F%^# SIgames

[Easy Mac]

I keep getting the "Cannot locate CD-Rom" error. How difficult is it to make a game someone can play? THis is a problem that has plagued the last 4 versions of the game. Why is it that if I have 2 CD-Roms in my computer, it can't work? I shouldn't have to modify 5 Windows settings and constantly restart my computer just to play a game.

A complete waste of $35.

[SlapBone]

I bought the softwrap version of NHL-EHM and I got so tired of the license crapping out on me during patches that I actually located alternate means of playing the game. Now that the 1.0.7 has come out the "alternate" version of the game no longer works, but it's cool because I got them to release my licenses, so now I'm back to the softwrap version.

I will gladly give them money for their games but between this and the apparent botching of the US release of FM2005 (or WWSM2005) they are making it hard for me to support them.

[Easy Mac]

I too have found other means to play the game after an hour of searching.

And all the suggestions on the SI forums did absolutely nothing to help. Of course, when one of the replies from a moderator is "it sucks, but some honest people have to suffer," I really shouldn't expect much from tech support.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

I too have found other means to play the game after an hour of searching.

And all the suggestions on the SI forums did absolutely nothing to help. Of course, when one of the replies from a moderator is "it sucks, but some honest people have to suffer," I really shouldn't expect much from tech support.

That is probably the worst thing a moderator representing a company could possibly say. I was thinking of buying it, but I have 2 drives in my computer and don't want to take the chance now.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by SlapBone

...

I will gladly give them money for their games but between this and the apparent botching of the US release of FM2005 (or WWSM2005) they are making it hard for me to support them.

How was the US release Botched?

[jbmagic]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

How was the US release Botched?

it never was shipped to the united states....

just a few people have seen the game in US stores

[sovereignstar]

Disheartening to hear this kind of stuff. I've been on the fence about buying EHM.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

it never was shipped to the united states....

just a few people have seen the game in US stores

OK. I thought the US release had been delayed, because they were using a different distributor and all. I have been wondering all along what the price on the US distribution was going to be.

[cougarfreak]

I've had a problem too.......None of my saved games will load up no matter what. I can start a new game, quit, then try to play the save and it won't work. They are working on it, hopefully they can find out what's wrong.

[SlapBone]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

it never was shipped to the united states....

just a few people have seen the game in US stores

I have yet to see a copy of EHM or WWSM in Houston at ANY store.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by SlapBone

I have yet to see a copy of EHM or WWSM in Houston at ANY store.

So order it, unless of course you don't have a credit card... then yeah, it would suck.

I have two drives on my pc as well, heck who doesn't nowadays? ...and I'm not the least bit concerned.


Todd

[SlapBone]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

So order it, unless of course you don't have a credit card... then yeah, it would suck.

Todd

Actually I was going to help SIGames on their US distribution effort so that more of their games are released here, but it seems that SI and Sega together can't find their ass with both hands.

I ordered CM4 from Gogamer and I picked up CM 03/04 from Fry's

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by SlapBone

Actually I was going to help SIGames on their US distribution effort so that more of their games are released here, but it seems that SI and Sega together can't find their ass with both hands.

I ordered CM4 from Gogamer and I picked up CM 03/04 from Fry's

I thought that was the whole purpose of having Sega involved? I ordered mine from sendit.com.


Todd

[jbmagic]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I thought that was the whole purpose of having Sega involved? I ordered mine from sendit.com.


Todd

i tought so too...and they even change the name for US distribution ...go figure

[condors]

just for the record i have two cd roms and don't have any problems with it

[Easy Mac]

well, I've had this problem at various times since CM 99/00. Back then I only had one CD and it crapped out after a certain patch number.

This error seems to be somehow related to the latest patch, at least from what I've found on the board.

Thankfully people like to pirate games, so that helps us people who actually purchase it.

[scooter]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

it never was shipped to the united states....

just a few people have seen the game in US stores

The SI Games website lists the WWSM patch has been downloaded over 3500 times. I would say at least a few people have found this game. Don't ask me where they have found it. I know Gamestop's site lists at least 7 places within a 50 mile radius of where I live that have it. So it has shipped to the US, you just have to find it.

[CraigSca]

I ordered directly from Gamestop. It was in-stock and shipped the next morning. Good luck finding it in stores, however.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

I ordered directly from Gamestop. It was in-stock and shipped the next morning. Good luck finding it in stores, however.

...or at sendit.com - where's my copy?!!!!!!


Todd

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Good luck finding it in stores, however.

Admittedly, I don't buy a whole lot of games for PC in stores nor even look for many at this point, but ... isn't that kind of true for all but about 50 or so titles at any given time? And I feel like even that is a pretty generous figure. Based purely on my impression of what catches my eye in various stores, etc. Basically, I've sort of developed a pretty strong feeling that brick-and-mortar is pretty much dying/nearly dead for PC games. Am I all that far off from the truth?

[G-Man]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Disheartening to hear this kind of stuff. I've been on the fence about buying EHM.

I have also been considering this purchase. Is EHM so good that it is worth the hassle?

[Shepp]

Admittedly, I don't buy a whole lot of games for PC in stores nor even look for many at this point, but ... isn't that kind of true for all but about 50 or so titles at any given time? And I feel like even that is a pretty generous figure. Based purely on my impression of what catches my eye in various stores, etc. Basically, I've sort of developed a pretty strong feeling that brick-and-mortar is pretty much dying/nearly dead for PC games. Am I all that far off from the truth?

I remember back in the day when youi could go into Electronics Boutique and 99 percent of their stock was computer games. These days computer games are lucky to get space in the smallest corner of the store.

[Eaglesfan27]

Good point. I recently went to EB to pick up two computer games and was shocked they were on the shelf since they were over a year old. At most, there were 75 games on the shelf. 95% of the games in the store were for consoles. However, when I walked in the store the clerks told me they could custom order any game I wanted if I couldn't find it.

[path12]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Admittedly, I don't buy a whole lot of games for PC in stores nor even look for many at this point, but ... isn't that kind of true for all but about 50 or so titles at any given time? And I feel like even that is a pretty generous figure. Based purely on my impression of what catches my eye in various stores, etc. Basically, I've sort of developed a pretty strong feeling that brick-and-mortar is pretty much dying/nearly dead for PC games. Am I all that far off from the truth?

I don't think you are at all. Not being a shooter or RTS fan, I don't even bother with stores anymore and order most everything online now......well, except for occasionally scrounging through the bargain bins when I need a quick fix....

[SlapBone]

Originally Posted by G-Man

I have also been considering this purchase. Is EHM so good that it is worth the hassle?

The only answer I have for this is that there is no "no-cd" patch for the latest patch, so if you have CDROM problems with some of the newer copy protections, your mileage may vary.

Sadly the latest patch also made the game playable and stomped out most of the bugs making the game a very pleasurable experience.

[sabotai]

I have the electronic distribution of EHM. They use Softwrap (not ViaTech like most others). Everytime there's a patch, you have to reregister, but that's just a matter of clicking "Next" a few times and you're off again.

[SirFozzie]

Pray tell, where is the Enxt button?

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Pray tell, where is the Enxt button?

Smartass.

[SirFozzie]

Smarter then the average bear...


(or is that more of a smartass then the average bear?)

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Admittedly, I don't buy a whole lot of games for PC in stores nor even look for many at this point, but ... isn't that kind of true for all but about 50 or so titles at any given time? And I feel like even that is a pretty generous figure. Based purely on my impression of what catches my eye in various stores, etc. Basically, I've sort of developed a pretty strong feeling that brick-and-mortar is pretty much dying/nearly dead for PC games. Am I all that far off from the truth?

That's true, Jon, but generally you can buy any release from a major publisher released in America from a major chain. You usually could even special order it to get it at the store. BUT, the only major chain that even had the game in their computer was Gamstop, and I couldn't even special order it from them! This weas supposed to be a major release, and none of the major chains (CC, BB, EB, Walmart, etc,) save Gamestop even had it on their websites! EB told me the game was cancelled. That is a major screw-up.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

...
Does any text sim in the U.S. warrant the phrase "major release"?

Text Sim? But what about the Dots? I like the Dots.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

This weas supposed to be a major release ...

Ding, ding, ding ... I think you just hit on a key part of the problem here.

Whether I like it or not, whether it's pleasant for anywhere here to hear,
I believe the question is valid:
Does any text sim in the U.S. warrant the phrase "major release"?

Kind of like asking Wal-Mart if they have the latest APBA or Strat-O-Matic card set on hand. They'll have no idea what you're talking about, but could offer you a fine selection of Garbage Pail Kid cards.

[klayman]

Wouldn't the "Cannot find CD" error most likely be due to the copy production, and in most cases that usually falls under the realm of the publisher not the developer.

[Celeval]

FWIW, I was at the Columbia, MD mall today and the Gamestop had one copy of WWSM in stock for $40. I'll be picking it (or an ordered copy) up after the holidays wrap up.

[Marc Vaughan]

Copy-protection problems are pretty rare as we do our best to ensure that the type of protection used is fairly reliable, unfortunately all the commerical protections today are pretty fussy about certain software being active when games are started - I'd guess its more likely to be a memory resident CD tool rather than your two drives which is upsetting the game.

We've posted a list of workarounds for potential copy-protection problems on the tech support section of our forums and if you still have problems feel free to email me specific issues (although bear in mind I'm (in theory at least) on holiday at the moment so you might not get an instant reply).

We also tend to shift off from the commerical protection which we use (and which retailers insist upon for releases) to our internal copy-protection (which isn't quite so 'fancy' and robust but is 100% reliable for all systems) for the final patch which we release for a game.

Hope this helps,

Marc
PS. Both WSM and NHL EHM have been released in America now, but distribution has been somewhat patchy (slight understatement) and this is something which we'll be attempting to improve for next years releases - this is the first time we've had a retail release in America and its a learning curve for us, sorry for any inconvenience.