OOTP 10 - Preorder now and save $10 + get the game 2 days early!

[gord]

Originally Posted by subject to change

I was recently introduced to OOTP, and have quickly fallen in love. I played Baseball Mogul for the past few years, and was completely at the comparative depth and intricacy of OOTP when I played the OOTP9 demo two weeks ago.

I was about to purchase the game when I found this forum, and realized a new version was being developed. When I saw all the added developments, I couldn't wait to pre-order OOTPX; however, I've put off ordering in light of the discussion I've read here.

The game seems to be a perfect fit for what I look for in a game. However, this online licensing problem may prevent me from purchasing the game. I obviously realize there is a great need for minimizing the risks of having the game be cracked. However, as someone who is often on the road for significant amounts of time without any (or at best limited) internet access, the ability to play games offline has been a nearly invaluable source of entertainment. The thought of a game being disabled for days or weeks at a time until I am again able to access the internet puts a severe damper for my enthusiasm for this product.

Obviously I realize I am in the vast minority in this age of 24/7 internet access. However, I do hope that the development team is able to find some type of solution that may both keep the game safe so that we may all enjoy it for years to come, but also allow freedom to play without regular internet access.

Do you play on a Mac or on Linux?

[subject to change]

I'm planning on playing the pc version. Does this internet license renewal issue only apply to the other versions?

[battists]

Hi folks. Those of you who are reading about the Internet connection and so forth, I'd ask you to be patient for a few days. We're discussing how to best handle this situation, and will update everyone shortly. There's plenty of time left in the preorder period, so if you're the slightest bit concerned, just hold on for a few days and look for an update.

I'll post back in here, certainly, when we announce what we'll be doing.

Thanks for your patience.

Steve

[Andreas Raht]

Originally Posted by subject to change

I'm planning on playing the pc version. Does this internet license renewal issue only apply to the other versions?

Yes, that's right. The OOTP 10 PC/Windows eLicense version will work just as the OOTP 9 PC/Windows eLicense version did. It will only need connection to the internet for licensing (and you can also get the license off-line by using a second computer which is connected to the internet)

[Royals]

Andreas

If the statement about the pc license being the same as last year is true, I will buy OOTP 10.

Royals

[StyxNCa]

Originally Posted by CalvinHobbes

I have bought the game. Personally, I don't care if we have to verify our license every 5, 10 or 15 days if it keeps the game safe from Pirates/Hackers. I know that only one year ago SI games stopped selling EastSide Hockey Manager because it was hacked and all over the internet, freely available. Now the developer is out of business. I'd rather keep Markus programming and making this game better.

There are other ways to protect stuff without having to occassionally "check in".

No game is so great to me that it's worth the effort to have to do that.

Anyway, it doesn't matter to me since I have no plans to purchase this version since none of the listed stuff really gets me jumping out of the chair. I'm going to probably skip a few versions and see what things have been improved.

[silvam14]

My take on this discussion is that if OOTP10 is better than OOTP9, then people will buy it for Windows/MAC/Linux, no matter how much bitching is going on about licensing. I know I'm going to buy it.

As an aside, I guess I am stumped (being a PC user) that a MAC version would even need licensing since I thought all mac users were ethical/can do no wrong. Isn't that why there are no viruses for MACs and that not one MAC is ever susceptible to crashing?

[Erik W.]

Originally Posted by StyxNCa

No game is so great to me that it's worth the effort to have to do that.

What effort? Even if you don't have broadband, is connecting to the internet such an ordeal that it requires effort?

[kcroyalgm]

Originally Posted by silvam14

As an aside, I guess I am stumped (being a PC user) that a MAC version would even need licensing since I thought all mac users were ethical/can do no wrong. Isn't that why there are no viruses for MACs and that not one MAC is ever susceptible to crashing?

[silvam14]

Originally Posted by Erik W.

What effort? Even if you don't have broadband, is connecting to the internet such an ordeal that it requires effort?

""

[OldFatGuy]

Originally Posted by Erik W.

What effort? Even if you don't have broadband, is connecting to the internet such an ordeal that it requires effort?

Well, believe it or not, there are folks who don't have internet. I didn't have it from the late 90's until 2007. And if my ISP (Comcast) decides to up the monthly rate I'm paying now, then I'm going to not have it again.

Until internet is FREE, I would argue there is effort. The effort of paying the monthly bill. Granted, I used to go to the library and surf sometimes, but talk about effort, lugging this desktop back and forth to the library would require effort.

Anyways, sorry, I know that's not what you meant.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I also didn't have it from fall 2007 until May 2008, as my then dial-up went from being free (for six months) to costing $15 a month or so. I had purchased OOTP 2007, and was glad I could still play it those off months. Although I was able to post here (from the library), I didn't have internet at home. And I'm not going to again when my current service reaches $50 a month (right now its $42.99 a month for hi-speed). That's my threshold, above which I'm not paying for internet. And I would hate to lose my ability to play OOTP just because my ISP makes certain decisions.

[pisdpaul]

Originally Posted by OldFatGuy

Well, believe it or not, there are folks who don't have internet. I didn't have it from the late 90's until 2007. And if my ISP (Comcast) decides to up the monthly rate I'm paying now, then I'm going to not have it again.

Until internet is FREE, I would argue there is effort. The effort of paying the monthly bill. Granted, I used to go to the library and surf sometimes, but talk about effort, lugging this desktop back and forth to the library would require effort.

Excuse my asking, but do you not get free dialup internet? I thought you only need to pay for broadband or above.

[battists]

Originally Posted by pisdpaul

Excuse my asking, but do you not get free dialup internet? I thought you only need to pay for broadband or above.

Do they have free dialup in the UK?

Not in the US, that's for sure!

[pisdpaul]

Originally Posted by battists

Do they have free dialup in the UK?

Not in the US, that's for sure!

Yes, well sort of, the ISP is free all you pay is a local phone call to connect. Unlike US we pay per min on local calls. I think US has one off connection charge.

But even so, 1p a min off peak with BT means a hour online for 60p

[Raidergoo]

Originally Posted by pisdpaul

Yes, well sort of, the ISP is free all you pay is a local phone call to connect. Unlike US we pay per min on local calls. I think US has one off connection charge.

But even so, 1p a min off peak with BT means a hour online for 60p

US local calls have been free for a Very Long Time, at least since the 70's.

You do have some ISP's, like NetZero, that allow you to connect for free using Dial Up Networking. But, you get what you pay for.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by OldFatGuy

Well, believe it or not, there are folks who don't have internet. I didn't have it from the late 90's until 2007. And if my ISP (Comcast) decides to up the monthly rate I'm paying now, then I'm going to not have it again.

Until internet is FREE, I would argue there is effort. The effort of paying the monthly bill. Granted, I used to go to the library and surf sometimes, but talk about effort, lugging this desktop back and forth to the library would require effort.

Anyways, sorry, I know that's not what you meant.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I also didn't have it from fall 2007 until May 2008, as my then dial-up went from being free (for six months) to costing $15 a month or so. I had purchased OOTP 2007, and was glad I could still play it those off months. Although I was able to post here (from the library), I didn't have internet at home. And I'm not going to again when my current service reaches $50 a month (right now its $42.99 a month for hi-speed). That's my threshold, above which I'm not paying for internet. And I would hate to lose my ability to play OOTP just because my ISP makes certain decisions.

AOL and Net Zero is $9.99 a month.

[Kuttner]

Originally Posted by Erik W.

What effort? Even if you don't have broadband, is connecting to the internet such an ordeal that it requires effort?

It's this kind of thinking that bugs me. People who play OOTP play the game in a million different ways... no one-size fits all. (Which is what is so difficult from the developer's standpoint.)

Personally, I never minded the CD in computer requirements, or any of the somewhat restrictive ways of "proving" you bought the game. Heck, I never thought twice about using those little password cardboard scroll wheels for games when I was growing up... because I had control over those. Lose the CD my fault, lose the scroll wheel, my fault. No internet connection for 5 days (as has been stated) that seems different to me. I don't have the same control.

Every fall I drag my mac (desktop) to New Hampshire for 3 weeks of fishing, writing, reading, and OOTP in an area with no wifi. According to this 5-day thing, I can scratch OOTP off that list. Am I in the minority? Sure. But there are people playing in lots of different ways, requiring varying levels of effort than you.

Whatever happens, happens. I'm being patient to see what transpires. I didn't buy OOTP8 because of this and I won't get 10 if this 5 day "check-in" persists. Lots of other people will. That's fine. (And I know this would be a bigger issue if PC users were being affected.) I'm extremely grateful to Markus and Co. for bringing this game to the mac, and at the worst will always have 09, which is terrific.

[silvam14]

Originally Posted by Kuttner

Every fall I drag my mac (desktop) to New Hampshire for 3 weeks of fishing, writing, reading, and OOTP in an area with no wifi.

Now that sounds like fun! I go camping in NH a couple times a year. Never thought of bringing OOTP with me though. (sorry markus)

[gord]

Originally Posted by subject to change

I'm planning on playing the pc version. Does this internet license renewal issue only apply to the other versions?

Yes. The PC version only requires a one-time activation when you first install it.

[Erik W.]

Originally Posted by Kuttner

It's this kind of thinking that bugs me.

You and OFG are reading more into what I said than what was there.

I don't doubt that there are legitimate reasons why being on the internet every five days on an OOTP machine isn't possible. I was only questioning his claim that it "isn't worth the effort," because I'm not sure what effort is required.