Q: FFvTTR budget release and Starforce.

[Captain Sparky]

I wondered if somebody could tell me whether :ffvstr: - just released in the UK on Empire Interactives "Xplosiv" budget label - still uses the accursed "Starforce" copy protection or not? Its why I boycotted its original retail release...

Thank you.

[zuludelta]

It probably still does. Empire Interactive has a page on its support site regarding Starforce. You can try asking the UK-based members of the boards (tommyboy, UnfluffyBunny, etc.) if they've encountered any problems with Starforce making their systems unstable or doing any of the other things it's rumoured to do. 

[tommyboy]

For my part, I had the US version sent over prior to the UK release, so I never installed the UK one on my own system.
But nothing I've read inspires confidence in either Starforce or the bodged packaging of the Euro-versions which meant you needed to download a 300Mb patch simply in order to use the Mod-tools.

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Another way of checking is to see if there's any mention anywhere of Digital Jesters on this version.  It was DJ that put Starforce on it and it was they that also packaged it up in such a way as to make it very difficult to make your own mods.

I originally had the DJ version and it played fine.  I had no problems with Starforce (at least so far as I could notice) and, as I just play mods rather than make them, I wasn't too put out by the repackaging of the files they did.  Having said that there was some jiggery-pokery required sometimes to install mods, which wasn't so good.

[Captain Sparky]

Empire Interactive's tech support says no Starforce - but I ordered it yesterday and I'll find out tomorrow.

Its the combo of Digital Jesters mistakes and Starforce (the most hated and boycotted CP scheme in the world) that killed FFvTTR sales in Europe IMHO. IG advertising still wouldn't have saved it.   

Thank you all for the replies. 

[Outcast]

Just curious.

How many versions of  :ffvstr: are there?

How are they different from each other? When you play the game, is there a difference in the opening credits? So you could actually tell which version you are using?  :unsure:

[Captain Sparky]

Just curious.

How many versions of  :ffvstr: are there?

How are they different from each other? When you play the game, is there a difference in the opening credits? So you could actually tell which version you are using?  :unsure:

I'm wondering that too - got it this morning in the post.

1) No Starforce
2) No CD-Key
3) Credits go Irrational > Focus Home Interactive > ATI > Title and copyright info (mentioning Digital Jesters). I'll assume I have the original UK release, stripped of Starforce CP.

Edit: Isn't Quazzies mesh mean to be messed up with an armpit spike? Looks fixed to me.

[stumpy]

Edit: Isn't Quazzies mesh mean to be messed up with an armpit spike? Looks fixed to me.

Out of curiosity, if you open the original (non-FFX) campaign - or look in FFEdit for the data mod - what is the cost for the RADIOACTIVE attribute?

[Captain Sparky]

When creating a new custom character: Radioactive costs 300.

[stumpy]

Okay. I guess nothing interesting is going on. I think the Quetzalcoatl mesh worked for some people or with some video cards or drivers anyway. Of course, it's also possible that IG just fixed it by the time the DJ release was made...

[Symon]

I have both the DJ and the US versions. The DJ UK version played fine, it just was umoddable without a 300Mb 'patch', and I wasn't convinced it was quite right even then. No custom meshes for example (OK, there aren't many in FF3R, but to get none at all...)

So I bought the US version as well.

I'll have to check the DJ version for Q's mesh. See if it is fixed. If so, I imagine it can be made available.

Come to think of it, all you need is the DJ patch, as that contains the meshes, as you can't get at the meshes shipped with the game. Then again, there is no guarantee those meshes are the same as the ones locked in the archive.

I will have to check when I can..................

[Captain Sparky]

Apologies if its a stupid question (I've never gotten involved in FF modding or meshes, etc) but how could I tell which exact version (UK/US) I have?

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

If you bought it in the US, it the US version, if in Europe, or Asia, the UK version.

In addition, the DJ version installs in a different directory.

Not sure if the Empire Interactive version does or doesn't.  I'd be curious to know.

I also believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) that they are packaged differently.  The US version is in a color box with black and white manual and cds in paper sleeves.  The DJ version is, I think, in a DVD type case with some extra stuff.  Don't know how the EI version comes.

[Captain Sparky]

Its a budget label re-release, hence a .pdf Manual and DVD packaging.

Default installation Folder is Program Files/Irrational Games/FFvTTR

As I've indicated, I'm in the UK.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Program Files/Irrational Games/FFvTTR

Same as the US release.  That's a good sign.  It also means that mods are good as is, unlike the DJ version.

Check the data directory and see if there are various files ending in .ff.

If there are, then this release is likely fully compatible with the US mod tools.

[Captain Sparky]

FFvTTR/Data contains:

art.ff
cutscenes.ff
dat.ff
missions.ff
music.ff
sounds.ff

(non .ff not listed).

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

That basically means that it is identical to the US release.

This is very good news for European folks who didn't want to deal with the problems with the DJ version.

You might try installing the mod tools for the US version and seeing if they work.  I have a feeling the answer is yes.

[Captain Sparky]

Its old enough to be re-released as budget title now:

http://uk.store.empireinteractive.com/default.aspx?MID=82A07BE0AEB0&PID=27B588BA-D2E1-4FCF-A719-9A7FDB50C9A1

I'll d/l and try the mod tools.

[Symon]

FFvTTR/Data contains:
art.ff
cutscenes.ff
dat.ff
missions.ff
music.ff
sounds.ff

That's excellent news. Time for anyone stuck with the DJ crippled version to go out and buy the budget version I think. Thanks Cap!

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

why would they do a re-release ?

wouldn't this mean some sort of renewed interest in the property on the part of IG and it's owners?

The budget market is a separate market from the regular one.  People will go out and buy those titles when they would never even think of buying the same game at full price.  The games offered are a mix of both former popular games, marketing failures, and quick-made titles just for such sale.

It only has to be mildly interesting to make a profit, so whatever they can license for cheap, they'll market this way.  And with DJ gone, the distribution rights in Europe wide open, and dissappointing initial release sales, I imagine the license was probably very cheap indeed.

So no, new interest likely has nothing to do with it.  There is, however, a chance that some new interesting will come through this newer, better release.

At the very lease, we may have a few new members stumble upon this forum.  And new blood can't be much of a bad thing.

[Captain Sparky]

At the very lease, we may have a few new members stumble upon this forum.  And new blood can't be much of a bad thing.

Damn straight! :)

Btw, the FFvTTR Mod Tools I tried seem to work load up FFvTTR meshes ok.

[Xenolith]

I agree 100% about new blood.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Btw, the FFvTTR Mod Tools I tried seem to work load up FFvTTR meshes ok.

That was what I was expecting to hear.

Basically, the budget release is identical to the U.S. release, as far as the game itself anyway.

This is very good news.

It also means that fresh new copies of the game will be available for the forseeable future.

[Captain Sparky]

Yes.

Both FF and FFvTTR are available on budget for £5 each here, not bad.