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Bishop149
Bishop149
Join Date 10/2010
0

Update procedure is appalling

October 7, 2010 3:16:21 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Well I from looking around this forum I see I am not alone in this one!

I would like to register my displeasure at the process of patching this game!

For a start you shouldn't have to signup to anything in order to get a patch, but none the less I guess I can accept signing into the developers website. I go through the procedure and get nothing. . . . "File not found" with some cryptic small print about something called Impluse.

So I download impulse and find myself unable to log into that either, I work out that it probably wants the same login info as I already gave your website (something which was by no means clear), but that doesn't work either. I reset the password (to the SAME thing) and I finally manage to access Impluse.

I now realise that rather than just being an update manager it some kind of Steam clone.

This is not something I wish to be FORCED to download just to get a bloody patch. Unless I chose to buy through and online retailer (which I didn't) I do not want their adware on my hard drive thank you.

I still haven't found the patch by the way for all the crap they want to sell me, all I have found is a check for updates button which seems to do naff all.

 

 

technical
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Bishop149
Bishop149
Join Date 10/2010
0
Reply #1 October 7, 2010 3:27:24 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Oh God it gets worse!

So despite already having Sins installed on my computer Impluse wants me to download it again before it will do anything to it!!

I refuse to be pushed onto a platform I did not choose, I will now be uninstalling both Impluse and Sins and will be seeking a refund.

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Bishop149
the_Monk
Join Date 01/2008
+222
Reply #2 October 7, 2010 3:34:18 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

 

@ Bishop149,

1.  Why shouldn't you have to register (ie. prove you own the game) in order to get patches for it?  Give me one legitimate reason why not?  How about the devs wanting to make sure their "support" goes to those entitled to it?

2.  Impulse is not a "steam-clone" since STEAM requires a connection to be established in order to play *most* steam enabled games where with Impulse you only need to have it installed to get updates after which you may uninstall it forever.

3.  Clients required for updating of one's software are new to you?  Windows update?  EA downloader?  UBI-patcher?  the list goes on.....

4.  Sure I get you're annoyed at having to deal with yet "another" software client, but please don't make it out to have been such a hardship.  I mean you do use a PC right?  Using IMPULSE cannot (by far) have been the most frustrating thing you've had to do/figure out on your PC.  I don't buy it.

5.  Adware?  lmao.....now you're just grasping at straws.  Besides, shouldn't you be more concerned about the data that gets mined from you everytime you use GOOGLE?

 

I'm just saying...........I get that you were frustrated because the "update process" didn't happen the way you imagined.......I just don't think it warranted a post such as yours.

Just like with anything in life...........get with the times.......or get left behind! 

 

the Monk

 

EDIT:  In response to your second post:

Make sure your game is "registered" in Impulse.....that way it should just patch what's needed instead of reinstalling.  Of course if you're giving up already.....sorry to see you go.  SINS is definitely a great game. 

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Bishop149
Bishop149
Join Date 10/2010
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Reply #3 October 7, 2010 4:17:14 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

1. Ok registering for patches is perfectly acceptable but a little unusual (most devs even let you get them through 3rd party websites!) and shows an unhealthy obsession with DRM, especially for a game that had quite a refreashing attitude to DRM at release.

2. Steam hasn't required you to be online to use it for at least 2 years now.I do use steam, I knew what it was before I got it, and I have kept using it because I've found it pretty functional. If you can remove impulse after patching then that is what I will do, but it took you to tell me this was possible its certainly not something made clear in the install is it?

3. No update clients are not new, that is exactly what I thought impluse was when I downloaded it but that is NOT what it is. It is clearly a sales platform, a quick glance at the front page is all it takes to determine that, a bunch of game prices and flashy adverts.

4. I have been PC gaming for at least 15 years and can honestly say this update procedure was in the top 3 of most difficult / awkward. . . and the other 2 that stand out were due to hardware problems and pretty major bugs.

5. Ok a little unfair maybe, but if it runs at startup by default and shows adverts then its too intrusive for me.

 

I think I got so riled because at no point in the process was anything made clear, and it installed a sales platform through the backdoor. Such things are fine, but using them should be a choice and not forced upon you when you bought the product in a nice old fashioned shop.

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Bishop149
harpo99999
Join Date 02/2008
+407
Reply #4 October 7, 2010 5:11:50 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

bishop, for your info impulse only needs to run WHEN you are checking for updates, and the impulsenow miniapp in the taskbar can be turned off in in its preferences as can it's checking for promotions, and the only part of the promos you need to click on when they have popped up is the cross on the top right of the promo window(which I have done btw). it also tells you of any new patches to the games you have installed and registered in it.

as for steam, I have several objections to it's design, namely that it MUST BE RUNNING ALL THE TIME for a program that uses steam to be able to be used, it installs SILENTLY and also interferes with the internet connection in my experience(tried it once, did not like the feel of the methods it uses, so uninstalled said program restored system to before installation AND STILL HAD THE BASTARD(steam) IN THE SYSTEM(this behavior is similar to the SONY ROOTKIT), so had to FORMAT the system & RE-install ALL wanted programs & restore data from backups(took 3 days to do all of this) and also took the program back for a refund due to faulty goods).

harpo

 

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Bishop149
psychoak
Join Date 07/2007
+226
Reply #5 October 7, 2010 5:46:19 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Impulse is set up to remember your settings, right down to the page it opens to.  I haven't seen the sales page in months because I open either to the update tab or the games tab depending on where I left it when I closed out the last time.

 

You're seriously stretching on your rant here.

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Bishop149
WHIPperSNAPper2008
Join Date 03/2008
+126
Reply #6 October 7, 2010 11:09:33 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

I don't have a problem with Impulse at all.  It's completely benign and I only run it when I want to patch.  If having to use Impulse is the price we need to pay to be able to play without having the DVD in the drive and to avoid nasty DRM like Securom, Starforce, or CD-Killer or to have to put up with installation limits then so be it.

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Bishop149
Ryat
Join Date 06/2006
+429
Reply #7 October 7, 2010 11:18:14 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Heck, if you don't like it, just update and remove Impulse. It's that simple.

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Bishop149
myfist0
Join Date 01/2010
+319
Reply #8 October 8, 2010 12:23:33 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Steam     

Impulse  

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Bishop149
a110
Join Date 06/2010
+6
Reply #9 October 8, 2010 5:50:09 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

i actually downloaded the game from impulse with my cd key because the cd was broken, then uninstalled after updating because i don't like content delivery either

i temporarily installed it again later to fix a glitch though - described here

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Bishop149
Larchus
Join Date 09/2010
0
Reply #10 October 11, 2010 1:15:53 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

I'm sorry but I agree with Bishop, it's a blatant steam clone. While it is less intrusive, and it hasn't given me too much of a problem, come on. The damn website is called "Impulsedriven." Huh... not at all like "Steampowered" isn't it?

And I know fanboys are going to attack with "Hurrdurr STEAM IS FULL OF PROBLIMZ". Uhm, no. I have had Steam installed for several years, and it hasn't given me any problems. I know absolutely no one who has ever had a problem with steam that couldn't be rectified. Oh and yes, steam can run in off-line mode.

None of these platforms are really superior, but they are both the same damn thing, no matter how you slice it. And considering Steam has been out longer... well...

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Bishop149
Ryat
Join Date 06/2006
+429
Reply #11 October 11, 2010 2:08:09 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Personally never had an issue with Steam either. On my own end I simple said that if he didn't like Impulse he could use it and get rid of it quite easily. Ironically, much easier that Steam.

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Bishop149
psychoak
Join Date 07/2007
+226
Reply #12 October 11, 2010 12:55:03 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

I've only had two problems with Steam, aside from retarded update settings that don't play nice with limited bandwidth, was their idiotic inability to operate in the DMZ.  When you lose your internet connection and can't sign in for two weeks to go into offline mode, it's killer.

 

Any potential problems aside, Steam and Impulse are not the same thing.  One is content delivery, one is a mandatory encapsulating system that demands you have it running to use your software.  Not something I get obsessed over, but when system resources are tight it's a real pain in the ass.

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Bishop149
FredLed
Join Date 08/2010
+11
Reply #13 October 12, 2010 6:38:13 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

i think you should take it to court bishop and prove how right you are in the light of the fact that you are perfectt in every way and that ironclad is lower then you! o yes!

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Bishop149
FredLed
Join Date 08/2010
+11
Reply #14 October 12, 2010 6:38:50 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

because were all sure that you have never done anything wrong which certainly gives you the right to complain!

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Bishop149
Russki_Bear
Join Date 09/2010
0
Reply #15 October 13, 2010 10:35:11 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Bishop,

I know your complaint was that the use of Impulse was not made clear - I had this as well the first time I attempted to update. But I had this cleared up in 5 minutes and it was by no means difficult. You are in the same boat as people who bought the Orange Box as their introduction to Steam except that Stardock has not included Impulse in the install.

In my experience of both Impulse and Steam I found that yes they have their similarities, but by and large, Steam was a little more effort to use and you have to run it all the time. It is also difficult to remove. I used to disable it until I wanted to play a Steam game as I didn't want it running. Steam is a good compromise solution to DRM but it does things that Impulse does not.

I actually was quite pleased I didn't need the DVD in the drive without any running DRM software either. How is that not a pleasing attitude to DRM? I have to register the game for updates, once. The rest of the time, I just play it. I would prefer this to CD checks and install limits any day, including say Mass Effect 2 where you could end up not being able to play offline when you install DRM'd DLCs.

So while yes the information could be better, the process to me is good. I think you don't have a lot to complain about.

 

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