civilization-5steam
I read in an ad for Civilization 5 that it allows installation on 5 different computers. Does that mean I can install it on my kid's computer and mine, and then we can simultaneously play, or even in versus, or can only one install play the game at a time?
I've been looking around for any reference to the 5 different installations and can't find anything beyond the original ad. In the ad it didn't mention how many simultaneous players you could have, just installations.
As of the latest Steam / Civilization versions, this problem has been fixed. Launching the game regularly from Steam opens only the Civilization-specific selection window, and right-clicking that menu and creating a specific DirectX-11 link will create a shortcut that shows no DirectX-selection menus.
I'm not sure the "why" is really on-topic here, I just think someone made a mistake. I share your pain.
As for a solution - I've searched online and experimented a bit, and while I could easily bypass the first dialog, I could not bypass the second. To bypass the first dialog, just don't click "play" directly in the Steam game library. Instead, choose one of the following:
<steam folder>\steamapps\common\sid meier's civilization v. It doesn't matter which one you start, unfortunately, they all open that 2nd dialog.
This issue is also being actively discussed on the Steam forums, with no resolution at the moment.
You can use Steam Family Sharing to use two accounts (and, therefore, two profiles) on one computer. You need to have family sharing (currently in closed beta) enabled for the account that owns MW3. Enable sharing for the computer you want to use, install MW3 and then your brother can login and play with his own profile on that computer.
Family Sharing, however, only allows one user to be playing at any given time, no matter the game. Your brother will be kicked out of his game within 5 minutes if you launch any game in your Steam library.
Best Answer
Civilization 5 is designed to work with Valve's Steam platform.
This will allow you to install the game on any number of computers, but requires you to log-in with steam to play. Since only one steam account can be logged in at once this restricts you to playing the game on only one computer simultaneously.
The exception is that you can run Steam in 'offline mode' to play the game exclusively in single player mode, in which case multiple computers could each play 'offline' at the same time.
From what I understand it is not possible to play a LAN game this way, you would need two copies of the game (and two steam accounts). Apparently it IS possible to play on LAN in offline mode. If so, this would allow you to play with your son with a single copy of the game.This would seem to be a deliberate Steam design choice, for better or worse.
I'm not sure why an ad would specify the number 5, since Steam would not limit the number of installations at all, and only one account could play online at a time.