19 réponses à ce sujet

[Shadohz]

Dear BioWare,

 

Please release a Title Update (for Xbox) and any other system where you have this Internet-dependent security check on DLCs removed. This is not the first time I've brought up this issue. The game is unplayable because of a prompt that the DLCs are missing. XBox Live and EA Servers are not guaranteed to be up 100% nor be around forever. There is no reason why this "validity check" should be prevent me (us players) from being able to play the Single Player content we bought and paid for. If you bought the content and it's already been validated then there's no need to keep re-checking or disabling content on new playthrough when the content is already installed. I have on more than one occasion been unable to access the game because of faulty connections to the EA or Xbox Live servers (i.e. it's not my connection). It makes no sense that a single player game cannot be played offline.

 

 

Do I need to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or something for you guys to take this serious?

Please and thank you

[Revan Reborn]

Built-in DRM. Tasteless business model, but I do agree there is a better way to handle this. Especially if our DLCs have been authenticated already and we purchased via our accounts through Origin or another means, we should not have to constantly re-validate our DLC every time. I doubt this will change though as EA has always been really bad about DRM.

[cap and gown]

I play offline about 99% of the time and have no problems. I think what your problem is, is that you bought the DLCs on one console, then moved to a new console and reinstalled them there. If that is the case, then there is an option in the systems area where you can register your new console as the valid one and then you can play offline. I had this problem with my Skyrim DLCs when I bought a replacement console but I poked around in the system settings area and found a way to register the new console. I would look to Microsoft, not EA or Bioware as the source of your frustration.

[Cheviot]

I play offline about 99% of the time and have no problems.

Same here.

[Shadohz]

I play offline about 99% of the time and have no problems. I think what your problem is, is that you bought the DLCs on one console, then moved to a new console and reinstalled them there. If that is the case, then there is an option in the systems area where you can register your new console as the valid one and then you can play offline. I had this problem with my Skyrim DLCs when I bought a replacement console but I poked around in the system settings area and found a way to register the new console. I would look to Microsoft, not EA or Bioware as the source of your frustration.

I'm assuming you mean a licensing transfer. I've tried that already. No I wish it were that simple. My problem started on my original console. I didn't buy a second console until a year after ME3 was released. I first contacted them about the offline issues because I couldn't play the Collector's Edition offline. It kept hanging on the Checking Downloadable Content because I had to Auto-log into EA Servers set to Off while I had an internet connection. That was the first sign. The response was basically "keep the option set to On". With every DLC I bought since then I got an error dialog saying that specific DLC is missing if I attempted to play it offline. I've already been through the hoops with Microsoft about this game. This is the only one of my games (and also the most expensive one) that I have issues with offline. I've checked every single one of them that I've purchased through Marketplace on both consoles.

The only way I can play "offline" is if I connect to Xbox Live and have the "Auto-Log into EA servers" set to On, then sign out of Xbox Live. If the Auto-Log isn't set to On then the game hangs... still. No this isn't a Microsoft issue when the faulty validation process points to a option that has to checked for a specific server (EA). So either they need to fix the error or press us DVDs with the content installable for offline use.

 

[KrrKs]

Hell, yeah!

I'm all for a one time check only.

I play on PC (SP always in offline mode) and have pretty much constantly the problem that DLC are suddenly no longer 'authorized', while they were fine half an hour ago.

 

Sometimes I think, just cracking the whole thing would really the better option.

[Nitrocuban]

All this online checking slows down manu navigation a lot, especially when you just want to play a quick MP match.

To be fair it was even slower at release and BW did a good job with patches and server optimisation but it's still annoying.

And I know rarely any players that had no problems with verifying DLCs and stuff at one point, with Origin online help not able to completly solve the problem at the first attempt (or not at all)

 

So pretty please, BW, think about a better way to do it. Faster, way more reliable, less annoying, no rdundant doublechecks when one just wants to quit the game ...

[Linkenski]

EA would never allow "no DRM". I don't know, maybe now that Thepiratebay has finally been closed for good, but I still think they'll be paranoid at the thought of piracy of thier games. It ruins their philosophy of "MAXIMIZED PROFIT"

[Mordokai]

...maybe now that Thepiratebay has finally been closed for good...

 

[KrrKs]

This isn't about removing DRM (which -sadly- is here to stay), but about removing (or not reusing) the current method of rechecking every single Content allowance on startup and random intervals inbetween.

One such check (say, at buytime) should be sufficient.

 

Someone who has cracked the game/dlc verification is not going to suddenly 'un-crack' it, after half an hour. But this check make playing the game sometimes impossible for me (and most likely many others).

[Shadohz]

EA would never allow "no DRM". I don't know, maybe now that Thepiratebay has finally been closed for good, but I still think they'll be paranoid at the thought of piracy of thier games. It ruins their philosophy of "MAXIMIZED PROFIT"

I'll let you in on a little secret. The people that wanted to steal the game got around the DRM a long time ago. The only ones being punished are us paying customers. I let you in on another little secret. DRM is practically ineffective against piracy nor does it guarantee an authenticate purchase. However my post isn't about DRM or (overblown) piracy issues. I just want to play my game as intended. There is no cloud service requirement in the TOS nor anything mentioned at the time of purchase, hence disabling my ability to properly use the software IS illegal.

[Vazgen]

I'll let you in on a little secret. The people that wanted to steal the game got around the DRM a long time ago. The only ones being punished are us paying customers. I let you in on another little secret. DRM is practically ineffective against piracy nor does it guarantee an authenticate purchase. However my post isn't about DRM or (overblown) piracy issues. I just want to play my game as intended. There is no cloud service requirement in the TOS nor anything mentioned at the time of purchase, hence disabling my ability to properly use the software IS illegal.

While I agree on ineffectiveness of DRM in general, Denuvo protection is yet to be cracked. It is not DRM though, it's a protection measure that prevents .exe files from tampering. DRM is independent and is within those .exe files. So far there are two games with Denuvo protection - Dragon Age Inquisition and Lords of the Fallen. Both have not been cracked yet. It probably won't last for very long but it holds so far.

[Shadohz]

While I agree on ineffectiveness of DRM in general, Denuvo protection is yet to be cracked. It is not DRM though, it's a protection measure that prevents .exe files from tampering. DRM is independent and is within those .exe files. So far there are two games with Denuvo protection - Dragon Age Inquisition and Lords of the Fallen. Both have not been cracked yet. It probably won't last for very long but it holds so far.

Need to brush up on your game-theft Broham.

http://www.lazygamer...s-been-cracked/

 

All they're doing is giving hackers something fun to play with. Meanwhile I'm the one sitting here with the headache.

[Vazgen]

Need to brush up on your game-theft Broham.

http://www.lazygamer...s-been-cracked/

 

All they're doing is giving hackers something fun to play with. Meanwhile I'm the one sitting here with the headache.

I've seen these news. There is no way to download neither DA:I and/or Lords of the Fallen though. There was one location but it went 404 Not Found with pirate bay reid

[Shadohz]

I've seen these news. There is no way to download neither DA:I and/or Lords of the Fallen though. 

[SerTabris]

My copy of ME3 has the opposite problem, which seems rather strange. If it's connected to the Internet, it will get stuck in some verification thing. However, if I disconnect my console from the Internet, it works fine.  (Fortunately for me, I didn't want to play the multiplayer - I don't even have a Gold account anyway).

 

I would certainly like to see this sort of thing fixed, though. Just last year I was replaying Wing Commander (which came out in 1990), and I could certainly see myself playing through these games that far after they came out if it still works.

[Vortigernrex]

Yes, the excessive DRM checking for DLC content is a serious pain (my internet connection drops regularly, especially in bad weather). It is really unnecessary and won't do a thing for piracy (except maybe that people with pirated copies can keep playing while I can't!). 

[7twozero]

Because they have to be seen as being against piracy even when it works out the other way around.

[Shadohz]

Message from Microsoft/Xbox Support. Portions of message were removed that contained personal information. Note that this isn't my first contact with Xbox staff about the DLC issue, but it will be my last.

 

General Info

Chat start time

Jan 11, 2015 1:15:11 PM EST

Chat end time

Jan 11, 2015 2:26:06 PM EST

Duration (actual chatting time)

01:10:55

Operator

Geno

Chat Transcript

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You are now chatting with 'Geno'

Geno: Hello, thank you for contacting Xbox Customer Support. My name is Geno. Please give me a moment to review your question.

Geno: Hi <ME>, how's your day?

<ME>: RL day is good. Gaming day is bad.

Geno: No worries since you already have me here on this chat I will do my best to give you the best resolution for your controller issue to make your Gaming day better.

Geno: Before we proceed, can I have your gamertag and Xbox Live email to make sure that I am working on the right account?

<ME>: GT: Shadohz, Email: <REMOVED>

Geno: Thanks, please give me a moment to pull up your account.

Geno: Thanks for your patience.

Geno: Alright, since we need to validate your account . Can you please go to verifyme.microsoft.com and login using your email and password. Then please provide the code that you will receive.

<ME>: <REMOVED>

Geno: Thanks, please give me a moment to validate the code.

<ME>: Mmm k. You guys have taken extra security measures since that DOS attk I see.

Geno: No actually it is already our way to validate the account ever since.

<ME>: Weird. Noone's ever had me re-validate before. Continue as you were.

Geno: I see! okay first if I may ask did you already did some troubleshooting steps to isolate this issue?

<ME>: Yes. Short answer: The syncronization button no longer works (no flashing rings).

<ME>: ... on the console, not the controller(s).

Geno: Thanks for all these information. Issues like this may take a while since there are several factors we need to consider. I will give you the proven steps to resolve the issue we have today.

Geno: We will exhaust normal troubleshooting steps that typically resolves this issue. This may take a bit, depending on the result of the steps that we do, so I hope you have the luxury of time to perform the steps with us.

Geno: Please note too that we may need to send the Console for repairs in case we have already exhausted all the steps that typically resolve these issues.

<ME>: Sure, but before we begin...

Geno: What is it?

<ME>: There was one other issue I was having. A game I own, Mass Effect 3, will not play offline for the DLCs I bought off XBL will you be able to assist with that as well?

Geno: We can try but if this is the only game that have issue all we can check everything and make sure that it is not your account or console issue after that the one that can help you with that is the game developer.

Geno: Shall we proceed?

<ME>: Okay let's start the troubleshoot. On the game issue, I've already gone bouts with their Devs (EA and BW).

Geno: I see! let us check the game later.

Geno: Okay first if I may ask is your console is Xbox one or Xbox 360?

<ME>: Xbox 360 Slim

Geno: I see! okay just to make sure that we are on the same page the console led light don't blink if you are trying to connect the controller correct?

<ME>: That is correct. Powered up, but will not flash when hitting the Sync button.

Geno: I see! okay can you please power cycle your console?

Geno: To do this, please turn it off, disconnect all accessories inlusing the Kinect, wired controllers and cables including the power supply from the power outlet and the back of the console, wait for 2 minutes and reconnect everything.

<ME>: Everything removed... Countdown.

Geno:

Geno: Please let me know once you are done.

<ME>: Oh while we're waiting I'll also mention the power block got a red light roughly around the same time I noticed the sync prob. I blew out the fan and let it rest for an hr or so. It's been working fine since.

Geno: I see! actually the red light is cause by poor ventilation actually it will help if you can place the console on more open space.

<ME>: Go ahead and reconnect everything now?

Geno: Yes, that is correct.

<ME>: Okay. Plugged up power cord and HDMI only and powered up.

Geno: Thanks, after that please try to bind the controller.

<ME>: No response from console button.

Geno: I see! okay if I may ask is there any other controller that we can try?

<ME>: 3 others. 2 That are Xbox Phat controllers and 1 third party. I also have 1 wired controller that works fine.

<ME>: I also own the Wireless Reciever for PC (if that somehow can bypass anything).

Geno: No the wireless receiver is only for PC since we need to install driver to use it.

Geno: Okay, so all the wireless controller cannot connect, correct?

<ME>: That's correct. Also the receiver drivers are already installed and functioning.

Geno: I see! okay in this case we will be needing to send your console for repair.

<ME>: I had two wireless controllers previously synced tot he slim. I synced them to the Reciever, but when I tried to sync back to Xbox that's when I realized the console button didn't work.

Geno: I see! so the pairing button is faulty.

Geno: Okay, we will be needing to send your console for repair, first may I have the console serial number?

<ME>: Shouldn't Microsoft be able to create a firmware update that "initiates" a pair from the console. A software-based solution.

Geno: No actually your issue is not a sowtware problem it seems that it is the pairing button that is not responding.

<ME>: Understood. But I'm inquiring if they are or should be able to add an option like in Settings to initiate a pairing, so that players can have other a hardware or software option for pairing.

<ME>: other=either

Geno: That is a great idea actually you can send that to our suggestion page so we can add that up on our next system update.

Geno: http://xbox.uservoice.com/forums/251653-xbox-com?xr=footnav

<ME>: Can you provide a link to the suggestion page for me? I was initially going to send a feedback, but got lost in the... nvm

Geno: Here is the link for our suggestion page.

Geno: Okay, may I have your console's serial number?

<ME>: I won't be sending my box in for repair. It's out of warranty. Too costly.

Geno: I see! okay I have a tip for you.

Geno: Actually you can use your wireless controller if you only have a charge and play kit.

<ME>: I do but the blast wired shorted out. I meant to buy a new kit. Now you tell me.

Geno: I see! no problem with that.

Geno: I'm glad that we clarify everything.

Geno: Is there anything else I can help you with?

<ME>: Wait. How does the PnP kit authenicate if it doesn't send data thru the wire?

Geno: No it does send data through the wire all you need to do is remove the battery inside the controller

Geno: That is the best tip that I can give to you fellow gamer/

<ME>: I KNEW IT!!! I'm going kill that other guy (meteorically speaking).

Geno: Why?

Geno: Did you get any false information regarding this before?

<ME>: Yes.

Geno: I'm glad that I clear that for you.

Geno: Is there anything else I can help you with?

<ME>: I bought the Receiver because of a different issue and they said I needed a wired kit to... nvm. Very long story, but I said the same thing about the wireless controller working without a batt installed.

<ME>: Yes... the game.

Geno: I see! let us troubleshoot first may I ask did you already try to uninstall and install the game?

<ME>: Yup... it's a bit more complicated so let me give you the sped-type version.

Geno: Sure.

<ME>: I bought ME3 two years ago. The first DLC was day one release (code entry from XBL). The game hangs up if you disable the option to connect to EA servers. This only happens if you try to load a save game that used the DLCs....

<ME>: I bought every other DLC since then and get an error that they are not installed if I'm offline...

<ME>: I bought and played this originally on my Xbox Phat. I bought the Slim and transferred all the DLCs over to there.

<ME>: Things I've tried: 1. Uninstall/Reinstall all DLCs from game market. 2. License transfer the entire game dlcs from Phat to Slim.

Geno: Okay, just to make sure that I got it right this is not the same game that have issue playing offline correct?

<ME>: No matter what I try the game keeps "re-validating" the DLCs and wont let me play unless I go online. I've been complaining to BW for about a year and half now:http://forum.bioware.com/topic/529711-remove-your-internet-dependent-checking/ I'm not the only person complaining either.

<ME>: Yes, Mass Effect 3.

Geno: I see! actually this is a Game developer issue and not a console and accounts issue since it is a DLC game that is causing the issue, correct?

<ME>: The main game in on two discs. The DLC content was thru Market.

<ME>: It's not a DLC game, no.

Geno: Yes, but all of the DLC content is designed and created by the game developer and we are just reseller of the DLC and a platorm where you can play it.

<ME>: Correct.

<ME>: Other players have said they had similar issues with Skyrim DLCs but since I don't own that game I can't confirm. What I can say is that all the other games I've tried bought XBL work fine offline.

Geno: That is why the one that can help you with this is the game developer we can try to delete redownload your profile, but I bet it will not make some improvements.

<ME>: Yeah I'm pretty sure I've tried that as well. I had an issue with the Slim where the internal 4GB memory went into read-only mode. I had that resolved.

Geno: It is best to contact the game developer regarding this one and I'm sure that you will manage to get a great costumer service that know what he is doing and will clarify everything for you on the game developer side.

<ME>: Let's avoid that topic because I'm still pretty sore at M$ for not addressing that issue after I explained to them that it's resolvable with a low-level format on the card, but they chose not to give that option to players.

<ME>: I'll try one more time with them. I'll use this chat as further evidence... again that I tried to resolve this amicably.

<ME>: Ooops sorry didn't mean to use the M-dollar sign. It's a habit.

Geno: No problem.

Geno: Please tell the game developer that you already delete redownload your profile and uninstall install the game to make sure that it is not an account and console issue.

<ME>: Will do. Thank you for your help Geno. I got more out of you then probably the last two issues I've encountered with other reps.

Geno: No problem anything for a fellow gamer like you.

Geno: I'm glad that we sorted out everything.

Geno: If that was everything, I'd like to thank you again for contacting Xbox Customer Support. To properly end the chat session, please click on the "Close chat" button on the upper right hand corner of the chat window.  Have a wonderful rest of your day!

<ME>: You too and thanks again.

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[7twozero]

(meteorically speaking)