PLEASE READ: New NCsoft Launcher for PC + FAQ
By
Aura_Familia,
Posted on: 2011-02-24 16:01 in The Global Training Room Test Server
Been wondering (And I'll set this up and test it a little later, and maybe find out then, but...):
Will this launcher allow us to change in-game settings (such as graphics/resolution settings) without loading into the game?
@Zethustra
"Now at midnight all the agents and the superhuman crew come out
and round up everyone that knows more than they do"-Dylan
and round up everyone that knows more than they do"-Dylan
Will it allow us to run 2 or more clients on our computer like we can already do if we have more than one account?
@SCyberTaz / Champion & Exalted: Home of my anthology characters.
Virtue: Where my anthology characters get all freakynaughty...
http://www.facebook.com/SCyberTaz (I'd kiss your rear, butt I don't have time to cover the acreage!)
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yes, theres a checkbox in the options for if you want it to allow multiple instances of the game
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Originally Posted by CyberTaz
Will it allow us to run 2 or more clients on our computer like we can already do if we have more than one account?
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i did not see any options for this
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Originally Posted by Electric-Knight
Will this launcher allow us to change in-game settings (such as graphics/resolution settings) without loading into the game?
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Will it allow us to command line switches? I like to use the /maxinactivefps command when running more than one client.
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Originally Posted by Necrotech_Master
yes, theres a checkbox in the options for if you want it to allow multiple instances of the game
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Octavian Vanguard
@ohmsEU and @ohms 2
Badging character: Bimble on the Union server, Badgehunter.com and City Info Tracker.
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Yes.|
Originally Posted by OV_ohms
Will it allow us to command line switches? I like to use the /maxinactivefps command when running more than one client.
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Not to be snarky, but questions like this and "can it run 2 instances?" and "does it have to stay resident while the client is running?" and "does it give access to in-game video settings" can all be answered by actually running the NCSoft Launcher and looking through all its settings. It only takes a minute.
Go ahead, give it a test run. Look under the hood, too.
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Any info on whether or not the Mac launcher/client will get ANY sort of treatment? Mac users feel abandoned. No posts in our forum and no response from devs.
Clarification: WE CRASH CONSTANTLY. The client has a memory leak and some red-name response about that would be great. It's been this way since the client launched and not ONE developer has made a comment on it. If you guys can't fix it, we'd at least like to know you're aware and that you'll admit to not being able to fix it.
I crash 4-9 times daily. The memory allocation to the transgaming wrapper is terrible. Please let us know you know this and either A) have a fix in the works or B) cannot contact Transgaming to fix it.
My guides:Dark Melee/Dark Armor/Soul Mastery, Illusion Control/Kinetics/Primal Forces Mastery, Electric Armor
"Dark Armor is a complete waste as a tanking set."
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This kind of leads into the question I want to see answered but isn't addressed.|
Question 7: Im on a Mac. Does the NCsoft Launcher work for that? Answer 7: There will be a Mac OS version of the updated NCsoft Launcher, but this round of testing is focused on the PC version only. Until the Mac testing begins, Mac test customers do not need to make any changes to their login process or game client. |
In the past the NCSoft Launcher has traditionally leveraged Microsoft .NET, which is only fully available on Microsoft Windows platforms.
Currently, and for both the foreseeable and unseeable futures, .NET is only available on Unix-type platforms, such as BSD-Darwin and Linux, through Attachmate Mono: http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page
The implication that there will be a BSD-Darwin (OSX for those who don't know what BSD-Darwin is) Client indicates the possibility of an NCSoft launcher that either leverages Mono, or dumps .NET in a wastebin (where it belongs, but that's just my opinion now isn't it) and leverages a native multi-platform tool-kit or tool-kit combination, such as QT/Webkit to provide the program framework and user interface.
One of the reasons why this is directly important to me is that running .NET applications in a *nix environment tends to be a rather large pain in the rear-end, largely a result of Mono support lagging behind the Microsoft .NET point releases, and the (debatable lack of) quality of .NET itself. The subject becomes critical in the case of games that are run with emulation or code conversion techniques, such as through W.I.N.E. or Transgaming Cedega / Cider.
So far NCSoft / Paragon Studios haven't clarified if the relationship with Transgaming to provide support for *nix platforms is still ongoing. If Transgaming is continuing to help provide development resources for managing the City of Heroes executable through Cedega / Cider tech, then the requirement of the NCSoft Launcher may not be quite a critical issue for gamers who do use a Linux Platform to play City Of Heroes, at least not with the Cedega tech going free of cost through GameTreeLinux.
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Is it possible then to get a clarification on what technology is being used to back the "new" NCSoft Launcher then?
Is it possible to get a clarification on NCSoft's / Paragon Studios relationship with Transgaming?
Only question I have: will our City of accounts now be as vulnerable to hacking/theft as Aion accounts? Or is the new launcher not connected to the log-in server in any way, shape, or form?
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Was anything other than this necessary?|
Question 5: Is migrating to the NCsoft Launcher mandatory? Answer 5: Yes. In order to implement new game and account services, the NCsoft Launcher will soon be the only way to load the City of Heroes game client. After this migration is completed, the City of Heroes game updater can no longer be used to launch City of Heroes. |
If we're going to get this rammed into us whether we want it or not, don't waste time on the whole "Oh, this is for your own good" BS.
Simply say, "We're changing the way we are willing to do business with you. If you wish to continue to do business with us, you will comply with our new model."
If you really feel the need for further commentary, go for irony: All hail Emporer Cole!
Statesmonkey Sez: Lighten up! It's a game, for Lincoln's sake!
Also: Six years of casual play begins to look an awful lot like one year of hardcore play.
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I'd like this to be clarified too. I'm not about to use this launcher if I hear of hackings in the same amount as AION.
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Originally Posted by Paragon
Only question I have: will our City of accounts now be as vulnerable to hacking/theft as Aion accounts? Or is the new launcher not connected to the log-in server in any way, shape, or form?
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My guides:Dark Melee/Dark Armor/Soul Mastery, Illusion Control/Kinetics/Primal Forces Mastery, Electric Armor
"Dark Armor is a complete waste as a tanking set."
I followed the instructions and everything seems to be working fine.
I haven't found anything I don't like yet, and every time I thought I'd found something I didn't like I found a setting or an option that let me make it the way I'd prefer.
I really like the fact that the strike target is displayed. I wish it were always displayed, rather than one of several cycling notices, but it's a lot better than having to go to the forums to find out that information.
I use the test and beta servers, so it's nice to have only one place to go to start these up.
I also really, really appreciate the fact that the default browser is now used to display web pages, instead of forcing me to use Internet Explorer.
I also like that we have the option to tell the launcher what to do once it's started the game. I think, however, that the default action should be to exit. I can't think of any reason why I'd want the launcher to remain in memory (it's 34MB and doesn't do anything for you once you've started the game).
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There's a way to add command line arguments for the executable through a drop down menu on the entry for each game. I added /maxinactivefps to the command line and I got into the game without problems, but I'm not sure how to check whether it's actually in effect.|
Originally Posted by OV_ohms
Will it allow us to command line switches? I like to use the /maxinactivefps command when running more than one client.
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There's also a checkbox to launch in safe mode in the same dialog.
I really wish I hadn't bought a new time card now.
The NC Soft launcher does not behave satisfactorily with my computer. My computer is old and it will be some time before I can afford to upgrade to a new one. I am not saying "BOO! THIS CHANGE MAKES ME SO ANGRY I MUST PUBLICLY AND LOUDLY ANNOUNCE MY INTENT TO RAGEQUIT!" I am saying that this change will likely force me to stop playing the game because my computer does not run the launcher well.
I do not expect them to build new software around hardware that is about 8 years old. It's just not good business.
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Looking at how the game is set up, and that you don't actually log in via the launcher, I honestly cant see why they would hook the launcher up to the log-in server|
Originally Posted by Paragon
Only question I have: will our City of accounts now be as vulnerable to hacking/theft as Aion accounts? Or is the new launcher not connected to the log-in server in any way, shape, or form?
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As i have an Aion and Lineage 2 account as well, I have never suffered any hacking on my accounts.
{flamegearenabled}
Typically, those who *do* lose their accounts, either have a keylogger on their account, click stupid links in "real" Aion emails or visit generally "dubious" websites.
{/flamegearenabled}
But i have *never* heard of the NCsoft Launcher being a potential vulnerability for someone to steal login credentials, unless your PC was *already* compromised
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I suspect I'm too much of an addict to stop playing forever due to the NCSoft Launcher, but I sure am glad I'm paying month per month. |
Question 5: Is migrating to the NCsoft Launcher mandatory? Answer 5: Yes. |
Also, this is worth quoting over and over everytime some PR ******** about "listening to the playerbase" comes up.
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Did you have any feedback that comes from actually using the NCSoft Launcher that could help alleviate your concerns about it, or, do you an unfounded a priori hatred of the NCSoft Launcher based on hearsay?|
Originally Posted by Nihilii
I suspect I'm too much of an addict to stop playing forever due to the NCSoft Launcher, but I sure am glad I'm paying month per month.
Also, this is worth quoting over and over everytime some PR ******** about "listening to the playerbase" comes up. |
Because this feedback you just left is simply useless.
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Nihilii has a belief that the Devs should understand try to understand what experience led to that belief.
Has he provided enough information? Probably not, but is his feedback useless? Hardly.
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Then can you put into words an action plan the Devs should follow that naturally follows from the content of his post?
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Originally Posted by Jetpack
Nihilii has a belief that the Devs should understand try to understand what experience led to that belief.
Has he provided enough information? Probably not, but is his feedback useless? Hardly. |
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I suspect several players remember the atrocious version of the NCSoft launcher that was in use back when Tabula Rasa launched, and that most of the vile and bitter hatred directed at the launcher stem from past versions.|
Originally Posted by Zombie Man
Did you have any feedback that comes from actually using the NCSoft Launcher that could help alleviate your concerns about it, or, do you an unfounded a priori hatred of the NCSoft Launcher based on hearsay?
Because this feedback you just left is simply useless. |
My own "hatred" of the launcher is largely caused by the underlying technologies used to power previous versions launcher. A common saying in the programming circles I travel in runs something to the effect of this: "If you want something done quickly, use Microsoft. If you want something done right, don't use Microsoft"
Setting aside Linux / BSD compatibility for a moment, Microsoft has constantly proven to be an untrustworthy company. They have been caught, and in many cases convicted, of implementing secret backdoors, deliberately sabotaging code, and of collecting information without the users permission. In terms of security Microsoft is only able to remain competitive with other products by refusing to release information on bugs and obfuscating reports that do make it out.
Case in point is Internet Explorer. Microsoft loves to trumpet when Internet Explorer has less bug reports than Mozilla Firefox. Slight problem, Mozilla has an open Bugzilla located at: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/ Microsoft does not have an open bug tracking system for Internet Explorer. So Microsoft can name any number they choose to. There's no proof that any number Microsoft cites is accurate.
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Then there's the problems of deliberate API breakage. Referring back to Tabula Rasa, all during the beta period Destination Games used a set of Microsoft API's that were identical across Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP SP1. As the beta drew to a close and retail launched approached, Destination Games suddenly switched to a library update in Xp Service Pack 2, an update that was supposed to be in the canceled Windows 2000 Service Pack 5. That change killed compatibility with Windows 2000. It did not matter that Windows 2000 had the same kernel, same driver model, same DirectX version, same everything else. All it took was one tiny file in an API update that wasn't released for Windows 2000... and that was it.
Right now Windows 7 and Windows Vista are going through a similar breakpoint. Windows 7 has received Service Pack 1. The corresponding Service Pack 3 update for Vista is still Missing in Action, and Microsoft would love to kill the Vista association so much they may not actually do a Service Pack 3 or a Platform Update like they did to synch Vista SP2 with Windows 7 Launch.
API breakage is a very serious concern when using Microsoft Software. There is no guarantee that any software produced using a Microsoft API or Microsoft Tools will continue to be compatible with the Microsoft Operating Systems.
All it's going to take is for one day Microsoft to say "no more .NET updates for Windows XP"... and poof, that's it. Developers either have to keep using an older and un-patched version of the .NET framework and tools, or just junk the platform.
Third party tool kits and API's, such as OpenGL, Webkit, QT, GTK+, OpenCL, and the like, don't have these API breakage issues. As long as the third party API's and their corresponding libraries are in place, software can still be compiled and updated. In some cases new versions of an API or Toolkit deliberately go out of their way to provide fallbacks or alternative operating modes to support previous versions (OpenGL).
This 3rd party support is one of the reasons why City of Heroes can leverage DirectX 10 class hardware under Windows XP. While Microsoft won't ever update Windows Xp to DX10, City of Heroes uses the OpenGL API. As long as OpenGL 3.x support is exposed in the graphics drivers, that support can be leveraged by the game. So hardware capabilities that are not, and will not ever be, exposed under DirectX, are exposed and usable on the same exact Operating System platform.
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Then there's matter of Patents, a story that goes all the way back to 2003. Microsoft has several software patents on the .NET framework and API. Microsoft "says" that they will not use these patents to sue end users or the Mono-Project. Slight problem, Microsoft has said they wouldn't sue over patents and reverse engineered software before, then turned around and sued anyways. Those software patents are the equivalents of landmines.
Going back to deliberate API breakage... what happens when Microsoft stops releasing security updates for .NET on Windows Xp and Windows Vista and only releases those updates for Windows 7? A developer could get around those security holes by using a 3rd party implementation, such as Mono, that never had the holes to begin with. Of course then the developer is open to being sued by Microsoft for violating the patents Microsoft holds.
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Now, I could keep going on and on and on about why .NET is an API / Framework that should be avoided at all costs, not just for multi-platform development, but for just Windows development alone. I could keep slamming a sledgehammer on the point that .NET is simply a bad business choice for any developer or publisher to look to accomplish any computing task.
The only way .NET could ever be trusted is:
- if Microsoft placed the entire API / Framework under an Open-License as defined by the Free-Software Foundation: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html
- If Microsoft surrendered the patents to the Open Invention Network: http://www.openinventionnetwork.com/
Now, does the potential use of .NET in NCSoft's launcher mean that I'll stop subscribing and go play another game?
No. I'm just one subscriber, and the number of players who actually care about this stuff the way I do probably would have difficulty capping the population on a single zone.
That does not mean that I'm going to sit back and simply let an event that I see as a critical risk to NCSoft, Paragon Studios, and the Players occur without raising bloody hell.
Maybe I'll get lucky and somebody who matters at NCSoft will look at this thread, then start asking the legal and programming department to give them a full run down on just what repercussions could result from using .NET software. Maybe I'll get lucky and somebody who matters at NCSoft will find out from the programmers that using non proprietary tool kits and API's will give every game a multi-platform advantage. Maybe I'll get lucky and somebody who matters at NCSoft will realize the potential of being able to hit entire separate ecosystems of system targets with relatively one code base.
Maybe I won't.
Je Saist, your problem, as evidenced by your wall of text, goes way beyond NCSoft, and like Zombie Man just said earlier, really isn't helping.
Focused feedback is what the Devs are interested in. Use the launcher they have, see if it works the way it's supposed to, and post problems if it doesn't. If you've got some sort of philosophical problem that won't even allow you to try it, what use is your "feedback?"
Loose --> not tight.
Lose --> Did not win, misplace, cannot find, subtract.
One extra 'o' makes a big difference.
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Originally Posted by Avatea
Question 5: Is migrating to the NCsoft Launcher mandatory? Answer 5: Yes. In order to implement new game and account services, the NCsoft Launcher will soon be the only way to load the City of Heroes game client. After this migration is completed, the City of Heroes game updater can no longer be used to launch City of Heroes. |
My only previous experience w/the NCSoft Launcher was for Exteel. At that time, I wasn't entirely happy with the launcher.
So what kind of Game and Account services are gonna happen that require us to use this thing over the current launcher? I would hope this is a question that can be reasonably answered.
And no, I'm not jumping on je-saist's bandwagon here. I just flat out didn't care for the NCSoft launcher.
Thank you for the time...
@Travlr (Main) / @Tymers Realm (Test) 
I have no problem with the launcher. I just installed it, took me less than 30 seconds to find my server, load up, log-on and get on test. It is a time saving move since I have all three COH types installed.
in the settings there is a selection for the NA region and Eu region...can we now region hop?
Once I have the launcher installed and we are forced to use this to log in, can I remove the installations on my comp or do I have to keep all three installed and the launcher?
http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/n...stumes%202011/
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Right now the NCSoft Launcher can fully replace the old launcher for the Beta and Test installs. However, it still accesses the old launcher for the Live client.|
Originally Posted by Shadow Wail
Once I have the launcher installed and we are forced to use this to log in, can I remove the installations on my comp or do I have to keep all three installed and the launcher?
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Once it is configured to start the Live client, you can get rid of the old launchers. In fact, the time will come when the old launchers won't work for you anymore.
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Hi everybody,
As some of you may know, a new NCsoft launcher will soon be available and will actually become compulsory after a while in order to play City of Heroes. Using it should actually make the City of Heroes installation and patching process more manageable and you should even see an increase in the download speed, not to mention the fact that all your City of Heroes versions (North American, European, Training Room (NA), Training Room (EU), Beta) would also be more easily accessible at the click of a button and more conveniently kept up-to-date and patched.
We would like to ask that you all download and install the new NCsoft launcher and run the City of Heroes Training Room client from there to make sure we haven't missed any issue before asking the rest of the playerbase to use it.
Here are the installation instructions!
Please note we are only able to test the PC version of the NCsoft Launcher at this point.
If you have both the NCsoft Launcher and Training Room installed:
1. Run the NCsoft Launcher shortcut to get the latest update.
2. Double-click CITY OF HEROES TEST in the NCsoft Launcher’s game list to play.
If you do not have the NCsoft Launcher but have the Training Room installed:
1. Click the NCsoft Launcher link: http://us.ncsoft.com/en/launcher/ncsoft-launcher.html
2. Click Download Now.
3. Follow the instruction to install the NCsoft Launcher.
4. The NCsoft Launcher will start at the end of the installation.
5. Double-click CITY OF HEROES TEST in the NCsoft Launcher’s game list to play.
If you have the NCsoft Launcher but do not have the Training Room installed:
1. Run NCsoft Launcher shortcut to get the latest update.
2. The NCsoft Launcher will start.
3. Create a copy of the NCsoft Launcher desktop shortcut.
4. Right click on the new shortcut and open the Properties option.
5. In the Target window, add the following flag to the end of the line:
[space]/LaunchGame=CohTest
6. Run the shortcut.
7. The NCsoft Launcher will open, starting a City of Heroes Test installation.
8. Click Install.
9. If you are on Windows Vista or Windows 7, confirm the UAC prompts. (if UAC is turned on).
10. After the installation completes, double-click CITY OF HEROES TEST in the NCsoft Launcher’s games list to play.
If you have any feedback or bug report to share with us, please use the appropriate threads:
Feedback: NCsoft Launcher
Bugs: NCsoft Launcher
The NCsoft Launcher FAQ
Question 1: What is the NCsoft Launcher?
Answer 1: The NCsoft Launcher is a separate game client add-on that allows you to update City of Heroes® to the latest version and launch it, from a single windows interface. Other NCsoft games can also be updated and launched from the same interface. The NCsoft launcher does not come included with City of Heroes, and must be downloaded from the City of Heroes website.
Question 2: Where can I download the NCsoft Launcher?
Answer 2: NA and EU customers who run Windows XP/Vista/7 can download the new City of Heroes game installer, which now includes the NCsoft Launcher, at http://us.ncsoft.com/en/launcher/ncsoft-launcher.html.
Question 3: What is the new City of Heroes installer?
Answer 3: The new City of Heroes game installer now includes the NCsoft launcher. If you already have City of Heroes installed, the new installer can also be used to make necessary client-side changes so that the client will be able to fully use the features of the NCsoft Launcher.
Question 4: What new features does the NCsoft Launcher provide?
Answer 4: The NCsoft Launcher gives us more tools that we can use to enhance your gaming experience. For example, the NCsoft Launcher will allow you to download patches faster by using a content distribution network. The NCsoft Launcher also uses a newer API that will allow us to add more functionality throughout the coming months. Also, if you have multiple versions of City of Heroes installed (Live, Beta, Test), all of those versions will now be accessible through the NCsoft Launcher.
Question 5: Is migrating to the NCsoft Launcher mandatory?
Answer 5: Yes. In order to implement new game and account services, the NCsoft Launcher will soon be the only way to load the City of Heroes game client. After this migration is completed, the City of Heroes game updater can no longer be used to launch City of Heroes.
Question 6: Does the NCsoft Launcher continue to run in the background?
Answer 6: You can choose to have the NCsoft Launcher continue to run in the background, which will allow it to update your game for you. Or you can choose to have the NCsoft Launcher close upon loading the game. The very first time you close the NCsoft Launcher, it will ask if you want it to run in the background or not. You can change this behavior at any time in the NCsoft Launcher settings menu.
Question 7: I’m on a Mac. Does the NCsoft Launcher work for that?
Answer 7: There will be a Mac OS version of the updated NCsoft Launcher, but this round of testing is focused on the PC version only. Until the Mac testing begins, Mac test customers do not need to make any changes to their login process or game client.
Question 8: How do I repair my City of Heroes client if I have a problem with the install? It doesn't seem to be doing it automatically anymore.
Answer 8: You are still able to repair your game by right-clicking on the City of Heroes game in your NCsoft Launcher. This will bring up a menu with "Repair (Consistency Check)" second from the top. This will then repair your game from within the NCsoft launcher and you can be on your way again!
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