a question regarding gaming on the m11x

out of curiosity how are you guys playing games that require the dvd to play?

 

There are a few options.

[Removed by moderator]

3. In the case of not having the game yet, but wanting to buy it, you have Steam, direct2Drive and other games downloading services.

 

any other options?


most of my games are from steam/direct2drive/gog.com but i still have a load of them that require the cd/dvd to be inserted like the battlefield series (unsure about BFBC2 though, i have that ordered through amazon because its half the price it would be on steam or direct2drive)

I do have an ext dvd drive i could hook up, is that the best option?

 

There are sites that have cd check removers for games you already own.

 

I personally use an external drive but for most of my gaming needs I use steam. It's a lot more convenient than carrying a crap load of dvds everywhere. If all else fails for the games you already own, you can download no cd patches for them.

 

i install games via my desktop pc, by sharing the disc drive. if i'm at home i can leave that game in the disc drive of my main pc and just leave it there. i only have 3 cd games left, and i don't play those too often, mostly at home, so i can safely have them in the drive.

most games only need to start with the disc in the drive anyway, the disc can be removed afterwards.

 

You've got several options:

1. Probably the least practical, run using a USB disk drive.

2. There are programs that can create a .iso 'disk image' saved to your hard drive. You can then use a free disk mounting software such as MagicDisk to make this look to the computer as if the 'disk image' is a real disk running in a real CD/DVD drive, except it's all virtual. Perfectly legal and eliminates the need for a hefty extra drive, but does take up significant hard drive space.

3. There are 'less legal' options that I'm not going to get into detail with here, in fear of getting an infraction. But programs can be 'fixed' so that they no longer look for the CD. Like I said, I won't go into detail, but it does mean no CD, no disk image, no extra hard drive space...Possibly the best option, but it's not technically legal. (Not likely that you'd get a SWAT team busting through your windows for it but you probably wouldn't be able to play online on whatever game it is)

4. Use Steam! Possibly the best option altogether, as everything is digital. Games off Steam are often cheap, can be downloaded onto any computer with your account on it (although you can only be signed in to play on one at a time) and can generally just make management of the games easier altogether. Note that this does actually mean buying the games through Steam; you can add a non-Steam game to it for the in-game interface, but it won't eliminate the need for a CD if the game needs it. (Some boxed games require Steam to run anyway, such as Left 4 Dead 2, and will automatically install it with the game, but not many 'boxed' games resort to this)


Not to mention Steam comes pre-installed on the M11x anyway to advertise its uses for online purchased and downloaded games. (Unless they've suddenly stopped installing it anymore)

 

I didn't even know that was possible, might look into it although none of my windows comps recognises the other windows comps on the network, they show up under linux, they show up under osx, but try with another windows OS, nothing lol

Most of my newer games are on steam or from Direct2drive and most of the ones that aren't are single player ones so they aren't really a worry,

the ones that are multi player are the battlefield series so option 2 might be the best because there will only be 2 or 3 .iso's sitting on the hdd,

or the option wiggy fuzz came up with, if i can get my windows comps to behave themselves networking-wise

 

Evilcorsair mentioned option 3....................DONT go there please, you WILL end up with a perfectly good laptop screwed up by all sorts of nasty, intrusive, horrid things running about on your hard drive.................................I know this because I tried it and then spent hours fixing it after I screwed it up!!

 

The above can be true from time to time but the main reason should be this:
(this is to be considered in case you have not bought the product/game but gotten access to it from some less legal website)
If you go there then some good honest peoples work will be disrespected and less good games will be made in the future as less money is earned and invested in new projects. People will be fired and less very talented people will use its skills in that business as they will need to find other ways of providing for their families. In these days a lot of people has been fired from Sega(I think you can find the article on http://www.gamasutra.com/ somewhere anyway a lot of bad news when it comes to laid offs) and other companies who are making computer and console games. Just a little thought

Anyway check out this link if you do not believe me:
GameDev.net - all your game development needs for news about the industry and here is just one out of many examples for this years many laid offs Massive cuts at Icarus Studios | Game Development | News by Develop

It can seem harmless but in reality it is not as the amount of money and time used to create these games has to pay off in the end or someone will have to do some explaining to the stock holders and banks

 

I am not going to say agree or dis-agree with some of the statements above. If you own a game on CD or DVD rom, this means you have the rom. If you have installed it, and then configured or installed something that removes the CD check, you have modified the software and this may be breaking the rules. However if the LE comes breaking down the door and you show them an official copy of the game or whatever you will be fine.. Again this applies to folks that legit purchased the game. I have lots of DVD's or Cds and I install all of them on HD. (Mods - I didnt explain how to or give any links so I think I am still not breaking rules correct?) If needed I can take pics of my dvdroms or cd's to prove I am not a gaming enthusiast who promotes piracy.

Last, I think the best option if you have money is probably STEAM, that multiple folks mentioned above.

Best wishes, StevenX

 

GOG.com is a awesome source of older games for download. It is so cheap for some of them it is worth buying them again to save yourself the trouble.