[Akalabeth Angel]

Let's Spell it out for those that don't understand the difference:

Both GOG and Steam:
1. Purchase Game
2. Connect to service/site
3. Download and Install it
4. Back up Folders (Steam) or Install files (GOG)

Then the difference is:

GOG
1. Move backed up installer to HD
2. Install

Steam
1. Move backed up Steam folders to drive
2. CONNECT TO STEAM


Do you see the difference? Let me hilight it for you:

Steam
1. Move backed up Steam folders to drive
2. ------> CONNECT TO STEAM<-----

That difference makes physical backups of Steam internet and Steam dependent. This is the fundamental difference from GOG.

[Scotty]

And, once again, you're forgetting that it only takes once.  Back up your steam games, and then connect once to validate your games, and you can play them as much as you want as offline as you want until the drive goes bad.  If you're so strapped for time and convenience that you can't do that simple thing, I wonder what you're doing arguing on the internet.

[NGTM-1R]

Where does it say I need to be online while installing my games?

So you buy an online game and never ever connect to download the installer? Magic.

[Akalabeth Angel]

Where does it say I need to be online while installing my games?

So you buy an online game and never ever connect to download the installer? Magic.

We're discussing the benefits of BACKING UP GAMES.
Not purchasing them.

Steam games cannot be backed up in the same way that GOG games can be because even copied directories of Steam games will require internet activation.

And, once again, you're forgetting that it only takes once.  Back up your steam games, and then connect once to validate your games, and you can play them as much as you want as offline as you want until the drive goes bad.  If you're so strapped for time and convenience that you can't do that simple thing, I wonder what you're doing arguing on the internet.

We're not talking about convenience, we're talking about what distinguishes GOG from Steam.
I've proven what the difference is.
You remain blind to it. Or you're too stubborn to admit when you're wrong.

So what else is there to do except ignore you?

The funny thing is you're right about one thing, I do largely blindly argue about Steam, and yet despite that I'm still right because I understand the fundamental difference. You do not. When one understands the philosophical difference between GOG and Steam the details are unimportant because they can be drawn logically. Just like when you and another guy claimed backing up games was the same as GOG, I looked it up, and discovered that I was right and you were both wrong because I understand the difference and that difference is still inherent in backing up your games (that is needing to connect to Steam).

[Scourge of Ages]

Seems we're just going in circles here.

[Akalabeth Angel]

Seems we're just going in circles here.

Indeed and I'm done with it.

[Axem]

For a thread about "Descent on Steam", it seems there's more discussion about Steam than there is about Descent. You'd think it would be the other way around...

Seems we're just going in circles here.

Indeed and I'm done with it.

Great! Then let's consider that the final post on the Steam vs Gog debate in the thread. If (for some reason) someone wants to continue it, go start a new thread.

[Zacam]

I concur with Axem. Also, "debate the point, not the person" no matter how much in the "right" you may think you are in, there is a right way to be right (and just let it go) and a wrong way to be "right" that undoes any good that could otherwise come of it.

So, who doesn't already have a "Definitive" mission pack for Descent? I'm trying to find out if/when that will get added (to either platform) but failing that, since it was a collection of community content, I could probably get it hosted up somewhere.

[deathfun]

Most likely

Is there any reason to play Descent from the steam platform as opposed to just using the game data for DXX Rebirth though? That was sort of my thoughts when I first saw this

[Zacam]

Most likely

Is there any reason to play Descent from the steam platform as opposed to just using the game data for DXX Rebirth though? That was sort of my thoughts when I first saw this

I actually got the package on Steam (despite still having Retail Discs) and then installed DXX and pointed Steam to launch via that instead. Same thing I did with DooM I/][ with Brutal DooM.

[Mongoose]

Is there any reason to play Descent from the steam platform as opposed to just using the game data for DXX Rebirth though? That was sort of my thoughts when I first saw this

If you already have the game data, there's no particular reason, but obviously you'd need said data first.  As far as the Definitive Collection levels and/or D2's Vertigo expansion, I know people have those up for download, as neither is offered in GOG's version either.

[MP-Ryan]

Does anyone have a link to a minimal-tweaking installer?  I have an ancient Descent II disc, and I tried D2XL, but I found the configuration was still an immense pain in the ass.

I don't have time to spend hours configuring this crap.  I'd just like to play

[AdmiralRalwood]

Does anyone have a link to a minimal-tweaking installer?  I have an ancient Descent II disc, and I tried D2XL, but I found the configuration was still an immense pain in the ass.

I don't have time to spend hours configuring this crap.  I'd just like to play

If you "just want to play", don't play D2X-XL; it requires a lot of supporting files and fiddling with configurations to get working (and the latest version doesn't work on my computer anyway; I think it's got a memory leak or something). Instead, you should probably look at DXX-Rebirth. It doesn't require anything except the original game data, and even supports high-res textures (though not the full set of graphical updates and gameplay changes D2X-XL offers, of course).

[Klaustrophobia]

i had d2x-xl a while ago on my old computer, but i don't remember it being a huge pain to install.  i seem to recall getting the retail disk to install being the harder part.

[watsisname]

I've used both for a while.  Love the modifications that x-xl has to offer, but rebirth is a simpler installation and, at least for me, more consistently stable.  I'd recommend it if you just want the classic feel for the game without the extra hassle.

[CP5670]

I use an old version of XL from 3 years ago that seems pretty stable. If it seems unstable, try making a new pilot for it. I recall getting a lot of obscure crashes in the past due to pilot file incompatibilities between the versions. It does take a little work to set up, but some of the modern mission packs require XL and use its new features.

[jr2]

I've got a motherlode of missions / levels / etc for the Descent series somewhere, hopefully, on one of my old hard disks.  If I can find it perhaps I can upload it again as there would be renewed interest as the stuff is out on Steam now.

[Zeether]

I already have Descent 1-3 on GOG so I really don't need this. Although I haven't played Descent in a while...

[Charismatic]

Just noticed it today as apart of the 'week long' deals. The first 2 Descents are on Steam. Awesome

Or is this old news? I hope I am the first to spread the word. Who needs a second copy?

[Scotty]

This is old news.  http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=86825.0

In fact, while I'm at it, I'll merge the threads together.