About patching D2D (Direct2Drive)Kingdoms

**mavyalex** · May 01, 2010, 10:15 AM

Hello,

Well for a surprise what a surprise it was! I purcahsed my first ever PC game on Direct2Drive.com and it was Kingdom expansion with D2D activation code.

It installed like a charm and playing it now.

However I discrovred that I could not use RETAIL patches for this game (or for any other D2D games!)
I have to use only the D2D patches (digital download) on D12D web site!

Hopefull patch 1.05 US for Kingdoms was there and currently downloading.

But there is a big problem the patch is 2.24 Gb in size whereas the same retail patch (non D2D) is only 101 Mb! Is this normal?

Also is patch 1.05 Kingdoms actually the famous patch 1.5 for Kingdoms? I didn't find patch 1.5 on the Net, only 1.05...

Why does D2D do this? Is it to keep control of the activation and to prevent users from reinstalling the game or to copy it on DVD?

What iof the D2D digital download patch is not available on their web site?

I feel like I've been screwed. I bought this game, therefors I can do whatever I want with it. I can patch it, upgrade it, copy it for my personal usage, etc...

But this D2D limitation was not told before purchasing, so I think it is not very honest...

Alos how can I determine whether I have the UK or US version of MT2W and Kingdows currently installed on my PC (I also don't know if the D2D download of Kingdom expansion (not M2TW) is already patched to 1.5 or to 1.05 ? It didn't say during installation...

ANd LAST Question: (but very important for all D2D customers)/ Can I install Total Conversions like Third Age: Total War with a Kingdoms Direct2Drive digital download patched to 1.5 ??
In general can I install mods or total conversions for D2D PC games and still be able to play them??

**irishron** · May 01, 2010, 11:15 AM

1. Direct2Drive, Steam, and any other download site is responsible for all updates as they are made specifically for that download.

2. 2.2GB unzipped sounds about right.

3. The D2D way of doing things is in the deal they cut with Sega. You don't like it, take it up with them. We have no control over a download, even from Sega itself.

4. You can play mod on the download versions. As to how, I don't know because I own the dvds.

**mavyalex** · May 01, 2010, 11:20 AM

I just feel that I didn't buy a game through D2D but that they keep almost total contral (not total war!) over the product...I know that there are copyrights on every PC game, but why would a D2D user have less possibilities and options than a retail buyer? That is not right. They should have said 'Rent long-term" on D2D web site rather than "purchase or own a PC game '(sentence created by myself to explain the context).

**PoleCat** · May 01, 2010, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by mavyalex

I just feel that I didn't buy a game through D2D but that they keep almost total contral (not total war!) over the product...I know that there are copyrights on every PC game, but why would a D2D user have less possibilities and options than a retail buyer? That is not right. They should have said 'Rent long-term" on D2D web site rather than "purchase or own a PC game '(sentence created by myself to explain the context).

"Rent long-term" is as good a way of putting it as any. This method means that they control the game from point-of-purchase through to delivery and beyond. This is the newest attempt by game makers to thwart piracy. Most of the game companies are slowly moving towards this model so you might as well get used to it.

Personally I will never buy a game through direct download. If I don't own and control the discs myself then I just won't play that game.

And yes, 1.05 is the same as 1.5. It's just a eff-up by CA in naming their patches.

**irishron** · May 01, 2010, 12:05 PM

Empire is probably the last game I'll buy and I own the dvd.

**mavyalex** · May 01, 2010, 12:11 PM

To "Ishiron".. I didn't buy Empire TW but M2TW Kingdom Expansion only. I already had the retail version of M2TW..I just patched up Kingdoms with the Direct2Drive Patch 1.05 (1.5) and it workds fine...Now I will install Third Age :Total War mod (Total Conversion rather?) and see if it still works..

If not then I will ask Direct2Drive for a refund because I should be able to install mods with my purchase.(except if they offer Driect 2 Drive Third Age: Total War download, but I doubt!)

**PoleCat** · May 01, 2010, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by irishron

Empire is probably the last game I'll buy and I own the dvd.

I don't want to be too far off topic here but doesn't E:TW require activation through Steam? That's the reason I never bought it because I thought it did....

EDIT: @mavyalex - you should be able to use the Third Age mod - others have gotten it to work with direct downloads before. But as I remember there are a few extra steps to follow. Let us know how it goes.

**irishron** · May 01, 2010, 01:05 PM

@mavyalex, you can seach for your Medieva2 folder and it goes in the mods folder.

@PoleCat, offtopic, Empire does require you to activate and get all updates through them. Even in offline mode, it makes get online for whatever dumb reason on Sega/Steam's part. I think it's part of their copy protection bs. That's why no DLCs and no Napoleon.

**Leonidas** · May 02, 2010, 09:55 PM

I have the same question as the OP. I have the retail version of MW2, I bought Kingdoms off D2D today and I'm not sure if it was already updated with the latest patch or if I need to download the 2.2 gb 1.05 patch from D2D website. I can't find a way to see what version the D2D game has. All I know is it put each of the four campaigns as a separate desktop icon which is a pain.

Anyone know how to check what version you have?

**irishron** · May 02, 2010, 09:59 PM

Click one of the icons. In the options page is the version number. 1.2 or 1.3 is Medieval2. 1.4 or 1.5 is Kingdoms.
If it's 1.4, you need the 2.2gigs.

**Leonidas** · May 02, 2010, 10:10 PM

Ah, thank you. I notice MW2 main game is showing 1.03 which I'm assuming is really 1.3 and for one of the Kingdoms it is showing 1.04 which again I am assuming means 1.4. It appears I do need the Kingdoms patch but I am current with the main game.

**PoleCat** · May 02, 2010, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by Leonidas

Ah, thank you. I notice MW2 main game is showing 1.03 which I'm assuming is really 1.3 and for one of the Kingdoms it is showing 1.04 which again I am assuming means 1.4. It appears I do need the Kingdoms patch but I am current with the main game.

You are correct. Download that last 2.2 GB and you will be all caught up. After that the Options menu in the Kingdoms campaign should show as 1.5 in the upper corner. Good luck!

**Leonidas** · May 02, 2010, 10:43 PM

Thanks. I'm assuming after it is Dled I extract it into the same folder I have the Kingdoms folder at and find some kind of .exe file?

**irishron** · May 02, 2010, 11:00 PM

Its installer is made to find your Medieval2 folder and all the Kingdmos campaigns.

Kingdoms.exe is in the main Medieval2 folder. You will need one of the campaigns for it to work, whether one of the four that came with it or one of the mods based on it.

**Aawulf** · May 11, 2014, 02:55 PM

An update for anyone who may walk this path. It has been several years since the last update to this thread and all that has changed is that you may be able to get the 1.5 patch for your digital downloaded Kingdoms. If you buy it through GameFly, like I did, then you will have version 1.4 and no activation key to present to Steam for the activation and patch. GameFly claims they "activate" it, but they don't offer the 1.5 patch (1.04) or the CD key. I will further update if I discover more. I simply refuse to buy yet another of the game. I bough the box version years ago and lent them to my ex-wife's brother-in-law and he never returned them. I bought them again this week on GameFly, trying to avoid Steam's updates (the irony of that).