The Steam Thread - Page 41

It seems like something could be set up. I remember back in the day setting up my PC so my soundcard was the game audio, and the motherboard audio input/ (mic + headphones) was dedicated to TeamSpeak.

Can Steam's chat be set up this way?

Well, for some games you can set it up that way (ie with TeamSpeak) if you have squad based play and you're playing with people you know, but for something like DayZ for example, where you need communication to random strangers who are in your surrounding area, it can be a pain.
Edited by jhoff80 - 1/19/13 at 10:19pm

I don't understand. How does a stranger have anything to do with how YOUR pc is setup to output audio?

Because I'm talking about local chat... where you speak to someone only when they're within a certain distance of you. That makes something like TeamSpeak, where you speak globally to people only on that channel (and therefore not necessarily random people you might encounter on the map) not applicable.

The reason that is an issue is that the only way for many games to output communication audio over a headset and game audio over the speakers is to use two separate programs (the game and the voice chat being separate programs), with each program directed to a separate output. Otherwise, you're stuck with either people's voices coming from your speakers, the same way that the game audio is, or if you want voice chat to play over the headset, you need the in-game audio to play over that as well. The way the 360 works where this is globally separate is far better.

I got it, it's a steam limitation. There's no way to set voice chat output. I was just checking out the options.

Considering their push with Big Picture, you'd think they would have updated with the ability to separate voice outputs in mind.

Well also, not all games use Steam's chat function, but most games just aren't designed that way either.

My HD audio device is my default communications device in Windows and in Steam. My Audigy 4 Pro is my default device in Windows.

I have my microphone/headset set up in Steam to go through the onboard audio and then all my game sound go through my PCI Audigy 4 Pro. Works great with every game I can recall (that I own).

If you don't have a second audio device (internal or external sound card), you can also use a USB headset for voice communication and your onboard audio for game sound.

Sadly, Steam voice output defaults to the audio device assigned to handle voice input. So if you plug your MIC into the onboard audio, then that's where your voice output will come from - mixed with game audio. I don't know why they don't change it, but that's just how it is. So if you only have one audio device (just onboard audio or just a soundcard or just a USB headset), then voice and game will come from that device only. If you have two or more audio devices, then you can separate which handles voice and which handles game sound.

Of course, there will always be issues if game devs try to do their own thing. Steam can't control that.

I always assumed steam chat worked on all games. I assumed it was like xbox where if you're playing a multiplayer game in steam, and you speak they would hear you, whether they had a mic to respond or not.

If memory serves, there are three possibilities:

1. Game natively supports Steam voice chat
2. Game supports its own voice chat mechanism
3. Game does or does not support chat, but you can voice chat using Steam's voice chat feature independent of the game (only works with your friends, I think)

Hitman Absolution is $17 today.

Here's a review.

Tempting.

I know this is the Steam thread but Origin is having some great deals until tomorrow. Lots of good stuff for 10 bucks. Amalur is worth every penny.

Sleeping dogs $10 on steam, was a sunday deal, but it's still up. Not sure how long a steam sunday lasts.

yeah, I meant to post yesterday... easy recommendation at $10 for those that like GTA-style open world mission-based console games.

I think Steam deals end around 1pm Eastern time the following day?

EDIT: nope, there's a countdown on the page 'till the deal ends... looks like this deal is good through 7pm eastern tonight.
Edited by DaverJ - 1/28/13 at 10:04am

Alice: Madness Returns is $5 today.

I picked this up from Origin over the weekend for the same price, but wish I had waited to get it on Steam. Anyway, didn't get far enough to recommend it one way or another, but it looks intriguing.

One note of interest: it requires editing an .ini file to get over 30fps. Oh PC gaming....

Thanks for the info. That game is currently on my backlog list; I'll tackle it eventually.

Wrong thread...

I've been testing out the Steam Backup feature. It seems the best thing to do is back up each game individually rather than as a giant block. Individual backups allow you to move each game wherever you want and reinstall the one you want. Actually better than copy whole steam folder if you have a small SSD like I do. All these cheap games have me needing to delete stuff. Bye Bye Diablo 3 hello Crysis collection. I agree that I once though the Crysis games were nothing more than a tech demo but no, they are actual good meaty games.

im sure this has been discussed in this thread but i will post this link anyway for ppl who might be interested. simple setup to have steam start with windows AND load directly in big picture mode on startup. easy to figure out but video may help some ppl. ff to 5:10sec to see how
http://havecoffeewithageek.com/home/steambeta/

There is a check box to launch in Steam Big Picture now. No need to use the -bigpicture argument.

does that check box start steam in big picture mode automatically after pc is booted? i had it checked but when pc booted steam always started minimized not in big picture mode. with above link i now boot directly into big picture.

Hit the checkmark then make a shortcut and put it in the startup folder.

Company's have bad habits of creating command line shortcuts(aka -bigpicture) and then removing the code later on.

Witcher 2 is $10 today, and the first one is $5. If you like RPGs, then you probably already have these.

Also, Alan Wake is $7.50, or $10 includes collector's edition + American Nightmare. Decent console-style horror adventure.
Edited by DaverJ - 2/6/13 at 10:31am

I got one of those indie bundles that includes a game I already had, so if someone wants Unmechanical, I have a steam key. First come first served, give me a PM and I'll send the key. Don't believe it's tied to me yet.

If people haven't noticed yet, there's currently a sale going on for all the games that are Linux-compatible:

http://store.steampowered.com/sale/linux_release/

Most of it looks like garbage, but there's a few good ones in there.

I made the mistake of buying a garbage one.

Steam has the complete Deus Ex for $11.25, which includes Human Revolution + DLCs, Invisible War, and the first GOTY edition.

No excuses if you don't own this, which apparently everyone already does.

Don't forget to track down the Deus Ex high resolution texture "New Vision" pack for the original game. It makes a glorious difference!

L.A. Noire is $5 today, or $7.50 including all DLC w/ extra cases, outfits, etc.