PhotoRob: I will not waste my time downloading a DirectX install just to fix a problem which you were supposed to have already taken care of in the install files. One of the main reasons for buying through GOG is to avoid the annoying hassle of making these games work - that is your job.
Game is working fine for the vast majority of users, so GOG did its job. That a game isn't running on a specific system (for whatever reason) can happen with PC games.
PhotoRob: + The lack of installation control is appalling. I know this is a first attempt, but install location is probably the most fundamental thing to include. If you do not plan that from ***DAY 1***, then you are just making unnecessary work and trouble for yourself later.
100% agree!
PhotoRob: + There is no way to switch back to offline mode after logging in once. Seems like that should have been pretty obvious.
As far as I know, the game is always offline, except when you start the launcher or hit "multiplayer". From what I've heard so far, offline PCs could start the launcher and the game without any problems.
PhotoRob: + Why is the launcher embedded in the game installer without any notice about what it is doing? This should be an entirely separate install, not included in any game. I seriously hope this is not packaged with all game downloads in the future. You claim the launcher/login/online modes will be completely optional - so MAKE IT OPTIONAL.
Well... You've signed up for a
AvP 2000 Galaxy multiplayer BETA and not for a free offline game.
The regular (offline) game isn't released yet.
PhotoRob: + Why do both the game installer and the launcher install the C++ runtimes? And why do they install both the x86 and x64 versions? And possibly most importantly, why do they do this installed if both are already installed?
I think that GOG built its installer with a newer version than the one that Rebellion used for this 14 years old game O.O x86 and x64 version is a strange thing though...
PhotoRob: + Why is the shortcut for the launcher name like it is for the game? It should be named "AvP Launcher" or something similar to make sure there is no confusion with the actual game.
The game is "AvP_Classic.exe" (look into the game's folder) and the launcher is "GalaxyClient.exe" (the client's folder). The two shortcuts you have ("Aliens vs Predator Classic 2000 - Galaxy Client" and "Aliens vs Predator Classic 2000") have the same target:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\GalaxyClient\GalaxyClient.exe" /gameId=1207665883 /command=launch /path="C:\your\installation\path\AvP Classic"
Why GOG included two shortcuts for the same command, is beyond me. That they didn't throw a shortcut for the Galaxy-less offline game on our desktops, is understandable. They want us to do what we signed up for: test the launcher and the multiplayer ;)