Discussion: Upgrade to the NCsoft Launcher now!

To anyone having trouble installing, try re-installing .NET. Bothersome, but it worked for me.

Seems to have worked fine for me, though I've only updated test and beta, haven't actually tried to access either. Certainly a lot less buggy (so far) than it was back when I played Aion. Ugh. That's all I'll say about that.

Still have some concerns that I didn't see addressed in the OP, though I may have missed them:

How will any potential new or returning players, or current players that don't routinely access the forums, be affected? Will the old updater redirect them, or autoinstall, the new launcher?

I'm sorry you guys are having problems but the launcher worked straight out of the gate for me. I'm getting download speeds for updates that I haven't seen since I first joined the game. I'm so happy.

The launcher needs work. But so far it seems to run well on my end. I click it off once the game launches.

I've had the launcher for awhile now soooo I just clicked that upgrade link and everything I guess upgraded...logged into the test (dont ask me why I went in this order lol) everything looks fine then went to the beta and ohh oh no cursor, hmmm sooo logged into the live game and same no cursor.

Luckily I have a touch screen and was able to get to the options and I turned on the mouse compatibilty (enabled). Logged out (clicked off the launcher too) and then launched game and the cursor is there albeit that scraggely looking one but I dont care I'm in the game and can mouse click on stuff lol. Was just wondering if anyone else had the prob (rembered this 'cause there was a prob before with this).

The truth of the matter is a greater % of people are not having any problems whatsoever. In our household there are 3 computers which we play CoH on and of the three only one had any problems with the launcher. As it turned out it was an easy fix but it took us about 2 hours to find out what the problem was. Compared to some of you that is a short amount of time I realize this. (2 Windows Vista, 1 Windows XP)

The devs are not TRYING to break your game. They're just as concerned that some of you can't play as you are not being able to play the game. There are certain contingencies that nobody can predict no matter how well the planning is. For some of us the problem was on OUR end. Didn't have anything to do with the Launcher.

If you're having trouble with the Launcher then I'd recommend you follow These Steps (NCsoft Technical Center) in regards to the NCsoft Launcher.

If you're still having issues after you've followed all the steps listed then you've exhausted every resource on your end and it's up to the Devs to fix the problem (If they can). One way or another you'll be able to play again. It is a hassle and none of us should have to go through it but things change. Things break and things are fixed again. This is nothing new as far as the online gaming community goes. Even some of the best of things has it's ups and downs when it's initially started.

I uninstalled everything, game client included. Re-installed game client, re-installed launcher.

Click on launcher, get

"Unable to contact Launcher Update Server


There is either a problem with your internet connection, or the update server is currently down. You may retry or skip the update."

Retrying get the same response.

So I skip it. Launcher window comes up, City of Heroes is green-lit. Select it, click on the play button, get the following:


City of Heroes encountered an error last time it tried to perform an operation

Could find authentication data online or locally
The patching server might be down.
We are sorry for the inconvenience, please try again later!


Cannot get it to work under any of the above mentioned methods, the repair option says City of Hereos currently unable to repair itself. You may be able to repair later by clicking on the game and selecting repair.

Repair has repeatedly given me the same error.

Checked my LAN options, made sure it was set to auto-detect. Checked firewall settings, NC is allowed access. Not sure what to do now.

Help!

No problems loading the launcher and running it on my end. Everything went seamlessly.

With that said, I am sad to hear that some players are experiencing issues with getting the new launcher to work right and thus screwing up your game time. I truly understand that level of frustration.

From what I have read thusfar, there are some issues that need to be taken note of and dealt with by NCSoft in regards to some of the problems we have seen here. While also playing devil's advocate, I am utterly dismayed at some of the vitriol and ignorant statements spewed upon these forums by players as well. As such here are some solutions that should be reviewed on ALL of our parts:

For NCSoft:

• NCSoft should already have a 1-800 number available for technical issues (such as this NCSoft Laucher problem) in the US and the equivalent in Europe; currently it doesn't. This 1-800 number should also be a 24-hour access line with the ability to cross-utilize tech help between the US and European sites should call volume dramatically increase. This is a CRITICAL issue that NCSoft needs to resolve immediately. Customers should not be online with support for long periods of time (did someone mention 45 minutes?) and being charged long-distance for said call while waiting in a queue. That is unacceptable in today's tech support world.
• NCSoft should have provided an earlier email to all CoH customers regarding the Launcher change stating what was about to occur weeks if not days in advance, vice from the Paragon Studio's Community Relations Team's forum info, which a high majority of CoH players do NOT check routinely or at all. The email should have included:
  • Dates/times of potential Launcher change
  • Systems that are supported and NOT supported (not having Mac supported for this at this time was not a good call either)
  • Details on what interfaces it uses (.NET, IE, etc)
  • Step-by-step procedure and links for the customer to use to conduct the change based on OS/platform
  • A detailed path a customer can follow if there is a technical issue with getting the launcher to work, to include:
    • Alternate procedures and links on HOW to do the change
    • Details on filing a support ticket
    • Details on calling in your issues (SHOULD already be a 1-800 number for that, but, here we are...)
    • A warning about potential time delays in fixing these technical issues due to work hours and time zones.
• Should have tested this Launcher out across more operating systems and platforms before dumping this on customers. Suggestion: review and fix the QA system for situations like this.
• Should have made mention if the game needed to be patched with the "old" CoH Launcher first, and THEN download and activate the new Launcher; some folks I've chatted with vapor-locked on this issue alone.

• Even though NCSoft may not have implemented this Launcher well, some folks posting on the forums regarding this need to STOP with the mindless drivel about the 'new' EULA clicking on the load screen. What is the big deal? You've been doing this same action since the day you started playing the game! Be a part of the solution; not the problem. Provide a better solution in suport tickets or via the forums. The mindless complaining about clicking on the new EULA "I accept" button on the load screen vs the CoH Loaders's EULA window that we've had since game's launch is insipid, folks. STOP. It's the same thing you've done EVERY time you've logged into the game, just now on a load screen vs the EULA window. The level of trite in complaining about this is sickening and embarrasing. Don't like this new EULA 'I agree' locational change? See the next bulleted item below.
• Calmly express your problem and maturely deal with the problem. Catch more flies with honey vs vinegar...? Listen to what others are saying that have solutions. There are long time vets and professionals (as well as red names) that are providing solutions here in the forums. There are forum feedback threads. It is not the end of the world and as much as we expect our equivelant $15/month to go towards a better product, these guys are not omnipotent, and they are far from abandoning you and the player base. Problems and bugs will arise. They always do. If you act like a ill-tempered 2-year old everytime this game throws you a curve ball, you are destined for failure in whatever you do in real life. Break the cycle. If you are upset, send NCSoft/CoH Community Reps a non-emote filled, detailed list of your issues and what you think they need to do to resolve this. True, you can vote with your wallet, but if you have a diminished level of attachment to this game that upsets you enough to quit, then maybe you should, otherwise help the game that has provided you with months/years of the fun and excitement you've enjoyed by being mature enough to deal with the problems presented, just as our community reps and programmers are trying very hard to do.
• Patience. In our current world of 'gimmee nau!!!' you need to have patience if you want it done right. The programmers, devs, community relations team, and I'm sure, NCSoft's folks, are addressing the issues the best way they can at the moment. Can it be better? Yes. At the moment, it's not. See bullet #2 above to aid in resolving this.

Installed the launcher and it's working just fine. It even updated Test and Beta pretty fast. Faster than I've seen it do before.

Now... can we make it look... less ugly?

The Art Director in me is wants to weep for it.

Hey Tex!

I appreciate the work you folks at NCSoft are doing. Hope this gets fixed up real soon (for your sakes as well as mine); I admit I'm not installing the launcher right now, but by this time next week I should be on a new computer

If you can, next time something like this happens, A) give us warning (more about the other big recent change) and B) try releasing it on the Test server (or in their forums, at least) first. Might lessen the over-wrought reactions next time. I also understand that your corporate overlords might not be giving you enough time for that kind of stuff, but if you can pass it on up from us?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDark1 cant do it? welp... critism is part of everyones job. we all get told how good or bad we're doing from one source or another. eventually the problems will be resolved, more information will flow from the devs and code writers, tempers will tamp down, and life and gaming will go on. until then... people are upset. you're going to hear about it. thats just how it works.

There's being critical to the chef, then there is taking a dump on a plate, saying "This is what you served me" and forcing it in their face all because they do something different than what your taste buds are used to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeerlessGirl Let me guess, running Linux and Wine? *smirks* No, actually .Net in 7 works really well, for most of us. Answer is the same as it was to someone else earlier in the thread and I hate to be the one to break it to you (well..not really) 1) Deal with it. or 2) Quit CoH. As it's a mandatory change.

I've had issues with how je_saist presents himself (including here) but 1) he has provided a lot of help to others so please cut him a little slack and 2) 1) shouldn't matter; please try to be polite in these kinds of threads no matter what as emotions do run high in them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid Snowflake The rednames are SASSING us now? Good to see customer satisfaction is still NCSoft's #1 priority.

While it may be questionable, it could be Tex's only possible choice that would say "We're reading this thread" and not also instantly get him fired. Again, criticism doesn't have to be rubbing someone's face in fecal matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyranny_NA Things break and things are fixed again. This is nothing new as far as the online gaming community goes. Even some of the best of things has it's ups and downs when it's initially started.

Especially since City was never made to work with the launcher - that kind of thing will always provide problems during transition.