I have Bioshock 2 but I never finished it. Playing Bioshock Infinite made me want to dig it back up but when I tried to start it, I realized it required the disk in the drive. I have the disk somewhere but I would have to dig it out, which leads me to my question:
Is there some way I could use Steam to authenticate my copy so I could just play the game without digging out my disk? This may seen stupid but I have noticed that Steam knows I own the original Portal even though I bought that also on disk and it was two different computers ago. This seems similar so I thought it might be possible.
Like I said, this may be a dumb question but I figured I would ask. Thanks.
I think the answer is actually, maybe yes, but probably not in your particular case…
You can get Steam to recognize certain games that were not bought through steam, but only if you have a valid registered copy, and the only way Steam could tell is for it to be installed. So if you had Bioshock 2 installed while you had Steam installed, it might be able to do it, but most likely you’d need to install it first.
Unfortunately Bioshock 2 was a Games for Windows Live game. If you bought a retail copy, it wasn’t redeemable on Steam, so unless you cna see Bioshock 2 in your list of Steam Games, you’re out of luck.
You hit on one of the reasons why I hate physical copies of games now a days and always opt for the digital version. Lost, misplaced, buried somewhere, damaged discs. Boxes taking up space, being all dust magnetic-y.
It’s not just Valve games that get added. Some games are Steamworks certified, and will be accessible on Steam once it’s authenticated, and DVDs are no longer needed. I believe New Vegas is this way, while Fallout 3 was GFWL.
I found this list that suggests I could activate it if I have the key but doesn’t make it clear if that would remove the need to put the disk in every time I play (plus finding the key would entail me finding the disk which is what I am being lazy about in the first place ). I appreciate the answers though.
thelurkinghorror is right, but has the wrong list. Here is the proper list.
Bioshock 2 is on that list. If you select “Activate a product on Steam” from the Games menu in Steam and then enter your Bioshock 2 CD key, you should be able to download the game from Steam and play it without the disc.
Note that “Add a non-Steam game” option (don’t remember the exact wording) can be used for any game. But all it really does for most games is eliminate the need to use a separate shortcut. It won’t become a Steam game, and I doubt it will eliminate the need for CD keys.
You got Portal through Steam. Yes, even if you bought the disc. The Portal disc basically just contained a copy of Steam with a little note that said “the person who installs this Steam client bought Portal”. I don’t think there was even any game data on the disc.
And take screenshots using F12 in any game. I think F12 is the default, I may have changed it. Originally I was skeptical about the overlay, I thought it would cause performance problems or glitches, but it’s been trouble-free.
). I appreciate the answers though.