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Steam
It seems from the conversations I've had with a few of you that not all of you have found the gaming joy that is Steam. I strongly recommend that you all do so. What is Steam, you ask? I'd be happy to tell you.
First off, lemme give you the link: http://www.steampowered.com/
On that page, you'll find the "Get Steam Now" download/installer link. Go do that thing. While its installing and updating, I'll explain:
Steam is:
And if that isn't enough to whet your appetite, you're either dead, grumpy or not the gamer you claim to be. What are you doing here? huh? Why are deceiving all of us with your winsome ways? I know, you just think Boda's hot. Well, sure, don't we all. Back up and take a number, biznatch.
- a gaming download service. Sick of getting the cardboard boxes that take up store shelf space and end up in your trash anyway? No problem. No more boxes. When you purchase a game on Steam, it gives you full download rights to the game, to install on any machine, forever. (Note, you can only be "logged in", and use your games, on ONE machine at a time)
- a gaming UPDATE service. Yes, you'll never need to worry about updating your games (at least, the ones you get through Steam), ever again. It happens automatically (by default), and you never have to worry about searching for patches or whatever. All done for you.
- It is a gaming "achievement" and challenge system. Many games have "Steam Achievements" that you achieve through the game itself, and they either unlock more content, set you apart from the herds of sheeple also playing the game through your l33tn3ss, or just give you a way to compare your performance against your friends.
- All high scores for games that support it are also logged through Steam, and you can compare your performance against your friends.
- A gaming chat/friend system. Make sure you buddy up with your TAO friends. You can chat with them, send them gift games, ridicule their weakness and espouse your l33tn3ss.
- An independent game distributor. Yes, they don't just carry Valve (think, HalfLife) games. They carry ALOT of games. MANY, Many, many of them are from small independent developers who are producing FANTASTIC content and games. I will punch down a few recommendations below for those want to try stuff out.
- A way to try before you buy. MANY games have their demos up as well, with either the first couple levels or a limited content version to try out before you purchase anything.
- A way to see game trailers and developer videos. Many of the games will post up their "intro videos" to their games up months before the release to tease you and make you drool (and you know you do). The videos download just as easily as the games, or you can just view them via streaming in the client itself.
Ok, finally, my aforementioned list of REALLY CHEAP GAMES that you *absolutely* must try out, if not buy (and really, skip lunch one day so you'll have the three bucks for one of 'em. Yes, some of them are THREE BUCKS). I just went back and checked, actually. The cheapest game up there is $.99. Yes. 99 CENTS.
Enjoy! Oh, and friend request everyone on the TAO group once you get there. Me included, plox.
- Osmos : $9.99 - Like ambient music? Like interesting and original solo gameplay? Think a mix of puzzle, action and strategy, simple to learn, hard to master.
- Plant vs. Zombies : $9.99 - A PopCap game (think Bejeweled, Bookworm, Zuma, etc) that is like a weird side-scroller zombie killin' mayhem fun thing. OMG the fun.
- Portal : $19.99 - Seriously, do you not know what this is? Where have you been the past 4 years? Its also included by default in the Orange Box (Half-Life 2 Ep.1 and 2, Team Fortress 2 and Portal for $29.99)
- World of Goo : $19.99 - One of the most innovative puzzle type games in the past 10 years. I rank this right up there with Portal. Seriously. Worth every penny.
- Braid : $9.99 - Not even sure what to say about this one. Very innovative gameplay, puzzle side scroller. Weird use of time and weirdness to complete each level. Fairly linear, and relatively short end to end, but very fun. The storyline that goes along with it is completely whacked and twisted.
- Defense Grid: The Awakening : $9.99 - OMG. Ask Sammy or Jab about this one. Have you ever played the flash "tower defense" style games? This is one of those, only its on every drug imaginable, with awesome graphics, fantastic strategy and a very complex challenge/achievement structure. I finally completed ALL the achievements after ONE HUNDRED HOURS of gameplay. Really. Think about that for a second. That means I paid TEN BUCKS for something that gave me ONE HUNDRED HOURS of pleasure. Name the last game you got that out of? Just get it. You will not regret it.
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Originally Posted by geo
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