Getting my games on my Alpha

Question

I have a few questions about my new Alpha. If this is not the correct location to get info, please help me get to where I can get my questions answered.

Overall, I am a happy owner of a new Alpha. However, I can only play about one-half of my STEAM library games; and about one-third of those that can only be played by streaming from my primary home computer. That pretty much defeats the portability feature of the Alpha. I was really looking forward to bringing my Alpha on trips and vacations and being able to play my STEAM library in various locations.

Additionally, I am unable to move or run a notable number of games to STEAM even by following their process. I can move several, yes. But not some of the ones I really want to access via my Alpha at other locations than my home.

So, 1) Any way to get more/a higher percentage of my STEAM games - and my non-STEAM games that I have added to my STEAM library - to run/play on my Alpha? 2) Any way to play on my Alpha the games that won't transfer to STEAM?

Thanks!

patmcfeely55 · Accepted Answer

Sorry, you misunderstood.  I just broke out my Alienware Alpha with dreams of expanded game choices and to be able to play PC and mod versions.  SO far no game has interfaced properly with the xbox controller.  If i have to add a mouse and all that it is defeating the entire purpose.  I was just hoping to find a list of games that are and are not compatible with the Alpha.  So far it is a $500 paperweight.

JC BKA A2J4LIFE · Accepted Answer

WHEN UR IN STEAM AND LOOKING TO BUY GAME OR PLAY A GAME USUALY THERE WILL BE A CONTROLLER ICON SOMEWHERE AROUND THE RIGHT IN DETAILS LETTING YOU KNOW ITS CONTROLLER COMPATIBLE AND EVEN SOME GAMES DONE HAVE THE CONTROLLER ICON AND ARE CONTROLLER COMPATIBLE IVE EXPERIENCED MANY GAMES ALREADY CONTROLLER COMPATIBLE AND MORE WILL COME IN THE NEAR FUTURE BUT THERES ALOT RIGHT NOW...

HOPE THIS HELPS MERRY XMAS...

ron_e_nelson · Accepted Answer

I've been able to launch non-steam games, and suspect this would work for steam games as well. Run these games streamed from your desktop or other system with them installed. If Steam launches the game launcher, the streamer switches focus to this window and on game launch it can switch focus to the game window/screen.

I've used this to run the battle.net launcher and play World of Warcraft in my living room on the Alpha. Of course I added WoW to the non-steam games list and I use a logitech wireless keyboard.

Two other details: many of the games I have in steam only show up in the "All Games" grouping, the other groups seem filtered for controller access. And for Streaming, Steam needs to start the launcher for the game (For example I've found it won't work if the battle.net launcher was already running).

Hope this helps,

Ron

patmcfeely55 · Answer

I do not want to guess what steam games will work on it! Can I get a list, so far I am wasting $ buying games I can't play on it!!?

Music Without W · Answer

Whoa! I'm just trying to enhance an already good experience. I'm not interested in participating in any flame wars on either side.

In any case, a close review of my STEAM list - which includes both STEAM and non-STEAM games - on my home computer, compared to the all games list for the Alpha, shows my age old frustration with the limits of STEAM. Alienware makes the problem seem worse by supporting the STEAM limits rather than working around them to help their customers.

So, to be clear, the 100% STEAM games all seem to be there. However, only a little over half of my non-STEAM games that I've added to my STEAM library on my home computer show up on the Alpha. Of those that do show up, the Alpha will not run games older than about 10 years.

Additionally, games that require a log in on a separate screen, like Games For Windows games such as Fable III, will not run because there seems to be no way to bring up the Games For Windows login screen. Similarly, games that require a disc require you to start the game on your home computer and then stream it to the Alpha. This is a process that generally seem to work OK.

The problem from the get go with STEAM is that despite their apparent diversity, most STEAM games fit in a very big niche; a niche that leaves out a very many great games. I thought the Alpha would bridge that gap and allow me to play the best of both STEAM and non-STEAM games on a portable unit that could travel with me. That doesn't seem to be the case.

So, back to my original question, How can I increase the number of games from my library that will play on my Alpha?

Music Without W · Answer

Hi!

No offense taken. We seem to have similar concerns from different points of view. I want to add more non-STEAM games. In particular games from the last 10 to 15 years that do not require a disc.

NON-steam games that require a disc must first be started on the home computer in order to play them on the Alpha. You must first enable streaming in your Alpha settings and a mode of connection. It is NBD.

Games that require a log in on a separate screen do not seem compatible at all. I haven't figured out a way to play these with my Alpha.

NON-steam games over 10 years old, whether or not they require a disc, are "iffy." These are the one's that I miss playing the most. I sure wish some tech person would give me some hope or accurate info about this and if it may change down the road a bit.

As far as I can tell at this time, all STEAM downloads ORIGIN downloads, U-Play downloads, and Amazon downloads play OK. But, I really miss the deep and story based RPG/JRPG programs, golf games, and many other games of depth, complexity, and variety that seem to be absent either in fact or in spirit for most my STEAM purchases.

DELL-Frank Lz · Answer

Would desktop mode work for this? The Steam library might conflict with those games on the UI; but outside of it you should be able to play them.

Music Without W · Answer

Wow! I accidently hit 'yes my question was answered. It really wasn't quite yet. 1) I can't get to desktop mode despite plugging in both a mouse and keyboard; each is wireless. How can I get there? I do not see an opportunity when starting up and before opening STEAM. 2) Re - the fellow looking for games that do work, I can add to my list in a previous response: GOG downloads seem to run OK too. Much thanks to the Dell/Alienware person. Can you help me figure out how to get into desktop mode?

Music Without W · Answer

Thank you so much for bringing this up! It is the other question/problem I have had since receiving my Alpha.

The only time I saw an opportunity to open/use the Alpha in desktop mode was during my initial set up and first time use. Despite connecting both a mouse and keyboard (both wireless) I have not seen any opportunity to open windows or use the desktop mode since that one time.

I would love to explore desktop mode. It is one of the reasons I purchased an Alpha.

So, how do I get there and use it? Keyboard and mouse are plugged in. But, I never seem to have the chance to enter desktop mode. Can you help??

jhawknj · Answer

When I boot up my Alpha I come to the Alpha UI and there are choices to make and if you go over to the far right box you can pick

1 Shut down

2 Reboot

3 Go to Desktop

Just pic the one that says go to desk top that is all I do. Now if you want to play games that are disk based and 10 to 15 yrs old the only work around I can think of is as follows

1 Buy and external cd drive USB

2 Search the Web and you may find a mod that allows you to fully install the game that no longer needs the disk

3 Depending on copy protection of the game on disk you can also copy all the disk into a folder on you HD and then install it from there. That way if the game is looking for more info it will go to the folder on the HD for it .

the only help I can offer for not having to use a keyboard is to get one of the modified game controller for the PC that programmable keys on it the plug in by USB you then can make custom key layouts for each game you play. I own two of these types of controllers they work well with a mouse.

I am sure you are aware of compatibility issues when trying to play a 15yr old game on windows 8.1 You may need to do some work in windows to get the game to run.

Music Without W · Answer

Well... my face sure is red. Until a few days ago I thought that when it said "Return to Desktop", it was referring to the desktop on my home computer; the one that I stream with my Alpha. That was the only context for that phrase that I had at the time.

Now that I have figured out that when I see that message in the Alpha UI boot up stage, it means going to the Windows 8 desktop of my new Alpha... WOW! There is a lot to explore. Some of which I have already used to improve gaming issues. So, thanks to all for the info. It looks to be an ongoing process of discovery for some time to come.

I have already made some amazing discoveries about what older games will and will not work; as well as some ways to try and figure it out.

One of the most amazing discoveries so far is re - 4X4 Evo/Evolution. Not only does this amazing program run pretty well on the Alpha, but there is also a complete album of some good X Games style music that WMP will add to your library if so desired.

Now, if only we could play the old Warcraft 2 and Warcraft Tides of Darkness programs on Win 7, 8, or the Alpha. That would be sweet.

Music Without W · Answer

Thanks for the info, Ron. It is helpful. Generally things are going OK with just a few snags. I have been using one of your suggestions with mostly successful results.

One thing to point out though, the Warcraft 2/Warcraft Tides of Darkness I mentioned are the original second gen Warcraft games from times when programs were still run by DOS. They precede WOW by about 15 years and are about a quarter of a century old from today's date. I know that is old - but I still have hope.

I think I got swindled on the "new" Diablo II and Diablo LOD that are supposed to work on Windows 7 and Windows 8. It is neither for me after some limited initial success. Now it just tells me it can't find the files it used just yesterday. Streaming to the Alpha doesn't even get that far.

Oh well. I *am* enjoying the Aplha.

ron_e_nelson · Answer

I'm glad you've had some success. I figured that my notes might help you with some of your issues, even though WoW != Warcraft 2.

Curious about the Win7/8 Diablo II clients. I installed that on my desktop when Blizzard first released it and it ran fine. Now it breaks, so it looks like a system update conflict to me...

My Alpha applied a system update today (from Alienware, not the Windows system update), but I can't find any details on what they changed... release notes would be nice eh?

beamermt79 · Answer

You may be able to play DOS based games by right clicking on the Executable file for WC2 or WCTD and selecting set compatability or some such, then selecting DOS or Windows 98/ME.  I will be honest it has been a LOOONG time since I have had to do compatability settings so DOS like environments may not be supported in Win8.x anymore, however I don't see why not as they still have a command prompt environment.

Music Without W · Answer

Thanks again.

In November 1994 the first Warcraft was released. The release order was: "The series is made up of five core games: Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, World of Warcraft, and Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft."

I.e. Warcraft 2 came out around 1995. WOW came out about 10 years later in 2004.Not trying to nit pick. Just seeking accuracy.

Regards,

Jim

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Getting my games on my Alpha

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