Buy CoD 4 via Aspyr download or Retail? Help!

[palebluedot]

I never thought I'd ask this but I was wondering what you guys thought of the Aspyr download service for CoD4.

I've loathed Aspyr ever since I got a Mac due to their insane love for DRM (more so then EA even!) and when I read how their digital download restricts you to THREE lifetime installs I was like no way. What happens if you format OS X more then three times? You have to rebuy the game?

That said, I'm tired of waiting for a retail version to come out with no indication its coming out.

Can someone explain to me how the downloaded version is? One thing that would make me consider buying it is if it has no "Insert CD" type DRM lock. I hate putting a CD in to play games so if the physical media version has that then I think I will have to go with the downloaded version. How does it work though (in the case of DRM/etc)? any help/comments would be appreciated!

 

[ert3]

If you can get it from a store then buy the disk my download speed is moving at a whoping 11kb/s and there is not phone support for their download service.

 

[uhongia]

Indeed, I was wondering the same thing. After reading the mixed reviews on Aspyr's downloading service from other forums, I'm leaning towards finding the game in a store. Though, I've called a handful of Apple Retail Stores in my area and no one has a physical copy of CoD4. Has anyone had luck in finding it in a store?

 

[palebluedot]

The most important question is two fold, can someone please answer it:

1) Is there a way to install it more then 2 times should you format your laptop. What happens on my third or fourth format? Do I have to rebuy the damn game or pirate it or something?

2) Does this allow you to just click the game and play without having to have a virtual or real disc in. I.E. is there no stupid 'check' thing. Does anyone know if the retail/physical media version WILL have a insert cd check?

Someone please help!!

 

[bluecheese]

I purchased and downloaded COD4 from Aspyr on Sept 25. Download speed was about 400Kb and it took about 5 hours to dl the whole thing. Size was about 6GB.

One I downloaded it, I copied it to the application folder. The whole game is in there, so I can run it straight from the HD without any further virtual disk or anything like that. I did back up the downloaded dmg file to an external so I can re-install if my system crashes. I have no idea if I can exceed the two more installs.

Awesome game, BTW.

Hope this helps.

 

[vannibombonato]

I've had my download interrupted several times. Once i've finally managed to complete download, archive was corrupted. Tried to redownload and now they're telling me that i tried download too many times (...).

Sent two mails to support, no answer yet.

Self-explanatory i would say.

Vanni

 

[palebluedot]

Is the direct download going to be more expensive then the retail? It seems cheaper on Amazon.

Does anyone know if the physical media will make you have the disc in the drive to play?

 

[ert3]

the download only costs more because of the OPTIONAL protection plan.

However I am now on my 4th download atempt and it still says I have days to go before I can unplug my computer and move it. (using a laptop)

Still no response from tech support so for now I will just have to wait for the download to maybe hurry up.

IF YOU CaN GET A DISK BUY IT, I think that having the disk in while you play is a small price to pay for those who can drive to a store that carries the game unlike pore saps like me.

 

[palebluedot]

What about the ability to only install 3 times. Does this still stand? thats the real hang up for me, I dont care about download speeds, etc.

 

[ert3]

What about the ability to only install 3 times. Does this still stand? thats the real hang up for me, I dont care about download speeds, etc.

its not the install its activating it, which I think you can probubly over ride by saving what ever configuration files it makes once the game is activated.

And on that same note if you are constanltly reformating your mac and reinstalling the OS playing a game is the least of your problems

I beleave the inhibitor is still there as they don't even let you donwload the file more than 15 times without saying you're out of luck

 

[mike12806]

its not the install its activating it, which I think you can probubly over ride by saving what ever configuration files it makes once the game is activated.

And on that same note if you are constanltly reformating your mac and reinstalling the OS playing a game is the least of your problems

I beleave the inhibitor is still there as they don't even let you donwload the file more than 15 times without saying you're out of luck

Just to clarify, what's your internet connection? I would think a company like Aspyr would have colocated servers that would have some hefty bandwidth, but I could be wrong too!

 

[mclaughj]

I've had my download interrupted several times. Once i've finally managed to complete download, archive was corrupted. Tried to redownload and now they're telling me that i tried download too many times (...).

Sent two mails to support, no answer yet.

Self-explanatory i would say.

Vanni

Same thing happened to me. I sent an email to Aspyr wondering what I should do, still no reply. Because of my eagerness to play the game on my mac, I decided to try to buy their "Extended Download Service". That gave me the ability to try to download the game once more but then I was again greeted by "Attempts Exceeded".

Aspyr: If you're going to offer this as a viable alternative to the disc version, make it work. Don't tell me I only have 5 attempts to download the game and then not answer your support email.

If they ever respond, I will simply ask for a full refund and buy the disc the next time I see it.

 

[ravenvii]

Buy it from retail.

Aspyr's download service is full of fail. It's DRM scheme is ridiculous, and as shown above, the service fails in many other aspects.

If you want to see how a download service SHOULD work, see Steam. It's Windows-only, sadly.

Don't support Aspyr's crap, buy it on disc.

 

[ert3]

Just to clarify, what's your internet connection? I would think a company like Aspyr would have colocated servers that would have some hefty bandwidth, but I could be wrong too!

its a school connection (Coastal Carolina University) and while its not the fasting thing on earth its typically much better than this.

I can normally manage about 300kb/s down with a torrent.

 

[palebluedot]

My main concern is will the retail version have "Insert Disc to Play" DRM. If it does, I will buy the online version. I am sick of having to scour the web for cracks so I dont have to have a disc in to play.

 

[palebluedot]

Anyone know that???

 

[mrgreeneyes]

I purchased and downloaded COD4 from Aspyr on Sept 25. Download speed was about 400Kb and it took about 5 hours to dl the whole thing. Size was about 6GB.

One I downloaded it, I copied it to the application folder. The whole game is in there, so I can run it straight from the HD without any further virtual disk or anything like that. I did back up the downloaded dmg file to an external so I can re-install if my system crashes. I have no idea if I can exceed the two more installs.

Awesome game, BTW.

Hope this helps.

quick question: does the microsoft wiresless xbox controller work with the mac version? inkow i need the transmitter for the controller to work.

 

[NtotheIzoo]

I'm downloading it now. Getting b/w 600KB - 1MB download speeds. The upper limit is more spikes than constant speed. So far so good. I use comcast cable internet.

 

[palebluedot]

Where does it say on their site you can only install and uninstall it 3 times? I cant find that.

 

[fredsarran]

I've had my download interrupted several times. Once i've finally managed to complete download, archive was corrupted. Tried to redownload and now they're telling me that i tried download too many times (...).

Sent two mails to support, no answer yet.

Self-explanatory i would say.

Vanni

I purchased the game this morning, click "DOWNLOAD", Speed Download app tried to reconnect several times because I was cut out by Aspyr or Digital River servers, and now they tell me I cannot download it because I tried too many times !! I emailed DR and Aspyr (GameAgent) but by reading other members posts, I should not expect any answers.

There refund policy is as well bad : They WILL NOT refund any online digital goods. So they steal your money (and it is more expensive than the retail), you cannot download (well at least part of it, but hey ! It is 6.5 GB after all).

So, now I am calm,................... Anybody had any luck with DR or Aspyr in terms of : replying to emails, giving back refunds or allowing more download times ?

 

[redsteven]

Well I'm certainly glad I bought the Windows version after Aspyr delayed the release of COD4 past May '08.

The only download service I've used is Steam, and I think it's great. But from what I've heard about other download services (like direct2drive from ign.com) and now Aspyr, isn't great.

I love Steam though. You can download as many times as you want. The only tradeoff is that you need an internet connection so that it can connect to your account when launching the game.
They do have an "offline mode" though, but i'm not totally sure how it works.

I wish you guys the best of luck : \


EDIT:: BTW, fredsarran, did you say you were using Speed Download? I thought you had to download it through Aspyr's download program? I don't know if I'd recommend using a third party download manager with that because I think the way it works is buy opening multiple downloads simultaneously (or so I've been told), which could explain why it's telling you that you reached your download limit.

 

[kjv280zx]

Putting a the disc inside your computer isn't that hard to do. And since everyone is having so much trouble downloading the game i would recommend just buying it from apple online. Shipping is free and costs about $59 with tax. I ordered mine, it shipped the day i ordered, and got it in four days.

 

[palebluedot]

Putting a the disc inside your computer isn't that hard to do. And since everyone is having so much trouble downloading the game i would recommend just buying it from apple online. Shipping is free and costs about $59 with tax. I ordered mine, it shipped the day i ordered, and got it in four days.

You guys underestimate how annoying that is for some of us. I refuse to buy a game that requires me to put the disc in. More often then not I am at a friends or somewhere where I forgot my disc. It also puts wear and tear on my mac book pro and makes it lag (when opening finder). It also is noisy.

These reasons have been stated over and over by many people. If you dont mind good for you but I do!

 

[fredsarran]

Well I'm certainly glad I bought the Windows version after Aspyr delayed the release of COD4 past May '08.

The only download service I've used is Steam, and I think it's great. But from what I've heard about other download services (like direct2drive from ign.com) and now Aspyr, isn't great.

I love Steam though. You can download as many times as you want. The only tradeoff is that you need an internet connection so that it can connect to your account when launching the game.
They do have an "offline mode" though, but i'm not totally sure how it works.

I wish you guys the best of luck : \


EDIT:: BTW, fredsarran, did you say you were using Speed Download? I thought you had to download it through Aspyr's download program? I don't know if I'd recommend using a third party download manager with that because I think the way it works is buy opening multiple downloads simultaneously (or so I've been told), which could explain why it's telling you that you reached your download limit.

I have read on another forum that when downloading from those sites, I should use the Safari download manager. It does make sense about the GameAgent Mac Client but they do not specify that on the site. Actually they do not specify anything about how to download, but just let you know about the specific requirements.

Either way, this download limit is total crap. When you pay more than $50 to download more than 6GB that is DRM, you expect a good service.

In response to another member post, my reasons to buy online are :

1-I could not wait for a European release to buy in shop.
2-I have money on PayPal that I need to use.

I am now downloading the CoD4 file from another forum. Nothing illegal as I own a serial number.

 

[ReanimationLP]

Aspyr - Singlehandedly helping enforce the stereotype that Macs dont game with bulls*** moves like these.

I hope Activision, now that they are merged with Blizzard, will possibly hire some people to port their stuff in-house to Mac.