39 réponses à ce sujet

[Aathis]

Having finally got a decent inet service I want to download and instal DAO from Origin

I have the Ultimate Edition with all DLC etc

(my recent install was a mix of retail discs and the in-game DLC installer and I ran into some bugs & uninstalled)

 

My question is: should I download the DLC from the Origin site itself - ie the download buttons on the My Games page

...or should I download the DLC from the in-game menu?

 

Thanks

 

Solution Update 05/03/16

 

I tried downloading the Ultimate Edition from Origin

The install did not include Awakenings or most of the bonus DLC registered to my account

I uninstalled the Origin version

and downloaded the Ultimate Edition from Steam

Steam installed the full game including Awakenings and all the major DLCs

When I logged in in-game all the bonus DLC registered to my account was available

 

So to anyone reading this my advice is

Use the Steam version

 

Thank you to all the people who replied helpfully to my post

[Thandal N'Lyman]

Ok, as someone who did this multiple times (don't ask) a while ago, it can be complicated.  A lot depends on the state of your current install.  Is the UE installed right now on your machine?

[Aathis]

Ok, as someone who did this multiple times (don't ask) a while ago, it can be complicated.  A lot depends on the state of your current install.  Is the UE installed right now on your machine?

 

Thanks for getting back to me

 

At the moment I have no DAO installation

I did have an installation a little while ago.

It was mix of retail discs and DLC through the in-game menu.

I uninstalled it

So starting from scratch more or less and wanting to download the Ultimate Edition (I don't want to use the retail discs)

 

Thing is, I read of many people saying they cannot install the DLC from Origin

Something about the 1.5 patch removing the utility that manages the installation of the DLC

Confusing

 

Can I download the full game and DLC from Origin ?

or would I be better to use Steam?

[Thandal N'Lyman]

Yeah, it *is* confusing.  Here's the deal:

 

1.  Some, but not all, of the DLC will get installed via the EA/Origin download (TSP and RtO, IIRC.)

 

2.  Next step is to grab any of the DLC that the EA/Origin client will allow you to install from the "Game Details" tab.  (This would be ones labeled "Install", not  the ones labeled "Buy Now".)

 

3.  But then you have to go to the legacy BioWare "Player Entitlement" page and download the rest of your authorized DLC.  Some are just direct d/l-and-run, some are a bit more complicated than that.

 

I have the entire UE, plus all the promotional items, installed and working fine.  But the EA/Origin client still wants me to purchase LS, GoA,The DLC Which Must Not Be Named, WH, and the FeastDay Combo (even though it acknowledges that I already have the two separate pieces of that last one.   Go figure.)

[Aathis]

Wow that is a bit of a mess, isn't it?

Bioware and the Dragon Age franchise are not doing themselves any favors

 

Thanks for replying; I might use Steam instead

Unfortunately DA2 and Inquisition are not available on Steam

[Thandal N'Lyman]

Do NOT use Steam.  You'll run into the same issues, but there is essentially zero support for a Steam install available from EA, and the Valve folk just point back to the publishers.

 

It really isn't terrible, just broken into several stages because DAO was released long before EA had developed a single platform for consistent digital distribution.  DAO was retro-fitted to try to get it working using EA/Origin, but some elements couldn't be integrated without massive rework, (or lots of little reworking for what are basically throw-away promo items.)  Bottom line: it's completely possible, just takes a lot longer, and with more fiddling, than one might wish.

 

Side Note:  The reason DA2 and DAI aren't available from Steam is that Valve changed their policies and required all DLC for all games distributed on their platform to also be made available via Steam.  EA weren't willing to give them the percentage of every DLC sale they demanded, so stopped distributing ANY of their AAA-titles that way.

[Aathis]

Ok I will take your advice on not using Steam for DAO

 

I can't see anything unreasonable in expecting DLC for a Steam game to be available through Steam

Certainly that is what a Steam customer would expect and want

Coherence and integration are things I like about Steam

 

it compares very favorably to this disjointed messing with DAO and its DLC

and by the very company that made it too; on their own digital platform

pretty messed up if you ask me

and a great disservice to a remarkable game franchise

 

Do you think the DA franchise has lost overall sales due to not using Steam?

[Obadiah]

My recollection from doing this about year ago with an Origin install is that only DAO and Awakening will install seamlessly from Origin. You have to go back to the legacy website to download the rest of the DLC executable and run them.

Seem to recall a host of problems along the way due to the fact the Windows account I use on my computer is not an administrator, and so was different to the account which the installs ran from.

[Thandal N'Lyman]

I must have been unclear about the business-decision aspect.  Under the terms of their ORIGINAL agreement, EA was free to offer DLC for its games any way it wanted.  When Valve changed the ToS, EA balked.  When Valve refused to make any exceptions, EA said, "Fine, we won't release ANYTHING on your platform from now on."

 

DAO got caught in a no-man's land during this discussion/negotiation/decision cycle.  And even waaaay back when it was first released, the Steam install still required going to the BioWare site and obtaining the DLC using codes provided through Steam.  Adapting the UE to the new terms of Valve's model really wasn't ever feasible, and the result is what we have today.

 

And no, I don't think the franchise has suffered at all.  I actually prefer Origin to Steam, and only very occasionally (and reluctantly) use Steam for anything.  But that's probably because I prefer the BioWare(-style) RPGs or other adventure games to anything first-person.  I just checked and I have a whole 10 games in my Steam Library.  Four have never (yet) been installed, and only one ("Tomb Raider: 2013") did I feel was really fun.  Skyrim leads the pack of mistakes.  (As in, "There's 100 hours of my life I wish I had back.")

[Aathis]

I must have been unclear about the business-decision aspect.  Under the terms of their ORIGINAL agreement, EA was free to offer DLC for its games any way it wanted.  When Valve changed the ToS, EA balked.  When Valve refused to make any exceptions, EA said, "Fine, we won't release ANYTHING on your platform from now on."

 

DAO got caught in a no-man's land during this discussion/negotiation/decision cycle.  And even waaaay back when it was first released, the Steam install still required going to the BioWare site and obtaining the DLC using codes provided through Steam.  Adapting the UE to the new terms of Valve's model really wasn't ever feasible, and the result is what we have today.

 

And no, I don't think the franchise has suffered at all.  I actually prefer Origin to Steam, and only very occasionally (and reluctantly) use Steam for anything.  But that's probably because I prefer the BioWare(-style) RPGs or other adventure games to anything first-person.  I just checked and I have a whole 10 games in my Steam Library.  Four have never (yet) been installed, and only one ("Tomb Raider: 2013") did I feel was really fun.  Skyrim leads the pack of mistakes.  (As in, "There's 100 hours of my life I wish I had back.")

 

Somehow you seem to associate Steam with bad games. Curious. You have some issues with Steam it seems.

 

I was referring to the objective sales and success of the franchise - not to your preferences or personal perceptions.

Getting caught in the no-man's land you mentioned cannot have helped sales of the franchise.

Likewise the multiple threads of confusion on the Steam forums arising from the unresolved DLC issues cannot help either.

Apparently even on Origin I cannot get a simple download of the ultimate edition.....which I have fully paid for and ought to be provided with as per the contract.

 

All of this damages the franchise in an objective way

 

Personally I find Steam excellent.

Origin seems good too; although it is not comparable to Steam in terms of what it is and does; but I have no 'issues' with it

...well except for the cockup that is DAO Ultimate edition

I like GOG too.

 

Thanks for your replies

[Thandal N'Lyman]

I like GoG. 

 

I associate Steam with not having the types of games I like to play.

 

Plus, I've needed, and received excellent, customer service on numerous occasions from EA/Origin.  I've needed, and FAILED to receive, minimally acceptable customer service from Valve.  That's the primary reason I don't like to use Steam unless I have to.

 

Did leaving Steam hurt the DA franchise?   Made-up Figures:  "20% decrease in (projected) sales, but 10% increase in revenue because don't have to split with Valve."  Only the accountants know for sure. 

[Aathis]

 

Did leaving Steam hurt the DA franchise?   Made-up Figures:  "20% decrease in (projected) sales, but 10% increase in revenue because don't have to split with Valve."  Only the accountants know for sure. 

 

Good point I guess

But I think the longevity of Inquisition for example is hampered

For instance there will be no GoTY Prima Guide

Not even a reprint of the standard guide

That tells me the market for the game is not sustaining

I think that is a shame for the franchise

[Thandal N'Lyman]

What... what?!? 

 

If the "Dragon Age Inquisition: Official Prima Game Guide" is still selling on Amazon for US$35 (and US$65 for the hardback "Collection's" or "Inquisitor's" editions) then I don't think there's any danger of the market "not sustaining," 

 

Anyway, the fraction of players who spend that kind of money on non-game materials is tiny.  The fraction of revenue generated by those things for the publisher... infinitesimal.  No one says to her/himself, "I'm going to buy the next DLC/game-in-the-series because Prima produced a killer guide for the base/last game."  Doesn't even factor into the buying decision.  (Whereas the perception of the game itself does factor into the decision to buy a guide.)

 

If on the other hand you mean that the lack of a later (e.g. "GotY") edition of its guide is an indicator of a game's relative popularity, then I would agree.  I'd think that Prima have a threshold of minimum (expected) sales before they'll decide to produce one.  But it's just a result, not a cause, of those sales.

[Aathis]

The reason the guides are so expensive is precisely because they are not being re-printed

And they are not being re-printed because the franchise is not sustaining its player base and sales

People with a few residual copies of the guides are cashing in

If you think that is good for the franchise...well what can I say

 

I wonder would Skyrim have the sustained longevity of player base and on-going sales if it was on a site like Origin

with DLC that was locked up and complicated to download and activate

Answer....no

 

Shame for Bioware and their game

[Thandal N'Lyman]

Amazon is not selling people's "residual" new copies.  (That's eBay.)

 

The ones on Amazon are from Prima Guides, the original publisher of those guides.  And their relationship to EA/BioWare is as a licensee.  They pay a fee for the right to produce the guide.  So your idea about a re-print (although I think you actually mean a "newly revised and expanded edition") has everything to so with whether or not Prima think there's enough interest, and nothing (directly) to do with EA at all.

 

But let's keep the topic to whether or not a new (or renewing) player should install the retail disc, the Steam, or the EA/Origin version of DAO, shall we?  My point is that regardless of the source of the base game, getting all the DLC will require using the legacy BioWare site, and that the EA/Origin route provides much better access to customer service (if needed.)

[Aathis]

No you are mistaken about the guides on Amazon.

Just go there and you will see.

Prima themselves do not have copies to sell.

Go to their site and you will see.

The guides are being sold by affiliates not by prima or Amazon.

They are residual stock

As I said this is just the fact which you can easily check.

[Thandal N'Lyman]

You are correct (I was mistaken) about the source of the DAO Prima guides available via Amazon.  Although if a reseller is asking US$135 for a new, "factory plastic sealed" copy over five years after release when there's a used, paperback version for less than US$10, there's obviously a market.

 

But regardless of who is selling the Guide, what possible good would re-printing it (revised version or not) do for sales of the game itself?

 

(And none of that matters for installing the game one has already purchased.)

[sylvanaerie]

Not going to get into the discussion of Steam vs Origin.  Just wanted to post I had troubles reinstalling my DLC after a hard drive loss a couple years ago and went to the wiki to learn what I could do.  This page has all the DLC listed out if you can recall what you're entitled to, there are authorization links at the bottom to DL the offer authorization you will need that is a bit easier than navigating the long entitlements page on old BSN.  Just go to "Manual Installation" toward the bottom of the page. You will have to download the DLC itself, then the authorization as well to activate it in your game. I used these and had no difficulty downloading the DLC's I wanted which streamlined my game as several I had no desire to repeat.  Don't forget you still have to use the DAUpdater tool to install them into the game itself as this just downloads the dazip files you need.

 

http://dragonage.wik...ntent_(Origins)

[Aathis]

The reason there will be no GotY guide or a re-print of the standard guide is because the game does not have the

longevity in terms of sales or player activity to justify any further investment by prima

So anyone who wants a guide today must pay the exorbitant prices demanded by the few affiliate sellers who have a few copies in stock

Which is a shame for the game and the franchise and for gamers

I believe it it were available on Steam and had Workshop support that might be different

Which would be better for the game and the franchise and for gamers .....but perhaps not for EA accountants

 

If you go to Amazon you will find many game guides being offered at exorbitant prices

These are affiliate sellers who realise there is no stock and no re-print so they are cashing in

 

Many of these sellers buy multiple copies of the guides from Amazon when the game initially comes out

They hold them until there are none available for the normal price and then offer them for sale at 10X normal price

They hope that someone somewhere in the world will want the guide enough to give them 10X the price

This is a common practice on Amazon

 

A good way to earn some extra cash is to buy up multiple copies of a popular game guide

keep them for a couple of years and then sell them for 10X as an affiliate when there are none available at normal price

There are many doing this on Amazon and Ebay today

[Aathis]

 @ sylvanaerie

 

Thank you for that link which I have saved for when I try installing the game

[Aathis]

The whole issue of Steam or origin is not a real issue at all

 

Origin has a few of the features of Steam; but lacks so many as to be not comparable to Steam at all

 

But that is not a criticism of origin per se

Origin is what it is

 

However in this instance where I cannot easily access the game I bought

but have to go through a complex research and install process just to play the game I bought

is a very poor service

 

If some believe that this complexity and obstruction in accessing the game does not affect customers and the franchise

or is in line with good business practice

well, what can I say

[Apo]

I purshased DA:O UE from Origin months ago and I don't know how it didn't work for you but I had no trouble installing the base game, Awakening and all the DLC.

The installation process began with Origins first and all the rest after it was completed, but you can decide whenever you want to install the additional content in the Game details and do it manually.

[Aathis]

So I downloaded the Ultimate and it doesnt include Awakenings?

That is to say at the mian menu there is no sign of awakenings in the campaigns menu

and if I start a new game no option to choose origins or awakenings

Also missing a lot of content that is on my account

[sylvanaerie]

So I downloaded the Ultimate and it doesnt include Awakenings?

That is to say at the mian menu there is no sign of awakenings in the campaigns menu

and if I start a new game no option to choose origins or awakenings

Also missing a lot of content that is on my account

 

use the wiki links for the offer authorizations.  .Just DLing the DLC's didn't work for me either.  I had to download and install the offer authorizations as well.  Provided they are part of your purchase, there shouldn't be any issues. SOrry I can't be more specific, I don't have the UE, so I am unsure if it comes with Awakenings or if it's purchased separately, but this should fix the other missing content anyway.

[Aathis]

 I uninstalled the Origin version and downloaded the Steam Ultimate version 

 

Result - I have the full game and and all the DLC I am entitled to

and I did not have to download anything separately from the Bioware Social site

 

So for anyone wondering whether to go with Origin or Steam I can say...

Download the game from Steam

 

Thank you to all the people who replied and offered advice