If its downloading 7gb, its downloading the entire game, as thats about the size of the files on the disc. Your install must have not worked correctly for whatever reason.

This is definitely not how the install is supposed to go.

Procrastinator,

I did what you suggested.

A grey bar from Steam came up saying "Validating 1 file...." and then it said validation failed and it had to "reaquire file" which means a 7 GB Download!

NOW do people understand why I am angry???

I could have 1) not driven to the game store 2) not paid money (plus gas) for a boxed version that does nothing....

So now I, if I buy a new computer and want to install this game, I'll have to be able to once again download 7 GIGS of information????

This is [censored]. Period.

SO if Bethesda wants to do the right thing they can contact me for my information and send me a check covering the costs of this game. I can't return it b/c it is now opened and Gamestop won't take back an opened package.

So I bought a doorstop and could have digitally downloaded this game yesterday and then had it ready to play today - but without a hard copy (I like a hard copy on a disc in case Steam goes out of business).

I guess they don't mind deceiving the consumer to make money. Now, if Steam should crash, I have a shiny disc that does nothing. Now, if Steam should go bankrupt in 5 years, I have a shiny disc that does nothing.

If you make sure you have uninstalled Fallout New Vegas ("Delete Local Content"), turn off Steam (make sure it's not running) ad then install from disk it should install from disk (unless you try to install it before the game is released).

If Steam has already started and you then try to install it may try to download it.
Another option could be you tried to install it before release and give Steam your cd-key it may try to pre-load it. I'm not sure about this, but I thinkyou can't install it before it's released, right?

Also, don't forget the case is token.
With some games the DVD even doesn't have any data on there anymore and you always need to download it from Steam, if you bought retail or digital.
So be happy this isn't the case (harrr) with Fallout

So... you disk is defective, and its downloading the working files from Steam? Would you rather return it to the store? Buy another disk? Seems like Steam is making this EASIER on you.

jwh,

Totally feeling your pain. Had to wait two hours for an additional download after the 6.5gig or so instal, and there was some secondary update when I went to play. Now, after giving it some play, I'm feeling what some other users have in playing this game that it's choppy in play. Perhaps it's something with Vista x64 (keep thinking about throwing on Win7 or the Mighty Penguin, but just don't have the time for a full system revamp).

After getting the install done, the updates, and playing for a bit, there seems to be no way to play the game without Steam running in the background, which is part of the interference for my 3D accelerator running the graphics.

Best I can tell you is to start the game, alt+tab out, open Task Manager and crash Steam. Game still runs, and you aren't locked on Steam.

Just had a first crash though. Hoping that the Mod Community works something out to get around this in the near future (whole reason I went PC and not console... granted I might anger some of the console community saying that, but whatever). Get that I have to wait on new content that I didn't have to on the Xbox, but whatever.

Bethesda, please, please, please fix this thing for proper offline play. I hate being locked into Steam for a game like this, said earlier, just feels like a slap to the face.

I just want to point out as well: I have a high speed connection so I'm downloading 1 MB at a time and it is taking 2 hours.... good luck if you have a slow connection.

and good luck if you have NO connection, like lots of forum members lately ("can I activate it then play it at home with no internet). Good luck explaining in the office why you're jamming their bandwidth downloading 7gigs of game for home use...

Am I in the 2K forums? This sounds like Civilization V all over again. Yes we were all lied to about Steam. Even the Steam Fanbois lied to us, or don't really know what they are talking about. This is the 2nd time I seen now that people install a game from a disk and then more than 2 gigs of information had to be downloaded 2 gigs for Civ V and apperantely 7 GIGS! for NV.

I just wish 2K for Civ V and Bethesda for NV were more open about Steam.

And if these are "patches" then I can here the outrcry from 360 users and PS3 users cry they don't get any updated patches then. A shame what ever way you look at it.

As mentioned before, its not download 7gb because of some update it has to download in addition to whats on the disc. Its downloading 7gb because his install [censored] up for some reason and its decided to install the entire game rather than install from the disc.

playing an offline game online? , do you have to be permanent online or just one time before starting the game?

You need to be online during the installation. Once its installed you can put steam into offline mode.

I thought it was common knowledge that Fallout NV had abandoned GfWL in favour of Steamworks? I do remember there was a big whining session here about that.

Anyway, I've posted up a guide on how to solve the "Steam is downloading my retail disc" bug over on http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/248306-how-to-install-steamworks-games-from-the-retail-disc/. Which is basically a longer version of what procrastinator wrote.

I'll formally join one side or the other hopefully on Friday, when I get my copy. (crazy Americans and their Tuesday release dates!)

They only other reason I can think of this happening is: the disk install installed to x folder then steam is looking for it in y folder but didn't find it and is installing it in the SteamApps\username\..... folder.

This TBH.

Never forget that some people will complain while receiving a b... nevermind. I'm actually glad Fallout: New Vegas is on Steam. It is very convenient for me not to have to dink around with and store discs and codes (of which I already have too many).

Edit: Don't get me wrong. I hate that this happened to the OP but it isn't the end of the world.

His disc might not necessarily be defective. It could just be the steam install process [censored] up, which it has done before on various other games which are based on the steam system.

If the game is one the disc, it shoudl install fro mthe disc.

I do not see any possible reasonable theorem why this should not happen, and why waiting for disc + waiting for *download* is reasonable.
Patches, yes, authentication, by all means yes. But please, dear game, use the files on the disc - they are there for a reason, y'know?

Okay, I uninstalled the game, exited steam (in fact I removed it from my system) and then re-installed.

This time Steam activated but then seemed to use the disk.

However, 2 questions:

1) Where are the files on my computer? I cannot find them in the Steam Folder in Program Files.... I want to know where the Data is so I can mod it and install mods.

2) Do I need Steam to play it every time? It should be "activated" now - which is far different than having to use Steam to always play it. Anyone know how to turn off Steam if I can?

Thanks!

1) Normally they would be in the Steam\steamapps\common folder. Atleast that is where steam had my Civ5, L4D2, Borderlands, Alien Swarm etc installed.
2) You can go into Offline mode with Steam, however I suggest waiting to make sure there are no last minute patches after you "verify" the game. To go into offline mode, click Steam in the top left corner of the Steam window then select Go Offline.

The game is most definately on the disk. When I installed mine, on day one, I had steam up to date and such and it installed without downloading anything at all. If his downloaded, its either steam client updates, or the collective patches that have been released, likely both.

Steam is an evil bloatware program and Bethesda should be ashamed that they use it,

I uninstalled Steam a while ago, being fed up with it, and didn't think more of it. Then, a few days ago I ran an antivirus-scan, and Io and Behold: "beep beep, malware found.".

A little thing Steam had left behind on my system, after I had uninstalled it. Very nice. Thank the good makers of AVG.

Why did you have to necro that thread?

Me and my brother would even have to buy 2(!) copies if we both were to play (we both have a different PC)...
That's outrageous!
I hope Bethesda comes to it's senses and just puts all the following games on disc: NO FIASCO PLEASE!!!

I feel for the op and all the others having problems. I remember the days when you could bring your brand new game home, drop in the disk and play in minutes. Now (especially if you purchase on day one) you have to jump through flaming barbed wire hoops, then wait weeks, maybe months (maybe forever) for patches to make it work, if it ever works.

Steam = EPIC FAIL
FONV = EPIC FAIL
gamesas = SUPER EPIC FAIL

Don't let them tell you it is for "activation" or "anti-piracy" either. The game was cracked and available for download on the pirate and hacker sites BEFORE it was even released. I am not sure why they had to tie it to steam, but anti-piracy was not the reason, if it truly was (we'll never know) then another EPIC FAIL.

Geeze I hope and pray that Interplay can get the franchise back, these a$$ hats are ruining the once good Fallout name.