Posted October 17, 2018
I own the retail discs for all the Cossacks and American Conquest games, having bought them as they were released. But I had trouble getting those copies to work on Windows 10, I ran into numerous issues like mouse not working, black screen, StarForce, etc. But last year I decided to buy "Cossacks: The Complete Anthology [Download]" by GSC Gameworld on Amazon. Setup was pretty simple, log in to Amazon, download a small setup file, which fetches a larger setup file. At that point Internet is no longer needed, everything installed offline. All games launch with no additional DRM or disc requirement.
However, I would now like to buy a copy for a friend, so we can play LAN multiplayer. But GSC discontinued the Amazon sale, and I'm not sure if it will return. In truth I could just share the setup file with him, but that is piracy and unethical, I prefer that we both have legal copies.
When I installed from Amazon, all the games are patched up to date with the exception of Napoleonic Wars, which is at patch v1.1, but there is 1.2 available. So I grabbed the patch, created a few Registry entries, and it installed. But it wanted a disc so I had to use a crack. Another issue I would like to avoid, since it makes my Kaspersky Total Security software go wild.
Also, the pack I bought doesn't include American Conquest or Fight Back, I can only find those on Steam and GOG. I do use Steam for multiplayer games like ArmA 2/3, DayZ Standalone etc, but when it comes to single player/LAN only I prefer DRM-free.
I would also like to avoid StarForce or disc checks, I already installed AC Divided Nation on 10 from my disc, it installed SF and 10 wouldn't boot up again, which took 10 minutes to remove by deleting the offending SF driver files from Linux. Then there is the issue, again, of having to use a crack to make it run. Is there any store online that sells a legal digital download copy of ACDN? If so I've never found it.
So, getting to the actual question, is there any reason to buy 1 or 2 copies of the Cossacks 1/2 and AC games from GOG? Is there any advantage over Steam or retail, like having the latest patches installed? LAN play will work for all games? I know that GSC discontinued the multiplayer servers many years ago, but GameRanger works for unofficial MP. Is MP/LAN version-dependent, i.e. both game clients have to be running the same version?
Thanks!
Edit: I already own Cossacks 3 and all DLC on GOG, it was either Steam or GOG, the choice was simple. But I'm not particularly impressed with it. The original Cossacks games are still the best.
However, I would now like to buy a copy for a friend, so we can play LAN multiplayer. But GSC discontinued the Amazon sale, and I'm not sure if it will return. In truth I could just share the setup file with him, but that is piracy and unethical, I prefer that we both have legal copies.
When I installed from Amazon, all the games are patched up to date with the exception of Napoleonic Wars, which is at patch v1.1, but there is 1.2 available. So I grabbed the patch, created a few Registry entries, and it installed. But it wanted a disc so I had to use a crack. Another issue I would like to avoid, since it makes my Kaspersky Total Security software go wild.
Also, the pack I bought doesn't include American Conquest or Fight Back, I can only find those on Steam and GOG. I do use Steam for multiplayer games like ArmA 2/3, DayZ Standalone etc, but when it comes to single player/LAN only I prefer DRM-free.
I would also like to avoid StarForce or disc checks, I already installed AC Divided Nation on 10 from my disc, it installed SF and 10 wouldn't boot up again, which took 10 minutes to remove by deleting the offending SF driver files from Linux. Then there is the issue, again, of having to use a crack to make it run. Is there any store online that sells a legal digital download copy of ACDN? If so I've never found it.
So, getting to the actual question, is there any reason to buy 1 or 2 copies of the Cossacks 1/2 and AC games from GOG? Is there any advantage over Steam or retail, like having the latest patches installed? LAN play will work for all games? I know that GSC discontinued the multiplayer servers many years ago, but GameRanger works for unofficial MP. Is MP/LAN version-dependent, i.e. both game clients have to be running the same version?
Thanks!
Edit: I already own Cossacks 3 and all DLC on GOG, it was either Steam or GOG, the choice was simple. But I'm not particularly impressed with it. The original Cossacks games are still the best.
Post edited October 17, 2018 by Enigma83