Direct Download?

[Rambutaan]

Hi,

I was just reading the Gamespy Preview on the game and they mentioned it was going to be a direct download game at a reasonable price of around $20. I just wanted to ask what sort of mechanism are you going to use to distribute the game - I'm assuming you're probably going to distribute through Steam (considering Children of the Nile is currently being distributed this way)?

Cheers,

Mark G

[Javokis]

I hope they choose Direct2Drive as well.

[EmperorJay]

Does anyone know whether programs like Steam and Direct2Drive offer similar products? I can imagine that such companies sign exclusive deals with developers.

[omicron1]

I doubt it would be exclusive -after all, between D2D, Gamer's Gate, Impulse, and Steam there are many shared properties. (Darkstar One, for instance, is on Gamer's Gate, D2D, and Steam; and I heard somewhere that an upcoming title would be on many if not all digital distribution platforms.)

[EmperorJay]

That's great news. I figure it's a possibility that Hinterland will be available through more than Steam, but I think that Steam is a certainty.

[Snall]

Strangely enough I hope they use Gamersgate. Lol. Although I don't know if that's only for Paradox games? But I would also be willing to use steam.

[fleshtonegolem]

Any news or guesses on a file size?

I have cellular internet, I'm 1.4 mile past cable and trees block the use of dish, so I only can dl around 100kps max.

[soldyne]

is there something about Steam that people don't like? the way everyone talks about it one would think they were a bad download site. I have used Steam before with no problems.

also, since COTN is on D2D, Steam and Impulse I would guess that Hinterland would also be on all three.

[bitobah]

I love Steam. It has always been the easiest to use (well, other than Stardock Central and the new Stardock Impulse). Gamersgate has strange payment options and I hate the UI of the DL program. Some people have terrible problems with Gamersgate. Direct2Drive seems pretty standard, I have only used it a few times, but I have Spore pre-ordered through it.

Bael

[Shadowdragoon]

is there something about Steam that people don't like? the way everyone talks about it one would think they were a bad download site. I have used Steam before with no problems.

also, since COTN is on D2D, Steam and Impulse I would guess that Hinterland would also be on all three.

Well, on Steam you have to logg on to play your games, unless you choose ofline mode, but to do that, you have to start up whit connection then select ofline mode for it to be doable, so if you loose webconection, you cant play your games.

btw. hope they will have it on impulse too. its my current favorite store of its kind.

[fleshtonegolem]

Direct downloads are great for many reasons, foremost cost savings and minimal environmental impact, but once you uninstall something, you should be able to keep it handy without needing to re-download the whole thing

If I'm going to buy a game I'd like to get some sort of means to have it regardless of my net connection.

[kichigai_inu]

So is it being released only via download? I guess I'm oldschool in that I prefer to have a physical copy if possible. This looks like a cool game and I have bought dl only games before, so it will not deter me from buying it. However looking around various retail sites I did not see this game anywhere, so it makes me think it is dl only.

[Reed]

Yeah, it is download only.

[kichigai_inu]

Yeah, it is download only.

Will the copy protection allow me to burn the game to cd and then reinstall it at a later date? Perhaps some kind of online verification, etc...

[OhhJim]

Will the copy protection allow me to burn the game to cd and then reinstall it at a later date? Perhaps some kind of online verification, etc...

I'm also concerned about this. What about when I get a new computer, and need to reinstall it? Assuming the old computer is dead, and I can't copy any files.

[sapien82]

Just a quick question for you reed!

when i downloaded elder scrolls oblivion via direct2drive , i later found out to my horror that you couldnt update oblivion by patch from bathesda if you downloaded from direct2drive.

Will we be covered by update patches and future add ons if we download from direct2drive?

this caused me no end of problems with oblivion , i ended up going and buying it from a shop AGAIN !

[Nenjin]

I'm not a fan of Direct2Drive. I tried to download a copy of Civ from it a year or two ago, and the *******s charged me for it but then refused to allow my download. I'm old school as well I guess, I want physical copies.

[Adrock]

Usually a developer will negotiate a period of limited exclusivity with a download partner.

So perhaps the game will be available only on Steam for the first month or so, then will move to other distribution channels.

Isn't this how it went with CotN?

[Reed]

Will the copy protection allow me to burn the game to cd and then reinstall it at a later date? Perhaps some kind of online verification, etc...
The details depend on where you buy it. But I think all(?) of them allow you to re-download the game.

Will we be covered by update patches and future add ons if we download from direct2drive?
You should be, but I can't speak for them.

[sapien82]

thanks reed

[Shadowdragoon]

The details depend on where you buy it. But I think all(?) of them allow you to re-download the game.


You should be, but I can't speak for them.

Im a bit curius, where will you release it?

Impulse? Steam? Gamersgate? other?

[fleshtonegolem]

I was just reading up on the "Steam Software" and the factor of signing in to play your games.

Am I understanding this correctly that I need to be connected to the internet in order to play this because it's a direct download software from steam.

Is there any way to download Steam stuff and then play without a net connection?

This isn't a Multiplayer game over LAN let alone the net, so why would I be restricted in that way.

That aside... I share my internet connection with my roommate and it's a cellular connection. In other words. One person on the net at a time.

Not to mention the fact that people that have dial up that would wait Overnight to Dl the game couldn't play without tying up there phone line.

I hope I'm wrong about that, because that's just silly.

Anybody out there know what I'm getting at and have an answer?

[tobing]

With Steam you need to be online to download the game or any updates.

You DON'T need to be online to just play the game once you have downloaded it.

[Shadowdragoon]

With Steam you need to be online to download the game or any updates.

You DON'T need to be online to just play the game once you have downloaded it.

Well, you need to be online to logg onto steam. (then you can choose offlinemode, you cant yust choose offlinemode if you suddenly loose conection to the web), i truly prefear impulse above steam for singleplayer games.

[King Faticus]

not to mention that steam has made me and my sisters antivirus program to go crazy...
and yes from the official site D:

[Darkhan]

Personally I don't like steam that much. I'll be waiting (Impatiently) for an Impulse release.
As soon as it shows up there, I'm buying.

Darkhan ;)

[Aristoi]

Well, you need to be online to logg onto steam. (then you can choose offlinemode, you cant yust choose offlinemode if you suddenly loose conection to the web), i truly prefear impulse above steam for singleplayer games.

That's not correct. If you are not connected to the Net when Steam starts, it will ask you if you wish to start it in Offline Mode. You do not need to be connected to the Internet to tell Steam you're not connected to the Internet (wouldn't that be odd).

[Shadowdragoon]

That's not correct. If you are not connected to the Net when Steam starts, it will ask you if you wish to start it in Offline Mode. You do not need to be connected to the Internet to tell Steam you're not connected to the Internet (wouldn't that be odd).

Nice, last time i tried to logg on whit the connection down. it would not let me start steam complaining about no net connection, even when i selectet offline mode.

(now, as i only use Team Fortress 2 on steam, i dont really have anny reason to test it, i dont use it as a shortcut manager longer)

i yust retested it, and now it seems to work right, allowing me to logg on even offline.