DarkSteam News - News

200 points for free

Sun, 20 May 2012 19:07:08 +0000

We have added 200 points for every member register by now to help you get some shopping going.
Use 'em or loose 'em!

Lets get the party started!!!!!

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:53:16 +0000

We have reached 10k memberships on DarkSteam community!
This is the biggest milestone we have ever got to reach.

If someone would have told me a few months ago that this site is going to become so much popular, I would not have believed it!
DarkSteam has got to be one of my favorite projects I have worked on and I must admit that I could not have got this far without each of you guys.
Well all I can say is that I hope I made you all feel my love for this project and therefor my love for ya all.
Guys let me say that I will not forget this moment and hope I will be here to say this again when we reach 20k or even more.

Peace and love from the one and only Gwolf2u
Roger and out!

Signin to DarkSteam site using Steam or Twitter

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:21:41 +0000

Today we have pushed a new update to DarkSteam community, update that allows you to link DarkSteam account with you own Steam ID or Twitter.
This is completely safe and we made sure that your username is encrypted in the database so no one can see your details.
You don't have to use this, but this is an alternative to sign up or sign in to DarkSteam in case you don't want to keep track of all your logins daily!

You can link accounts from your control panel at
http://www.darksteam...rea=managesteam for Steam or http://www.darksteam...re&area=twitter for Twitter

DarkSteam Special Sale - celebrating 9k members...

Sat, 05 May 2012 08:14:51 +0000

We now have over 9000 members...
To celebrate this milestone, DarkSteam PLUS is now just $3.29 for the whole week!
Get it while the sale runs out.
http://goo.gl/auZca

DarkSteam v4.1.2 Beta 2

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:12:07 +0000

New public test version is available!

Changes in v4.1.2

- Client: removed extra messagebox on load time
- Client: removed info boxes
- Client: added ability to detect and autofix common loadtime issues
- Client: fixed and issue that could cause interface version not to load correctly in some cases
- Launcher: corrected spell on reset cfg
- Launcher: fixed reset cfg forgetting to delete some data

Notice

This is only a beta version of DarkSteam
Use it only if you want to test new features that will come to DarkSteam v4.1

Download now!

Out the bad, in the new!

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:08:26 +0000

Our CS1.6 server moved to a new faster server.
We are currently working on improving our servers with faster hardware and this is all because of you!
New server address is: 188.215.55.203 (port 27015)

Don't forger also that we are running a special sale also!
DarkSteam PLUS is only 500 points on our own shop all day today.
GO get it fast...
http://goo.gl/PfIYu

DarkSteam v4.1.1 Beta 1

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:23:40 +0000

It's been a while since we had a a new build here at DarkSteam, and what a recovery this is, with a beta build of the new framework implemented in DarkSteam v4.1
We have invested hours and hours in this build and even if this isn't yet stable enough for public testing, we have made this available to ya all to enjoy the new experience.

Now, prior to v4 stable, we have included in this version a alpha build of µBox (aka Preloader).
The new "games downloader" has been upgraded with lots of stuff and it's going to still be as this is still an alpha version of it, therefor we are waiting for your feedback and ideas to improve it.
We tried to fix some router issues that caused old Preloader to not be able to download correctly and we think you'll also like the new interface.

Changes in v4.1.1

- Launcher: corrected launch bug
- Launcher: fixed rendering issue with overlapsed text on µBox setup box
- Launcher: removed alternative skin
- Client: fixed issue causing DarkSteam not to load second time
- Client: fixed issue making client data to be downloaded in a loop
- Client: fixed load issue when settings are reset in Launcher
- µBox: added ability to load game forum over Darksteam
- µBox: changed location of registry to move from Preloader to µBox

You can download it from below link
Download now!

We have a giveaway competition running

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:51:15 +0000

Tomorrow we have a competition running on our facebook fan page
Why don't you also join

Your choices have got us, and we are proud to say that prizes have been chosen
1. retail key of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3
2. DarkSteam PLUS lifetime membership
3. 750 points in DarkSteam (just 250 points for a free PLUS via points system)

Join now!
http://www.facebook....98682586872150/

DarkSteam listens to you

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:27:56 +0000

Here at DarkSteam we think that it's just about the time to listen to what members think about us and if they can, help us get our community bigger.
Therefor we have started a Suggestions topic on the forum so you guys can help us with ideas on how to improve DarkSteam and the community.
For more info, please visit the following link
http://goo.gl/tI2cv

New competition

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:41:58 +0000

We have started a new competition
Why don't you join also
http://www.darksteam...ss-number-again

Windows 8 - like or dislike

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:31:48 +0000

Well I had installed Window 8 consumer preview yesterday, and after playing with it for about 2-3 hours to see what's got refreshed or what is new, I got to the decision that Windows 7 is quite better
I've got to the feeling that this is indeed a major step for Microsoft, but not in the PC kind of way, or lets put it like so, in a developer kind of way, but rather a step towards tables and touch devices.

I agree this would look like something else on a touch screen tablet, but on my PC, it's kind of telling me "where is the touch monitor mate?"

Anyway, getting back to functionality, the UI, at least for me, is clumsy. There are too many things that require a touch capable hardware, starting from opening the start menu, replaced with the new Metro UI, that simply doesn't seem to be able to get to me. Is that the best Microsoft UI designers could do to convey more content? Guess so!

Does anyone ever do anything other than view the files on a newly inserted volume? I can't recall ever suddenly wanting to "Speed up my system" after inserting a USB stick. Just open the thing and let me get to work. The smaller pop-up on the far right is displayed when selecting the "Advanced" button just below it. This button sometimes appears when right-clicking an app icon. For certain other apps, the button labeled "uninstall" appears. Huh? This confusing change will surely confound users and admins, and it adds clicks to your life with no apparent benefit.
On the flip side, I do like having the ability to remove apps without making a trip to the Control Panel, but the resulting confirmation dialog contains no "cancel" button (nor does it inform me that hitting ESC will cancel it). Metro is full of such UI "dead ends," including a whole series I found in the Settings screens, next.

Many will recall that Microsoft stirred up when it implemented its ribbon-based UI across its Office suite a few years back. Now the dreaded UI-sore has found its way into Windows Explorer, one of the last vestiges of the old, familiar way. Like a nasty parasite, I just want to be rid of it as it looks toooooooooooo (with too may ooo) squared and Windows 95 like.

Networking is something that changed drastically from Windows XP to Windows 7, and mostly for the good. But among the features that still needed improvement was the Network and Sharing Center, which adds layers of complexity that can have users running in circles to figure out how to do simple things.
Nothing obvious has changed from Win 7 to Win 8. For example, when first connecting to a network, Windows still prompts for a choice between "Home, Office or Public" networks. We know it does this so it can decide how to set the Windows firewall, but it doesn't bother explaining this to the user.Why not just detect the network type and do it automatically, as does the Mac OS (for those that know it)?

Windows 8 introduces the concept of full-screen apps. Unfortunately, once an app is running it's not always obvious how to quit it. The usual keystrokes such as ALT-F4 don't always work, and navigation controls only appear when moving the mouse down or poking the bottom of the screen on a touch system.

If you're like me, one of the first things you do when setting up a new Windows 7 system is to select the "Show Computer on Desktop" option in the Start menu. That's gone now, along with 99 percent of everything else I've become accustomed to seeing in the menu since '95. Adding the Computer icon to the desktop now requires a trip to the "Personalize" section of the Control Panel (a function also present in Win7), where users can select check boxes to add Computer, Network, User Files, Control Panel and the Recycle Bin to the desktop.

Well overall, I double say that I think Microsoft could have done better on this, right from the installation screen, where users could have selected (or autodetect) if this is a touch capable device or a desktop, and based on hardware, to install the best suitable OS on machine.
Now since this is a Consumer Preview, I don't think Microsoft will change many things until the release date, except some bug fixes and so, therefor, I think I will stick to Windows 7 until, lets say, Windows 9 comes up!

This is simply my concept, but please share your thoughts about it!

µBox alpha and DarkSteam v4.1 alpha are now ready!

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:53:36 +0000

Members with beta access, please see the Beta forum for more info
http://www.darksteam.../12-beta-forum/

Forum bugs are now fixed

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:41:49 +0000

I've been trying all night to figure what the heck happen to the forum posting ability when users ran Firefox or Chorme. Now I have isolated the issue and patched it !

If you spot any bugs please PM me @Ģŵőłf2ũ

µBox - Custom error reporter

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:18:33 +0000

So in case of issues, now you have a custom error reporter

µBox v7 aka Preloader alpha preview

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:34:47 +0000

Well title says all
Please rate and comment

Looking for new name

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:16:40 +0000

Well since Preloader is evolving to new age, we here at DarkSteam thought that a new name should be given.
Yeah, yeah, we know that this Preloader sounds good and simple for most of you (especially for those that don't care about the name, just to get games ).
Well guys, we want some ideas from you for the new "Preloader"
Since this was originally a shoutbox idea that turned into a good chat with some good names, we thought that it would be better to post your ideas here and then we can simply vote!

We are waiting for your ideas at http://www.darksteam...g-for-new-name/
Best idea wins a PLUS membership and 10k points!

[News] Preloader v7 - open for suggestions

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:03:39 +0000

Introducing statistics!

Preloader v7 - open for suggestions

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:35:14 +0000

The new install screen that comes in Preloader v7!
We are open for suggestions as this is only an alpha version!

Preloader v7 - open for suggestions

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:45:12 +0000

OK so GUI designing started as framework for Preloader v7 is done.
Small preview of how it will look from now on !
Remember you can add your GUI suggestions also at:
http://www.darksteam...for-suggestions

Preloader v6.3.0.1 is ready

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:32:44 +0000

An update for Preloader v6.2, namely v6.3.0.1 is now ready
The update includes a few fixes for TLS issues users may encounter when downloading games.
Please download this update to keep Preloader stable.
Update can be applied using built in updater.

Note: Preloader v6 is nearly at the end of it's life, with v7 now being fast forwarded in a private alpha version and soon beta. So if you have any suggestions on how Preloader v7 should operate, please follow the link below:
http://www.darksteam...or-suggestions/