It takes too long for updates to reach Steam, so it's difficult to curate a beta with the Steam-base in the way we'd like. A big part of that delay is because Atari handles the updates.
@Vishnu: Because of Steam itself... Before, patches were release by the company and distributed by the company (who ever did the game)... With Steam (Steam is like the middle man...), Steam receives it, modifies the load (for it to work with Steam itself) and then approves it; then releases it! So, there are additional steps to take care of...
So, take it like the groceries... You do not buy directly (usually) from the persons who managed the original food... Instead, you buy it from the middle man... Shops, groceries, markets, etc...
Mind that I don't use Steam except for BGEE (which was a present, so I had to create the account), but I assume that the issue would be people having clients with different patch versions?
@Vishnu Yes... Well, from what I can figure out (cause I don't work for them); since Steam leaves their "hand prints" or "finger prints", the version even though with the same number, is slightly different. (Recoded maybe?)
And since it is obligatory for Steam patch releases to have Steam "prints", they'll have to add their "prints" to every little tweaks of a patch Beamdog does... Also, not everyone wants to test it (and Steam, to my knowledge, unless you disable it per game, is auto update...
Also, but this is just guessing or speculation or whatever (my friend found out that Xbox update works like that), they may have a limited number of update a game or a year... If they go over, they might be charged extra. (It's a cheapy company money strategy). So, to many little updates = more $ they need to spend...
@Vishnu@Vortaka Steam and Beamdog versions are identical EXCEPT for a small difference in directory structure. The game files themselves are the same in both versions.
Game files are mostly always the same, no matter the game... (Game files = resources files). It's the exe file (or files) (the loading files) that differs, but just so little... It's possible to be the same, but since the protection itself is different (beamdog compared to steam), I "would" think they aren't identical...
I recently switched from a Beamdog client install of my game to a manually downloaded install (still from Beamdog, just not through the client). Will there be a manual download file available once the final version of the patch releases?
Will there be a manual download file available once the final version of the patch releases?
If it works like all the previous patches, the stand-alone launcher checks for patches on startup. When the final version of the patch becomes availible, when you start the launcher, it'll give you the option to Apply/Not Apply the patch.
If you apply it, it imediately goes into file checking then download mode and it downloads and applies the patch for you.
Just to confirm, yes, when the patch is finally "released to the wild", it will work just like the version you have now, across all platforms where it's available. The client requirement is only for the Open Beta.
@Vishnu Yes... Well, from what I can figure out (cause I don't work for them); since Steam leaves their "hand prints" or "finger prints", the version even though with the same number, is slightly different. (Recoded maybe?)
And since it is obligatory for Steam patch releases to have Steam "prints", they'll have to add their "prints" to every little tweaks of a patch Beamdog does... Also, not everyone wants to test it (and Steam, to my knowledge, unless you disable it per game, is auto update...
Also, but this is just guessing or speculation or whatever (my friend found out that Xbox update works like that), they may have a limited number of update a game or a year... If they go over, they might be charged extra. (It's a cheapy company money strategy). So, to many little updates = more $ they need to spend...
@Vishnu@Vortaka Steam and Beamdog versions are identical EXCEPT for a small difference in directory structure. The game files themselves are the same in both versions.
After reading this and seeing how files are exactly the same, I don't see any reason why we can't have a standalone version of the patch as soon as it's available.
So, what would be the official answer to my request?
It takes too long for updates to reach Steam, so it's difficult to curate a beta with the Steam-base in the way we'd like. A big part of that delay is because Atari handles the updates.
It takes less than 1 hour for us to update a Beamdog build (once the fixes are in place). It takes weeks to update a Steam build.
Open beta how encouraging.... maybe you all beta bunnies can breed and skin the ugly bugs there - I will not.... but by the by Beamtrogs:
When is your pet monkey Battalion Commander going to get the Atari General to Clear him for the BIG ANDROID BOMB DROP YO YO SELL IT TO ME BEAMERR DAWGS YO YA ALL GOTTA MAKE DEM PAYMENTS ON THE BEAMMER DAWG BEAMERS AMI RITE!!?
IS you all on the doll or kickin it in da abandoned houses wit da broke biscuits? When you gonna take ma Mooooney for BG 2 and ANDROID ???!!! IS you still Cat Fighting with Atari?
Sorry really really can't be bothered to search for the answers.... amybe check reponse to dis afta I get in da werk place and I am slappin my fat head gainst my chair snouuzing and perusing da internet....
That refers to the open beta/patch release. My question was directed toward when we're getting patch notes, more generally whether or not we get to take a look before open beta comes around.
Open beta how encouraging.... maybe you all beta bunnies can breed and skin the ugly bugs there - I will not.... but by the by Beamtrogs:
When is your pet monkey Battalion Commander going to get the Atari General to Clear him for the BIG ANDROID BOMB DROP YO YO SELL IT TO ME BEAMERR DAWGS YO YA ALL GOTTA MAKE DEM PAYMENTS ON THE BEAMMER DAWG BEAMERS AMI RITE!!?
IS you all on the doll or kickin it in da abandoned houses wit da broke biscuits? When you gonna take ma Mooooney for BG 2 and ANDROID ???!!! IS you still Cat Fighting with Atari?
Sorry really really can't be bothered to search for the answers.... amybe check reponse to dis afta I get in da werk place and I am slappin my fat head gainst my chair snouuzing and perusing da internet....
I can't help but to think that Irenicus is cooking up something there... hm, looks like some serious hot trinidad moruga scorpion chilly pepper curry. Guess it's no wonder that his guests will suffer from that dish.
Open beta how encouraging.... maybe you all beta bunnies can breed and skin the ugly bugs there - I will not.... but by the by Beamtrogs:
When is your pet monkey Battalion Commander going to get the Atari General to Clear him for the BIG ANDROID BOMB DROP YO YO SELL IT TO ME BEAMERR DAWGS YO YA ALL GOTTA MAKE DEM PAYMENTS ON THE BEAMMER DAWG BEAMERS AMI RITE!!?
IS you all on the doll or kickin it in da abandoned houses wit da broke biscuits? When you gonna take ma Mooooney for BG 2 and ANDROID ???!!! IS you still Cat Fighting with Atari?
Sorry really really can't be bothered to search for the answers.... amybe check reponse to dis afta I get in da werk place and I am slappin my fat head gainst my chair snouuzing and perusing da internet....
...
What?
No need to be alarmed, he's just a merchant displaying his wares. He deals mostly in crazy, you see.
@Beowulf said, "I will not be able to participate in the open beta, but allow me to express my heartiest encouragement to those who will.
"It is my sincere hope that Atari will approve publication of the Android version in an expeditious manner. After all, a company needs its income in order to maintain its solvency, is that not the case?
"Sirs and madams at Beamdog, are you working harmoniously with Atari or is the relationship more contentious? I confess that I am eagerly awaiting the release of both the Android version and BG2EE, and I feel residual anxiety that the recent hullabaloo has soured your relationship with your publishing partner.
"I apologize for the fact that I am not desirous, currently, of locating the information myself. Perhaps I will have the opportunity to do so once I am at my place of employment, as my insipid occupation leaves me with copious opportunity to browse the Internet and tarry by the snack machines..."
Comments
Because of Steam itself... Before, patches were release by the company and distributed by the company (who ever did the game)... With Steam (Steam is like the middle man...), Steam receives it, modifies the load (for it to work with Steam itself) and then approves it; then releases it! So, there are additional steps to take care of...
So, take it like the groceries... You do not buy directly (usually) from the persons who managed the original food... Instead, you buy it from the middle man... Shops, groceries, markets, etc...
Mind that I don't use Steam except for BGEE (which was a present, so I had to create the account), but I assume that the issue would be people having clients with different patch versions?
Yes... Well, from what I can figure out (cause I don't work for them); since Steam leaves their "hand prints" or "finger prints", the version even though with the same number, is slightly different. (Recoded maybe?)
And since it is obligatory for Steam patch releases to have Steam "prints", they'll have to add their "prints" to every little tweaks of a patch Beamdog does... Also, not everyone wants to test it (and Steam, to my knowledge, unless you disable it per game, is auto update...
Also, but this is just guessing or speculation or whatever (my friend found out that Xbox update works like that), they may have a limited number of update a game or a year... If they go over, they might be charged extra. (It's a cheapy company money strategy). So, to many little updates = more $ they need to spend...
When the final version of the patch becomes availible, when you start the launcher, it'll give you the option to Apply/Not Apply the patch.
If you apply it, it imediately goes into file checking then download mode and it downloads and applies the patch for you.
So, what would be the official answer to my request?
#BG2EE is indeed back in development and starting to move along again
25th August, Trent Oster
... AND Android is back in the works!
These messages have made my day.
When is your pet monkey Battalion Commander going to get the Atari General to Clear him for the BIG ANDROID BOMB DROP YO YO SELL IT TO ME BEAMERR DAWGS YO YA ALL GOTTA MAKE DEM PAYMENTS ON THE BEAMMER DAWG BEAMERS AMI RITE!!?
IS you all on the doll or kickin it in da abandoned houses wit da broke biscuits? When you gonna take ma Mooooney for BG 2 and ANDROID ???!!! IS you still Cat Fighting with Atari?
Sorry really really can't be bothered to search for the answers.... amybe check reponse to dis afta I get in da werk place and I am slappin my fat head gainst my chair snouuzing and perusing da internet....
...
What?
http://www.baldursgate.com/news/2012/03/15/announcing-baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition/
@Beowulf said, "I will not be able to participate in the open beta, but allow me to express my heartiest encouragement to those who will.
"It is my sincere hope that Atari will approve publication of the Android version in an expeditious manner. After all, a company needs its income in order to maintain its solvency, is that not the case?
"Sirs and madams at Beamdog, are you working harmoniously with Atari or is the relationship more contentious? I confess that I am eagerly awaiting the release of both the Android version and BG2EE, and I feel residual anxiety that the recent hullabaloo has soured your relationship with your publishing partner.
"I apologize for the fact that I am not desirous, currently, of locating the information myself. Perhaps I will have the opportunity to do so once I am at my place of employment, as my insipid occupation leaves me with copious opportunity to browse the Internet and tarry by the snack machines..."