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Active Internet connection is required to play SP?

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The two tutorial missions I tried so far will not load unless I allow nwac.exe through my Firewall. Not only does it require outgoing connection but also incoming connection. Only outgoing should be allowed and yet this game won't run unless I give it full permissions. That is bad, even Steam only requires outgoing, only processes that require full access usually are system files. A game is not a system file! Where does it state in the specifications that an internet connection is required to play SP?


System Requirements
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7 (32 or 64 bit)
Processor: Intel Core 2 DUO 1.8 Ghz or AMD equivalent
Memory: 2 GB (4 Recommended)
Hard Disk Space: 2 GB free
Video Card: 256 MB GeForce or ATI equivalent Direct X 9.0c or 10 (does not support intergraded graphics card)
Sound: Direct X compatible
DirectX®: Direct X 9.0c or higher
 
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If I disable my network card, the game works perfectly fine for me if I start steam in offline mode.

I really don't understand the Steam hate. It's convenient, it's handy, it works in OFFLINE MODE, games that support steamcloud means I can play with the same saves on my laptop and home PC (or when I travel for work, I can do the same), I have a backup, I have nice statistics, I can find other players, etc etc etc
 
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Right you are, I just tested Steam in offline mode and it worked fine. But, I also tested it by disabling nwac.exe in my firewall while Steam was in offline mode and it didn't run the tutorials again. I guess it is blocking it from communicating with .NET or something and it is not an active IC required DRM as I initially thought. Weird.
 
Labinski said:
Right you are, I just tested Steam in offline mode and it worked fine. But, I also tested it by disabling nwac.exe in my firewall while Steam was in offline mode and it didn't run the tutorials again. I guess it is blocking it from communicating with .NET or something and it is not an active IC required DRM as I initially thought. Weird.
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Exactly, it'll be DCOM or something related.

However, the game won't actually run for me with a disabled NIC, unless I start steam in offline mode. The game is integrated into steam so I think its the underlining steam engine that is causing you problems when not in offline mode.
 
I tried Steam in offline mode again but disabled nwac.exe in the firewall and it wouldn't run again so I have to allow it through my firewall wether Steam is in offline or onlne mode. No big deal so long as it is not extra DRM, as I thought it was. I'm using Win7 firewall but with 3rd party firewall control that allows me to control incoming/outgoing. It's free unless you want the pro version, which just allows you to edit system files permissions.

http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html
 
I dont have steam running, and i 'temporarily' disabled it in my firewall settings (not sure if that makes a difference)

And it lets me run the missions fine (im not using the newest patch, that might be affecting it?)
 
Must be because I just tried running nwac.exe without Steam already running and it first started Steam before the game loaded. That happened with Skyrim too. When it was first released you didn't need Steam running to play it but as soon as the first patch was released you did.
 
The game itself (not steam) uses net even in single-player. It uses the loopback (127.0.0.1) address to connect to its own server. Some firewalls (kind of stupidly) interferes even with loopback traffic, and in that case you will need an exception or permission in your firewall settings.
 
JanH said:
The game itself (not steam) uses net even in single-player. It uses the loopback (127.0.0.1) address to connect to its own server. Some firewalls (kind of stupidly) interferes even with loopback traffic, and in that case you will need an exception or permission in your firewall settings.
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Why does it use the internet in single player mode and how often does it require a connection? Why does it require a connection to your server at all other than for multiplayer? Surely Steam is protection enough for the game? Or is this for some other reason than DRM?

I don't buy games that require a permanent internet connection to play for whatever reason. Once it has been registered online I expect it to be fully playable offline. If this isn't the case with this game I wont be buying it. Please can you clarify.
 
Nats said:
Why does it use the internet in single player mode and how often does it require a connection? Why does it require a connection to your server at all other than for multiplayer? Surely Steam is protection enough for the game? Or is this for some other reason than DRM?

I don't buy games that require a permanent internet connection to play for whatever reason. Once it has been registered online I expect it to be fully playable offline. If this isn't the case with this game I wont be buying it. Please can you clarify.
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Read the user posts above, it runs fine in offline mode
 
s1234567890m said:
Read the user posts above, it runs fine in offline mode
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That wasn't what I was asking. The developer sems to be saying that the game software itself constantly checks with their own server whilst running, even when in single player games and that this is nothing to do with Steam. Ie if Steam is offline the game will still require an internet connection to work. This sounds like permanent DRM to me. Ie if I shut off my internet will I still be able to play the game? Sounds like the answer is no at the moment, I certainly hope I am mistaken though.

I don't mind Steam requiring a temporary connection to update the game etc. As I said before I would like the developer to clarify, because I don't buy games that require a permanent on-line connection to play as a matter of principle. I didn't buy Silent Hunter 5 for this very reason, nor the latest Settlers game.
 
Nats said:
That wasn't what I was asking. The developer sems to be saying that the game software itself constantly checks with their own server whilst running, even when in single player games and that this is nothing to do with Steam. Ie if Steam is offline the game will still require an internet connection to work. This sounds like permanent DRM to me. Ie if I shut off my internet will I still be able to play the game? Sounds like the answer is no at the moment, I certainly hope I am mistaken though.

I don't mind Steam requiring a temporary connection to update the game etc. As I said before I would like the developer to clarify, because I don't buy games that require a permanent on-line connection to play as a matter of principle. I didn't buy Silent Hunter 5 for this very reason, nor the latest Settlers game.
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AFAIK from a few google searches the server it checks is your own computer?
 
Nats said:
That wasn't what I was asking. The developer sems to be saying that the game software itself constantly checks with their own server whilst running, even when in single player games and that this is nothing to do with Steam. Ie if Steam is offline the game will still require an internet connection to work. This sounds like permanent DRM to me. Ie if I shut off my internet will I still be able to play the game? Sounds like the answer is no at the moment, I certainly hope I am mistaken though.

I don't mind Steam requiring a temporary connection to update the game etc. As I said before I would like the developer to clarify, because I don't buy games that require a permanent on-line connection to play as a matter of principle. I didn't buy Silent Hunter 5 for this very reason, nor the latest Settlers game.
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Oh dear... I've been following this game and it's development for months and pre-ordered it and everything, but this question and the lack of anyone answering it in a manner you understand is the thing that finally prompts me to register on the forum.


Trust me when I say the game isn't connecting to the Internet, this is really very simple PC stuff. It's using loopback, IE communicating with ITSELF, nothing leaves your machine during loopback, or enters it either. Rather it's using network protocols for communications with ITSELF. Some stupid firewalls which should know better frankly scare people by alerting them to this communication.

The game has no DRM other than steamworks. I've tried to explain this as clearly and simply as possible, I could break down some of the various uses of loopback, and benefits from a programming perspective, but what I guess matters to you I've answered.

Rest assured this is pretty common, safe, secure and going on within your machine alone.
 
Nats said:
That wasn't what I was asking. The developer sems to be saying that the game software itself constantly checks with their own server whilst running, even when in single player games and that this is nothing to do with Steam. Ie if Steam is offline the game will still require an internet connection to work. This sounds like permanent DRM to me. Ie if I shut off my internet will I still be able to play the game? Sounds like the answer is no at the moment, I certainly hope I am mistaken though.

I don't mind Steam requiring a temporary connection to update the game etc. As I said before I would like the developer to clarify, because I don't buy games that require a permanent on-line connection to play as a matter of principle. I didn't buy Silent Hunter 5 for this very reason, nor the latest Settlers game.
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Loopback is local - ie your own computer.

Hence why I can disable my network card and still play the game in offline mode on Steam.
 
Thank you for your responses. I tried the demo today myself with internet disconnected and it worked ok, so I guess that is that. I am very glad there is no DRM other than Steam.
 
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