STEAM and SH3 issues

[Gargamel]

Mods, can we sticky this please? This is a weekly question that needs a dedicated thread.

STEAM and SH3:

Some people will contend that STEAM is not to be used with SH3, but I disagree. There are some minor issues, but they can usually be worked around. There is no reason to have buyers remorse if you have already downloaded SH3, and then are told not to. The STEAM version works ok.

Here are a couple of the known issues with STEAM:


STEAM and GWX:

You will get an install error when installing GWX using the STEAM version of SH3.

The GWX installer is looking for SH3.exe. STEAM has placed that file in a location that is not the default for GWX. The installer then throws a cryptic and confusing error message (sorry GWX team, but it is). All you need to do is locate where STEAM put the SH3.exe file and point the installer there.

Make sure it is actually a fresh and clean install of SH3 before installing GWX.



STEAM and SH Commander:

There seems to be some lag time between when SHC launches SH3, and when the STEAM client actually gets around to doing it. Conflicts in the CFG files tend to crop up from this delay, as in recently implemented mods never appearing ingame.

One way to get around this is to turn off automatic rollback in SHC. This will prevent SHC from undoing any recent changes. It will lead to a 'buildup' of 'weirdness' in your CFG files though. I would recommend doing a manual rollback before every new mod install/change. It seems to work differently for each user, so find out what pattern of rollbacks give you the least conflicts.


Any other STEAM/SH3 issues that need adressed?

[HundertzehnGustav]

MOVE OUT!

Move your entire game out of the Standard Steam apps subfolder which is placed in C:\program files\steam... etc.
... which by itself is not always a good thing. (Vista/ Win7 security stuff)

Copy it to C:\SilentHunterIII\

That should give you a normal, clean SHIII in a place where mods have less trouble working and being aplied.

[COLT]

i have never liked steam, i would say don't bother with it,i don't buy any games that use steam i only have left4dead2 and i cannot play it because i think my account is all screwed up , i played it for 2 hours with no problem and the next day when i went to play all i get is a black screen but the sound is ok, i tried it on 2 different machines and 2 games one of which was free and both are the same black screen with sound ok, what did steam say after a detailed message i sent them "send us a screen shot"..they did'nt read my message ..
i also don't like the fact that all goes into one file and if your account ever went like mine you would lose everything..:down:

[Gargamel]

i have never liked steam,.........

As mentioned, this is not a thread for STEAM bashing, but for helping people who do encounter the occasional error while using it.

Some of us didnt know better before we bought the game. If I hadn't had steam at the time, I would have never bought SH3.

[Madox58]

I'll answer here as it does seem the best thread to address the Steam Install Issues with GWX 3.

I wrote the installer for GWX 3.
I'm the one to answer any questions about why or how it does what it does.

When it was written, there was no Steam or a very little concern about that.
You can browse for the install path after all.

The GWX Devs before me decided not to search your Windows registry for the install path.
With several good reasons.

At that time and system resources it would take longer to install.
You control the install and We don't mess with critical stuff.
(OK, Sorry about the fridge magnets)

Here's the real problem.
Everyone just click, click, clicks stuff!
And don't read what's going on.

IF I was to do a new installer?
How glareing could I change the install path window?
Would it work with AnnoyingDownloadPlacefromtheFuture if I changed it today?

So the message is abit put offish.
We didn't have that same problem on release.
To be honest, We never, ever tested , nor planned for that type Whoo Hoo event.
It was a non-issue at release as none of us had any physic powers left to see the future and how Steam would screw us over.

What you have is an installer that does things right like 3 years down the road?
Is it perfect?
No.
I wanted to have some more really Cool sounds and images.
Kpt. and Jimbuna had to tie me down.