Mass Effect

[AMDZen]

KoTOR was one of the best games ever IMO. Before it I was only into a few RPG's that are like it and mostly only played JRPG's like FF and DQ. Saying that KoTOR changed my life isn't really an exageration. I played through it 3 times on my xbox, once light, once dark, and once using the glitch where you could become all powerful.

Then bought the PC version and played through it a few times as well. Using mods and various other things it made it quite fun. I really like KoTOR II as well, I understand it wasn't as good as the first in some ways but the added force powers and everything still got me to buy the game twice, Xbox and PC and play through it at least 2-3 times.

I'll be buying ME tonight, now that its cracked

 

[warcrow]

Hey guys, we're going to be interviewing Al Reed (Studio Director) and Kristin Price (Producer) Demuirge Studios (they handled the PC port of ME) on our Podcast. I'm curious if any of you have any questions or comments for them. If the question(s) or comments are intersting enough we'll definiely pose it to them on the show.

Feel free to email the question as well to hotforplayed at gmail dot com.

 

[Excelsior]

I just picked up Mass Effect at my local Circuit City. Even though it is listed as out of stock at my store, they had 5 on the shelf. No ads or anything around, just sitting with the rest of the software. The price was still just $39.99.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: warcrow
Hey guys, we're going to be interviewing Al Reed (Studio Director) and Kristin Price (Producer) Demuirge Studios (they handled the PC port of ME) on our Podcast. I'm curious if any of you have any questions or comments for them. If the question(s) or comments are intersting enough we'll definiely pose it to them on the show.

Feel free to email the question as well to hotforplayed at gmail dot com.

I'd be interested in knowing what they think about the whole DRM issue surrounding the PC version of ME. I know they probably had nothing to do with the decision to include securom, but I would be interested in knowing their personal opinions are on the subject.

Especially the fact that there have been many people experiencing problems, and that the protection was cracked in a day..

 

[AMDZen]

It should be noted that the game is not cracked properly. Its confirmed that both rls's: DTN and RLD that you can't progress after "the galaxy map". The crack breaks the game, this has been confirmed throughout the internets.

Remember that this same thing happened with Assassin's Creed, the game came out even before retail release I think, but you couldn't progress after a certain point. They also "cracked" BioShock within a day but it was broken as well. Same thing with TQ, all these games took a couple more weeks - even a month or more to get a working crack that didn't crash or stop the game from progressing after a certain point.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: AMDZen
It should be noted that the game is not cracked properly. Its confirmed that both rls's: DTN and RLD that you can't progress after "the galaxy map". The crack breaks the game, this has been confirmed throughout the internets.

Remember that this same thing happened with Assassin's Creed, the game came out even before retail release I think, but you couldn't progress after a certain point. They also "cracked" BioShock within a day but it was broken as well. Same thing with TQ, all these games took a couple more weeks - even a month or more to get a working crack that didn't crash or stop the game from progressing after a certain point.

Which will unfortunately only add fire to the issues already going on..

 

[AMDZen]

It seems that some of the original bits going around the scene from LOLCats were correct. The reason the "crack" doesn't work is because it was simply the DEMO .exe file substituted and since the DEMO only goes up to where you get the galaxy map, thats where the game stops working. I find the irony of this release astounding. First RLD claims that DTN stole their "crack" and posts a completely pointless proper stating such. Pirates claiming other pirates "stole" their booty?? This is just hilarious.

And then the crack isn't even close to the real thing just allows people to play the first level, so they wanted to claim that it was their crappy "crack" why?? Whats even more funny is that one of their "testers" is who supposedly gave the crack to the other group, whereas its obvious they didn't bother testing the game much or they would of realized it doesn't work.

Doesn't matter to me, I'm buying it today regardless of SecuROM and DRM issues. This is going to be a trilogy and everyone needs to buy this game or the two planned sequels will end up X360 only. I was going to buy it regardless just hoping for a crack to not deal with SecuROM. I'm sure like everyone else, I'll still use a crack once one is released that works in case I ever get over 3 installs. THis will inevitably happen because I do a wipe and reload at least 2 times a year.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: AMDZen
Doesn't matter to me, I'm buying it today regardless of SecuROM and DRM issues. This is going to be a trilogy and everyone needs to buy this game or the two planned sequels will end up X360 only. I was going to buy it regardless just hoping for a crack to not deal with SecuROM. I'm sure like everyone else, I'll still use a crack once one is released that works in case I ever get over 3 installs. THis will inevitably happen because I do a wipe and reload at least 2 times a year.

Yeah, my pre-order showed up today. Too bad the crack is f-ed up. But I, like you, was hoping it would work so I could bypass the securom garbage.

It's sad I even have to say that..

 

[Pia]

Originally posted by: AMDZen
Doesn't matter to me, I'm buying it today regardless of SecuROM and DRM issues. This is going to be a trilogy and everyone needs to buy this game or the two planned sequels will end up X360 only.

In other words, this one game (and its possible sequels) are good enough that it makes sense to vote for more DRM on every single game in the future, just to play it?

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Pia
In other words, this one game (and its possible sequels) are good enough that it makes sense to vote for more DRM on every single game in the future, just to play it?

As long as EA is the publisher, then it's probably gonna have some form of DRM no matter what. I bought the game to support Bioware and their great game, not EA and securom.

 

[duragezic]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
I'm scared for my HD2600, but I'm prepared for 1024x768 or lower. It's got me this far so...

A friend of mine bought it yesterday and has a C2D, 2GB, and a HD2600Pro. I am just going on what he told me over the phone but it sounds like he was playing it fine at 1680x1050 with mid details!

But the performance review benchmarks make me worried about my 7800GT. The Nvidia cards seem to perform much worse and the 7800GT is shader weak and falls behind the X1650 and weaker cards in newer games often. So I'm not sure if I want to pick it up. It is tempting though with CC just down the road.

As far as DRM, I expect it to not be an issue as is most often the case.

 

[Bateluer]

I can't believe people are buying this game with the DRM issues. This is why companies like EA think they can get away with this crap. I think Bioware is going to have long downward spiral.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I can't believe people are buying this game with the DRM issues. This is why companies like EA think they can get away with this crap. I think Bioware is going to have long downward spiral.

EA removed the really nasty activate every 10-day issue with the DRM.
Text


When I upgrade my computer, I will buy it not to support DRM, but to support the Electronic Arts' Bioware division.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I can't believe people are buying this game with the DRM issues. This is why companies like EA think they can get away with this crap. I think Bioware is going to have long downward spiral.

EA removed the really nasty activate every 10-day issue with the DRM.
Text


When I upgrade my computer, I will buy it not to support DRM, but to support the Electronic Arts' Bioware division.

The fact that they tried to put it in the game in the first place is enough for to me not give them my money.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I can't believe people are buying this game with the DRM issues. This is why companies like EA think they can get away with this crap. I think Bioware is going to have long downward spiral.

EA removed the really nasty activate every 10-day issue with the DRM.
Text


When I upgrade my computer, I will buy it not to support DRM, but to support the Electronic Arts' Bioware division.

The fact that they tried to put it in the game in the first place is enough for to me not give them my money.

Your call. You're missing an incredible experience. It's like KotOR with an original universe, better graphics, and combat that's actually fun instead of tedious.

Oh yeah, and not a single problem for me (except the nasty looking dynamic shadows), all I did was install and run. Of course, I run a clean WinXP installation for gaming, so who knows. It's probably more Vista shit.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Originally posted by: duragezic

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
I'm scared for my HD2600, but I'm prepared for 1024x768 or lower. It's got me this far so...

A friend of mine bought it yesterday and has a C2D, 2GB, and a HD2600Pro. I am just going on what he told me over the phone but it sounds like he was playing it fine at 1680x1050 with mid details!

But the performance review benchmarks make me worried about my 7800GT. The Nvidia cards seem to perform much worse and the 7800GT is shader weak and falls behind the X1650 and weaker cards in newer games often. So I'm not sure if I want to pick it up. It is tempting though with CC just down the road.

As far as DRM, I expect it to not be an issue as is most often the case.

Yeah it runs pretty smoothly for me too. Definately playable. Unfortunately I can only get it to run with my audio drivers disabled. I'm one of those people who are having this problem. And so far there is no solution insight. Even the devs over at the Mass Effect forums said they can't get this problem emulate on their end.

I suppose if worst comes to worst I can just turn on subtitles and play music in the background.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I can't believe people are buying this game with the DRM issues. This is why companies like EA think they can get away with this crap. I think Bioware is going to have long downward spiral.

EA removed the really nasty activate every 10-day issue with the DRM.
Text


When I upgrade my computer, I will buy it not to support DRM, but to support the Electronic Arts' Bioware division.

The fact that they tried to put it in the game in the first place is enough for to me not give them my money.

Your call. You're missing an incredible experience. It's like KotOR with an original universe, better graphics, and combat that's actually fun instead of tedious.

Oh yeah, and not a single problem for me (except the nasty looking dynamic shadows), all I did was install and run. Of course, I run a clean WinXP installation for gaming, so who knows. It's probably more Vista shit.

From all the issues people are reporting, it sounds like a sloppy port.

 

[Hauk]

Single 9800 GTX with E8400 @ 3780, 8GB DDR2 1000 has this game running very smootly. Awesome interface screens. I'm not going too far past intro because I'm selling the GTX. But from what I've seen so far I'm impressed.

Any thoughts on the "Film Grain" graphics option? It's pretty cool, adds a movie theater quality to gameplay, but I can't decide if I like it or not...

 

[duragezic]

Uhm, sloppy port? DRM problems?

It's better than the 10-day reactivation was removed, but were it still there, I doubt it would be anything more than a few extra seconds to do it... basically transparent to me. I put in the serial at the start of the install, installed it, took out the disc, and played the game. Obviously no DRM is best, but that's just not gonna happen very often anymore. I get three activations? So in a year or two I have to call them? Oh noes.

The game rocks. I never really got into KOTOR and this game is similar but I really enjoyed the 1.5 hours I just spent in it.

At 1680x1050, mid details, motion blur and film grain off, it is playable but too choppy. I played it like that the whole time I just figured the next time I play I will drop the graphics down.The configuration defaulted to 1280x800 so that is probably my best bet to use that resolution and be able to keep the details at medium at least. Not too bad considering my 7800GT.

I also disagree on it being a sloppy port. I admit I haven't spent much time with it my impression is that the devs that did the port did a fine job. You got Bioware who made an amazing game, the devs who ported it did a solid job, and CC with it on sale for $40. Overall, I'm pleased!

Just need a new video card now. Or hell, a whole new system.

 

[s44]

I don't think there are DRM tech problems, but the port itself seems... less than thoroughly tested.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

From all the issues people are reporting, it sounds like a sloppy port.

Why do people always take the online message boards focused on support and troubleshooting as indicative of a game?

It's not, because it does not accurately represent the population playing the game. It represents the population having trouble with it.

Mass Effect is one of the noticeably more thorough ports I've seen recently. There are many small touches that obviously couldn't have been done on a console.

 

[desolate]

I've been playing Mass Effect for a couple of hours now and I have to say, I've fallen in love with it! I have never played the 360 version but I have everything maxed at 1280x1024 and it's running as smooth as butter not to mention I'm having a blast playing this beautiful RPG. I highly recommend it if you haven't tried it.

 

[Excelsior]

Me too. I am into the Citadel now (picked up three more squad members, for folks who are playing..) and it is getting better every minute. I am getting that feeling, kind of like the one I got with KOTOR, that makes me want to drop everything and play the game non-stop till its finished.

 

[EvilComputer92]

Who punched the insane guy on the first mission?

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: Bateluer

From all the issues people are reporting, it sounds like a sloppy port.

Why do people always take the online message boards focused on support and troubleshooting as indicative of a game?

It's not, because it does not accurately represent the population playing the game. It represents the population having trouble with it.

Mass Effect is one of the noticeably more thorough ports I've seen recently. There are many small touches that obviously couldn't have been done on a console.

I personally never judge a game by other reviewers or comments,I'm looking forward to this game when my pre-ordered copy is sent around the 6th June.I'll probably be taking my time with this game since I want to upgrade my 7800GT card to a HD4850 card in a few weeks time so I can get all the benefits of the extra processing power and detail etc...

I hope it lives up to my expectations.