I strongly have to disagree on this. Especially when it comes to a game like CoD with lots of setup options for controllers and graphical settings, I find Steam Cloud very helpful, since it also stores these setup files online, so if you ever switch your machine (or lose the content of your HD for whatever reason), your preferred settings are automatically applied again on the new computer.

You can of course deactivate this if you want to, but I wouldn't be able to think of a single reason to do so...

I didn't know they did that.

Yes, I agree, under those circumstances it would be easier to not have to manually re-configure your settings or copy and paste config files (if you still have them).

Edit - Looks like not all games support Steam's cloud saving feature, here's hoping CloDo does.

^ Yup, not all games do. According to CoD's Steam Store page however, the game will :)

IC. I was mainly pointing out that it depends what the game developers do with the options. GfWL in Dirt's case doesn't store any progress locally, so it doesn't compare and update online details, after connection has been re-established.

So it all depends on what the developers decide to do with a tool; limit/hamper offline enjoyment or improve online service and roaming freedom?

Les,
thank you very much for your lengthy and informative response(s).

The swamp is getting shallower but still murky for the likes of me. I find it hard to comprehend why this is still so unclear this close to release.

Methinks the whole enchilada involved with this release is sadly lacking in marketing skills.

However, that aside, as a IL2 buff and offline player (with a brief unsatisfactory on line experience) since the original game was released, my hat goes off to Oleg and crew for what will be another creme de la creme of flight simulation for many years to come I would envisage.

You will 100% DEFINITELY NOT require the disc to be in drive to play the game once it is installed.

GUARANTEED.

Also, your product key will also be saved onto Steam so you can lose the disc/product key and still be able to play the game and reinstall it as many times as you wish.

Regarding updates/patches, updates will be downloaded/installed automatically without you having to do anything :)

There has NEVER been a Steamworks title which requires you to install updates "manually".

No worries mate, it is hard to understand how the individual pieces work, how they'll work when combined, and why we haven't been told exactly what the individual pieces are and how they'll be combined.

It can be summed up as a lack of communication, for whatever reason/s, but I think too there are some aspects of all this that won't be known by anyone until the thing's released and in the hands of the end users.

I'm sure you're right though and that Oleg will come up with the goods. However, it might a bumpy ride for some of us, as individuals and as a community.

Pretty solid assessment in all your posts there.

I'm hoping it's like one of the options you described and the boxed editions won't have me installing anything extra if i don't try to access multiplayer.

I'm going to be late in getting the game anyway (a relative will bring me a collector's edition from the UK about two weeks or so after release) by which point i guess stuff like Hyperlobby will already support CoD, so if it works that way i may be able to completely sidestep steam.

Thanks, just wish I knew more about how things like Hyperlobby and servers actually work (without having to gain first-hand experience or do proper research into it :grin:), that way I could make some more definite assumptions. As it is, there are too many things that I think should be possible, but which might not actually be possible at all.

I'm pretty sure there are people here who have set up dedicated servers with Il-2 and other games, and who probably also know all the ins and outs of Steam. They should be able to make more educated guesses as to what we're in for, but they're either keeping quiet about it, or we all really are being kept in the dark and even the experts don't have enough information to be able to say for sure what we can expect.

You will need to use Steam, as a Steamworks title, Steam integration is within the game.

Hyperlobby support may well be possible post launch, but you will definitely still need to have Steam running REGARDLESS as it is part of the DRM.

The DVD will contain files which allready have Steam integrated into them so to speak.

I dont understand why soo many are soo opposed to running Steam yet will happily install hyperlobby? Crazy.

For those unfamliar with Steamworks titles, how it works is that the DVD will contain game files (.gcf files - http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/GCF) the Steam client and a Steam activated product key.

Steam will install and update as likely the client on the disc would well have been superceeded, then the files from the disc will be installed into the Steam folder.

You will need to create/sign into the Steam service and enter the product key which comes in the box.

This will permanently tie the game to your Steam account so it can be downloaded in the future as many times as you wish, without the need for disc or the product key.

By default, CoD will be installed to \Steam\Steamapps\CoD (I have made up the game folders name).

To backup the game, copy the "Cod" folder to your preferred backup device, job done.

If you format the computer, install Steam and restore the folder to its default location and Steam will upate as needed and the game will run.

No Steamworks title in my knowledge as ever had standalone "offline" patches released as they are all delivered through the Steam platform.