I Don't Like your Update/Patch System using Stardock Central

from GalCiv2 Forums
I've never had so much hassle in my life trying to get updates/patches. First you gotta download Stardock Central (on dialup that takes a long time) then when it finally finishes and you install it and logon you gotta download a GD patch for Stardock Central (another long waiting period for this bs) Then You gotta logon with the "correct" email address you used when you registered the game(s). Well I use a LOT of email addresses and I caN't remember which ones I used to register what. It took me wayyyy to long to finally figure out which email address I used and of coure the correct NAME I used when registering. Sorry pals but I don't give my real name an information over the net to ANYONE except national or state or federal or city county organizations.

Secondly I HATE this online download of patching only. I want a HARD COPY of the PATCH I can burn to CD-rom or store on another Hard Drive I use for patches and updates. This system sucks royally and I will never buy another Stardock game if this is the system you are going to use.

I used to applaud Stardock for NOT REQUIRING any type of copy protection or any system like STEAM or VALVE or GAMERS GATE or any of the other direct download systems. I hate them and I will not use them. I wouldn't have bought GalCiv Dark Avatar had I known this is the kind of crap Stardock has setup for COPY PROTECTION which they used to brag how they don't use it. Well, If I have to use Stardock everytime I want to DOWNLOAD an UPDATE/PATCH you might just as well caLl that COPY PROTECTION bud.

I want the OLD system back where all I had to do was click on DOWNLOADS and it takes me to a screen where all the DOWNLOADS are and I pick the one I need to download to my hard drive. Then I can back it up on cd-rom or another hard-drive later on.

I'm fine with registering a game ONCE and only ONCE and not having to worry about if my name is correct or which email address I used to register with. I paid for the GD game, I gave the registration numbers required off the CD case and that's all I should ever have to do and then I should be able to goto the download page WITHOUT HAVING TO USE STARDOCK CENTRAL and get the GD updates/patches I want/need.

Why did you goto this stupid system anyways? Why do publishers have to fark things up for everybody?
18,962 views 23 replies
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think stardock central is great, very quick and easy way of getting updates and patches, and you can use it to talk to the developers.
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
SD Central is better than disc based DRM any day of the week.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
mmmmm some one had to much Coffee !!!
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
"Well I use a LOT of email addresses and I caN't remember which ones I used to register what. It took me wayyyy to long to finally figure out which email address I used and of coure the correct NAME I used when registering."

So why not simply create a text file with the details of your different logins/passwords/e-mail addresses?

If you have so many different e-mail addresses that you can't keep track, well, you make your own problems.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I had a problem with the 1.8e patch. I dropped into the chatroom and a developer helped me out. A DEVELOPER.

For that alone I'll put up with SD Central.

I would like to download patches to my hd for archive purposes but I do like being able to login and install at a click a fully patched game to any pc solely using the net. I like Steam for the same reason.

Please give us the ability to rollback to the previous patch version though. Getting the 1.8f patch out was fast but a rollback would have removed the need for any loss of gaming joy
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
There IS the "archive on update" option. However, I'd also really like the possibility to download patches for archiving from SDC. Or for comparing different versions.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah see that's another good point. I might not like patch 1.XX and want to play with an older patch 1.X.1, but, I can't do this once I've updated through Stardock Central. See. So, they should go back to the OLD way and just let us PICK our patches instead of all this forcing BS.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Willie, learn to live within the system - instead of trying to conform the system to your own personal tastes.

You can keep a record of your info, as I mentioned.
You can keep archived copies of older versions that you can revert to.
You can also get a higher speed connection so downloads do not take as long.

All you are doing is griping for no really good reason.

If you don't like it, find another game to play.
No one really cares if you don't like Stardock's way of updating and piracy protection, because every method out there has its own disadvantages and advantages.
You simply live with whatever method the particular game implements (and adjust to it), or you go elsewhere.


Stardock has the best support of any game you will find out there.
The devs are up close and personal, and they really listen to what we - the consumer - want and desire.

They CARE!!!!
But, some things won't change. They have set up Stardock Central to be the update path - and that will not change because someone has a slow connection or because they won't organize their own e-mail system.

All of us that have been around here for even a little while realize this, and we respect them for all they have done for us, as well for the way they implement their protection of their own property.


I prefer stand-alone updates as well. But that does not mean they are wrong in controlling the updates through Stardock Central.
It just means that - this is how I do it for this particular program.



The Stardock team is the best - bar none. If you want to reap the benefits, well, you must also remain within the boundries as well.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To the OP:

When you USE sentences with RANDOMLY CAPITALIZED words it makes what you say SEEM to be REALLY IMPORTANT when it frankly ISN'T.

Stardock are not only handsome manly beasts, but they are also the only down-to-earth game developer ON THE PLANET (caps clearly for extra superly-duperly emphasis) that actually listens to their customers. Don't knock them because you are paranoid about giving your name out on the internet. SDC is great and extremely convenient.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If you're having problems, email support and ask your account get changed to a set email you'd prefer. It took a while but they did it for me. They will shift an account if needed.

Usually older patches are on sites other then SDC. SDC is just the official way of getting them.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If you're having problems, email support and ask your account get changed to a set email you'd prefer. It took a while but they did it for me. They will shift an account if needed.
End of quote


You can actually change the email address yourself in the My Account->Stardock Account section of the forums.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You can also get a higher speed connection so downloads do not take as long.
End of quote


Don't assume that:
A) the option is available to him where he lives and
B) he has the power to change the internet connection at the place he lives (kids do play this game and parents often have say).

Way out in rural areas, the only options for internet is dialup or satellite (which is horridly overpriced). Yes, people DO live in areas not very wired yet.

To the OP, the email problem has been mentioned on how to fix it above (even if it be a piece of paper you keep under your mattress). Personally I only keep 1 that i use for registrations/talking to people from games, 1 for personal use (friends/family) and 1 for financial stuff.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
First you gotta download Stardock Central (on dialup that takes a long time) then when it finally finishes and you install it and logon you gotta download a GD patch for Stardock Central (another long waiting period for this bs)
End of quote


SDC allows for only the changed files to be downloaded when patching, so if you're already starting from something newer than the initial release (most often the case), you don't download near as much as you'd have to with a standalone patch.

If for example you patched only once to bring Dread Lords up from 1.2 to 1.5, it'd still probably be a smaller download getting SDC and patching through it than it would getting a standalone patch (that of necessity included all the changes from 1.0-1.2 as well, which you wouldn't need).

Then You gotta logon with the "correct" email address you used when you registered the game(s). Well I use a LOT of email addresses and I caN't remember which ones I used to register what.
End of quote
Sorry pals but I don't give my real name an information over the net
End of quote


You'd need to remember what address you registered to even with a standalone patch. If you aren't buying anything direct from us, then all that really matters is that you remember what details you used in the event they are needed (everything beyond email/password is only ever really needed for sales or if you lose your account). If you choose to use false details or random email accounts, then it's really your own responsibility to remember them, should they be needed.

Secondly I HATE this online download of patching only. I want a HARD COPY of the PATCH I can burn to CD-rom or store on another Hard Drive I use for patches and updates.
End of quote


SDC has an archival function that can be used to backup your current version of the game for later reinstallation directly to that version (no extra patch required).

I'm fine with registering a game ONCE and only ONCE
End of quote


You do only need to register once.

Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The problem with the archive function is after a while, the archives get to regularly clog the hard drive. Then again, that's because you do patch a ton, and you can delete the archived files. Only once have I wanted to back patch a non-beta patch though (DA 1.7)
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Stardock Central is the easiest method of updating a game that I have ever used, I have never had any problems whatsoever using it, if you use the thing properly it's almost foolproof.
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
You do only need to register once.
End of quote


Does SDC do this for you automatically? I was never asked for a serial or prompted to register after buying the game via direct download.

I was a little leery of SDC because of my annoyed/enraged/maniacally homicidal feelings toward Steam, but no problems yet.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Does SDC do this for you automatically? I was never asked for a serial or prompted to register after buying the game via direct download.
End of quote


Yes, if you buy direct and use the same email address in the store as you do on your SDC account, it should get automatically linked for you.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have tried to archive the version I was currently using when there
was a new version available. I was on, I think, an early version of 1.8 (b or c).
Then d or e was available.

When I tried to archive the early version 1.8, instead it wanted to archive a version of 1.5.

To put it another way, if you have a good version, archive it now. You may not be able to archive it if a new version comes out even the older version is the one on your machine. There are two ways to archive and neither will accomplish this.

I've tried this several times over several months. I am thankful I have 1.61 archived.
I have that on one machine--I only use it to generate new games. The machine I use the most has the new 1.8f on it. (1.61 gives me more habitable planets--I save the game and then play it on 1.8f).
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
When I tried to archive the early version 1.8, instead it wanted to archive a version of 1.5.
End of quote


It's just the filename. There was an issue in SDC where it used the parent program's (DL) version number in the archive file, rather than that of the module (DA); the actual contents of the archive are the version of DA you had. I did relay it to the SDC developer, though I'm not sure if he's fixed it yet or not.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I use dial-up, and seriously SDC isn't that bad. Just have some patience
Hell, I even downloaded the TA betas over dial-up and it only took about 5 hours. Just install it and update over night.
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't have a problem with the stardock central, but I agree that a patch archive would be very helpfull. The current patch version is 1.80e and it's still bugged after the versions 1.80a, 1.80b, 1.80c and 1.80d all were bugged. Maybe it's just me, but I think that developers should test their products before they release them. While I'm very tolerant about bugs at the release of game, I think 1 - 2 years after the release you can expect a bug free version. Sure, it's nice if they release new content, but if they're adding new bugs in each patch version if would be nice if they at least offer an archive with clean milestone patches so that not every player is forced to play beta tester for stardock.
I think 1.80f is now in a real beta stage. They should have done that for all versions and not just for 1.80f. It's obvious that the recent panic patching behaviour isn't the way to go. At the moment it seems that the plain DA 1.0 version from the original CD is the only playable version since 1.08e has bugged fleet movement.
Keep in mind that stardock is a company which main purpose is to make money. They support the game because they want to sell their expansions and not because they are just 'nice'. Though I do believe that they care for their game - but most game developers do that.
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yes the latest patch 1.8e should be removed from SDC simply because the bug is such a showstopper. Why it is left up I haven't the foggiest idea. 1.8f has a improper fleet movement calculation bug, where it says you have 0.2-0.4 extra in a movement and you really do not. Very annoying.