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    Question regarding Steam and auto-updating/patching of games

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Kain, Dec 19, 2010.

  1. Kain

    Kain Notebook Evangelist

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    I know that if you buy a game from Steam you get auto-updating/patching for that game. But what if you don't buy a game from Steam (you buy the retail version) and add that game to Steam? Will you still get auto-updating/patching for that game?
     
    Kain, Dec 19, 2010
    #1
  2. Richteralan

    Richteralan Notebook Evangelist

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    depends on the specific game dev.

    I bought DoW II retail DVD and added to steam, get auto patching.
     
    Richteralan, Dec 19, 2010
    #2
  3. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    If it is a game that you can activate on Steam (DoW II is one of them), then it is more or less a "Steam" game, you will get auto updates. The full list of retail games you can register with steam is here:

    https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-WUSF-3601

    If it's not on the list then you can add another game to launch from steam but won't get the updates. It's just there for convenience to launch your game.

    Bottom line is if you enter your CD key and it's accepted you'll get updates. If not, then no.
     
    HTWingNut, Dec 19, 2010
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  4. Bearclaw

    Bearclaw Steaming

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    Yeah Steam doesn't provide bandwidth for what it didn't get money from.
     
    Bearclaw, Dec 19, 2010
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  5. TomTom2007

    TomTom2007 Notebook Deity

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    It all depends. Even if you've bought games from the Steam store, they still don't get updated in some cases. For instance, KOTOR doesn't automatically update itself in Steam, you have to go into the game directory and launch KOTOR's own updater to download and install new update.
     
    TomTom2007, Dec 19, 2010
    #5
  6. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    True. There are exceptions. Wings of Prey also needs to be updated manually. But there are very few.
     
    HTWingNut, Dec 19, 2010
    #6