Steam: Game Platform or MINION OF HADES?
 

Prompted by previews I saw on G4 awhile back, alongside Brian's subtle prodding on the front page a day or two back, I decided to nab up Audiosurf. Only $9.95 seemed like a fine price for such an awesome game. I click the link, then click Purchase on the steam site. But I don't have a steam account? Okay, fine. So I register for a steam account. I buy Audiosurf. I play it through a few levels (read: 4). It's pretty much amazing. Until it tells me my demo ran out and I need to buy the whole game.

What? I bought the whole game already. It cost me $9.95. Steam said so.

So I click the link Audiosurf has thusly named BUY IT...and it takes me back to the section of the Steam site I initially used to BUY AUDIOSURF ONCE ALREADY. I try clicking on Buy again just to see if maybe I missed something, when Steam politely informs me that I already have that game and don't need to buy it again. I think so, Steam thinks so, but apparently Audiosurf does not think so.

Maybe Steam Tech Support can help? In the email receipt they sent me there was a link to Support. So I click it. They have a bunch of FAQs about CD Keys and such, and a log-in feature. Figure I might as well log in. Except apparently my password and/or account name combination is invalid. "Okay," I think, "maybe it's just a different password than I remember?" So I click the Lost Password option for my account name. The lost password for the account name THEY JUST EMAILED ME IN AN EMAIL SENT TO MY ACCOUNT. Alas, my account doesn't exist. Except when it does. Apparently. So now I paid $9.95 for four levels of Audiosurf and a phantom Steam account that phases from this reality to the next, and back again.

A) What should I do?
B) Do any of you have similar horror stories? Steam-related or otherwise?
C) Steam is thusfar the devil.

iw ould hit Steam forums for that. Not that peopel here cant help you, but i doubt you're the first with this problem...

If it was me i would have several thoughs about buyign any steam product for quite some time if they dont give you your money back or the full game you bought, but you gotta run for it

That seems to happen to everyone. Restart steam and your PC then try again, it worked itself out for me and everyone else I know.

Standard IT Answer: Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Failing that, search the forums and Steams support system, or submit a help ticket to the support system.

So what's the demo like anyway, is it the full game on a time limit or what?

Minion of Hades.

Me and my dad have separate steam accounts.

I can't have The Orange Box on my computer.

Grrrrrrr

And yeah, I've heard of problems with Audiosurf. One of the guys I play stuff with said he had this problem. I'll ask him next time I talk to him.

Far as I know, you can play four songs before it demands you purchase the full version.

Are they stock ones or do they let you use your own? I don't much care for music or driving around a track so I'd never buy the game but I might try the demo for the novelty factor.

the whole game is about using you own. There are no Stock tracks

Sweet, downloading the demo now.

On topic, I think Steam is a wonderful creature of magic and if they ever start storing credit card information for a one click buying system I will never have money again.