Actually steam backup fails if you do not verify. Therefore you cannot transfer your steam game to another pc and thus have two options: 1) verify and re-download 3 GB, then copy the game 2) download 7 GB on the other pc Best option would be to work with valve to fix the issue. Although your issue is probably that you are pushing out daily updates and it takes longer for valve to accept those updates... (That is why you have a beta).
Actually, I imagine the issue is because SOE uses their own updater. I don't know if they do, or are ever planning to, submit patches through Steam. It would seem a bit redundant.
You guys use steam because of the overlay right? Download the SOE launcher and put a shortcut for the launcher in steam and you have the overlay as well. -Add a game/ Add a non Steam game.../ select the PS2 launcher and BAM problem solved you have the overlay and no problems with the verify thing
