1701

You aren’t tied to it after you install it at all. You just download it, install it and then you don’t even have to be online.

1702

What do you do when you want to install it to the next machine?

1703

I realize that. What I’m saying is if I want to install this again in the future and GG is no longer in business then I cannot, I no longer own the game. If I’m understanding it correctly.

1704

Then maybe I didn’t realize how purchasing downloadable games work. I thought I could download it and keep the file and install it whenever I wanted to. According to their FAQ, you have to be connected to the Internet and use their installation program to install it.

1705

i know i’m “supposed” to be playing games and all, and i am…
but i just have to set the record straight… yes, t77, you are right, you will always need an internet connection and the “company” when installing the game afresh. say on a new system or after a format. that’s how all current major digital download services work. otherwise anyone could legitimately buy the game and after they have it, spread it on the scene. so robert sharp and others are at best spreading misinformation. maybe they don’t realize that during install or when first run, the game does a quick online authentication. if companies like gog get up the ground, then this may change the scene. thing is even they will only have “classic” titles… (read: 5+ years old) so in conclusion, you are right, so stick to your guns.

1706

Not to be a downer and all that but the Hearts of Iron Anthology is only 20 bucks and it comes with 1 and 2
.

http://gogamer1.amazonwebstore.com/Hearts-of-Iron-Anthology/M/B000TV7QFM.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

1707

That’s probably right, based on my experience. You have to be connected to Gamer’s Gate to install. OTOH, it is only $13, with no additional shipping fees, etc. The choice is yours though, obviously, so if you think you’ll want to play again in 5 years, you could try to find the game somewhere else.

1708

Also, you have a total of 5 installs per product through Gamersgate.

My hope is that, as digital distribution increases, existing outfits will have an interest in keeping all titles available indefinitely. If one goes out of business, an uproar will begin from people who no longer have access to their games. The companies still around will, I hope, somehow buy out the rights to the closed company’s titles or somehow offer the games through their service as a way of retaining customers after a method of verification of ownership.

Obviously, I have no idea how this would work or if it is possible, but I imagine the closing of one would cause a huge amount of concern and distrust of the method of purchase. Some alternative would have to be put in place or else people would jump off the DD ship.

For now, I am making a few, low cost digital purchases and having a little faith, but still picking up trusty, old boxes when I can.

1709

Toys R Us has Xbox 360 games Buy one get one half off this week.

1710

Could you link me to where it says that? Because I specifically checked for that sort of gotcha before buying, and the FAQ said that the game remained available online through things like computer upgrades. They did say that too many different IPs installing the same game over a certain (undisclosed) period of time would result in installation being blocked, to prevent fraud. But that’s not the same as a limited number of installs.

1711

Circuit city this week has the world of warcraft and diablo battle chest, and the orange box for $24.99 each.

1712

So if you weren’t sure about paying $10 or whatever it was for Kudos Rock Legend on gamedujour.com, it’s now free on game.giveawayoftheday.com for another 12 hours. Remember that you must also install the game during that window of time.

1713

I can’t provide a link, but when I installed Fantasy Wars, it said I had 4 installs left. That might be over a short period of time; it may reset every so often, thus making it effectively unlimited. Probably Tyler was looking at that same counter and assuming it meant he could only install it four more times (as I also assumed, but again we could both be wrong).

1714

I am pretty sure that depends entirely on the wishes of the publisher/developer.

Personally I refuse to have any activation limits or drm on the games I’m in charge of. It just screws over customers, while a thief can find a torrent anyway.

1715

I sure hope it resets. I’m not too worried about my $13, but I wouldn’t buy any more games under a similar policy if not.

1716

File under “No, no, we’re not circling the drain yet, honest!” - Tabula Rasa down to 5 bucks on Amazon.

1717

I guess Richard Garriott will have to sit in coach on the spaceship.

1718

Precisely, Robert. I should have included that in my post. After writing that, I thought it could be totally title dependent rather than a GamersGate policy. I should have gone back and edited, but I forgot. Sorry for the misleading info.

Can’t speak for Digital Distribution as a whole, but the Fantasy Wars purchase was easily worth the risk. My future practice will probably be to reserve DD purchases to $20 and less until there is some sort of proof that I will be able to access my games forever. Maybe every 5 years I can increase that threshold by $10. Thereby incrementally increasing the risk which will hopefullt be mitigated by cost of living increases and more clear sales practices by the companies that offer DD. (Man, that paragraph was all accounting/auditor-like and shit. I have been working too much.)

1719

That kinda sucks because I heard TR is actually pretty good. I bought it a few weeks back but haven’t tried it out yet. I hope the servers are still up and running when I finally do get around to trying it out.

1720

TR is actually pretty good. It’s a fun, action focused MMO that I recommend anyone check out. I played for a couple of months and stopped, which is pretty much how I play all MMOs. I really did enjoy my time with the game and liked the fresh setting and approach.