Dial up users get ------

Malick

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jan 2006

ANX

E/Me

I was looking forward to this event as im sure many people were. I spent hours downloading all the content. I play through the little tutorials which i don't need since i have GW and have been playing it for a WHILE only to find that this weekend is only for cable/dsl people. dial up takes FAR to long to get into PVP matches. By the time i download all the crap for the match i end up back in zaishen empire. Thanks for getting my hopes up and wasting hours of my time and leaving me unable to enjoy the preview.

MSecorsky

MSecorsky

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

So Cal

The Sinister Vanguard

Me/

I'm sorry, but in today's day and age you're not going to find designers and games focused on the dial-up crowd anymore. Game technology is getting too far beyond that too fast. You will seriously need to consider upgrading.

Count Feanor

Count Feanor

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2005

Hellsing Organization or... RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!

The Royal Priesthood

N/W

I agree. To enjoy any online game to the fullest, you need speed. Unfortunately, I don't think Anet can do anything about that for you.

Sereng Amaranth

Sereng Amaranth

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

The Amazon Basin [AB]

yes, once you load the levels it goes the same as all the other maps

Rakeris

Rakeris

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

Illinois

Feners Reve

Yeah, I have them same problem, kind of anoying as in same cases it takes hours just to download the area =\

I was wondering, do you always have to download the places to go to normally? Like if I bought the game, would I have to download every area I go to? Or are they installed with the game?

duverga

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rakeris
I was wondering, do you always have to download the places to go to normally? Like if I bought the game, would I have to download every area I go to? Or are they installed with the game?
They are installed with the game, but there have been many updates since then. Maybe chapter 2 will include newer versions of the core files to ease downloading for new players.

Malick

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jan 2006

ANX

E/Me

i went through all of the "areas" and all of the premade teams with henchmen. then when i tried to go with real people it never loaded... well it loaded me back to zaishen empire.
I guess my gripe could be considered "BITCHING" if it was read by a bitch. I was just sharing my concern that i am being outed from the game i have enjoyed playing for so long because i have dial up. I can't get cable/dsl because i move around alot so its not really a choice for me, i guess i can always play on the ethernet at school on my laptop :/

Rakeris

Rakeris

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

Illinois

Feners Reve

Quote:
Originally Posted by duverga
They are installed with the game, but there have been many updates since then. Maybe chapter 2 will include newer versions of the core files to ease downloading for new players.
Ok, thanks. Also there wouldn't by chance be a like a file you could download of all the areas? So one could download it at a friends house or something and then install it on your game, like a patch?

drowningfish999

drowningfish999

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Awakened Tempest [aT]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rakeris
Ok, thanks. Also there wouldn't by chance be a like a file you could download of all the areas? So one could download it at a friends house or something and then install it on your game, like a patch?
Unfortunely, no, since the updater takes the files directly off the internet and installs them into your game, there isn't a way to download them seperately.

Lord Iowerth

Lord Iowerth

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

Atlanta, GA (#guildwarsguru FTW!)

Biscuit Of Dewm [MEEP]

R/Mo

Do what I do when you know there is going to be a big patch: bring your computer to work or a friend's house and download the patch there ... otherwise: upgrade to high-speed like the rest of us.

Seriously it's getting very affordable, you can get a decent DSL connection now for 20-25$ a month.

drowningfish999

drowningfish999

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Awakened Tempest [aT]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Iowerth
Do what I do when you know there is going to be a big patch: bring your computer to work or a friend's house and download the patch there ... otherwise: upgrade to high-speed like the rest of us.

Seriously it's getting very affordable, you can get a decent DSL connection now for 20-25$ a month.
Yeah, I have SBC Yahoo DSL and get 200-300kbps for $15 a month, its a great deal, and to think I used to pay $10 a month for 3kbps...

LouAl

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

check into companies like comcast or qwest. often times they run promotions that give you $20-30/mo with now activation and no contract... I have been switching between cable and dsl now for a while (about 5 years) so that I can take advantage of all the great offers for new customers. I have always gotten the fastest speed offered and I haven't ever paid more than $30 per month (even 5 years ago)

another good resource is checking on dell's website. They often have exclusive deals that you can only sign up for through them, and you don't need to buy a new system!

Point is, look around and you can (usually) find high speed for $5-10/ mo more than dial up, especially if you don't 'need' the fastest connection.

Sereng Amaranth

Sereng Amaranth

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

The Amazon Basin [AB]

There is a Blackberry phone out now with broadband access.

/thread

PawnBoy

PawnBoy

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2005

Canada, Ontario

Team Backspace

N/R

An upgrade to highspeed is not an option for many, especially those in rural areas. Often the only other alternative to dial up is satellite, which is expensive and has high latency, making it a poor candidate for gamers. Though, in all my experience with dial up and guildwars I have yet to encounter a problem...

Rakeris

Rakeris

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

Illinois

Feners Reve

Being able to afford dsl/cable is the least of my problems, I would be willing to pay 50-100$ a month to get it, but it's jus not offered in my area. I've been trying to get it for around 6 years now, but SBC is quite slow in extending their service area...

EternalTempest

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

Once C2 comes out on CD, Dialup users will have minimal downloading to do. It's people getting C1 now or the free trial that is really being affected. At least the game still plays with dial up.

Chaos Lord

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jan 2006

Me/E

When i heared abou this event i was excited but because i have dialup and cant use my computer for a limited amount of time each day this update is really pissing me off, I dont have enought time or bandwidth to download all the files for the beta and i cant play guildwars until I have.

twicky_kid

twicky_kid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quite Vulgar [FUN]

First off make sure your computer has the minimum system requirements to run the game.

Keep in mind those are the minimum and probly not optimal to acually run the game. That's why it says game experience may change during online play. Other factors like lag, server density, and your connection play major roles. First you have to have the computer to run it.

Mandy Memory

Mandy Memory

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2005

USA

Xen of Sigils [XoO]

W/

Just keep playing...after you download the maps you dont have to download them again. My friend plays on 56k and beyond the first match in a place he is fine.

trancejeremy

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jul 2005

W/Mo

I'm also on dial-up and screwed by this. Spent an hour downloading the patch, then when I tried to play (picked a character and tried to enter the game), I have 1300 files to download. Which would take years on dial up.

And before of any of you say anything, it's all I can get in my area. Even wireless isn't available at broadband speeds. And it's never been an issue before with GW.

Why the heck didn't A-net warn players not to bother if they have dial-up?

Kamatsu

Kamatsu

Moderator

Join Date: May 2005

Australia

*raises eyebrows* I'm on dial-up and not having any problems playing. Sure, the initial d/l took forever .. umm like 1-2 hours.. not sure exactly as I turned my monitor off and went and made and had dinner and watched TV for a bit, came back ~2 hours later and I was standing around looking like a dork all by own

About the only drama's I'm having now is having to d/l files everytime I hit an PVP arena I haven't been in since the update.. then I sit and have to wait for the files to d/l. I have to say I feel sorry for the people that I get grouped with.. having 1 teammember not there due to this..

But once I have the files, it's all fiune and dandy.. So I don't see why anyone on dial-up should think they are being excluded - unless your impatient or have extremely limited time.. you'll still be able to get hours of fun with the new classes...

stokey

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2005

The Sith Caboose [Scab]

Mo/A

Since we're on the subject of dial-up, how do you guys work GW with vent or TS? I'm also on dial-up and vent doesn't work for me at all. I always get error 7 when I try using it. TS on the other hand, works for me except when people start casting spells and using skills. I try lowering the bandwidth used by it but then it goes to the point where I can barely understand what the people on TS are saying.

Desthe

Desthe

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSecorsky
I'm sorry, but in today's day and age you're not going to find designers and games focused on the dial-up crowd anymore. Game technology is getting too far beyond that too fast. You will seriously need to consider upgrading.
Not a flame, but please consider that a lot of people have no other alternative, couple that with the fact that in the official FAQ on their website, they specifically state that Dial-Up users should have no issues.

Our problem is this. They plan these events, they know it'll require a massive download, yet they refuse to stream it to us far in advance. What is the use of this "streaming technology" if they don't use it? As of right now, every big update is just like a massive patch, something that Arena.net claimed streaming would avoid in past interviews.

This problem wouldn't be so prevalent if they just ninja'd the update files as we played say... a week or so in advance. It would be much better than slamming us with a huge PATCH on the day of the event. Something like this was suggested back in the original beta by myself and others, yet it seems to have gone ignored, or there is some logistical issue with it that I don't know about.

Now, to fellow dial-up users, we should be perfectly fine once the game is released on CD for us. Normal updates are kept very small and the only time we see these huge downloads is when we're basically getting an entirely new area, new classes, new skills, new icons, new animations... you get my drift. All of this comes on the install CD we will get when it's released.

All we can do is tough it out and hope to get some playtime in. Also, don't be intimidated by 1000+ files remaining, a lot of times they drop VERY fast in number after a little bit.

Lady Lozza

Lady Lozza

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

Oz

Angel Sharks

Me/N

Dial up is a pain, but once all the map areas are loaded, then you shouldn't have a problem.

DarkerHelmet

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2006

Me/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by drowningfish999
Yeah, I have SBC Yahoo DSL and get 200-300kbps for $15 a month, its a great deal, and to think I used to pay $10 a month for 3kbps...
OMG, I'm buffed too see that. Is the US really that far behind nowadays?. 200-300kbps?. I would seriously kick the government if I were you. That speed isn't even sold as a dsl anymore, here (Holland, Europe).

I pay 19Euro/month for a 4480kbps connection and it's not even the cheapest, though it is reliable. I started with 2000kbps 2 years ago for the same price, now it's doubled :P.

I guess it's hard to connect your vast country with fiber optic wire but it's a very welcome infrastructure, even to make business :P.

DarkerHelmet

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2006

Me/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by trancejeremy
I'm also on dial-up and screwed by this. Spent an hour downloading the patch, then when I tried to play (picked a character and tried to enter the game), I have 1300 files to download. Which would take years on dial up.

And before of any of you say anything, it's all I can get in my area. Even wireless isn't available at broadband speeds. And it's never been an issue before with GW.

Why the heck didn't A-net warn players not to bother if they have dial-up?
They should have a warning like that yes, agreed. I'm sorry for you guys, but all of you in remote areas, atleast that's what I experiented in Canada, do have satelite connections right?. Isn't there a way to connect to the internet with that or am I talking crap now, or perhaps it's very expansive?.

Kamatsu

Kamatsu

Moderator

Join Date: May 2005

Australia

Satallite can be bloody expensive..

Just to compare.. and these prices I'm quoting might not be the most expensive, but they are around what you'd get over here..

Dial-up - $10/month unlimited d/l & u/l - 56K max connection.
512/128K ADSL - $39/month with 12 GB data limit (befor ebeing slowed down)
1500/256K ADSL - $59/month with 15 GB data limit.

1 way satillite (d/l via satillite, upload via modem) (and note, these cost's do *NOT* cover the dial-up connection.. this is just for the satillite connection. At least for the provider I'm quoting)
256K with 200 MB data - $50/month
512K with 500 MB Data - $60/month
512K with 2 GB Data - $80/month

2 way satillite (upload and download via satillite)
256/64K with 500 MB data - $105/month
512/128K with 500 MB Data - $125/month
512/128K with 2 GB Data - $250/month
800/128K with 4 GB Data - $500/month

So yeah, at least over here if you go by those prices.. there's no bloody way going full satillite is even to be considered.. unless you can fork out $500 a month on a connection slower than the fastest ADSL available over here..

Plague

Plague

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

N/E

I'm on 21.6k. I downloaded all the maps ahead of time by warping into them with henches, so no one could complain. I did this three or so times since GW retardedlly insists on downloading even MORE information after you supposedly finish downloading the map the first time.

R. Mindwalker

R. Mindwalker

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mo/Me

Like DarkerHelmet sas, move to holland, The Netherlands. I pay only 25 euro's (thats around 30 dollars) for a 8 mb connection that doesnt fail. And they upgrade it like every year for free because of testingtrails of new kinds of DSL.
Now im at DSL 2 with 16 mb xD all for free.

BTW whats datalimit xD

War Hound

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jan 2006

minnesota

none

R/Mo

i have a satellite connection and GW works great for me and is not as expensive as cable or dsl cost 34.99/month have mine through midwest wireless could be an option for those who have this company near them

drowningfish999

drowningfish999

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Awakened Tempest [aT]

I pay $14.99 a month for 300k DSL from SBC Yahoo, its a great service, and you should consider getting it since its barely more expensive than dial-up.

Bane Darkhold

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jan 2006

Dedit

E/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by drowningfish999
...you should consider getting it...
Believe me, I don't think there's any dial upper left in the world (that tries to game on line) that would need to consider upgrading for more than .3 seconds before they did.

The saddest thing is that it still simply isn't available in so many areas. And yes, the U.S. is that far behind.

Cable and / or dsl is available within five miles of me, in every direction, but not here. Just out of range, no company considers it worth the money and man hours to extend service to this area.

And the bandwith restrictions, price and latency that I would have from our satillite provider actually makes dial up the better choice of the two.

In short, I'll have high(er) speed internet whan I move. Although I can certianly understand fellow D-uppers frustration and being "left out" of this event, I'm just thrilled GW supports dial up as well as it does. My party usually only has to wait a few seconds for me to materialize beside them. There are many games out there, and more coming, that don't support dial up at all.

We have to wait longer, we get left behind from time to time, and it gets frustrating. But I'm still thrilled with what GW has provided so far.