So really I am following these instructions
steps 1,2 and 3 were different for me as I had SID files not CAB files but using Phoenix got me to the same point whereby I get the message steam.dll not present if i run HL2
How to install and run vanilla Half-Life 2 without Steam
Steps 1,2, 3 - completed
4. Download and unpack the latest version of RevEmu.
This is a Steam emulator, so I'm pretty sure I can't link to it here. Use Google.
- I downloaded RevEmu 23.11.2019, but is that the latest version?
5. Copy Steam.dll from the garysmod subdirectory of RevEmu to your Half-Life 2 root directory.
- no garysmod sub directory in the RevEmu downlaod but I do have two different steam.dll 423kb and 384kb
6. Run hl2.exe with the -game hl2 command line switch
Congratulations, you should be running Half-Life 2!
- I am not sure if I did the command line switch correctly, i did it from cmd and used dos commands to navigate to the correct folder and launch hl2.exe
- nothing happens.
- I also tried just clicking on the hl2.exe, nothing happens
Everything seems OK up to completion of step 3 (by a different method) Have i missed something or misunderstood something, or do i have the wrong version of steam.dll?
I was also interested in the legality of playing this game as I have bought the original. I did read the EULA at some point but right now i can't find it. But as I recall It said the following:
I can't sell, rent or hire the game - check, I haven't.
I can't copy or distribute the game online or otherwise - check.
The game comes with a license that I can use only once - check. I am only using it once.
I can only install the game on 1 PC - check, that is what I am doing.
I can't reverse engineer or modify the game. Check, I haven't edited any of the files or tried to understand how they work.
There was some stuff about jurisdiction of any dispute being subject to USA law and courts, but it said that section does not apply to EU citizens. check.
As far as I recall that was all I was agreeing to in the EULA. I am not sure where the word document was, I can't find it now.
In addition EU law says if I buy a physical product then I have a legal right to use it.
Finally, regards al the legal mumbo jumbo, I am certain I am on the moral high ground here. I am not trying to pirate, copy or steal the game, I bought it and I simply want to play it. If the original owner is still trying to play the game after they sold it then that is their own injustice, it is not mine.