To activate you need a steam account, why/
1467119
No big deal. Do it and forget about it. No consequences whatsoever. In fact, I don't even remember having to do it.
1467120
I dont know when I got it I tried for about a week and could not get the game to install properly so I gave up I have not been able to get into the game or even play it so I quit trying
1366083
If you are buying the PC version, then yes; you must have an internet connection. Also you have to have a Steam account otherwise game will not work. A steam account is free to set up if you do not have one.
20768
The cd inside will only point you to download steam it does not have the game. You will then have to create an account. After that you spend the next 3-6 hours waiting on the game to download from steam. Once downloaded you will have to launch the game through steam but, you are allowed to use it in "offline mode" if you do not want to stay connected to steam to play the game.
1019718
At some point in time, you have to get on an internet connection at least once to activate it on steam. Although I don't know if there is a difference from activation to installation, but you should be able to just install it from the disc. Otherwise, I could see it being possible to play offline beyond that point, however. To play offline, just go to your steam folder in your computer and find the launch application. Otherwise, its not the end of the world, go to a friends house and borrow his LAN/Internet for a little bit to get it installed. Hope this helps!
1237115
Yes that's what I did. Whenever you install the disc, the game will add to your steam account.
447601
My guess is Steam is just Steam with no national connection. If you are already downloading from Steam then it should work.
1719076
I ordered this, having the same problem. I ordered the physical copy, planning on copying the files onto an external hard drive then moving it to my laptop, but I tried redeeming it on steam just for kicks. It works! The physical copy comes with the activation code, which you are meant to put into the game during setup, but you can put it into steam and download it through steam. Pretty awesome!
44873
If you want to play online it requires Steam, if you just want to play on your computer it does not. If you purchase Counter Strike Source, when you register it automatically downloads Steam, no additional cost.
1826407
It works with your Steam account. The only difference is the vendor /cost for the game.
1612303
Yes it does use steam.I think you will see a lot of games that use steam or originmyself I'd rather not use any of those connection, but not much you can do about it. I'd rather have the older style. lol
775804
Steam is dumbed down for non-advanced users. You have the whole thing on your own system to tweek, etc. with this program.
866401
If I remember rightly it is a Steam code, pretty sure. So you need the Steam client and you put the code in there and then download the game throughout there. Assuming it's the PC version you are buying.
64532
You don't have to download this game from Amazon. Download steam from steampowered.com and open your games library then click the "Games" menu then click "Activate a Product on Steam". Follow the wizard to add your product key which you would have received in email from Amazon and the game will work.
1448816
Yes it does require an internet connection and the Steam application installed to be able to play the game, even straight out of the box with the CD key. I hope this answer helps you, I did not know that before purchasing and I am unable to play because I do not have an internet connection where I am at this time. Once you are able to get online and activate it with Steam though, apparently you have to set STEAM to offline play (while being online) then afterwards, internet is not required - just activation.
1000425
You need steam to play. If you will buy this then you will receive a Steam code.
272002
If you buy it new yeah it's legit and you can play it. If you get it usd the key won't work and it won't let you play. I had to find out the hard way rather than going to steam and buying the game download direct.
1871363
Typically not without finding a crack somewhere online. Most games require CD authentication unless you are using a platform like Steam or Origin.