EA shutting down NWN1 & NWN2 30th of June

[Legacy_Wallack]

               

Hi lads.

 

I think most of you already saw it but just wanted to ask a few things, here's the source: http://www.ea.com/1/service-updates

 

Some sites made a big deal about it regarding NWN but it shouldn't be a problem because there is already no master server or gamespy server.

 

So my question is, will we se any difference regarding this?

 

Thanks and regards.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Gruftlord]

               

no.

edit: i actually have no idea why EA keeps telling people they are sutting down NWN online support just now. it's been offline for a very long time, and i'm not sure it has ever been run by EA to begin with. Gamespay (edit 2: wow freudian slip. i'll leave that one in) dropped NWN when they first switched owners and started asking for more money to host servers. with NWNs convoluted history of licence issues, nobody felt it was his duty to keep paying for increasing Gamespy prices and NWN was among the first games to be dropped, along with many old and/or indie games.

 

(btw: nwncx has a plugin to let you use the community Skywing server in-game. it's actually faster than the old master server+gamespy host)

http://www.neverwint....info/nwncx.htm

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Wallack]

               

Thanks, I know the nwncx plugin, and I thought it shouldn't affect us as the gamepsy server died ages ago, but some news sites were making big noises like "NWN is going to be very affeceted because its community is still huge" so I was somehow concerned as isn't my mother language.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Gruftlord]

               

they are mostly just quoting quotes of the EA press release.

               
               

               
            

[Baaleos]

               

Discontinued support can mean many things beyond just master server support (which is already gone)

It could also mean that they will not be providing technical support assistance to people who raise tickets about those games not working on their system.

 

Eg: they could possibly just refer you to the technical support forum, or a knowledge base article.

 

In short - they are taking all the support engineers who were assigned to those legacy games, and re-assigning or laying them off.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_WhiZard]

               

So we may lose the premium modules if this occurs (with the exception of the Kingmaker pack for those who bought it or the Diamond).

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Shadooow]

               

So we may lose the premium modules if this occurs (with the exception of the Kingmaker pack for those who bought it or the Diamond).

yes this might happen

 

would like to know how far is that premium unlocker plugin that virusman started for NWNCX...

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_virusman]

               

As I said in another topic, it's unlikely that this will affect premium modules since the master server is hosted by Bioware, but it might go down someday, so it's probably a good idea to try to unlock premium modules while it's still running.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Tchos]

               

But since EA owns Bioware, it's possible that shutting down the premium module authentication server is one of many little profit-optimising operations they're doing during this general sweep.

               
               

               
            

[Baaleos]

               << Confused - I thought the master server was already gone? Did the community not come up with a Master Server replacement?

Sorry if I have it confused with something else entirely?
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Tchos]

               

The community has created replacements for the server that handled multiplayer connections/persistent worlds, and that was done some time ago.  The authentication server for the NWN premium modules (such as The Wyvern Crown of Cormyr, Pirates of the Sword Coast, Unlimited Dungeons) has not been replaced by the community, but currently allows all authentication requests to succeed, so the premium modules can be played.  The modules are encrypted, and a failure of authentication results in not being able to play them.  It is a concern that the authentication server may disappear at any time, meaning the premium modules will not be playable.

 

Three premium modules were made to be playable without a server, and those are Kingmaker, Shadowguard, and Witch's Wake.  Those will not be affected by any server change.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_NWN_baba yaga]

               

wow...what a surprise... once again they close down NWN... how many times thy want to close us down eh? heh...i tell you wut, i sit here with my big cigar in my mouth smoking rings out like gandalf and think about my next project while i´m already in the game again already so WUT cha want EA heh?

 

Ya cant come in here and delete ma nwn folder... to big for ya to deal wit '>

               
               

               
            

[Baaleos]

               I can get them using a 'Online experience' may change clause to get out of having to support online play.
But if you have paid for the game, they shouldn't legally be able to do anything directly that prevents you from playing the game.
The game is not an MMO, and shouldn't be able to be turned off remotely by bioware.

I say shouldnt, because morally it really shouldnt.
In reality, they probably do have some legal loophole that lets them get away with it.

Its kinda like selling a few million copies of a game, letting people play it for a year or two, and then pushing a button that turns those game cd's into paper weights...
Oh wait....
thats exactly what they are doing?

I think they should release some sort of work around that lets the premium modules be played.
If they went through the trouble to sell the games in the first place, they should at least release a quick patch.
Eg: some sort of emulator that can run on our machines that will bypass authentication server?
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Tchos]

               

If they went through the trouble to sell the games in the first place, they should at least release a quick patch.

Eg: some sort of emulator that can run on our machines that will bypass authentication server?

 

That's what Shadooow was saying that Virusman might be able to make, I believe.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_WhiZard]

               

As I said in another topic, it's unlikely that this will affect premium modules since the master server is hosted by Bioware, but it might go down someday, so it's probably a good idea to try to unlock premium modules while it's still running.

 

 

The reason given for discontinuation of service does not indicate anything to do with Gamespy.

 

"But as games get replaced with newer titles, the number of players still enjoying the older games dwindles to a level -- typically fewer than 1% of all peak online players across all EA titles -- where it’s no longer feasible to continue the behind-the-scenes work involved with keeping these games up and running.  We’re constantly working to keep our games and services available for as long as possible."

 

The date seems too coincidental to be thought of as not linked to Gamespy.

 

My conclusion when reading this is that the service no longer being provided will include the shutting down of servers that assist in Gamespy connections.  This may mean that our Master Server might be accidentally included in this effort.

 

If you have a source telling you that the Master Server will not be shut down by June 30th make sure that the source has contacted the higher ups in EA.  I can just see an accidental loss of premium module support followed by a cover up of dead silence.