Half-Life 2 ... doesn't work offline!!

[spuff]

I installed Half-Life 2 years ago via Steam (plus eps 1 & 2) and have been using it with no problems. But for reasons I can't be bothered explaining, I had to have internet cut off at my house the other day (and for a couple of months yet) but now, I can't play the game in 'offline mode'. What the hell am I supposed to do?!?! I've registered it with an account and everything, surely I'm entitled to play the game offline?! (in single player mode, obviously!)
:edit: In case you're wondering how I'm writing this post with no internet, I'm not at home! lol

 

[Impotence]

I got caught out by this when i was bought the game as a thankyou for alot of work i had done (and at the time, had no internet access).

You need to be on the internet to put steam into offline mode, once steam is in offline mode you can disconnected from the internet and still play your games (even if you reboot) just make sure you ALWAYS click start in offline mode and do not attempt to sign into steam (even if you are not connected to the internet and try to sign in, steam will no longer be in offline mode).

surely I'm entitled to play the game offline

DRM (Digital Restrictions Management, often called Digital Rights Management to make it sound friendly) is all about the business and not giving a :swear: about the consumer... You might as well have signed the EULA with blood when you clicked "I Agree".

 

[thomas234]

This may or may not work, I have no idea.

Create a batch file, with the contents:

"C:\Program Files\Half Life 2\root\hl2.exe" -steamlocal -game hl2

The bit in speech marks must be where your HL2 game is installed. Not sure if it will work, but it's worth a try.