I'm so frustrated I don't know where to begin. I bought Half Life 2 expecting an outstanding gaming experience. What I got was hours of frustration trying to figure out how to make it boot up. In all my years of gaming, I simply needed to double-click the desktop icon and away I went. But some genius there at Valve decided to make the most convoluted, invasive and frustrating interface ever conceived in the world of gaming!!! Can I simply click the Half Life 2 icon for the GAME I PAID FOR and play? NOOOOOOO! I have to go through some online nonsense called Steam. One day I click the icon and I have the option to play in "offline mode"; the next day I can't play because Steam won't let me. What were these people thinking!? I have uninstalled the game and have loaded up an old copy of GTA Vice City...now there's a game!Sincerely frustrated,KA StoneKernville, CA