It's not listed with the other GalCiv2 stuff, but a search for Twilight of the Arnor brings up an option to buy a CD version.  

Thanks for the tip.  I think that is my best option.  I could download, patch and burn and still have enough time to request in writing that my Impulse account be closed before gamestop can add my customer info to its database.  

 

 

I searched around but didn't find a box version of the set.  But with Tridus's tip I can take advantage of the ultimate edition sale, and still have patched reinstall disks.  I'll lose access to these forums and customer support, but I gain freedom to reinstall on need... all while being gamestop free!

 

 

 

Cool then.  That saves time patching.  

    

When you try to reinstall, you'll need to run Impulse again to validate it, so you're not saving yourself from Gamestop.

 

 

 

 

 The boxed version is updated? That's what I was referring to. You got it in the mail quickly if you bought it with the above deal.  8) The digital download versions should always be up to date though.

Ahhh man.  Is net validation required for the boxed versions as well?  I was hoping that since GalCiv2 was pre-GOO that it might be net validation free.  If all Stardock games, post and present, must be Impulse validated, then I am sorry to say that I will not be purchasing anymore Stardock games :~(

 

I've installed Civ4 on three different machines now.  I don't particularly like securom.  But I very much like being able to install my purchase where ever and whenever I like... internet not required.  I still play Civ3 and am currently playing a variety of Civ4 mods.  Only the unlikely loss of the disks will prevent me from playing them at any time in the future.     

It was digital download, not the boxed version, though it shouldn't be that difficult to create a hard copy of the latest version.

I have the disc versions of all 3, and need impulse to get them up to speed. Archived versions perform the exact same in my experience. I can install dread lords without needing Impulse, but can't patch or update it. And playing Dread Lords v1.00 isn't worth the install time. In any case, welcome to the war for gamer's rights. 8)

 

It isn't at all, but it doesn't solve OP's problem.

The point of Impulse Anywhere is for offline installation of games that you own on Impulse. Stuff downloaded that way shouldn't require online validation (since it would rather defeat the point of an offline installer), but it does require an Impulse installation in order to do the install. So yes, you should be clear of Gamestop as long as you use that version.

The box version (I did find a boxed copy of the Ultimate edition at Amazon for $60) likely isn't patched up. The ultimate edition bought through Impulse would be since thats where the patches come from, and the Impulse Anywhere version is also patched. So the Impulse Anywhere plan should still work.

 

But you need an Impulse account to have the offline Impulse version. My understanding is that upon re installation, you still need to activate the game. You can just get an activation key from any other computer and transfer it over. Thus defeating the OP's intents.

 

Otherwise, worst DRM ever.

hmm, that's not how I understood it. Maybe I'll have to try it and see what happens.

Or maybe if Island Dog is reading this thread he can clarify.

 

I would bet $1000, nay, $1000000 internet dollars* that it still requires an activation. That's how I've read and understood it, and as long as my wife doesn't pop into the thread and argue against me I should be right. 8)

Perhaps on the same PC it'll save your info so it doesn't require the activation, but any new PC or reformat would definitely need it.

 

 

*equal to $10 american dollars, before shipping and handling charges**.

 

**shipping and handling charges are $15, subject to change. No Refunds.

Yeah no doubt.  For me, PC Gaming is dying indeed.  I might have to stick with what I've got.  And keep looking to SourceForge for open source games.  Those really are games made by gamers.  And distribution is very gamer friendly :~) 

Originally I was thinking of buying GalCiv2 Gold Edition, assuming that this edition was fully patched at release.  I'll have to look into this and read customer reports.  Your not the first person who has told me that Dread Lords was a great game when patched, but which sorta sucked if not.  

 

 

It seems to me that even Stardocks method fosters software piracy.  I still take a hard stand against it.  But I am much closer to it than I was a year ago.  Particularly in regards to a product I have purchased.  I would have greater ownership rights over a stolen copy than a purchased one. Thats sad.  I'd never have to validate a pirated copy of E:WOM.  So if at a future time I don't have the net (which is very possible) I can still play providing I burned a copy beforehand.   And I don't have to sign up with some questionable third party in order to get product support updates.  I begin having thoughts like "hmmm,  perhaps I should purchase GalCiv2, then acquire a pirated version in order to play it".  Bah, better to just bail on PC Gaming, and stick with what I've got :~(

 

Verification would be great!  I'd really like to buy this game.  And I most especially want to buy it directly from Stardock. But will only do so if I can be assured that the next time I reformat my harddrive or upgrade my PC, that I can reinstall the game without having to re-validate via the net.  

Well, I've tried impulse anywhere for WoM (to try to get it to work in linux - 1.11 does anyways). You need to have it validated.  I'm asuming that the same will be required for GC2.

 

There are plenty of PC games that don't shove spikes up your... well, you know. Don't give up hope, just vote with your wallet and let the dev's know why you didn't buy their game.

 

It's not dieing, but it's going through a major change. There will always be good games that are DRM free though, and many games get the DRM stripped from them as they mature (Which is when I finally purchase them.)

 

DRM is a way of preventing second hand sales, piracy is just a added bonus (for the few hours that it works.) Consoles will be getting similar DRM next gen, effectively slaughtering second hand sales and Gamestop's long term hope for survival. Acquiring Impulse is their bid of success.

 

 

 

That is MUUUSIC to my ears!   With the death of secondhandsales, one of the consoleusers greatest strengths DIES!   Consoleusers will be forced to pay through the nose for their games!   OR....they can become PC gamers and get their games 10-15euro cheaper. Their conversion will also have ALOT of other good results. They will become more intelligent, more respected and have a better life. But more importantly, Nvidia & ATI will sell more graphics cards. Intel & AMD will sell more processors and other computercomponentmakers will sell more stuff which will make those companies invest more into R&D so we get even better stuff at better prices!

 

So if only all the consoletardsusers would convert to PCgaming then the gamingworld would FLOURISH!

Lucky for me I didn't take that bet.

I went ahead and tested it this morning by downloading GC2 from my computer (which has Impulse activated) to a computer that has never had Impulse on it. I then disconnected that computer from the network and ran the install. The process is to take an activation file the installation process creates back to an online computer, upload it to Impulse Anywhere, and get a key that unlocks the game.

So unfortunately it won't meet WhiteElk's needs. It's a shame you'll miss out on this one, it's a great game for fans of the genre and well worth the sale price.