Tech Support Is The Same Everywhere

As most of you know and especially since I was robbed... I'm an avid supporter of PC Gaming VS. Console Gaming. As such, I use STEAM an awful lot. I've easily spent hundreds of dollars on a ton of different games.

If someone stole my computer... I can just log into my STEAM account on a new PC and re-download the games. If someone steals my console and all the games... I just have to dish out $60 a pop all over again until they are recovered. (or lie crying in the fetal position for hours at a time if I'm broke... which is much more realistic)

The STEAM client has a lot of GREAT features. You can easily browse or search through games by specific name, genre, or company. The interface is very polished and user friendly. Each game listed shows a "Metascore" based on many many reviews of the games. You can click on that score and see what different reviewer and user opinions were. It's the ultimate way to get a good grasp on what you're buying before you do it. If there's a demo for the game, it's in the same spot as everything else and easy to find/install.

In short, with a single click I can get a detailed synopsis of the game, view the trailer, look at specific reviews, or see awesome screenshots of in-game action.

NOW!!!!!!!!! Here-in lies the one problem I have with STEAM. When you look at screenshots using their client, the window that comes up and shows the screenshot is locked to be 800 pixels wide. You cannot maximize the window. That means 99% of the time, you have to scroll across and up and down to see the entire picture. Most screenshots are huge and of a very nice quality. Now... I admit I may be picky... but that's just STUPID. If I just want to look at an awesome gameplay shot in all its glory, I have to download the picture and then open it up in a different viewer just so I can see the whole thing at one time! The purpose of this client is to sell games... and you're gonna make me work to look at a picture of what I'm buying? Some of these things have 30+ screen shots. I'd love to look at them... but I don't want to scroll everywhere or download everything to do it. Is that so much to ask? We're talking about adding a maximize button to the window. It's only been around since Windows 3.1! C'mon!

So... in my never-ending support of this wonderful program, I e-mailed tech support to ask 1 simple question. Why? Can I fix it? I actually enjoy spending time using their product... browsing games... watching trailers... LOOKING AT SCREENSHOTS... It's a hobby of mine. Being able to do this one tiny thing would greatly improve the user experience for me. My original question and their response (as well as my reply back to them) is below. It just goes to show you that Tech Support sucks no matter where it's coming from or how great the product is. Nobody wants to help.

My Original Question:

Please forgive me if this is in the wrong spot, but I wasn't sure how to categorize it.

For as long as I've had Steam and no matter what platform it is installed on (XP, Vista, or Win7 32 and 64-bit) steam limits the size of new windows to 800 pixels across. My question is simply WHY?

For the most part I thoroughly enjoy browsing through the Steam store and checking out different games. The Metascore and Review feature is awesome, and I love the ability to quickly view the trailer. However, when looking at screenshots of actual gameplay, the picture comes up in a new window that cannot be resized. This has got to be one of the most annoying bugs I've ever come across. I just want to look at a picture! Is there anyway around this?

My default browser is Chrome, but it always opens an IE window. I don't mind that, but having to scroll around to look at a picture is just ridiculous. The top of the window comes up as "http://store.steampowered.com/?size=800" Why is this size set in stone? Is there a good reason for this limitation? Can I do anything about it? I guess it may seem picky, but I've spent a LOT of money with Steam and this is a basic UI problem. Any suggestions? Am I just out of luck?

Their Response:

Hello Cody,

Thank you for contacting Steam Support.

Currently, the Steam Support Team provides support for technical issues only.

If you wish to share an idea or suggestion, please visit the Suggestions/Ideas section of the Steam Forums, found here:

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15

This forum is regularly read by Valve's development team.

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Ok... Read my original question and tell me... DID I ASK TO MAKE A FREAKING SUGGESTION!?!?!? NOOOOOO! I just want a quick and simple answer! Is that too much to ask? Am I out of luck or not!?!?!?

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My Reply:

Really? Is this the best answer you guys can give? I emailed you because I DO consider this to be a technical issue. I'm the general manager of a computer service business. If someone calls me and complains that they can't browse the web because they have to scroll all the pages to see anything... it's my job to say "You're resolution is on 800x600... we can fix that..."

I'm not trying to make a suggestion (yet) so I don't need the link to your Suggestions/Ideas forum. As a customer who's spent hundreds of dollars on your service, I just want a quick and simple answer to my questions. I was very polite yet honest in my first email. In the time it took to write your previous reply, you could've answer every single question I had.

Once again... is this problem I'm having a limitation of the Steam client? Is there anything I can do to fix this technical issue that prevents me from looking at a picture?

Thank you,

deetst.

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I haven't received a response back yet... but I'll be sure to post it when I do. Not that anyone on the planet gives a rat's ass but me... it just makes me feel better to rant.

-Cody