Dark Messiah - Patch 1.02 Fixlists
 

Ubisoft released the fixlists for the upcoming patches 1.02 for Dark Messiah - first for single player:
…and for Multiplayer:
More information.

So sounds like after 6 weeks, there may now be upwards of a 10% chance that this steaming pile of code will actually be semi-playable (until it crashes) on my relatively high-end system that exceeds recommended system requirements in all respects.

First and last time I ever purchase a downloadable version of a game. Was under the mistaken impression that I could trust something that was pushed out under the umbrella of Valve/Steam.

Did anyone notice a release date?

Thanks.


Btw dagoo7 you do realise that Arkane had nothing to do with the release date, they are a Dev that works for a Pub which decides release dates.

Not blaming Arkane necessarily. I loved Arx Fatalis and am all too aware of how the development/publishing system works (or doesn't work) But regardless all involved parties are somewhat responsible for pushing out a game that is unplayable by half the people that bought it and allowing it to be represented that it was finished. And those peope include, to one extent or another the developer, the publisher, and Valve (who has likely done some serious damage to their street cred and future success of Steam as delivery system. I for one will never purchase another game using Steam and can't wait to delete every damn kilobyte of it from my harddrive.)

Don't blame Valve for this. I have the Collector's Edition on DVD and I still can't get past the tutorial before it crashes.

It is important to distinguish between games made by Valve and games being released by the use of Steam. Blaming Valve for this is no different than going down to your local store to complain about the bugs in Gothic 3 (it really isn't Valve's fault).

I'm aware of the difference between the developer/producer and Valve. Nevertheless, Valve chose to offer and sell a product under its premiere service that was blatantly unready for release. Moreover, if i buy a piece o' crap from a store, I can return it. If I buy it through Steam, I'm stuck with it. If their going to sell unsupported/unfinished products through their service, it's a hit to their reputation/credibility and I see no reason to keep their system hogging software on my hardrive any longer.

Valve did'nt choose, Ubsoft bought the right to release on Steam.
Valve isn't involved at all on conditions of release for other Pubs using their service, its just a distribution deal not quality assurance.
Nor is Arkane involved in anything but development, which Ubsoft controls and the IP of M&M.
So Ubsoft test what Arkane creates and then tells Arkane what to fix and actually Ubsoft could release the game in any condition they wish, well assuming they don't violate some law.

Ha, this is the first time I have ever defended Steam, a system I do not even use. :p

I can see how that makes a difference. I didn't think of that because in my country the only way I can return a game to the store once the plastic wrapping has been broken is if there are physical defects (e.g. scratched or broken discs). I don't even think I'm entitled to a refund if I accidentally buy a PS2 or Xbox version of the game I wanted for the PC.

But Acleacius is right: As a distribution channel Valve has no more say (nor responsibility) in what is being distributed via Steam than your local EB Games or whatever it is called.

I guess the only lesson to be learned here is that (at least with most US retailers return policies): If the market has evolved into such a broken state that noone is able to or feels the need to "be responsible" for the sale of a broken product and there is no responsibility (from either legal or reputational risk perspective) for the distributors of said product, then one should never buy a downloadable product. That's basically the conclusion I have come to and its really about download services in general.

The specificity of my ire w/ respect to Steam/Valve has mostly do with the fact that on my credit card statement the $50 I threw away has Steam listed on it. Also, because of my assumption (knowingly misguided on my part) that Valve would be exercising some quality control on products released via Steam. I was aware beforehand that there was no legal obligation on their part before making the purchase, but secretly hoped and justified the purchase by believing that they would be doing so out of concerns for reputational risk. That was clearly not the case, and although clearly my fault still gets me frustrated. Basically wrote off the $50, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by the patch.

You know its really strange titles get shipped early for the holidays every year but for some reason this year seems like the worst, with the three AAA titles G3, DM and NWN2 all showing severe problems. :(

I guess you could sell it on Ebay or something though I don't really know if Steam actually gives you a image.