marcusjm Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 Will it be possible to download the game directly after purchasing the game? I don't want to pay for any shipping and handling. The most reasonable option would be to offer direct download (including PDF manual for later printout). I think this is a reaonable request for us overseas customers. Marcus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risc Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 I don't believe this could be possible, of course BS can correct me if I'm wrong. I believe CM will be maybe around 200 - 300MB maybe less maybe more. If you don't have cable than it will take forever. Now imagine if more people with speed like 33K or 56k modems will try to download it, it will be a mess. You also need a good server to handle a lot of ftp connections, meaning more resources from BS. You also have to think about security. Somebody buys CM then gets login/password from BS to access a site...somebody downloads it and gives this login/password to somebody else... I don't think it's gonna happen, too much hassle. risc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 I'll give you an idea of why that can't work for BTS. I do some work for another wargame company that I WON'T mention on here (to be polite) who is doing the direct download option. However our demo is 6M and then explodes unto your hardrive after registration. We can do this because our game is a traditional, hex based, wargame and doesn't require the amount of space that a game like CM does. As far as security that is not a big deal. In our case you can download the dmeo at any point but you can't play the whole game until you register. This is very similiar to what ID did with DOOM. ------------------ Richard Arnesen The Wargamer http://www.wargamer.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanzerShark Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 And look how that turned out: NO illegal copie of Doom anywhere (cough) Anyway, no matter how hard you try to prevent copies, they'll be all over the place in no time. Don't wanna make people (developers) depressed but there's NO, and i repeat, NO game or app which isn't availible for free on the net. Working with serial-codes or "explosive-files" does NOT work. The only thing that works is a "honest-customer". If he/she is honest, they'll appreciate the work/money/time/efforts which were put into the final product, and show this by making no cracks/copies. Just my 2 88's PanzerShark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 To some extent. But our registration method is tied into your HD serial number. EVERY time you fire up the game it looks to see if the HD is the same. YES there are very difficult ways to spoof this but these are way beyond even most hackers abilities. We also have methods in place to allow you to register more than one computer or HD if you upgrade or such... ------------------ Richard Arnesen The Wargamer http://www.wargamer.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risc Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 Richard, Silicon Graphics has 3D software called Alias which used to cost 30,000 US and it used to have copy protection tied to CPU serial number never mind the HD and that's not the full story either. And guess what it was cracked and I have seen it on the net. The cracks used be sold for like 7000 US...I don't want to get into more details. Remeber, ANY security system developed by humans can be broken by humans Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risc Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 Richard, What wargame were you talking about ? I'm interested. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 No I agree that it CAN be broken, but who is going to do it for a small time wargame? This aint Half Life we are talking about . Oh and the game is Red Thunder just to answer the question that was asked... ------------------ Richard Arnesen The Wargamer http://www.wargamer.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risc Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 Oh, I'm looking forward to Red Thunder for sure ! I hope it will be just as good as The Ardennes Offensive by SSG. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusjm Posted November 3, 1999 Author Share Posted November 3, 1999 250-300mb is nothing nowadays with T1 lines available at every office (and with the broadband revolution in every home soon). Just look at Ultima Ascension (the demo) it's 250mb and still people download it. I rather spend a couple of cents downloading it than 25-30$ on some lazy postal/toll guy. If Battlefront are serious with customer service then this should be an option if they refuse to sell it in shops overseas. Marcus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusjm Posted November 3, 1999 Author Share Posted November 3, 1999 Just a comment to risc:If someone wants to commit crimes then there are allways options. I don't think this should stop the serious/honest users. Just about every developer utility vendor has this option and they have never complained about security leaks. Either Delphi developers are more honest or just lucky <g>. Marcus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest L Tankersley Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>and with the broadband revolution in every home soon<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Ha. ::insert bitter laugh here:: Don't get me started - Bell Atlantic would probably end up suing me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Time Software Posted November 3, 1999 Share Posted November 3, 1999 Sorry, download is out of the question. Far too large to be practical. Most people think that Broadban is a kind of law that prevents women from being in a certain place (sorry, TERRIBLE joke, but I couldn't resist ). I myself can't get cable TV to my house, not to mention cable modem. And I am in the US where this sort of thing is far more common than on other countries. And we would still have to charge you something for a 300MB download even if we did offer this. SOMEONE has to pay for that bandwidth Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 4, 1999 Share Posted November 4, 1999 As one of those "lazy postal guys", I would be happy to deliver marcusjm's copy of CM by Christmas. Maybe not Christmas 1999, however! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusjm Posted November 4, 1999 Author Share Posted November 4, 1999 Sorry Dave . At least my postman is allways late. Seriously though if BigTime would consider this for a certain fee then it could be an option (as long as it's cheaper than the postage & handling). Marcus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusjm Posted November 4, 1999 Author Share Posted November 4, 1999 Another option that I sugggested to Fionn earlier. Could Big Time consider getting an affilliate in Europe? IE someone that prints and packages Combat Mission in Europe and sells it mailorder from there. I would of course prefer Sweden but UK is fine with me as well. This would give Battlefront a new front so to speak <g>. It would certainly increase sales in Europe (France, UK and Germany alone has a considerable number of prospects for CM). Marcus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumbo Posted November 4, 1999 Share Posted November 4, 1999 Richard just FYI I design online games and the HD serial number isnt always there and ofetn isnt unique (we used it as a banning techinique). You will find large amounts of people have the same HD number (manufacturers doing batches) so make sure you allow for dupicate serials for users, also for some reason we have had several overseas customers with NO HD serial number at all. I have no idea why. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 4, 1999 Share Posted November 4, 1999 Actually we are using a vendor for this which comes with a pretty good track record so I am not worried. Plus they are in trouble if it doesn't work . As far as downloads, Steve is right, most places do not have high speed internet and to be honest the costs (server wise) would be too high, not too mention that keeping that many high volume downloads going simultanously is almost impossible. (I am a Unix Admin by trade, the last part I definetle know ). ------------------ Richard Arnesen The Wargamer http://www.wargamer.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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