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General discussionAKIBA'S TRIP: Undead And Undressed is a Steam-rip(71 posts)(71 posts)
(71 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted September 23, 2021
high rated
Hello! This is a message from Sara Leen, XSEED's developer.

I understand why some users might feel uneasy about Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed's inclusion of the Steamworks API in the GOG version of the game, so I'd like to develop upon the details of our implementation and why it's there.
In the past, we had to create multiple builds of our games for every platform, and this had several drawbacks.
For one thing, it increased build time dramatically -- 1 build for Steam, 1 build for GOG, 1 build for services with no APIs, etc.

For another, we had requests from several of our users over time wanting benefits for owning games on multiple platforms or to bring their achievements and save data to other services.
This especially happened when we first began releasing our games with support for GOG Galaxy, since some previous owners began to migrate over there.

As a result, I made a conscious choice to implement all APIs into one "universal" build that would be the best of all worlds, which took quite a bit of extra effort considering our games' versions used to be separated!
We want to accommodate users' needs on all services, and the fact that this simplifies our own build process is simply a nice bonus.
I will emphasize that the game will not communicate with any service outside of a simple ownership check, unless the game is fully owned by the user on that service and that client is currently open on their system.

However, if the functionality still bothers any of you, it's all coded so that removing the DLL files for any service will completely disable all of the functionality.
This is intentional, too! I don't want anyone to feel unnerved or unsafe because of any of our products.
I would also like to emphasize that no DRM of any kind is included in the product.

Please let me know if any of you have any questions and I will gladly do my best to answer them, here on the GOG forums or anywhere else.

-Sara Leen, Marvelous USA, Inc.
Posted September 23, 2021
low rated
avatar
KawaiiSara: snip
I don't want the game that I bought on GOG to communicate with my Steam account and write statistics to it (playing time, etc.).

And that's exactly what the GOG version of your game does!

It's totally unacceptable.
Posted September 23, 2021
high rated
avatar
OHMYGODJCABOMB: I don't want the game that I bought on GOG to communicate with my Steam account and write statistics to it (playing time, etc.).

And that's exactly what the GOG version of your game does!
I understand, although I want to be absolutely clear about this: You can safely remove the steam_api.dll file from the game's folder to prevent any further such behavior.

The game will not be in any way gimped or altered other than disabling Steam code (Steam Cloud, Steam Achievements) and they would not operate in the first place if you don't have any license to the game there.

Similarly, any user who wants to disable GOG Galaxy functionalities (Galaxy Cloud, Galaxy Achievements) for the game can remove Galaxy.dll from the folder and it will function without that, too.
Posted September 23, 2021
low rated
avatar
OHMYGODJCABOMB: I don't want the game that I bought on GOG to communicate with my Steam account and write statistics to it (playing time, etc.).

And that's exactly what the GOG version of your game does!
avatar
KawaiiSara: I understand, although I want to be absolutely clear about this: You can safely remove the steam_api.dll file from the game's folder to prevent any further such behavior.

The game will not be in any way gimped or altered other than disabling Steam code (Steam Cloud, Steam Achievements) and they would not operate in the first place if you don't have any license to the game there.

Similarly, any user who wants to disable GOG Galaxy functionalities (Galaxy Cloud, Galaxy Achievements) for the game can remove Galaxy.dll from the folder and it will function without that, too.
Just out of interest why did it take you till the day after a huge G.O.G PR blunder to address this? I know you'd be busy surely and the timing could be by chance .. but it does seem rather odd the day after a huge pr nightmare for G.O.G happened you popped in to adress this on the forums so I can't help but be curious the reasons why it happened today of all days is all
Posted September 23, 2021
low rated
avatar
KawaiiSara: snip
If the Steamworks API is really not needed for the GOG version to work properly (I read somewhere that the Steamworks API is used by GOG to implement achievements in GOG Galaxy via some kind of wrapper), then perhaps it would be better to remove this API from the GOG build?

At the moment, it only causes problems (like the one I described).
Posted September 23, 2021
high rated
avatar
BanditKeith2: Just out of interest why did it take you till the day after a huge G.O.G PR blunder to address this? I know you'd be busy surely and the timing could be by chance .. but it does seem rather odd the day after a huge pr nightmare for G.O.G happened you popped in to adress this on the forums so I can't help but be curious the reasons why it happened today of all days is all
I've honestly just been really swamped with my work, to be frank, along with a sinus infection I'm on the mend from. No idea about anything that's been going on like that, and to be clear, I'm not a representative of GOG or CD Projekt.

Anyway, basically I just want it to be very clear that the multiple API support is easily disabled but does have benefits for some users since it allows unlocking achievements on multiple services at the same time or keeping save files in sync between them. Each platform's support is absolutely completely independent here and can be individually removed by removing its DLL, no wrapper situation of any kind.

We used to get requests about this kind of thing and I was happy when I could eventually implement it, along with the fact that it helps me ensure all versions of the game are always equal since all of the files match and all features are always available.

If I can help it, I don't want to ever treat GOG users, or the users of any other platform, as second-class citizens.
Post edited September 23, 2021 by KawaiiSara
Posted September 23, 2021
avatar
KawaiiSara: Hello! This is a message from Sara Leen, XSEED's developer.

I understand why some users might feel uneasy about Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed's inclusion of the Steamworks API in the GOG version of the game, so I'd like to develop upon the details of our implementation and why it's there.
In the past, we had to create multiple builds of our games for every platform, and this had several drawbacks.
For one thing, it increased build time dramatically -- 1 build for Steam, 1 build for GOG, 1 build for services with no APIs, etc.

For another, we had requests from several of our users over time wanting benefits for owning games on multiple platforms or to bring their achievements and save data to other services.
This especially happened when we first began releasing our games with support for GOG Galaxy, since some previous owners began to migrate over there.

As a result, I made a conscious choice to implement all APIs into one "universal" build that would be the best of all worlds, which took quite a bit of extra effort considering our games' versions used to be separated!
We want to accommodate users' needs on all services, and the fact that this simplifies our own build process is simply a nice bonus.
I will emphasize that the game will not communicate with any service outside of a simple ownership check, unless the game is fully owned by the user on that service and that client is currently open on their system.

However, if the functionality still bothers any of you, it's all coded so that removing the DLL files for any service will completely disable all of the functionality.
This is intentional, too! I don't want anyone to feel unnerved or unsafe because of any of our products.
I would also like to emphasize that no DRM of any kind is included in the product.

Please let me know if any of you have any questions and I will gladly do my best to answer them, here on the GOG forums or anywhere else.

-Sara Leen, Marvelous USA, Inc.
I think it's a great idea and there are already many other games on GOG that use this same system without any problem, so really it's not a new exotic thing.

I'd like to use this opportunity to report some broken achievements on GOG of some XSEED games, but I don't want to derail offtopic, would it be better to open a new thread?
Posted September 23, 2021
avatar
KawaiiSara: snip
A suggestion: Maybe it'd be interesting to put a warning in the store page and the library entry in the PC stores it's available informing about the dll situation and the workaround?

Also, off topic, but would it be possible to make the regional price conversion of AKIBA'S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed closer to the conversion of Undead and Undressed? Akiba's Trip H&D has a considerable price spike in the conversion in multiple regions if compared to Akiba's Trip U&D.
(edit: polished the text a bit)
Post edited September 23, 2021 by _Auster_
Posted September 23, 2021
avatar
BanditKeith2: Just out of interest why did it take you till the day after a huge G.O.G PR blunder to address this? I know you'd be busy surely and the timing could be by chance .. but it does seem rather odd the day after a huge pr nightmare for G.O.G happened you popped in to adress this on the forums so I can't help but be curious the reasons why it happened today of all days is all
avatar
KawaiiSara: I've honestly just been really swamped with my work, to be frank, along with a sinus infection I'm on the mend from. No idea about anything that's been going on like that, and to be clear, I'm not a representative of GOG or CD Projekt.

Anyway, basically I just want it to be very clear that the multiple API support is easily disabled but does have benefits for some users since it allows unlocking achievements on multiple services at the same time or keeping save files in sync between them. Each platform's support is absolutely completely independent here and can be individually removed by removing its DLL, no wrapper situation of any kind.

We used to get requests about this kind of thing and I was happy when I could eventually implement it, along with the fact that it helps me ensure all versions of the game are always equal since all of the files match and all features are always available.

If I can help it, I don't want to ever treat GOG users, or the users of any other platform, as second-class citizens.
Wasn't saying you are just was honestly wondering as I said timing was likely by chance .. so was like '' they was swamped with work and/or sick or lack of time and maybe finally had time or if not heard of what is going on and wanted to make things clear quick despite lack of time''

Still on a brighter note I am super glad that if you can help it you want everyone treated as equals in the products fyi love the games that your group manages to get here as I am a Huge JRPG fan.. And add to that I love the fact I finally got to play the psp game of Akiba finally as I heard this is a pc port of a game that either never got a wide release or not advertised much.. So ya hope your group keeps up the good work and releasing on G.O.G drm-free and on other platforms your groups games

avatar
KawaiiSara: Please let me know if any of you have any questions and I will gladly do my best to answer them, here on the GOG forums or anywhere else.

-Sara Leen, Marvelous USA, Inc.
Also minor question but just wondering if possible to say any plans for future releases here? Don't want any game names or anything just wondering if any more games you are thinking of releasing here is all nothing more nothing less is needed just a simple ''possible '' is good for me
Post edited September 23, 2021 by BanditKeith2
Posted September 23, 2021
high rated
avatar
Alexim: I think it's a great idea and there are already many other games on GOG that use this same system without any problem, so really it's not a new exotic thing.

I'd like to use this opportunity to report some broken achievements on GOG of some XSEED games, but I don't want to derail offtopic, would it be better to open a new thread?
I'm generally already aware of these for the titles that I personally worked on but don't have much capacity to fix them for titles I didn't -- I suggest sending an e-mail to our support address with details so it can be sure it's known and goes to the right person.

As for some of these other questions others have asked about pricing conversions, future releases, etc, as a developer I'm not in charge of these aspects and can't really comment unfortunately. I'd love to help! But those are questions better asked of other people in XSEED and you might be able to get a response faster by reaching out to them directly through our social channels.
Posted September 23, 2021
low rated
It still sounds like an excuse to me.

I will not ask for a refund, but I will definitely never buy anything from XSEED on GOG again.
Posted September 23, 2021
avatar
Alexim: I think it's a great idea and there are already many other games on GOG that use this same system without any problem, so really it's not a new exotic thing.

I'd like to use this opportunity to report some broken achievements on GOG of some XSEED games, but I don't want to derail offtopic, would it be better to open a new thread?
avatar
KawaiiSara: I'm generally already aware of these for the titles that I personally worked on but don't have much capacity to fix them for titles I didn't -- I suggest sending an e-mail to our support address with details so it can be sure it's known and goes to the right person.

As for some of these other questions others have asked about pricing conversions, future releases, etc, as a developer I'm not in charge of these aspects and can't really comment unfortunately. I'd love to help! But those are questions better asked of other people in XSEED and you might be able to get a response faster by reaching out to them directly through our social channels.
Thanks for being transparent as can be its really a good thing to be and thank you for being civil too many in the industry aren't in both cases among other industries too aren't transparent as can be expected or civil despite they should be so thank you again for being transparent .. civil and taking time out of your day its very much welcomed to see those three together as its became a rarity more and more in the modern era
Posted September 23, 2021
avatar
Alexim: I think it's a great idea and there are already many other games on GOG that use this same system without any problem, so really it's not a new exotic thing.

I'd like to use this opportunity to report some broken achievements on GOG of some XSEED games, but I don't want to derail offtopic, would it be better to open a new thread?
avatar
KawaiiSara: I'm generally already aware of these for the titles that I personally worked on but don't have much capacity to fix them for titles I didn't -- I suggest sending an e-mail to our support address with details so it can be sure it's known and goes to the right person.
Thanks, the problem is that I had already tried emailing support and not much changed, but I will try again.

For example, Ys I and Ys II have respectively "Esteria, We Hardly Knew Ye" and "Set Sail For New Adventure" achievements that don't work, and in theory they are simple achievements that should unlock once you've completed all the other achievements in the game. There is also a recent thread with a user who has this problem:
https://www.gog.com/forum/ys_series/ys_achievements
Posted September 24, 2021
low rated
Can't stop laughing at the local clowns who downvote posts in this topic.

You are ready to set the store on fire because of DRM in HITMAN, but downvoting posts about almost a similar problem only because a developer representative threw some magic "damage control" dust in your eyes.

Would you also change your mind if an IOI rep shows up on the forum and tells you that DRM in the GOG version of HITMAN has been asked by many gamers?

In some aspects, this case is even worse than the HITMANGATE (lol). Unlike AKIBA'S TRIP, HITMAN at least doesn't interact with your Steam account.

Show me at least one real GOG user who asked XSEED to add communication with Steam account to a DRM-FREE version of the game from another store.

Do you really believe this nonsense?
Posted September 24, 2021
avatar
OHMYGODJCABOMB: Can't stop laughing at the local clowns who downvote posts in this topic.

You are ready to set the store on fire because of DRM in HITMAN, but downvoting posts about almost a similar problem only because a developer representative threw some magic "damage control" dust in your eyes.

Would you also change your mind if an IOI rep shows up on the forum and tells you that DRM in the GOG version of HITMAN has been asked by many gamers?

In some aspects, this case is even worse than the HITMANGATE (lol). Unlike AKIBA'S TRIP, HITMAN at least doesn't interact with your Steam account.

Show me at least one real GOG user who asked XSEED to add communication with Steam account to a DRM-FREE version of the game from another store.

Do you really believe this nonsense?
You are the angry one here.. see I can get them leaving such in as it can be removed from the files as in one doesn't need to ''look elsewhere '' for how to get to content locked behind a server thats apparently in game needing toyed with to properly work.. what amounts to a version of ''on disc dlc'' sort of thing but in digital format and much worse as not only is the legit way to go through a server to have everything work proper on Hitman it would have been just tweaking the already existing files to not have a server based drm factor..

Here though its not a drm thing going on its leaving files in from other storefronts that can easily be removed without harm.. Though odds are I don't care as much as you on this factor as I have pratically no games on steam I haven't rebought drm free from this storefront or another and also I don't really use Steam anyway
Post edited September 24, 2021 by BanditKeith2
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionAKIBA'S TRIP: Undead And Undressed is a Steam-rip(71 posts)(71 posts)
(71 posts)