STOP installing DX\.net EVERY GAME!

[Tony Danza]

For god's sake! I have over 100 instances of .net framework installed! My direct-x is always up to date! I don't need every single game to install it!

[root]

Aw jeez, /agree.

That is so annoying. Unfortunately, I think thats more an issue with Microsoft than Valve, or maybe even the game publishers themselves...

[0ddity]

Its not actually installing. If a game requires a certain DX/.net, it will run the installer. If a correct version is detected, it won't actually install. If an incorrect version is detected, it will rectify that. If it didn't verify that people had the correct required software installed first, the forums would be flooded with people complaining about their games not working.

[B33 ENN]

They installers don't install anything if things are already up-to-date. They do however, start up to check that things required by that game are there.

The only issue is if it keeps doing it each time you run the game, then something isn't working right as it hasn't sensed the installer did its job on the first set up.

[Catch_ME]

I agree. That gets rather annoying that I find myself not backing up GCF files anymore after a format, I just save the entire steam folder so I don't have to go though the "install" process for each game I want.

[spacebug]

I prefer the game taking a minute to check that DX is up to date the first time it runs to having forums full of people moaning that the game is broken (because they don't have up to date DX)...happened with Worms Reloaded and in the end they added the DX verification to stop this.

[Amander]

I already suggested a solution which would work some while ago.

Instead of packaging the runtimes, Steam games should just have a list of requirements. If such a list is found, Steam should see if the runtime is installed, via the system software management or an own list. If the latest runtime is not installed (so the list should contain the name and date of the runtime in question), it could just download the runtime from the vendor and install it. Problem solved.

[B33 ENN]

Perhaps the reason Valve package these things with each game the same as the retail version is because if they interfered to that extent, they'd be liable to provide individual customer support per game, rather than be able to redirect customers to the publisher, as they do now?

[Amander]

Originally Posted by B33 ENN

Perhaps the reason Valve package these things with each game the same as the retail version is because if they interfered to that extent, they'd be liable to provide individual customer support per game, rather than be able to redirect customers to the publisher, as they do now?

Valve don't package these things with the games, the vendors do. And still, it's plain useless to package this stuff with every game. A central runtime repository would be enough.

[B33 ENN]

Originally Posted by Amander

Valve don't package these things with the games, the vendors do. And still, it's plain useless to package this stuff with every game. A central runtime repository would be enough.

Yes, that's what I mean. So if Valve took it upon themselves to keep the DX, .net and C libraries up to date for everyone, they'd have to deal with the customer support for when people have problems running the games.

Right now, they can say it is not their problem as the games come with the same setup as the publishers own ones at retail or other DD service.

I agree though, it would be far more efficient to have a Steam client update for the DX, .net and C etc like they have the ATI driver thing now.

[Amander]

Originally Posted by B33 ENN

Yes, that's what I mean. So if Valve took it upon themselves to keep the DX, .net and C libraries up to date for everyone, they'd have to deal with the customer support for when people have problems running the games.

Right now, they can say it is not their problem as the games come with the same setup as the publishers own ones at retail or other DD service.

I agree though, it would be far more efficient to have a Steam client update for the DX, .net and C etc like they have the ATI driver thing now.

So you agree to my suggested way?

[B33 ENN]

Originally Posted by Amander

So you agree to my suggested way?

Yes, as I said, more efficient.

[snapjak]

Originally Posted by B33 ENN

Yes, that's what I mean. So if Valve took it upon themselves to keep the DX, .net and C libraries up to date for everyone, they'd have to deal with the customer support for when people have problems running the games.

Right now, they can say it is not their problem as the games come with the same setup as the publishers own ones at retail or other DD service.

I agree though, it would be far more efficient to have a Steam client update for the DX, .net and C etc like they have the ATI driver thing now.

Just a comment on the C++ libraries, that is a near impossibility as the C++ redistributables are separated specifically to prevent incompatibilities. The older ones still get used by any software that requires that specific version. It's an annoyance, but it is unfortunately the way it needs to be. [explanation]

The DX & .net on the other hand, would be fantastic if kept updated. Though with Win7 and Vista, that's less of a problem (for DX).

[Vonje]

I have six C++ Redistributable installations according to Windows thanks to the packages included. My hard disk is literally a mess because of the genius who thought including the installers was a great idea.

[B33 ENN]

Originally Posted by snapjak

Just a comment on the C++ libraries,..[explanation]...

Aahhh Good info, cheers!