Larian Studios Forums Divine Divinity (English) Technical Problems any word on a new patch?

There were some murmurs about this on the previous site. Any news?

thanks

wintermute

it's still in testing at CDV AFAIK

Let's hope it's ready soon, I'm waiting for it before I start up a new game <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

yeah.. since early feburary... <grumble> what can you do though?

beg?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />

I see the game is being released for the Mac and MorphOS. Perhaps this is why the patch for the (PC) is taking so long? Seem's to me and this is just my opinion, you would want to make sure the game works (properly) on the 1st system it was released for before trying it on other systems!

probably. maybe they can also add some more quests <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

Hi Sheba,

I understand you, but the patch is not delayed because of the Mac version.
The patch is currently being tested in the CDV testdepartment and for now we can't do anything more. We really hope to release the patch asap, but it needs a thorough test before releasing it.

an estimate on time??

You'd think with all the press about DD now released in Country X, DD now released in Country Y, that there would be more emphasis on this...

(sorry for the gripe, just sat through another Local cable company commercial... They have all sorts of great deals for any NEW customers... While I still wait for someone to come out and take a look at my cable modem signal strength(intermittently losing my cable modem)... Makes me think they have 2-3 times the ppl in marketing than the do for support/technical stuff.)

I can understand the need for testing, but you have to admit 2 months of testing is quite along time? For those that purchased the game and can't play at all, or even return the game while waiting for a patch...its been a very long wait! But thanks for answering even if its not the answer we wanted to hear <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I really hope to bring you some better news soon.
If I was a tester, I would play day and night for you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Unfortunately we don't have testers in-house (in Larian Studios). CDV is in charge of testing the patch, and we have to wait for them.

What has CDV got that the gung-ho geeks on this forum don't? I bet there are several folks that have had experience testing beta patches for game companies (me, for example) that would be happy to test the patch privately. I bet we could do it faster, too. A lot of game companies I have seen utilize their gamers as beta-testers, so it is not an unusual practice.

just my 2 cents.

Lynn, we realize that CDV is testing the patch, but that has been happening for quite a long time. They obviously can't be doing that in a vacuum, and must be sharing defect lists, etc. with you guys at Larian (or how else would any problems be addressed). So, why can't you give us an update on the status. I know its problematical to give out hard dates to people, but as was stated by others on the old forum, an occasional status would be appreciated by your customers. I remember an update from Lar near the end of December saying he hoped the patch would be out shortly (like in a couple of weeks or something). So I went away and played some other games in the meantime. Threee months later, still no patch and Larian is shovelling off the responsibility to CDV (a pretty scary thought in itself).

I'm not trying to flame you or Larian, and I really love the game, but a lot of your customers are really looking forward to a patch and I think you guys could be a little more forthcoming with information. The "We have to wait for CDV" smacks of towing the corporate line. Hope it has not come to that for you guys. Btw, for all the "defenders" that will say wait till it's done, I agree, no sense releasing a patch unless it works right. All I want is a realistic status of this issue, not a "it's not in our hands anymore".

Astral,
[still waiting after many months for that all elusive new patch] <sigh>

And let me add...I can guarentee we are motivated!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Agreed.

I have beta tested games and add-ons and patches. Gamer testing can be a valuable tool. Especially in light of CDV's extremely slow response to this patch.

However, I wonder if it's possible that there may be contractual obligations between Larian Studios and CDV that requires any patches and/or add-ons, to go through CDV before Larian Studios can release it to the public? I certainly hope not, but it is a possiblity. Perhaps Lynn or someone else in the know could shed some light on this?

<All I want is a realistic status of this issue, not a "it's not in our hands anymore".>

I didn't mean it like this, AstralVoyager. All I wanted to say is, that the patch was delivered to CDV, and as long as CDV don't put the light on green to release the patch, we can't release anything. That's just the "procedure".
I myself can't give you any more info on the patch, because I don't communicate with CDV regarding this. Not because I don't care, on the contrary. I'll check with Lar if he can give you more info.

I think you guys should go over to CDV HQ personally, and slap those guys with large blunt objects. Especially the testers.

Or take their leader hostage. Then demand the patch to hurry up. They get one week. After that, send back the leader... piece by piece... one piece a day... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Lynn, appreciate your help with this <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Heyo. I pulled this out of the german section of the forum and translated as best I could (with help). This is the only direct response from CDV about the patch that I have seen. This was originally posted last week.

Marlene's info from CDV
>>>also, es gibt bei cdv anscheinend noch jemand, der mails liest und auch beantwortet.<<<

So, there is still someone who reads and replies to emails at CDV.


>>hier die mail die ich soeben ergalten habe:<<

Here is the mail I just received:

>>Sehr geehrte Frau xxx,<<

Dear mrs. xxx,

>>>ich kann Ihren Ärger über die lange Wartezeit auf den
angekündigten Patch durchaus verstehen, würde mir
wahrscheinlich ähnlich gehen.<<<

I can thoroughly understand your frustration at the long wait on the announced patch, I probably would feel the same way.

>>>Warum Ihnen, und allen anderen Fans von „Divine
Divinity“, der Patch immer noch nicht zur Verfügung
steht, hat aber folgende Gründe:<<<

Why you, and all of the other "Divine Divinity" fans are still awaiting the patch are for the following reasons:

>>>Da der Patch alle bekannten, noch nicht behobenen
Fehler ausbügeln und nach Möglichkeit KEINE neuen
Fehler erzeugen soll, und die zu behebenden Fehler
sowohl technischer wie auch inhaltlicher Natur sind,
muss „Divine Divinity“ mit allen Quests, Klassen und
Fertigkeitsvariationen durchgespielt, verifiziert und
getestet werden. Und dies erfordert nun mal seine
Zeit, da „Divine Divinity“ durch seine komplexe und
nicht-lineare Spielstruktur nicht in wenigen Stunden
auf Herz und Nieren geprüft werden kann.<<<

Everyone said that the patch has not yet ironed out all reported mistakes (bugs?), and should introduce NO new mistakes if possible, and to remove the mistakes, both technical and substantive (gameplay) in nature, Divine Divinity must be played all the way through with all of the possible variations of quests, classes, and stats, skills etc., to become thoroughly tested and verified. And the complex and non-linear game structure means that "Divine Divinity" cannot be tested in a few hours.

>>>Ich kann Ihnen hiermit versichern, der Patch ist in
Arbeit und wird Ihnen in wenigen Wochen zur
Verfügung stehen. Ich möchte mich für Ihre Geduld
und Ihr Entgegenkommen bedanken und würde mich
freuen, wenn Sie und andere Fans weiterhin mit
Engagement und Einsatz uns auf die Sorgen und Nöte
der „Divine Divinity“-Community aufmerksam machen.<<<

I can tell you this, the patch is still being worked on, and we will announce it's release to you in a few weeks. I would like to thank you for your patience and your kindness, and would be happy if you would bring to our attention any other worries and needs of the "Divine Divinity" community.

>>>Mit freundlichem Gruß
Ihr CDV Team <<<

Sincerely,
your CDV team