps it's a new feature?

I'm actually surprised that ever worked for you ever tbh.