To download DA or not (UK based)?

from GalCiv2 Forums
I have just purchased Galactic Civilisations 2 and, being absolutely delighted with the game, decided to purchase and download the digital upgrade of DA.

However I have been put off by the several posts which complain that here in Europe we are never able to get a clean version of DA which works because the download time is so terribly slow and interrupted. (Understandably the two servers are in the US).

So - what is the majority experience of people in the UK/Europe; is it possible to download DA without problem from across the pond?

Thanks for your comments.
5,376 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Right ... Stardoc needs to open another server for europs. It's a shame for a publisher NOT giving support non-americans, even when selling the game worldwide.

At least give us a mirror to d/l DA (+ patch) without SDC but with some kind of "key-detection" so we can only D/L with proper product key - maybe link it with SDC-Account). That shouldn't be that problem.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Umm in simple terms... Yes

I have been with the Galciv community for a few years now and have had no issues with download speeds using the provided software. Oh and if you havent guessed it i am from England
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
is it possible to download DA without problem from across the pond?


Yes , wait till everyone has gone to sleep in the US and download then.  

Recently I did a full reinstall of XP, and downloaded DL + DA in about 45 mins
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Doesnt work, its allways slow (30 kb) and damaged. Tried it yesterday different times (10:00 MET, 14:00 MET etc, that should be after Midnight in USA ...)

We definately need a Server in Europe.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks guys.

Took the plunge and purchased DA.

Downloaded and installed in about 20 mins without problem. (246 kb/sec) at 7.48 GMT when USA slumbered at approx 3.00 am US time.

Am sorry to read about the above problems: I am no tech wizzie but wonder if firewalls and spam patrols were switched off? Might be helpful to mention that the Update installs from within the StarDock game panel. (Open and the Expansion no longer reads 'purchase' but says 'install')

And now to get to grips with this wonderous game.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Naaa ... if that's a problem on my site, I'd never downloaded any other files. But Dreadlords + Media & co was just fine @ full speed, Dark Avatar is just slow, damaged etc. Damaging a file is a problem of MY provider, so I can't blame SD-guys for that. But, and thats funny, if I am d/l as fast as possible, there is a nice chance my download would not become corrupted.

But I can blame Stardoc only using two servers in USA, but selling a game worldwide with a Feature to download & patch it by SDC.

If you buy something and no one is delivering it, you might get angry. So I do.

Maybe adding another mirror for DA? As I said, I paid for it and I want to use it.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm in deepest darkest Wales...well, okay, not the darkest ( that's further north of me ), and I pre ordered, had no issues, then when the full version came out, I've had nothing but great speeds. Even had the disc shipped out to me, and it arrived about 5 days after the official release of DA.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Okay, i tested it again, this time with "Hightmaps" (visual upgrade for DL and DA). Guess what? It was QUICK: 700 kb/s, max speed, no corrupted file.

Same try with "Dark Avatar" - slow speed, 30 kb/s, damaged. Same Server (US1). That's not a problem on my side, definatly. The Server is just bad or the game badly requested, whatever. I tried d/l 3 days @ different times, any other D/Ls are fine, but "Dark Avatar" is slow.

What's the problem with that file? C'mon boys, I really want to play it, there must be another legal way (except shipment including additional costs for me) to get DA on my Computer ...