US Release: Dev Question...

[Sedarine 0]

Any special plans for the US release that'll keep me from scooping up the UK version? I won't make it 'til May! XD...well, of course a few goodiesthrown in may..I say may work...but if I don't need to wait, I won't

[W0lle 1051]

Even if there would be any more goodies in the U.S. Version, you can be sure you get them too with an UK or any other version.

[Mister Frag 0]

I won't buy ArmA until the boxed US release comes out simply because the current release uses Softwrap.

I own a US$800 professional video production program that is protected by Softwrap, and I've had nothing but problems with it. The software it protect works fine, but the Softwrap activation procedure has been problematic, and applying patches to the software has required re-activation.

I spent six days going back-and-forth with a Softwrap tech support drone trying to get the software I paid $800 for to activate. Repeated "ok, try it now" responses and several new activation codes later, it finally worked, only to break again a few months later when a patch for the program was released. I know I'm far from the only one who has run into this, and based on messages I have exchanged with other users, I consider myself lucky not to have needed to talk to the UK-based support staff on the phone as others have -- I'm in California.

Following that experience, I promised myself that I would never buy another program that uses Softwrap. I went to buy V1.05 online, but when I saw that the process took me to the Softwrap site, I stopped immediately.

[Killbert 0]

Yeah, I would not recommend the sprocket version, that uses the softwrap. But the DVD version does not use softwrap, does it?

[Maddmatt 1]

Yeah, I would not recommend the sprocket version, that uses the softwrap. But the DVD version does not use softwrap, does it?

It uses Securom, which is only problematic if you use disc drive emulation software like Daemon Tools. Someone also said that his memory card reader caused problems until he unplugged it.

For most people the 505 DVD version should be fine.

[Sedarine 0]

Thanks for the heads up Mr. Frag. I wasn't planning on Dling it anyway...I don't know how multiple DLs work if I FUBAR the game with mods and don't care to find out. I want a hardcopy Call me old school...hell, I am getting old...I want that disk in my hand.

I'd go with GoGamer.com..great service and fast too. Can't say enough good about 'em!...er, except that ArmA is out of stock ATM

[froggyluv 2136]

Funny, I had more problems trying to order the DVD than I have fingers and toes. I finally went thru Sprocket expecting the worst and had zero problems albeit the 28 hr d/l.

I'll still buy a hard copy when available because as stated, don't want to mod it up to much when I have no saftey net to re-install.

[Mister Frag 0]

Any software that I buy that is an online download always gets burned onto optical media, so I'm not concerned about having only one download.

What is irritating, however, is that the one download you get may be corrupted -- it's one heck of a large download, and transmission errors do happen.

With Softwrap, I've also needed new product keys when applying patches, which creates the hassle of having to keep track of them and needing all of the keys from the original product key through all of the keys issued for patches if you ever need to reinstall. In the past with OFP, a uninstall / reinstall sequence was often the solution for technical problems, and trying that with Softwrap and their online activation scares me.

Other companies like Digital River / Element5 handle these issues better IMHO. You either get multiple downloads, or you can contact the company and provide your account details to get another one-time download link.

Anyway, as much as I hate to have to wait until May, I know it's the right thing for me. I'll see you guys online in a few weeks!

[KaRRiLLioN 0]

Just buy the German version from morphicon.  It doesn't use softwrap, though it does have online activation.  But the'yre very fast about sending more activation codes if you burn through all 3 you get originally.

Once you patch to 1.05, it'll automatically use English if your OS is using English as the primary.

http://boutique.gamesplanet.com/campagn....eu=Arma

[miyamoto 0]

I purchased the Softwrap version before I knew what Softwrap was. I was one of the many unfortunates who did not receive their confirmation email with the information required to activate their purchase. None of these companies: Sprocketidea, Softwrap, Idea-Games, or BIStudios, have customer support over the weekend. I purchased Friday afternoon, sent out emails before midnight that night, and got an answer this morning shortly before noon; that is between 60-72 hours. I refuse to wait 60 hours to play a game when it is advertised "Download and Play Now". I found a way to play using my $45 CD-key and no Softwrap. Lets leave it at that.

To others thinking of buying:

Buy the 505 English DVD and wait for it to be shipped to you! A whole lot less hassle and no "3 Activation Bull-O-Ney!"

If you absolutely cannot wait, buy from Sprocket. Make an account on their website so you can get your CD-key (you can do this before or after the purchase, just log in and out twice and it will be on the "My Account" page). The CD-Key only allows you to install the game, not play!

IMPORTANT: Copy down the purchaser-reference number! The purchase-reference number is given to you by Softwrap after you enter in Credit Card info and click submit. The screen has an option to "Print for your records." Print it, copy it to notepad, write it down, whatever, just make sure you have it*. This is the so called "Activation Key" which you need to enter the first time you run the game after install. On that note, select "Re-Install Existing License", enter in your email and the purchase-reference/activation key. Now you can play.

All in all, I am very disappointed with the experience of buying this game through Sprocket/Softwrap. I will never again buy anything from them even if it means waiting, higher cost, or finding an alternate to the software being purchased.

In stark contrast, the game is WONDERFUL! I spent 6 hours on one multiplayer map and still it wasn't finished.

*The purchase-reference number and the CD-key ARE included in the confirmation email, but there is no guarantee you will ever get the email. If you don't receive it, email support@idea-games.com and/or support@bistudios.com and include your full name and the email address you used when buying. I would do this if you don't receive the mail regardless if you copied down the information and can play the game. Let BIStudios know that Softwrap is fubar.

[boecko 0]

Even if there would be any more goodies in the U.S. Version, you can be sure you get them too with an UK or any other version.  

Ah ....

just like the exclusive "Blood, Sweat and Tears"-mission, which is downloadable ............ NOT

[weegee_101 0]

You can get the UK 505 version from http://www.gogamer.com/ if you're in the states. I got my copy from there and it works like a charm!

[Col. Faulkner 0]

Ah ....

just like the exclusive "Blood, Sweat and Tears"-mission, which is downloadable ............ NOT

If it was downloadable then it wouldn't be exclusive, would it?

[boecko 0]

Ah ....

just like the exclusive "Blood, Sweat and Tears"-mission, which is downloadable ............ NOT

If it was downloadable then it wouldn't be exclusive, would it?

Yeah ... we should all start our exclusive campaigns/missons and scripts.

The scripting command is already there

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/distributionRegion

Returns the numerical index for the distribution region of this copy of ArmA

1 - US

2 - Rest of the world

I have a feature request. Could this be expanded to

1 - US

2 - 505

3 - the poor lads, who betatested it in de,pl,cz,etc

Would be nice. Thanks

[raedor 8]

I don't know any official statement on the contents of the US version, so this topic is pointless. All other things in this thread are OT

Closing.