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Shadowrun seriesnot able to start the game without going online?(36 posts)(36 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted July 22, 2014
That it tries to connect to the internet concerns me. It should be investigated. I know that B.I.T.S. is used by windows game explorer, amongst other things to download anonymously in the background.
Post edited July 22, 2014 by pleasenoname
Posted July 25, 2014
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xy2345: Hm... then I'll block it again and give it more time. Thanks!

And yes, all that underhanded data gathering is very poor form.

PS: No, sadly that doesn't work for me, because after 15 minutes the game tries to access the internet again. And if it gets denied again, it tries again after another 15 minutes and stays non-responsive the whole time.
It seems this particular issue is related to the interaction between certain firewall software, such as ZoneAlarm, and ShadowRun Returns. See this thread here: http://www.shadowrun.com/forums/discussion/37007/internet-access-required/p1

The last entry there was from last year, so it appears it's still a mysterious issue that no one can fix as yet. So, if you're really concerned - either switch firewalls or disconnect the internet. If you do the latter you'll probably still have to turn ZA off or configure it to allow SRR access for some reason, but SRR won't connect to the web then (obviously).
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pleasenoname: That it tries to connect to the internet concerns me. It should be investigated. I know that B.I.T.S. is used by windows game explorer, amongst other things to download anonymously in the background.
I don't think it's malicious in this case - and it can be successfully blocked with other firewalls (or you can disconnect from the internet!) - but I agree that it should be looked at more thoroughly, since you shouldn't have to adjust your environment or other programs just to be able to play a game offline!
Post edited July 25, 2014 by squid830
Posted October 17, 2014
According to gamingonlinux.com unity3d games do indeed phone home with hardware and software details
Posted October 18, 2014
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Acidicrain099: According to gamingonlinux.com unity3d games do indeed phone home with hardware and software details
And according to my offline system, they work very well without any connection to Internet.
I’m using only Linux versions of Unity games if that matters.
Posted December 13, 2014
Finally got around to buying Shadowrun, and ran into the same exact problem.

The game would not start without allowing it to run localhost (127.0.0.1) feedback loop (on what looks like randomized ports).

That's... weird, to say the least. I'm not very happy about it - mostly because I see no reason whatsoever why an off-line game-play should require such mechanism.

Wish I learned that before buying - combined with the Steam-only DLC announcements I ran into trying to find an explanation of the above behavior made it clear this is not a developer I want to support.

They got my money this time, but a lesson well learned.

Anyway, if anybody have any further information about the loopback I'd appreciate it being shared with the rest of us.
Post edited December 13, 2014 by Lukaszmik
Posted December 13, 2014
I've resorted to unplugging my net cable when I play it. (I actually renamed the game shortcut to "Shadowrun Dragonfall - UNPLUG NET!" to help me remember lol)

But one time I forgot to do that, and a directory full of files (the 'DumpBox') went empty. Presumably it sent all that waiting stuff that time. There is now a newer set of accumulated files in DumpBox.

I don't like it either; but since the game is playable without the net cable in the jack - presumably that's considered to met the "DRM-FREE. No activation or online connection required to play" mention and thus the misleading tagline is thought to be "good".

Unfortunately that doesn't tell us that if it has a net connection that it's going to use it and send stuff withoutout permission. I really don't like this trend of "send shit out without asking for opt-in", but these days it seems I'm with a minority and the majority doesn't care - so it's caveat emptor.
Posted January 09, 2015
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Martek: I've resorted to unplugging my net cable when I play it. (I actually renamed the game shortcut to "Shadowrun Dragonfall - UNPLUG NET!" to help me remember lol)

But one time I forgot to do that, and a directory full of files (the 'DumpBox') went empty. Presumably it sent all that waiting stuff that time. There is now a newer set of accumulated files in DumpBox.

I don't like it either; but since the game is playable without the net cable in the jack - presumably that's considered to met the "DRM-FREE. No activation or online connection required to play" mention and thus the misleading tagline is thought to be "good".

Unfortunately that doesn't tell us that if it has a net connection that it's going to use it and send stuff withoutout permission. I really don't like this trend of "send shit out without asking for opt-in", but these days it seems I'm with a minority and the majority doesn't care - so it's caveat emptor.
You are not the only one, believe me. I wanted to buy this game but, for now, I'll avoid it. I'd rather give my money to more honest devs.
Posted January 10, 2015
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RenaudW: You are not the only one, believe me. I wanted to buy this game but, for now, I'll avoid it. I'd rather give my money to more honest devs.
Uh... I'm not sure what's going on here, but I've played the original Shadowrun Returns, as well as Dragonfall, always offline, and never had any of these problems.

So again, not sure what exactly is happening here, but don't be too quick to throw stones at Harebrained Schemes, since they actually seem to be a very good and customer friendly developer team.
Posted January 10, 2015
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RenaudW: You are not the only one, believe me. I wanted to buy this game but, for now, I'll avoid it. I'd rather give my money to more honest devs.
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CharlesGrey: Uh... I'm not sure what's going on here, but I've played the original Shadowrun Returns, as well as Dragonfall, always offline, and never had any of these problems.

So again, not sure what exactly is happening here, but don't be too quick to throw stones at Harebrained Schemes, since they actually seem to be a very good and customer friendly developer team.
That's a very common problem in the game industry right now. It's just "good intention, bad behaviors". it's particularly true in mobile gaming where indie devs with good intentions ask a for lot of permissions to scan through your entire device just because "we need money guys!" (even if you paid for the game).

A game should not access internet and potentially transmit data without at least the knowledge and the permission of the user. For me, it's unacceptable and even more here on GOG where most customers are here for ethical reasons (DRM and so on....).

2014 has seen too many abuses in the current games industry even from indie devs with good intentions (after all, double fine is a good and honest indie studio right?). So for me, it a big no buy until things got resolved.

And believe me, it's really hard because that kind of game is like drug for me and i really want give money to this indie studio.
Posted January 10, 2015
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RenaudW: That's a very common problem in the game industry right now. It's just "good intention, bad behaviors". it's particularly true in mobile gaming where indie devs with good intentions ask a for lot of permissions to scan through your entire device just because "we need money guys!" (even if you paid for the game).

A game should not access internet and potentially transmit data without at least the knowledge and the permission of the user. For me, it's unacceptable and even more here on GOG where most customers are here for ethical reasons (DRM and so on....).

2014 has seen too many abuses in the current games industry even from indie devs with good intentions (after all, double fine is a good and honest indie studio right?). So for me, it a big no buy until things got resolved.

And believe me, it's really hard because that kind of game is like drug for me and i really want give money to this indie studio.
That may all be true, but I'm still not convinced it applies to this particular situation/developer. Is there any actual official statement from Harebrained Schemes, regarding this? Or any proof that the games are indeed attempting to gather and send user data? ( I know there's some community members here who could easily test and verify that sort of thing. )

Again, I've always played offline, and the games never required me to go online for whatever reason. If any part of the software tries to connect and send data to the developer or elsewhere, my guess is it might be related to Steam and/or user created content. I know the game used to be Steam exclusive during its development, like many Indie games, so perhaps there's still some bits and pieces of code related to Steam left in the game.
Posted January 10, 2015
It definitely connects to the internet. Firewall warned me the instant I tried to load the game. Twice.

I also require an official response to this, because any DRM including internet checking goes against the GOG rules of "DRM FREE".
Post edited January 10, 2015 by bigsilverhotdog
Posted January 11, 2015
It is windows or explorer false thing glitch as my copy of game never asked for connection nor firewall exception.
Post edited January 11, 2015 by HenitoKisou
Posted January 12, 2015
From http://shadowrun-returns.wikispaces.com/Game+FAQ

"Does the DRM-free version of the game require an Internet connection to play?
Absolutely not. Depending on your operating system settings, there may be a warning about allowing a connection through your firewall, but this is a local-only connection and is what allows the editor to talk to a running copy of the game (used for testing your own stories). However, there is currently a bug that may prevent the game from starting if you deny this firewall request (even if you never use the editor)."
Post edited January 12, 2015 by Staredown
Posted January 13, 2015
Hmmm. I wonder what the deal is with the Dumpbox directory...

Mine seemed to "empty out" after I accidentally left the net connected once while playing it. I didn't notice it until later but assumed that waht happened was it got transmitted during that connection. If not, I wonder what emptied it...? /confused
Posted January 13, 2015
Perhaps the Dumpbox directory stores temporary files pertaining to the current scenario you are playing in? Then, maybe, once you finish the scenario, it would purge those unneeded files. Or maybe it's connected to the editor? These could be possible alternatives to what you are assuming, Martek. Not an attempt to discredit your opinions/suspicions, just offering a possible alternative.
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Shadowrun seriesnot able to start the game without going online?(36 posts)(36 posts)
(36 posts)