1.04 Patch?

[BasiliskWrangler]

I guess the patch was accidentally left off of the Book I page after the redesign.

I'm going to change the name of this topic, and stickie it. Thanks Culmination.

[Jude]

Are you going to put the patch link up on the game page, too?:
http://www.basiliskgames.com/book1.html


Jude

[Al3xand3r]

Well since this was mentioned... For Book II please provide a more robust downloading process. I'm not even able to re-download the game from the link I received in my e-mail. I'm sure we can work it out if I ever lose my backup files but it'd still be better if the file was readily available, and if you also provided updated setup files that include the patches so that we don't have to keep different files backed up for our game(s).

Maybe you could add some sort of key based activation that turns a demo file available on all big gaming sites into the full game, a lot like Mount & Blade does (which as far as I know has managed more than decently enough against pirates with each subsequent version). That would make you able to just send the updated setup files to the file sharing websites and everyone could redownload the game whenever he needed to without adding to costs for you or the payments provider you have chosen.

Also, you should put the patch file back on the Book I page, not every player will check the forums for it (please fans, let's not hear any "if they can't bother with the forums they don't deserve the patch" kind of discussions).

[acoustibop]

... For Book II please provide a more robust downloading process. I'm not even able to re-download the game from the link I received in my e-mail...

There's a reason for that, Al3xand3r. If Basilisk left download links open permanently, it wouldn't be long before they satrted being shared around - which would mean Basilisk Games providing the game to all and sundry for free.

... Maybe you could add some sort of key based activation that turns a demo file available on all big gaming sites into the full game, a lot like Mount & Blade does (which as far as I know has managed more than decently enough against pirates with each subsequent version)...

That would involve building protection into the game so people couldn't misuse the unlocking process - something Basilisk don't seem that anxious to do, not to mention that it would cost them.

Also, you should put the patch file back on the Book I page, not every player will check the forums for it (please fans, let's not hear any "if they can't bother with the forums they don't deserve the patch" kind of discussions).

Considering BW said its removal was unintended anyway, I would think this will be done.

[Al3xand3r]

For the re-download stuff you could have to login first, I would think Plimus would have had such a scheme in place, make an account for you with your first purchase then let you re-login with the same information and be able to re-download all your games. But they don't, they seem to be a bit backwards with their manual activations that can take several hours and such. I've been buying many indie games online and so far Plimus has been the only system with such shortcomings. I think Basilisk can perhaps find something better if they can't develop one themselves.

Protection should be built in either way, since currently you can just send the setup file to someone else and it'll work out for him just as if he had bought it. Similarly if you uploaded to torrent websites (which I'm sure has been done, though it's probably not a very popular seeded file). Again, Mount & Blade's system seems pretty ideal. I'm sure it's been pirated but probably no more than Eschalon (taking in account the fact it's been out for many years) without being intrusive or restrictive against the customer.

I noted the patch thing because it sounded like he thought stickying this topic is sufficient solution to not having the patch show up on the page. And don't get me wrong, I said some of the same criticisms to the Aquaria developers just today since they also use Plimus and they also don't list the patches links anywhere but on their development blog.

It's really surprising to me how popular Plimus seems to be given its shortcomings. Aquaria used it, Eschalon, Styrateg, Larva Mortus (all indie games I've bought). Again, I don't have many issues with it since it all worked out okay so far despite being a little slower than automated systems or systems along the lines of Mount & Blade's, I'm just saying, it's a bit backwards and they could do better or urge Plimus themselves to do a bit better.

[realmzmaster]

The minute you add protection (key, drm or other) it becomes a race between the developer and crackers. The developer will lose. There is one developer against hundreds of crackers. The cracker will just see it as a challenge. Most copy protection schemes are cracked the day the game comes out.

Even if the key was unique to an individual it can be released on the net. The developer will know whose key is out there, but how many small independents can afford to take someone to court. They will disable that particular key in patches, updates or different versions. If you have enough of the keys or crack the exe file you can develop a keygen. The Spiderweb Games came out, within days a kegen had been developed. There is a keygen for everyone of the Spiderweb games.

Most copy protection schemes are cracked faster than Van Camps can cook pork and beans.

I never worried about redownloading the game. The minute I downloaded it, I burned it to CD. I also bought the CD version and had my order promptly. Anything I order or download gets promptly backed up. But it is a thought.

[Al3xand3r]

There's no keygen for m&b though there may be free keys or cracks for some of the older versions, it's not as easy as it is for "big" games where you could just go to a known torrent site and have the game downloading within seconds. Also, protection like this would simply be to stop the average joe from sharing the game to 20 or so of his online friends, obviously it's impossible to make something 100% uncrackable, though certain smaller developers have managed decently (again, Mount & Blade, or for non game applications milkshape 3D). If piracy is as easy and hassle free as non piracy (or easier, no need for credit card etc) it'll certainly have a higher percentage than if it's not, even if it's still possible. The difference between casual pirates who do it when it's so simple and regular pirates who do bother searching for cracks, keygens and what not (though I think indie devs have a generally more moral group of followers who understand they need to pay for it if they want support and/or sequels).

Anyway, it doesn't really affect me if they add protection or not, that was just an idea that would allow them to host the full game on public file sharing places (filecloud, gamershell, etc) without fear that every single guy who gets it from there will not pay for it. Much like Mount & Blade or countless other games that offer demos or trials that are actually a locked full game so you can always get the latest setup downloaded from any random website. My main point is that Plimus need to offer better distribution methods. I'm glad you never worried about redownloading, it's still backwards thinking on Plimus' part to not allow the convenience like most other digital purchase schemes do. And also, the convenience of being able to just get the latest setups backed up instead of having to keep copies of potentially several different patch files per game.

[realmzmaster]

Yes, some indie games may fly under the cracker's radar for a while, but if a cracker feels that it is a challenege nothing will stop them from cracking the protection. The more popular a game gets the more likely it will draw the attention of crackers.

The average joe justs simply waits and reaps the fruit of the cracker's labor.

I remember in the late 80 and early 90's pirate groups would crack every Atari ST game that came out. They had races to see who could do it the quickest, Which is why every Atari ST, Amiga, Apple II is available on the net. Now, it is considered nostalgia and abandonware except for certain titles.

Let face it the Amiga and Atatri ST were not the big dogs in the pack. But the pirates took great pride in cracking the protection. No game is safe if the crackers cast their eyes upon it.

[Al3xand3r]

I never claimed you can make an uncrackable protection scheme but you keep stating the obvious, that no game is that. Either way, if someone's willing to sit and wait for some random unproven untrusted cracker group or individual to bother with this underdog that is most definitelly not a challenge compared to games that use professional protection schemes, then he was really never going to buy the game, ever. He'd just move on to the next one he could pirate.

Anyway, again, I couldn't care less if they add protection or not (making sure it's protection that doesn't hinder paying customers like me), I just want more convenience in regards to distribution, like all modern digital distribution systems (apart from Plimus apparently) offer. Making the demo a locked full game is one way to do that, and not any less safe than the currently unprotected game. There are other ways (like having Plimus offer client logins that then allow them to redownload all their games) which may work. Whatever works best for Eschalon, I'd like them to go ahead with it for the future Books and maybe the first also.

[Eschalonian]

You're asking a lot, for just a little additional convenience. Seriously, how hard is it to remember to save the game somewhere safe after you download it? In the rare instance where your harddrive fails and you lose everything, I think Basilisk is pretty accommodating in letting you download the game again.

[Al3xand3r]

Which part of what I'm asking is "a lot"? I've provided potential tried & true solutions and none of them seemed to be "a lot" for the people who pioneered or at least followed them. My examples are of indie developers just like Basilisk Games. The developers of Mount & Blade (originally just a husband and wife) went with the solution of making the demo an unlockable trial so that customers can always get the latest setup from any random games file hosting service provider and it's worked great. Others partnered with a better business than Plimus, like Valve Software with Steam or Stardock with Impulse. Neither sounds like "a lot" and neither makes the currently 100% unprotected game more open to piracy.

[MaximB]

I think with the many "known issues" that were mentioned in this thread : viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1770 , it's time for patch 1.05 .

[BasiliskWrangler]

Version 1.05 is nearly complete. Here's what we've addressed:

- Compiled using the latest version of the development language (generally this is considered beneficial, though sometimes it is not).
- Added improved graphics initialization code (Windows).
- Game no longer crashes if you threaten to kill Gruzz.
- Game no longer crashes if Siam attacks you.
- Vista defaults to use the DirectSound driver, which should fix rare audio glitches on some computers.
- NPCs and monsters should no longer get stuck off-screen. (This is such a rare occurrence that it is hard to test, but so far I have been unable to chase any into the void).
- Spawning creatures should no longer spawn outside of the reachable map areas.
- Improved control for single-button mouses.
- Barrels show on automap better (violet dots).
- Linux version (demo and full) now defaults to a hidden folder for saved games, inside your home folder... "/.eschalon_b1_saved_games/"

Here's the catch: there will be NO 1.05 PATCH released. Here's why:

- Most people have no problems with version 1.04. Version 1.05 is just a tiny maintenance release and for all you people who have played and finished the game, this version adds no additional gameplay.
- Anyone who purchased the "1.042 Greenhouse" version of the game already has most of these fixes in place.
- Anyone who purchased the game from Greenhouse, Reflexive, or Direct2Drive would be unable to apply a 1.05 patch released by us because it would break their game. We would have to work with these distributors to patch their versions. This is the main reason we will not release a 1.05 patch: the huge headache it would cause when people try to patch their copy of E:B1 that they did not purchase from us!!

So, we will be releasing an updated demo made with this 1.05 code base, and of course any new purchases through Basilisk Games will be downloaded as version 1.05.

Don't worry! We are not planning to screw over our faithful customers: If you bought the game from us (through Plimus) and want a new 1.05 version, we can reactivate your download so you can get a new 1.05 install. Don't ask for it now...wait until it is available and then send an email with your Plimus order number.

Finally, there will be one other version: 1.05s. This will be for yet another distributor and it is simply the 1.05 code base along with some additional internal validation that they require. We'll discuss this when the time is appropriate.

[Jude]

Version 1.05 is nearly complete. Here's what we've addressed:

- Compiled using the latest version of the development language (generally this is considered beneficial, though sometimes it is not).
............
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Don't worry! We are not planning to screw over our faithful customers: If you bought the game from us (through Plimus) and want a new 1.05 version, we can reactivate your download so you can get a new 1.05 install. Don't ask for it now...wait until it is available and then send an email with your Plimus order number.

Will the new 1.05 version still work under OS X 10.3.9 on Power Mac (PPC) computers like my G4 1.25 GHz DP? If so, then I would be interested in a new download of my game.

Jude

[BasiliskWrangler]

Will the new 1.05 version still work under OS X 10.3.9 on Power Mac (PPC) computers like my G4 1.25 GHz DP? If so, then I would be interested in a new download of my game.

Yes, we will update all platforms to version 1.05.