How can I play Counter-Strike: Source online?

ok, i just do not know what to do and I'm really far behind the hype.

1.) Do I actually have to purchase "Half-Life 2 with Counter-Strike: Source" to play CS:S online? i know there are many versions out there and you can buy CS:S alone but this is my only option and is this already enough?

2.) is playing Counter-Strike: Source online FREE?

3.) what is this STEAM ACCOUNT?

sorry about the noob questions. please explain them to me as detailed as possible. please.. i really have no idea about this and i really want to play it online.

thank you very much in advance.

 

Well, you need steam to play CSS and HL2 etc. Steam can be downloaded from:

steampowered.com

You need to activate your game after you purchased them via steam. Just go to steam on the toolbar on the right hand side of your screen and click the icon. Every time you want to play steam games, you'll have to open up steam and enter the game via steam. Also, if you buy HL2, CSS and HL2 Deathmatch will come with it. And 1 last thing, CSS is free to play online along with all other steam online games.

 

1.) must i still have to have an internet connection to play Half-life 2 alone? which means i can't play the game if im offline, right? what if I want to run CS:S over lan, must i still have to have an internet connection?

2.) what is this steam account? can i still play my games if im using a different computer?

3.) also, does these account and games ever expire?

man, im confused.

 

1) You can play HL2 in offline mode. Just plug your internet wires out and activate steam, then it'll gave you an option, click the play in offline mode option. Also, to play lan just like any other game, you must have internet connection or on the internet, internet connection is required.

2) Yes, you'll have to make a steam account and your password. Once you have the account, you can log on on any computer and you can also activate a new steam game that you've just bought through the activate new game button in your account.

3) No, your account will never expire unless steam entire server crashes or shuts down which is unlikely.

 

With how popular the HL series and other steam games are, Steam wont close down in my lifetime, and im 18. I mean even though I dont like it, CS is the most popular online shooter of all time, and HL/HL2/EP1 are some very very popular games.

 

what i meant over LAN is a private LAN that requires no internet connection such as playing using just a switch with friends with no internet connection. given this, will I still be able to use CS:S without internet connection?

i just downloaded steam and tried what you have said about playing offline. i noticed that one should leave his/her account enabled so that he/she can use the offline mode.

thank you very much for your help sir. this information you gave me is very helpful. ill just pm you if i got other questions if it is ok to you. thank you again sir.

 

Playing private lan or lan with friends both ways will require internet, there is no way you'll be able to play that without internet connection.

Second, PM whenever you want if you're stuck, even for game tips! E.g How to shoot a gun. hehehhe

Finally, I'm only 14, no need to call me sir, I'm not a master at computers either lol. I should be calling you sir!