I have to agree with LifeWish. You can play the full version of the game without internet access but to make use of the bonus packs you will have to have it. The same is true of games like MOO with multiplayer. You can play single player with out internet access but if you want to take advantage of the multiplayer feature you have to have it.

There are othere types of copy protection that some may prefer but then others would complain about that.

~SDC~

From what i gather, you need SDC online to get new updates for the first time and then use SDC like you would say WINZIP or other archivers to archive and restore the updates.

For e.g. when we archive, it might end up as say X.SDC,
which we burn to a cd, take it another machine and restore it using SDC.

@Toothless-OMO - i can understand your concern, but I cannot think of a more straight forward way of doing this. I dont think it makes much of a difference if there is a direct link to download x.exe or x.zip or use SDC to download and create a X.SDC as long as it is possible to burn the archive file to a CD and restore it.

Some companies require you to keep the CD in the drive. Others (though not so many recently make you look up esoteric references in a manual to prove that you're you. Like games that require unique serial numbers for online play, GalCiv requires internet access to be able to download additional features. And we're using that same system to distribute the game for people who don't want a CD or can't otherwise realistically order the game where they live.

Stardock Central has to be connected (online) in order to download the updates and create the archive. It does not have to be online to restore those archives on another computer.

Yes, this method will be documented somewhere official.

"Also, what about the user (like me) with one system that will have GalCiv installed? How will I update so it allows me to archive without it auto updating my game?"

You can create an archive of the game at any time with Stardock Central. In your case, the only time you're going to do this is when you're on the Internet connected machine and you create a complete archive of the game + the latest updates that you burn and transfer to your home PC.

As for your crash on the WinCustomize tab, I didn't acknowledge it because in the middle of a thread here is not technical support.

Install http://storage.stardock.com/files/stardockcentral098.exe and if the issues still occurs, please start a new thread with that and your system specs.

Thank you for your patience Nakor.

I acknowledge you are making a backup option for us in this. And that yes our play computer will not need to be online with this archive in hand, just that we have the Stardock Central software installed on said play computer. (SC is pretty smooth running for me, I am typing this through it.)

There are two inconvieniences with this model, as i see it though.

1. We have to install not only Stardock Central but the entire game on ussually some one elses computer if we do not have decent internet access at home. Work (not likely) , friends (Not popular), internet cafe or retail access like Kinkoes in my case, (paying by the minute) (Hmmmm Buy a $200 X-Box or I spend $2000.00 on a computer plus $40.00 for the game of the month plus $14.00 an hour to install updates indefinatly. Hmmmmm.

2. If the normal Safedisk etc copy protection is not good enough for Stardock, why not just provide a floppy disk size ap that will varify the presence of the game disk and require unique serial issued by you. We archive all updates and bonus material to the present date. Then we take that archive home and let the ap install them and throw the disk in a drawer?

3. As a side note since there are already , although incomplete in features, boot legs of GalCiv out there, how does inconvieniencing clientel help matters? Do what you've got to do, just keep making those games.

Seven days and counting.

~SDC~

'Nakor Wrote:
"If something is unclear about the above, please be very specific in your followups."

Wow, jump through hoops for sure!

What you fail to say is if SDC needs to be "online" (i.e. connected) when all this occurs.'

The SDC needs to be online only while downloading, reading/replying to message board posts, or using the internal IRC chat client.

All of it's other functions will work at any time (although you will get a few warning dialogs if you start it without a connection).

I still don´t get it. Though it is possible to create an archive and install it later on .... How does this complicated way of updates prevents pirating?

Why not simply create besides the normal into game download through stardock central, another "download file"(to save on disk" which especially asks for the orginal CD to update the game. It couldn´t be so hard to programm a generic installer which such a verifiying function...

@Harry Seldon
"Maybe you better take an English comprehension class"
*ROFL*
Go tell that to someone who was not raised bilingual due to being half american!"

@RustyBlade
So I see that at least ONE person here got my initial point and shares my sentiment.

What I get so mad about is that the anticipation of such a great looking game is spoiled by the fact that I (along with a number of others obviously) wont probably be able to get the bonus paks just because I don't want to have internet access at home simply to get those updates.
That will probably leave my with but one option. NOT to buy the game at all.

There are similar problems with other games that prevent people from experiencing all the game has to offer but still allows them to play the game in some form.

You may not be able to play a game at its highest screen resolution because your video card is not up to snuff. You may have to turn off shadows and lighting effects because you don't have enough RAM. You may not be able to play multiplayer because you don't have internet access. All of these problems prevent you from accessing all the features a game has to offer.

In the end, you just have to decide if the game running in the form you can play it in is worth the price. If not, then don't buy it and spend your money on something that will bring you more enjoyment. I would understand the complaints if you were not made aware of the requirements until after you bought the game but that is not the case here.

~SDC~

Rustyblade, $2000 for a computer? Where do you live?
www.generalnanosystems.com, it's about 3 miles from my house and a computer is $299.

I am sympathetic to all the comments here, out of curiosity, why does one not have internet access at home? Cost? One mentioned the distraction....strange argument, that one!

I don't have internet access at home cos I don't need it. I can do all the surfing and DLing I need to do at work as long as it doesn't interfere with work itself.
But I have to use WinNT on my workstation so NO installation of GalCiv, Stardock Central or whatever possible.
And NO, no dual boot system installation possible either.

You see, for someone who states that they don't need to sell a single copy of the game cos it wont effect their business these people are awefully concerned about piracy issues. Either they revise said statement or come up with a practicable update solution.
Still I'm afraid I will buy the game for just the reason that I just once want to have game that lives up to the expectations raised by it's developers.
But I wont be a happy camper if they stick with this kind of update policy.

Mastermoo, you need it now....;^)

Just kidding...I installed early galciv beta at work but rebuilt my workstation and never reinstalled.
I've had a home internet connection for 8 years and find it quite necessary, very much like a phone, radio and tv. But that's just me. Hopefully work will never
install a filter eh? Anyway, good luck should you decide to get the game.

Cheers.

Thanks. Maybe I'll find a way to get my bonus packs.

Don't have to worry about filtering or such cos I'm the company's network admin, hehe.
Still, even I am bound to certain rules which includes not to install any other OS but WinNT.

I'm a senior inet infrastructure engineer (love that title) but I don't control the pix's or outbound squid
so they could throw one up in front of me but I MIGHT be able to work around it....:^)

Luckily my company is pretty small. So I hold the function of IPSec admin along with IT consultant.
Actually it was me who introduced the use of Firewalls, IDs and mail virus protection.
So my only restrictions are my own security guidelines.

Ah, I work for a large company...3000 employees or so.
Anyway, I guess we've gone WAY offtopic.........back to your regularly scheduled thread.

Since we're at it(getting back on topic I mean) I might have come up with a solution to the update prob.
We do have an old Notebook with Win98 at work that noone uses. Now since I don't have to play the game on it but just to install this might be the way.
Still I'd prefer Stardock to think the issue over again. But I'm afraid we could whine and wince all we want, they simply wont do it although I can't really understand their stubbornness for the reasons previously mentioned.

MasterMoO, if you're the Network Admin, can't you make the arguement to your superiors that it's necessary to evaluate new software in order to keep your company competitive? That's how I ended up with four PCs running different OSes. Just throw out a bunch of acronyms like ROI and CRM and see what happens. I even have a 120 day eval copy of W2K laying around if you want it.

Heh well, like I said: Maybe I already have a solution but thanks for the suggestions.

Couple of things tho.
1) The CIO stated that due to the economical overall situation we don't have the money to invest in things like OS upgrades to let's say XP in the near future, hence no evaluation or testing is nescessary atm.
2) Point 1) makes argumenting ROI and CRM merely pointless ALTHOUGH generally it would be nice idea.

Oh, and I assume our bad start was due to the fact that you can easily read something into a statement when you don't hear tone the person is saying it in.
Happens more often than you might think.
So peace?

I didn't figure you were really mad. Besides, as the delivery date draws near excitement rattles even the levelest of heads. So, peace it is.

All I have to do now is find some poor soul who will buy my copy of MoO3 from eBay. *LOL*
Man am I content to not have a g/f atm.

MasterMoO, not to re-start anything rancorous, but couldn't you get you company to justify paying for a home Internet Connection for you. Regardless of size, I am sure they would spend $5-$10 for a dial-up connection that would at least give you the option to play at home. If I have missed something that further explains why you wouldn't a connection at home, please tell me.

-Dave

~SDC~

No, not when I'm allowed surf and DL at work which is a goody in itself, btw. And since I spend two third of the day at work...
Anyways I DO have a solution now so no need for further discussion.
That said I just preordered the game at my local retailer.

Though the matter seems already settled at the moment, I wanna through in my 0.02$.
I'm starting to believe that space TBS companies hate me for unknown reasons. They probably look over some form of "potential customer files", find my name, and sayt, "We have to do something in order to destroy his fun. Memo to all employees: The best proposal for annoying this Hasslmaster will gain you a salary increase."
First there were Malfador Machinations (what a fitting name) with SE IV. I ordered it from "Old Europe" with some substantial additional costs (non-credit card owner), and looked forward to the many patches that they promised would vastly upgrade and improve the game. I little later they must have found out I was one of their customers and quickly stopped supporting the original game in favor of the new gold version. So if I wanted updates I would have to basically buy the same game another time. Thanks, MM, I'll never buy anything from you ever again.
Then there was Quicksilver with MoO3. I shouldn't have pre-ordered the game, but, alas, I did. Of course they found out and instantly decided to screw the game up for good, restructuring the game to a state it was never meant for, and filling it up with ridiculous bugs and design flaws. Now they promise to patch it up, but, regarding their current coding abilities and speed, MoO3 will be playable in a year at the earliest. If ever. Thanks QSI, I hope they won't let you ruin another franchise.
Now it's Stardock. OK, it's not as evil as the other companies, but you sure did think up something spicy for me. This Hasslmaster has no Internet access at home, so why not provide customers with BonusPaks you have to directly download into the game?

Don't get me wrong, I admire Stardock for its talent and ingenuity. I know Frogboy from his various appearances in "Quarter to Three" and here and really like him. But this HAD to be said.

What I don't like is your argumentation regarding BonusPaks discouraging piracy. You obviously consider your method of "copy protection" less intrusive or annoying than other companies'. I strongly disagree with that. You make people have to repeatedly download, burn CDs, re-install and backup, and who knows what else. Do you really consider this less annoying than having to keep the CD in the drive and archiving patches? You do?!

It is a pity that this exellent game I am eagerly waiting for will be ruined:( by the stupidest method of patching in the history of the computer. (:(

LOL, but first of all, I want to say Hi from another newbie here.

This is interesting topic, and I am glad I find it before buying GalCiv. Uhmm... not that bad, still interesting in this game:)

What I want to say is, that from all of this written here I made two conclusions:

1. Only effect of trying to protect your game this way will be that you make part of the legitimate customers really angry...

2. It wont help to perevent distribution of pirated bonus packs becuase, they will probably distribute it as zip file containing modified files. They find which one were modified if they install two versions of GalCiv and upgrade one of them. (Or its possible to do the same on one computer by some checksum and modifications tests of Galciv directory before and after upgrade - even AntiVirus software have this option). Any changes in another files or directories may be found using same method. Changes in registry are also easy to detect. OK you may try to prevent this by adding some protective algorithms or encrypted cd-keys into modified/upgraded files and hope that this wont allow to distribute this files on another GalCiv installation with different CD-key. But T.H.E.Y. have cracked every game, every software... This is just wasting of your time and your effort.

BTW Can someone tell me what are the method of payments for direct download? I didnt found this info anywhere...