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Why doesn't Steam show a time as well? Is it too much to ask so I don't wipe what could be hours of playtime from my saves? (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by ManiacalV

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[–]goosetech 50 points51 points ago

Start Steam in offline mode -> Check save -> If not latest save, restart online and download.

[–]TopBadge 44 points45 points ago

It should be noted that if you play on only one computer the local file will always be the latest.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

Right, but I'm on several computers. I wouldn't have had an issue if I hadn't had a previous loss without even getting this popup.

[–]gosuprobe 7 points8 points ago

Then the one you were on last will be the most recent.

[–]ManiacalV[S] -3 points-2 points ago

You would think that, but it doesn't always work that way. That's why I'm thinking time stamps would help.

[–]Roberek 11 points12 points ago

Um, logically, there is no way the cloud copy can be more up-to-date than the local copy, the local copy has to be created first, its then updated to the cloud. This would only happen if saving to the cloud couldn't happen at one point.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 6 points7 points ago

Played on computer A at lunch for a while. No sync errors. Hours later, went to computer B and turned on game. No sync errors. Not a single indication that anything was out of whack. Online both places. On computer B, nothing I did synced. There were no errors, no buttons to press, nothing to indicate it didn't sync.

A day later, and I got this message. I hit local and it was fine. THe whole, singular point I was making, though, is that if you are going to display 2 dates for comparing sync, you should also throw in a time stamp. It's not a huge thing programatically but it could save a lot of gamers some grief.

EDIT: Logically, you may be right. But the world isn't perfect and things screw up. A time stamp would help, no?

[–]Roberek 3 points4 points ago

I'm not saying it would hurt, but just explaining how the cloud save option will always put you back unless something/one fucked with your HDD after the fact.

[–]vegeto079 2 points3 points ago

Couldn't the cloud version be updated more recently if you played on computer B yesterday, and now are trying to play on computer A for the first time in a while? Then local files will be out of date, no? That's the whole point, I gather.

[–]Roberek 1 point2 points ago

Yea, your right, I didn't think of it that way, I mostly thought of it as a way to back up your saves rather than using multiple computers.

[–]IsaacFelix 1 point2 points ago

I totally agree, same thing happened to me recently when trying to play Splinter Cell: Conviction on Uplay. Internet wasn't working so I decided to play in offline mode....the next ten times I restarted the game I wound up at a different place no matter which save file/sync options I chose. Timestamps would be incredibly helpful, or better yet just showing the name of the chapter or level each save file is at if possible.

[–]Keksus_ 2 points3 points ago

And get an even older save!

[–]guy14 2 points3 points ago

One does not simply start Steam in offline mode.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]Highskore 11 points12 points ago

But you didn't, this guy did.

[–]CloneDeath 12 points13 points ago

Did you play on a different computer most recently? Then download.

Did you play on this computer most recently? Then upload.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 6 points7 points ago

That's what I did, which worked this time. I've have issues on other computers that I've played on. Again, it would help to have a timestamp is all I'm sayin'.

[–]dan2737 11 points12 points ago

People are just downvoting a completely legitimate statement because it goes against the word of almighty Steamlord Gaben.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 5 points6 points ago

The Almighty Steamlord Gaben

Holy shit, that is fantastic. Time to get out Photoshop.

[–]dan2737 1 point2 points ago

Just shop Gaben's face onto this.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 10 points11 points ago

http://i.imgur.com/MK3d0.png

[–]dan2737 2 points3 points ago

Hehehehehe, saved.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 4 points5 points ago

If nothing else comes of this thread (other than me ranting at a few passive aggressive insults and pointing out the irony of complaining over and over about reposts), it's that we have created a new messiah...

Long Live The Almighty Steamlord Gaben!

[–]illiarch 1 point2 points ago

Served like a chef!
How nice of you (:

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

Thanks!

On top of my not-so-mad art skills, I also do serve like a chef...

[–]illiarch 1 point2 points ago

Classy as fuck!

[–]janitar1 15 points16 points ago

http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/10a1g1/lost_about_5_hours_of_progress_because_of_this/

[–]Dasilber 8 points9 points ago

I lost close to 10 hours of progress because of this...I havent played since

[–]Tenshik 0 points1 point ago

I did. 6 hours later and a few side quests I passed up I'm back to where I am. Actually a little more. Didn't manage to kill a boss within time limits this time around since I lost my golden key+ weapons so now I get to go to a new place! yay?

[–]Tepid-Pizza 2 points3 points ago

http://forums.runicgames.com/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=34457

This works as well if you chose the wrong option, it did for me. Don't think it will fix it if you actually started a game with your char, but I didn't start playing when I noticed it in the menu, maybe there are others who did the same? Hope it's helpful.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 0 points1 point ago

Ouch. Thanks, I hadn't seen that post and in my Tussen induced haze I didn't even consider backing up my local files. Thanks for the link.

[–]StayWhile_Listen 35 points36 points ago

Even Origin tells you. Embarrassing

[–]jjohnisme 32 points33 points ago

Someone show Gaben. He will fix this himself after reading that.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 29 points30 points ago

Ha! You're probably right. Or, Origin's next update will remove it to better compete with Steam.

[–]z999 6 points7 points ago

You should mail him. Really get his attention, that would be awesome if they fix this thanks to you.

[–]ChibiMrBubbles 2 points3 points ago

I wrote a life threatening email to Gabe last night, got a DOTA 2 invite 1 hour later.

I don't get it.

[–]XypherFTW 3 points4 points ago

He is the most uninsultable man ever. Sorry I can't think of a better (and real) word...

[–]2dollarb 2 points3 points ago

Unflappable, perhaps?

[–]luger718 2 points3 points ago

NOTHINGS UNFAPPABLE

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

Check, please!

[–]eno2001 1 point2 points ago

But... but... but... luger718 speaks thr trooth.

[–]NolanRoss 6 points7 points ago

Origin lets you choose where to install games too. With the rising popularity of SSDs this should be a feature by now.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 3 points4 points ago

As much as I LOVE bashing on Origin... this is a really fantastic idea.

[–]ToastarusMaximus 3 points4 points ago

Wait, Steam doesn't? That's kind of lame.

[–]RabidZombie 4 points5 points ago

Funny that you should say that. It was introduced in the current beta.

[–]NolanRoss 2 points3 points ago

Hooray! Gaben comes through again!

[–]horseflavour 1 point2 points ago

This already is a feature in steam if you are using the big picture update.

[–]EnigmasShroom 5 points6 points ago

  • Cancel opening
  • Make local copy back up
  • Load from cloud
  • If cloud was wrong, exit and reload backed up save

If your local copy is wrong and you copy over the cloud save you're screwed, but if the cloud is wrong you can always load a local backup is my thinking.

[–]omiyage 18 points19 points ago

When in doubt always upload. Unless you are changing computers while playing there should be no reason your local files would need an update.

[–]EliteKill 3 points4 points ago

Just lost around 2 hours of progress thanks to this...

[–]Catsplosion 3 points4 points ago

Just had the exact same thing happen to me. I realized my mistake after clicking the button, spammed cancel as fast as possible but unfortunately it was too late :(

Just lost around 5 hours of play and don't really want to load it up again.

[–]anshourogue 2 points3 points ago

Would setting the time and date on the computer to the future for a moment allow for more information?

[–]ManiacalV[S] -5 points-4 points ago

Not sure. I play on 2 different computers but I last played on the same one as the pop-up so I went local. It seemed to work.

[–]Abstker 2 points3 points ago

You should almost always upload to the cloud, use your local files. I learned this the hard way.

[–]TotalRevenge 2 points3 points ago

this happened to me yesterday, was getting back on TorchLight 2 when it asked me that question both said today, so I thought "oh that must mean i didn't save to the cloud" so I chose Local. Got back on TorchLight 2 and my lvl 19 Outlander was at lvl 16 again. Needless to say I was mad but I got better loot by the time I got back to where I was.

[–]dan2737 1 point2 points ago

My friend thought his save got erased, so he downloaded from the cloud and it reverted his level 15 outlander back to 4. It's a really bad system...

[–]Pwoshi 2 points3 points ago

You could just cancel, see where you're at, and come back later to change it if it's not right. Turn off steam cloud or go offline should work.

[–]drepnir 2 points3 points ago

Or better yet, what about multiple saves?

[–]SonicFlash01 2 points3 points ago

Jesus did EVERYONE get this today?

[–]ManiacalV[S] 0 points1 point ago

Apparently!

[–]mcqueeb 2 points3 points ago

That is quite the risky click.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 0 points1 point ago

It's better than the One Armed Bandits in Moxxxie's

[–]Bizarroghoon 2 points3 points ago

I always upload the local copy to steam cloud.

[–]S-Flo 2 points3 points ago

I just lost my Borderlands 2 save to this "feature".

[–]corruption93 0 points1 point ago

Aha! Something origin is better at!

[–]CheezyWeezle 0 points1 point ago

third repost of the exact same image... Fucking scumbag reposters.

[–]stingray846 2 points3 points ago

already screwed the pooch with that today, lost countless hours and great guns cause of this shit

[–]Timmoman 2 points3 points ago

Steam version of Russian roulette

[–]DigitalMocking 1 point2 points ago

Local is always newer anyway?

edit: I guess if you have multiple systems you play on, that would be a problem.

[–]Bryanide3004 1 point2 points ago

My friend lost a few hours gameplay through this, I told him to close Borderlands 2 and restore a previous version of the folder.

That's a feature I'd like to have on XP :(

[–]misfit_love 1 point2 points ago

Holy shit! I just lost 2 hours of Torchlight 2 progress for choosing the first option yesterday. Never seen it before that.

[–]Verteros 1 point2 points ago

The safest bet is to always save from your local drive onto steam cloud. This is because your local drive will have your latest save regardless, the message stated that steam failed to sync so it stands to reason that the save on your steam cloud is outdated.

[–]ManiacalV[S] -1 points0 points ago

I play on three different machines and even when this message doesn't pop up I have sync issues. Nothing too bad, but it would be just a tiny bit less disconcerting with a timestamp. Instead of backing this up or guessing, it would be an easy choice.

[–]Verteros 1 point2 points ago

I get the same thing, next time you run the game it may take a moment to actually start during this you'll see a download start on the game in the game library, that is the sync, just wait for it to finish and you are set.

[–]Wilkopolis 1 point2 points ago

I almost locked myself out of torchlight due to moded saves and conflicting steam cloud files game would crash on start up

[–]DrTRollingston 1 point2 points ago

Happened to me in Psychonauts. Killed my drive to play after 100%-ing Black Velvetopia and having it all wiped out on a 50/50 chance. I e-mailed the Steam Suggestions person, but never heard back, I guess she never got it...

[–]Gnarkill244 1 point2 points ago

Seriously, lost ten levels worth of borderlands 2 on Friday. Sooooo mad.

[–]thembot 1 point2 points ago

The lack of timestamp has caused a headache for one of the games we support that launched when Steam was doing a bunch of maintenance right after our game launched.

It'd be really nice if there was something in the Steamcloud API that allowed you to pass through information in this popup.

Example: -Cloud save: 14 hours played -Local save: 16 hours played

[–]ManiacalV[S] 0 points1 point ago

It's such a simple thing, but it's like they tried to dumb it down too much.

[–]Aefyn 1 point2 points ago

Just happened to me, I went with the cloud option and lost 3 levels. So apparently always go with your local files.

[–]noclipn1nja 1 point2 points ago

Yeah, the exact same thing happened to me. I stupidly thought that the cloud save was better and that my comp glitched out but no. I ended up losing 6 hours of gameplay and 2 orange guns in Borderlands 2 :(

[–]tomtom547 1 point2 points ago

heres a good rule of thumb, if its on the same pc, the computer files will always be more up to date. if its on another pc, the cloud files will always be more up to date

[–]ManiacalV[S] 0 points1 point ago

You would think so, but sync overwrote more recent local files with older remote files from another computer once, without a message.

[–]tomtom547 0 points1 point ago

That's... strange.

[–]janitar1 -3 points-2 points ago

Dude this gets posted here all the time.

[–]ExplainsYourJoke 1 point2 points ago

Because it's a major problem. I'd rather see this posted multiple times, so people can look in the comments and find solutions, than a 20th reposting of "This le gem was my grand theft auto growing up."

[–]ManiacalV[S] 10 points11 points ago

I've never seen this in Steam until today and have never seen it on this sub. I may not be spending enough time on reddit. I think I'm only doing 20 hours a day. I'm sorry.

[–]Rubrum_ 1 point2 points ago

I know the feeling bro. Don't worry, I'm one of the plebeians who upvoted you.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

Thanks!

I don't get the whole "REPOST!!1!!" bitching/bashing. There are more redditors than people living in Canada. You're going to get reposts. It's part of living on reddit now. If you don't like ants and flies, don't picnic outdoors. If more people could tolerate the mild annoyance without having to post a derogatory or inflammatory comment on every. freaking. repost then they'd probably have a better time of it, know what I mean?

Oh well, I apparently started a very small shit storm (a carbon copy 'repost' argument of a previous 'repost' argument of a previous 'repost' argument, ad nauseum? How very meta). I'm too sick (for reals, I think I have the plague or a man cold) and too addicted to BL2 to even care at the moment. Back to The Fridge to kill stalkers.

[–]Comquter 0 points1 point ago

Why even reply to these posts? You're wasting precious time to find a solution to your Steam problem.

[–]ManiacalV[S] -1 points0 points ago

I've written Mr. Newell. It's out of my hands now.

It's back to sniping bandits and having arguments that metaphorically consist of a Rube Goldberg device in which two people's legs are situated so that when one kicks the other, they hit right under the knee, forcing a reflex that makes the second person kick the first person in the knee, which repeats the whole thing over and over until it's nothing but gore covered patellae flying around like we're playing some kind of horrific, bloody, kneecap-based disc-golf.

[–]Comquter 0 points1 point ago

I love you too.

[–]ManiacalV[S] -1 points0 points ago

Oh, I wasn't talking about you! You're one of the good ones! I was being tongue in cheek there, completely silly. Not sniping at you at all, Comquter.

[–]epsilis -1 points0 points ago

Steam synchs to the cloud server every time you exit a game. Steam synchs to cloud every single time you exit steam. Steam synchs to cloud every time you start steam. If you're playing from multiple computers then you need to remember which computer you played on last, if you can't manage this then you deserve the misfortune of losing progress in a game.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

In a perfect world, yes, you are right. Even when I don't get this message, I've had multiple sync problems.

If it worked perfectly you wouldn't even see this message. I've used local save and still lost things because it somehow synced from my other computer from hours earlier. It's a good system but it's not perfect.

A simple time stamp would help. All I'm sayin'. It's not like we're asking for a unicorn that poops confetti. Just a timestamp.

[–]epsilis 1 point2 points ago

Now I won't settle for less than a unicorn that poops confetti. Make it happen.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

I just need a pony, some construction paper, a narwhal horn, Ex-lax, epoxy and a power drill.

[–]epsilis 1 point2 points ago

Then head down to your local Tractor Supply Company! They should have everything! (I've actually seen a pony for sale at a TSC before, good luck my son!)

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

Here you go.

It was rushed, but I aim to please. (Also, I wasn't too worried about how shitty it looks since no one will ever see it.)

[–]epsilis 0 points1 point ago

HAHAHAHAHA! Just made my day, thank you. Shitty day to be working tech support. Nothing but whiny half drunk assholes wondering why they can't login to espn. I'll give you a hint, it might be because they are already too drunk to enter in a UN/PW.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

I'm glad my shitty drawing could brighten up your day! Good luck. Sounds like a lot of not fun.

[–]epsilis 0 points1 point ago

It's not, but it's a living in a weak ass job market.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

Truth. Good luck and happy drunk mocking. Remember - PEBCAK and "ID TEN T"

[–]AridDinner -2 points-1 points ago

The one on your PC will be the most up to date. Use your brain.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 0 points1 point ago

I play on 3 different computers and have had syncing problems between them - even WHEN choosing local. No need to be insulting.

[–]teh_d0ct0r 1 point2 points ago

You would think so, wouldn't you?

[–]ShuckBeam -5 points-4 points ago

You're right. I would prefer if I never had to think about ANYTHING.

[–]ManiacalV[S] 1 point2 points ago

All of these passive-aggressive comments are great and all but I play on multiple machines and it's screwed me, even when I use local. A simple timestamp would fix it. You know, since it's not about thinking but figuring out which of 3 machines it's synced to. It's actually overwritten my local save once already and I lost a few hours of play.

So, when you're done being sarcastically insulting, realize this is a problem for some people that would completely be eradicated by a simple time stamp, that it has nothing to do with how much thinking I'm doing - the cloud sync is buggy and it's not showing which of my 3 machines have synced to the cloud or what is going on except for a 24 hour time spread.

[–]ShuckBeam -5 points-4 points ago

Sounds like it's mostly your fault.

[–]lsetten -1 points0 points ago

i agree with you

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