Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay

Maniac302 · 2010-08-23, 07:42

First and foremost, this thread is intended to discuss the issue with using the Steam Overlay on servers in PR, since Punkbuster will kick you for it. It is not a thread about a end-user solution to stop getting kicked. There are threads about that already.

The Steam Overlay cannot be used for cheating. It's only functions are for chatting with Steam Friends, or Browsing the Internet without leaving the game. (Which could be nice to have during moments where there's 5 or 10 minutes with nothing to do but twiddle your thumbs while waiting, for whatever reason)

This is a question for the developers: Is it possible to modify the settings on servers, or PR as a whole, so that Punkbuster will allow the use of the Steam Overlay?

I seem to remember a post that I came across in my search, that mentioned being able to use the Steam Overlay in previous versions of PR. Could someone confirm this?
I also remember a few squad members talking about using Xfire to browse the internet in PR a few months back. Could someone confirm this as well?

Hitperson · 2010-08-23, 12:05

punkbuster have to do this themselves, i remember the issues with TS overlay.

the reason could be that it blocks PB screenshots so all that is taken is a black screen, they may come up with some sort of fix in the future i guess.

Foxxy · 2010-08-23, 12:13

Just use xfire overlay, it works great for browsing the web and listening to music in game

No PB problems either

Hitperson · 2010-08-23, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxxy

Just use xfire overlay, it works great for browsing the web and listening to music in game

No PB problems either

i think this is more directed to having to disable the steam overlay in order to play PR when using steam.

Maniac302 · 2010-08-23, 13:32

Why would I use the Xfire overlay when I could use the Steam Overlay? I know how it works, and I've got plenty of friends on it.

Why does the Xfire overlay not cause any problems with Punkbuster? How is it different from the Steam and Mumble overlays?

AfterDune · 2010-08-23, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maniac302

Why does the Xfire overlay not cause any problems with Punkbuster? How is it different from the Steam and Mumble overlays?

I think because xfire is accepted by PunkBuster, perhaps Steam isn't? Though I remember playing with Steam overlay enabled, and using it, and not getting kicked on pb servers... Perhaps I wasn't playing long enough, I don't know, but I didn't have issues with it. Not even with Mumble's overlay.

Hitperson · 2010-08-23, 15:03

but the possibility still stands that it could be blocking PB screenshots.

boilerrat · 2010-08-23, 15:28

A while ago (And possibly still) FRAPS was able to be used as a esp / wallhack because of it's overlay.

ArtificialAiming created a free public program that exploited the problem, hopefully that issue is fixed.

Maybe PB is very reluctant to allow overlays for this reason?

AfterDune · 2010-08-23, 15:43

Only older versions of Fraps are blocked.

Maniac302 · 2010-08-23, 19:53

Yes, I use fraps all the time. Punkbuster never gave me any issues with it. But it dosen't like the Steam Overlay.

2010-08-23, 07:42	#1
Maniac302 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 104 Canada	Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay First and foremost, this thread is intended to discuss the issue with using the Steam Overlay on servers in PR, since Punkbuster will kick you for it. It is not a thread about a end-user solution to stop getting kicked. There are threads about that already. The Steam Overlay cannot be used for cheating. It's only functions are for chatting with Steam Friends, or Browsing the Internet without leaving the game. (Which could be nice to have during moments where there's 5 or 10 minutes with nothing to do but twiddle your thumbs while waiting, for whatever reason) This is a question for the developers: Is it possible to modify the settings on servers, or PR as a whole, so that Punkbuster will allow the use of the Steam Overlay? I seem to remember a post that I came across in my search, that mentioned being able to use the Steam Overlay in previous versions of PR. Could someone confirm this? I also remember a few squad members talking about using Xfire to browse the internet in PR a few months back. Could someone confirm this as well?
Maniac302 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 104 Canada

2010-08-23, 12:05	#2
Hitperson Retired PR Developer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,722 United Kingdom Location: Chippenham (ish) Blog Entries: 1	Re: Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay punkbuster have to do this themselves, i remember the issues with TS overlay. the reason could be that it blocks PB screenshots so all that is taken is a black screen, they may come up with some sort of fix in the future i guess.
	Harrod200:"Fire.exe has committed an illegal operation and has been shut down" Raniak : "Warning: May crash if fired upon." M4sherman: "like peter pan but with tanks" [R-MOD]Eddiereyes909 (on sim tower) "It truly was the game of my childhood and has led to me getting my degree in industrial engineering."

2010-08-23, 12:13	#3
Foxxy Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 340 United States of America Location: New Joysey	Re: Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay Just use xfire overlay, it works great for browsing the web and listening to music in game No PB problems either

2010-08-23, 13:32	#5
Maniac302 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 104 Canada	Re: Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay Why would I use the Xfire overlay when I could use the Steam Overlay? I know how it works, and I've got plenty of friends on it. Why does the Xfire overlay not cause any problems with Punkbuster? How is it different from the Steam and Mumble overlays?
Maniac302 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 104 Canada
	Last edited by Maniac302; 2010-08-23 at 13:43.. Reason: Gosh durn it, those typos are everywhere. They're like weeds!

2010-08-23, 15:03	#7
Hitperson Retired PR Developer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,722 United Kingdom Location: Chippenham (ish) Blog Entries: 1	Re: Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay but the possibility still stands that it could be blocking PB screenshots.
	Harrod200:"Fire.exe has committed an illegal operation and has been shut down" Raniak : "Warning: May crash if fired upon." M4sherman: "like peter pan but with tanks" [R-MOD]Eddiereyes909 (on sim tower) "It truly was the game of my childhood and has led to me getting my degree in industrial engineering."

2010-08-23, 15:28	#8
boilerrat Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,463 United States of America Location: Michigan	Re: Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay A while ago (And possibly still) FRAPS was able to be used as a esp / wallhack because of it's overlay. ArtificialAiming created a free public program that exploited the problem, hopefully that issue is fixed. Maybe PB is very reluctant to allow overlays for this reason?

2010-08-23, 15:43	#9
AfterDune Retired PR Developer Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 17,028 Netherlands Blog Entries: 10	Re: Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay Only older versions of Fraps are blocked.

2010-08-23, 19:53	#10
Maniac302 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 104 Canada	Re: Getting Punkbuster to Allow the Steam Overlay Yes, I use fraps all the time. Punkbuster never gave me any issues with it. But it dosen't like the Steam Overlay.
Maniac302 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 104 Canada