Posted March 22, 2015
tfishell
Remorse: The List, if you like FPS psych horror
tfishell Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Oct 2010
From United States
immi101
User
immi101 Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: May 2010
From Germany
Posted March 22, 2015
mrkgnao: GOG does not really want to make it easier for us to backup files. See, for example, it forcing us to download 3.5 GB of Heroes Chronicles instead of 660 MB.
looking at my shelf that seems to be the exception, rather than the rule: battle isle bundle 1,1G -> unbundled: 1,1G
commandos ammo pack 0,6G -> 0,6G
commandos2+3 2,7G -> 2,7G
tropico 1,9G -> 1,9G
There are some curious differences, like 50-100M sometimes. But that is nothing i am going to loose sleep over.
Aside from a few games where it is really questionable if the unbundling makes sense (and I would include the episodic games there), i don't see how my backing up gets more difficult. I very much like this change, in principle.
That's speaking only of the game installers, of course. The whole mess with the duplicated extras needs to be fixed. No argument there.
HeDanny
Grumpy Old Man
HeDanny Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Dec 2009
From Australia
Posted March 22, 2015
I'd like to click on a game's download (or extras), and point it to a directory just like you do with any download. At a later time, I would like to click on that game again, and as long as I point it to the same directory I downloaded it to previously, instead of downloading I would like it to check if the files have changed FIRST, and only download if they have.
What would be PERFECT would be an app that remembered what I used it to download, and where I downloaded it to. So in a month when I open the app, it would still show the previous download. I could then click on that same download and it would repeat the exact same action, but instead of downloading it again it would first check to see if the file to be downloaded matches the previous download, and only download again if there is a change.
Hope that makes sense now. I don't know how to put it any clearer, sorry.
I can't use linux, so that is not an option for me.
What would be PERFECT would be an app that remembered what I used it to download, and where I downloaded it to. So in a month when I open the app, it would still show the previous download. I could then click on that same download and it would repeat the exact same action, but instead of downloading it again it would first check to see if the file to be downloaded matches the previous download, and only download again if there is a change.
Hope that makes sense now. I don't know how to put it any clearer, sorry.
I can't use linux, so that is not an option for me.
Grargar
Insert cat to continue
Grargar Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Aug 2012
From Greece
Posted March 22, 2015
cosluke
New User
cosluke Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Aug 2009
From United States
Posted March 22, 2015
This makes a mess of my library (added 72 games by my count), and it is much harder to organize the game backups on your hard drive. Terrible move GOG.
blakstar
ShadowKnows
blakstar Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Oct 2008
From United Kingdom
Posted March 22, 2015
In all fairness, I have to say that with game unbundling, although it can be inconvenient for some, if a game gets updated, at least the entire bundle doesn't have to be downloaded again -- although, I still realize that some games can be inconveniently big, all by themselves :-)
Yes, I do backup my games. I prefer to do it that way because it's more convenient *for me* -- I'm not suggesting that everyone do it, especially if you've got used to the download/play/erase culture and have a fast internet connection.
It's more convenient for me to backup my games, since it allows me to install them much more quickly should I wish to play a particular game, than if I had to wait for the download first, and I have more control over how they're catalogued/titled/displayed/sorted (whichever fits the bill!) without any website bugs to accidentally muck things up.
I posted about retitling earlier -- if I've already downloaded the games, I don't need to actually ask or wait for GOG to do anything. I can simply do it myself, if I so wish.
EDIT: By the way, if anyone runs into the wrong ordering sequence for games, just simply switch the Roman numerals into standard numbering -- sorts everything out. As for bonuses, I just put them in a separate folder, under the name of the game or game series, considering all of the bonus duplication that GOG has going on.
Yes, I do backup my games. I prefer to do it that way because it's more convenient *for me* -- I'm not suggesting that everyone do it, especially if you've got used to the download/play/erase culture and have a fast internet connection.
It's more convenient for me to backup my games, since it allows me to install them much more quickly should I wish to play a particular game, than if I had to wait for the download first, and I have more control over how they're catalogued/titled/displayed/sorted (whichever fits the bill!) without any website bugs to accidentally muck things up.
I posted about retitling earlier -- if I've already downloaded the games, I don't need to actually ask or wait for GOG to do anything. I can simply do it myself, if I so wish.
EDIT: By the way, if anyone runs into the wrong ordering sequence for games, just simply switch the Roman numerals into standard numbering -- sorts everything out. As for bonuses, I just put them in a separate folder, under the name of the game or game series, considering all of the bonus duplication that GOG has going on.
Post edited March 22, 2015 by blakstar
Merranvo
New User
Merranvo Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Dec 2012
From United States
Posted March 23, 2015
Branais: I respectfully disagree. That's not summarising it well; that's a typical bit of website snarkery, where rather than counter the opposing opinion with a reasoned argument, he just attempts to invalidate the other opinion with a mildly ad hom rebuke and an appeal to bias by saying "you don't care about what I want". I'm kinda tired of rot like that.
You know, I hate rot like this. Is it well argued? No, but it isn't really an argument. It's simply a rebuttal to the bandwagoning which goes on in debates like this. "We all think the same, thus we are right!" IS a fallacy. There is no "appeal to bias" fallacy because BIAS is a fallacy. His point is that you all have been saying the same thing for so long that you've come to believe it to be the only solution. (Either or fallacy); and were fixated in the ways of the past (heh, appeal to tradition), or otherwise being closed minded to change. Is change itself a good thing? HELL NO! Appeal to novelty is also a fallacy.
Why am I going after you? Because his rebuttal to the numerous fallacies being employed is LESS snarky than YOUR DISMISSIVE rebuttal!
You addressed NONE of his claims. He addressed claims he thought were presented (and no, it isn't strawman; he provides the means to counter his interpretations.)
I mean, if you're just going to segue into your own argument (like I am doing) then at least you should talk about what he said more than using him as a scapegoat for all that is wrong with GoG (also a fallacy). While behaviour like this is quite common online, it is YOUR behaviour, and cannot be associated with anyone else's but your own.
And what you do segue into, while yes, being an extension of a previously posted debate, still makes it seem as if you're claiming future knowledge of GoG's actions, or otherwise being privy to private information. Using unstated information is crucial most of the time, but very dangerous of falling into a fallacy, especially when used as a supporting argument.
What is my point? If you're going to argue as poorly as you do, filled with numerous fallacies, what business do you have claiming OTHER people are arguing poorly? At least drop the snarky "Respectfully Disagree" and say what you really mean without the passive-aggressive politically-correct versions of "You're an idiot."
cosluke
New User
cosluke Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Aug 2009
From United States
Posted March 23, 2015
mvscot: Rather than having the re-assurance of obtaining the most definitive version of an older game available, convenient to install, I now face an uncertain and wasteful download experience.
d2t: How is an installer that includes Ultima 4, 5 and 6 "the most definitive version" of Ultima 5? How is an installer that includes only Ultima 5 a "wasteful download experience" compared with installer that includes 2 other Ultima games if I care zero for them and just want to download and play Ultima 5?
Admit it already that all you care is convenience of downloading everything from your library to satisfy your backing up needs and you have zero care for typical user of GOG who simply wants to download and play a single game from their library.
Post edited March 23, 2015 by cosluke
Matruchus
Don't ignore Tux
Matruchus Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Jun 2011
From Slovenia
Posted March 23, 2015
Actually if you use gog downloader you don't need to download the whole bundle again. When you activate download of the bundle installation files gog downloader does an integrity check on the game installer on your pc and just replaces the files that it sees as wrong or in error (basically updates to the new version of files). This was pointed out in a few posts in this thread.
Post edited March 23, 2015 by Matruchus
TrevorWilliams
Comic Nerd
TrevorWilliams Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Jun 2011
From United States
Posted March 23, 2015
d2t: How is an installer that includes Ultima 4, 5 and 6 "the most definitive version" of Ultima 5?
How is an installer that includes only Ultima 5 a "wasteful download experience" compared with installer that includes 2 other Ultima games if I care zero for them and just want to download and play Ultima 5?
Admit it already that all you care is convenience of downloading everything from your library to satisfy your backing up needs and you have zero care for typical user of GOG who simply wants to download and play a single game from their library.
cosluke: So the typical GOG user doesn't back up their games? That would really surprise me given the DRM free nature of GOG games, seeing you don't have to be hooked up to the internet to install your games, like you would with Steam etc. Where do you get your information about typical users of GOG, or is that just a guess? How is an installer that includes only Ultima 5 a "wasteful download experience" compared with installer that includes 2 other Ultima games if I care zero for them and just want to download and play Ultima 5?
Admit it already that all you care is convenience of downloading everything from your library to satisfy your backing up needs and you have zero care for typical user of GOG who simply wants to download and play a single game from their library.
blakstar
ShadowKnows
blakstar Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Oct 2008
From United Kingdom
Posted March 23, 2015
blakstar: In all fairness, I have to say that with game unbundling, although it can be inconvenient for some, if a game gets updated, at least the entire bundle doesn't have to be downloaded again -- although, I still realize that some games can be inconveniently big, all by themselves :-)
Matruchus: Actually if you use gog downloader you don't need to download the whole bundle again. When you activate download of the bundle installation files gog downloader does an integrity check on the game installer on your pc and just replaces the files that it sees as wrong or in error. This was pointed out in a few posts in this thread. I tend to use my Linux machine as my main machine, but play games that don't like Linux on my Windows machine, so I've never had cause to use the GOG downloader.
Guess I just got used to the old methods, before GOG downloader even existed. :-)
Merranvo
New User
Merranvo Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Dec 2012
From United States
Posted March 23, 2015
GOG does not really want to make it easier for us to backup files. See, for example, it forcing us to download 3.5 GB of Heroes Chronicles instead of 660 MB. GOG would greatly prefer if all of us just downloaded our games only when we wanted to play them and deleted them when we're done (the "typical user" according to d2t). That would tie us much more strongly to GOG, essentially making us dependent on its continued existence, and that is the important thing for GOG, not our convenience. That would probably also reduce the load on its servers.
First off, GOG has grown to the point where bandwidth is no longer a priority; and internet technologies are at a state where bandwidth is dirt cheap.
Second, the size of the installer is, at most, 5MB (or MiB for the anal); the size of the data "tacked on to the end" is somewhat independent of the new mechanism; similar files (i.e. dosbox, shared libraries) can be linked pre-compression to reduce the overall size of the download; but RAR's compression is file-independent unlike schemes like LZMA, and (excluding aspects of the RAR file such as the word list) doesn't create significant increases in compression when compressing in batches rather than everything at once.
What this means is creating a new installer only increases the total bandwidth usage by 5MB * (n * (1 - p) * N + p * N) where n is the number of unpacked games and N is the number of people downloading stuff and p are the percent people who download one game at a time.
The "argument" is that "some people" don't download every game they buy, or if they do they do so in "stages." (Beat one game, play another) So while "n" may have increased, p has the potential to increase.
Eitherway, the point about reduced bandwidth vs increased bandwidth isn't really that interesting; the amount it increases by in absolute worst case is negligible while the amount it can potentially decrease by is significant.
Third, and MOST IMPORTANT: GOG is, and has always been, based off of the steam model. Remember point 1, bandwidth is cheap. Dirt cheap. INFRASTRUCTURE is different, but once there, and you're capable of handling the load, bandwidth IS CHEAP!
So knowing bandwidth is cheap, you can do some math and figure out that it is actually PROFITABLE to encourage people to redownload games from your site rather than back them up.
Remember, the steam model is not to be a game distribution network... it is to be a game MARKETING network, with distribution capabilities. There-in lies reason and rationale, to get people to come back multiple times; to encourage them to buy more games.
Aemenyn
illuminati member, thanks mbololo :D
Aemenyn Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Feb 2012
From Netherlands
HypersomniacLive
The Reluctant Voter
HypersomniacLive Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Sep 2011
From Vatican City
Posted March 23, 2015
high rated
mrkgnao: [...]
I myself believe there are quite a few "atypical" users on GOG. Unfortunately, I have come to realise recently that GOG considers these more of a thorn in its side than an asset. It also probably knows that many of those don't really have any alternative to GOG...
Atypical GOGuser = 16 characters I myself believe there are quite a few "atypical" users on GOG. Unfortunately, I have come to realise recently that GOG considers these more of a thorn in its side than an asset. It also probably knows that many of those don't really have any alternative to GOG...
Perhaps I should adopt this as my forum tag.
So, basically support GOG even more.
SolDaeDra
Ultima Dragon
SolDaeDra Sorry, data for given user is currently unavailable. Please, try again later. View profile View wishlist Start conversation Invite to friends Invite to friends Accept invitation Accept invitation Pending invitation... Unblock chat Registered: Jul 2009
From United States
Posted March 23, 2015
Did your changes stick? I cannot see to get any manual changes in my library to save. At some point, download links stop appearing and images for game covers disappear. When I leave the page and make my way back, it is back to the same disorganized mess that I had when this unbundling fiasco started. I wasted hours trying to get the shelves back to order I recognize only for it to fail.