'poly policy on no-cd patches...

FlameFlash · November 21, 2003, 16:33

Just wondering, because I know SNES game ROMs and the like are frowned upon linking to sites which share them, but I'm just wondering about no-CD patches for various games.

Why I ask is that I have access to the Mac SMAC/SMAX patches which just contain the app files as opposed to all the support files and I'll happily share them (and have-which I will delete if I've done wrong) with my Mac compatriots but I'm on the prowl for some others (one in Mac realm and one in PC realm) and wanted to check prior to actually asking around.

Edit: And where should I post my request for such patches if such patches are okay to request on 'poly? (off-topic or game specific?)

MarkG · November 21, 2003, 16:54

no-cd patches are illegal on apolyton

Ming · November 21, 2003, 17:39

MarkG... if by some RARE chance a no-cd patch is approved or even supplied by the Publisher of the Game... then it's OK to post links to them... right?

Nubclear · November 21, 2003, 19:11

I would guess that would be true, unless it wasnt a general release (They determine a SINGLE PERSON is having significant problems and provide a patch).

But remember....Such things discussed in PMs are fine

vmxa1 · November 21, 2003, 19:27

There is mp need for no-cd patches, when there are virtual CD apps around.

Alex · November 21, 2003, 20:31

i think that official no-cd patches are extremely rare; i've never seen one.

PM is the way to go here, FlameFlash.

Verto · November 21, 2003, 20:39

Then you don't get +1.

MarkG · November 21, 2003, 21:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Ming
MarkG... if by some RARE chance a no-cd patch is approved or even supplied by the Publisher of the Game... then it's OK to post links to them... right?

indeed

for civ3 atari has a support page where you can ask for no-cd sollution if you have a problem with your cd-rom drive

St Leo · November 21, 2003, 21:19

Well, the later Europa Universalis 2 patches got rid of the CD check.

Case · November 22, 2003, 01:03

The good folks at Paradox did dedicate that game 'to our fans', so I guess that felt that they needed to do something to make up for the game's painful interface.

Nubclear · November 22, 2003, 01:08

Quote:

Originally posted by vmxa1
There is mp need for no-cd patches, when there are virtual CD apps around.

Doesn't that require a copy of the CD or something?

Skanky Burns · November 22, 2003, 04:25

Yes, as does installing the game...

Adagio · November 22, 2003, 07:15

Quote:

Originally posted by MarkG
no-cd patches are illegal on apolyton

And what about if the no-cd patch actually fixes bugs (Non cd related)?

e.g. The game SimCity 4: Rush Hour includes tons of bugs for lots of people after a fresh install ( = weird graphics, menu's doesn't work, etc)... the game is simply just unplayable
I applied the no-cd patch, then the game ran without problems...

I wasn't the only one with this problem, lots of other people (on some SimCity forum) had this problem, and I told them how to fix it, and all of them ended saying "Thx, it works now"

I know this patch is still illegal, but it makes the game playable

Skanky Burns · November 22, 2003, 08:57

As long as you don't talk about it directly on Poly, no-one is upset by it.

DrSpike · November 22, 2003, 09:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Yes, as does installing the game...

/me sniggers.

I often use such patches for games I buy.........my cd drive is quite noisy.

CapTVK · November 22, 2003, 11:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Yes, as does installing the game...

Spot on!

Besides it can be a pain to juggle CD´s every time you want to play your favourite game. Even more for laptop users.

vmxa1 · November 22, 2003, 15:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Comrade Tassadar

Doesn't that require a copy of the CD or something?

Yes, my intent was for legit owners of the game. I have no interest in seeing pirated play.
The idea (to me) is to not have to bother mounting the CD that I in fact do own, not get a cracked version to play.

The reality is that products like Alcohol120 could be used for legal owners or by those of thier friends, but I would not support that use. I want to see the companies stay in business and make more games.

vmxa1 · November 22, 2003, 15:32

Nice avatar Skanky.

Alex · November 22, 2003, 16:31

Quote:

Originally posted by vmxa1
Nice avatar Skanky.

It's not his fault.

spartak · November 22, 2003, 18:18

As usual.

Nubclear · November 22, 2003, 18:30

Legit? Sigh...
More and more Americans are beginning to embrace communism

Which is good.

St Leo · November 22, 2003, 19:40

Games don't have owners. Games only have licensers and licensees.

Skanky Burns · November 22, 2003, 23:21

For me, it boils down to if you enjoy the game, you should encourage developers to make more games like it by sending them money for their efforts.

Of course, I always crack the games after purchase. My cd drive is noisy, and it annoys me having to constantly change cds.

The Slayer · November 23, 2003, 00:04

I think they must send you a patch inside the CD, for avoid the piracy. The patch could be installed with a sort of code or like that. Not only for avoid the terrible noise from the Cd drive, but also to prevent your cd becames "bad" and you have to purchase another one to replace it.

aneeshm · November 23, 2003, 03:49

Or maybe that the patch requires the CD for every 10 uses , just to check that you have it ?

MarkG · November 23, 2003, 04:09

Quote:

Originally posted by ADG
And what about if the no-cd patch actually fixes bugs (Non cd related)?

we may post a file if it's approved by the publisher

for example, we're hosting the ctp "1.21 hack" which fixes some bugs after aprroval by activision

Nubclear · November 23, 2003, 05:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
For me, it boils down to if you enjoy the game, you should encourage developers to make more games like it by sending them money for their efforts.

And if you dont, promptly...well, I won't say

Asmodean · November 23, 2003, 07:01

This thread can be boiled down to: If the publisher says it's okay, then it's okay. If not...face a ban if you link to a no-cd crack/patch/file, whatever

Asmodean

Adagio · November 23, 2003, 07:05

You mean I'm not allowed to post a link to:

http://www.site-with-tons-of-illegal...dont-allow.com

MrWhereItsAt · November 23, 2003, 08:56

On CFC there is a "patch" for Civ2 that turns any version of Civ2 into v1.31 (IIRC) of the Multiplayer Gold Edition. This patch is unofficial, as far as I know, but at the same time it is not a no-CD patch, as you need to have one of the Civ2, Scenario or FW CDs in the drive for it to work.

What would Poly policy be relating to this? I assume it is considered illegal like no-CD hacks as it is not here, but just wanted to voice my question and find out for sure.