Direct2Drive - Anyones experience?

M

meinzorn

[H]ard|Gawd
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Nov 12, 2003
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I just saw someone post something about "D2D" in a hot deals thread and I was just wondering if anyone else has had some experience with this website. It appears that you can download and redownload games that you purchase on it and there are sometimes pretty good deals on it.

If anyone has any experience can you please share?

also is Vampires: The Masquerade - Bloodlines any good? Its only $5.
 
I've used them before. You can backup the installer, and unless something's changed recently you don't need to have a client running or to be online to validate your install.
 
They're the 2nd most common digital distibution website for PC games behind Steam.

The biggest drawback of D2D is that they encrypt your game. This means official game patches may not work and you usually cant install any mods that alter the game; Although user-made maps that are normally searched for in a map folder would probably work. So they're fine for most games, but I wouldn't use them for any game that has DLC or is moddable (Oblivion for example).
 
I like D2D. It's not as good and easy as Steam, but it seems to be improving. Comrade is a nice addition, but you can't download all of your d2d games from it :/
 
D2D is not as easy as steam in downloading and installing games, but it is better in a lot of ways too. I really like the fact that I don't have to log-in to an account to play my games, unlike steam.
 
-PK- said:
So they're fine for most games, but I wouldn't use them for any game that has DLC or is moddable (Oblivion for example).
Click to expand...

This is not true. I've modded both Stalker and Vampire with no issues whatsoever.
 
Some games aren't encrypted, but they don't tell you which ones :(
 
Yeah, I just got the D2D Vampire Masquerade deal. All the mods (even the dll patching) works 100% great. (Both unofficial patch and the screen resolution patch)

You won't regret the game. Well, maybe if you lose some sleep staying up late playing :p
 
Used D2D for both Riddick games and Ghost Busters.

The first Riddick game was a few years ago and had no activation, but both the recent games I bought both had a activation key during first run.
 
They're okay. I prefer the simplicity of Steam but my D2D downloads worked without problems. Most of D2D games use 3rd party DRM whether it be Securom or whatever. Games with Securom exists for Steam too, but most just use Steam's DRM.

It hasn't crashed my system yet, though I do get an annoying UAC warning about Securom everytime I run the game.

D2D has pretty fast support too if anything goes wrong.
 
-PK- said:
They're the 2nd most common digital distibution website for PC games behind Steam.

The biggest drawback of D2D is that they encrypt your game. This means official game patches may not work and you usually cant install any mods that alter the game; Although user-made maps that are normally searched for in a map folder would probably work. So they're fine for most games, but I wouldn't use them for any game that has DLC or is moddable (Oblivion for example).
Click to expand...

i got GRAW2 for $5 recently and have had no problem installing patches direct from Ubisoft as i would any other game, havent tried any mods yet but so far the difference between retail and D2D has been nothing but the lack of a disc
 
FanZ said:
They're okay. I prefer the simplicity of Steam but my D2D downloads worked without problems. Most of D2D games use 3rd party DRM whether it be Securom or whatever. Games with Securom exists for Steam too, but most just use Steam's DRM.

It hasn't crashed my system yet, though I do get an annoying UAC warning about Securom everytime I run the game.

D2D has pretty fast support too if anything goes wrong.
Click to expand...

For VtMB I don't get the UAC warning. I don't know if it makes a difference that I didn't install in program files.
 
I got Securom UAC's every time I load up Titan Quest: IT. I click cancel and the game will still launch - I didn't put it in Program Files either. Though, Securom did install in my registry and associated pesky hidden folders/files, so I'm not quite sure what else it wanted to install.

But the important thing is the software runs like it should, and I would probably buy from them again pending price. Though if it's the same price as Steam-without-Securom, I'd pick Steam DRM.

DRM-free games, whichever one is cheaper. It's probably weird that I care about DRMs, since they don't really bother me, but it's a weird habit to clean my computer as austere as I can.
 
D2D is ok. I don't like them as much as Impulse or Steam, but it works. It's a legit service, if that is your concern (owned by IGN, who is a subsidiary of News Corp).
 
I guess my concern was a mix of is it legit, is there any hassles, and support/download/ease of use on their website.

Just something new (to me) and I wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be a headache in the future..

Thanks everyone for the responses. I really appreciate it!
 
I can't remember if there was some activation limit for D2D. I think I heard something about it not being quite as 'unlimited' as steam or impulse. You might have to call them, if you are going through a lot of hard drives. Other than that install limitation, and perhaps DRM, I don't think there is any other big issues that I hear of. Games always get their patches, etc..

As for DRM, it sounds like it's a case by case business. I think some games are more heavy on the DRM than others as evidenced by the differences in FanZ's and my experience.
 
since 2007 most of my game purchases have been through d2d. some keys only allow a couple of installations, but the tech support admins can reset the allowances.
 
D2D is okay, but not as slick as Steam or GameTap IMO.
 
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