A Q&A on why your servers might or might not be up right now

Q: I just noticed that the [insert territory] servers for [insert platform] are up now, can this be true?
A: Yes, this can very much be true. As we approach our real launch, servers may be up for extended times for testing and troubleshooting. Right now, we are working on unforeseen issues for EU PC and US PS3. So it’s working as intended, we are finding issues before launch, just as planned.

Q: Why is my server not up right now?
A: Simply because we focus different type of our people on different servers at any given time. They may or may not require them to be open. Often we want to see how it is under considerable (100s or 1000s) but not full load (100,000).

Q: Will you leave servers open when you are finished?
A: Yes as that’s very likely close to our launch time and we would like to spread the load of new players in the first hours.

Q: This is just a soft launch and you guys are screwing Europeans again
A: No, of course we’re not. As an Icelander I can faithfully say that we are not intentionally screwing anyone in Europe intentionally. You can look at our volcanoes and economic collapses as evidence of that. We are simply on long work hours in the last week and use every opportunity we have till launch to make it a better experience for you.

Q: But everyone is getting ahead of me!
A: I’m sure you’re skills are mad and your aim is true and that you will have no problems gaining a couple of hours on the couple of thousand that went in early, at risk of losing all their progress. They will also eventually need sleep so you will be able to catch them in their dreams. That statement was not intended to be creepy at all.

Q: F#$% amateurs not preloading or waiting for retail boxes to arrive
A: I have yet to master the skill of Omnipotence. Will be there shortly. In the meantime, we were not able to allow preload, pre-patching, pre-download on all platforms, in all territories through all retailers. We’re incredibly sorry for that. We’re doing everything we can still to make this happen.

Q: So is this a “soft launch”?
A: No, we do everything hard.

I may or may not add to this Q&A based on questions below my beloved but I'm pretty sure I'll be a bit busy still with this launch stuff.

Thank you for your patience!

Roger, Captain Oveur!

Ah good ol official clarification :)

thanks for trying to clear things up for us.

I appreciate the post answering some of the questions people had. But in the end, I still dont get why people who ordered Physical Copies of the game got kicked in the junk. Sorry, there is more to this then just EGO levels. It's Principle, many of us feel a little punished because we like to collect collectors edition items. We also paid the same amount. Some of us ordered MONTHS ago to support the game, Prior to the announcement of Steam.

I paid my full amount upfront ( I hate owing money ). This is exactly why they do Grace Periods in "most" newer game launches. Last 4 MMO's I have played actually. Either way. Appreciate some of the clarification on whats going on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oveur

Executive Producer, technoviking, spandex-lover and conqueror of worlds

---

This signature both intrigues and scares me. I have a suspicion that is its intent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newsin

I appreciate the post answering some of the questions people had. But in the end, I still dont get why people who ordered Physical Copies of the game got kicked in the junk. Sorry, there is more to this then just EGO levels. It's Principle, many of us feel a little punished because we like to collect collectors edition items. We also paid the same amount. Some of us ordered MONTHS ago to support the game, Prior to the announcement of Steam.

I paid my full amount upfront ( I hate owing money ). This is exactly why they do Grace Periods in "most" newer game launches. Last 4 MMO's I have played actually. Either way. Appreciate some of the clarification on whats going on.

---

Well as you say, we kind of got a raw deal, but that's for two reasons. One, Trion can not control the third party retailers to the extent of making them release cd keys for everyone who preordered. Two, the CD keys are needed to flag your account as having actually bought the game and thus letting you install it. Unfortunately us physical copy buyers have our cd keys locked inside our collector's boxes. So unless you wanted someone opening all the boxes and rifling through stuff just to send you your cd key, then we get "left behind"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xtheoneandonly

Well as you say, we kind of got a raw deal, but that's for two reasons. One, Trion can not control the third party retailers to the extent of making them release cd keys for everyone who preordered. Two, the CD keys are needed to flag your account as having actually bought the game and thus letting you install it. Unfortunately us physical copy buyers have our cd keys locked inside our collector's boxes. So unless you wanted someone opening all the boxes and rifling through stuff just to send you your cd key, then we get "left behind"

---

trion gives all the codes to retailers. They could have attached a grace period in their code system to each of the codes. this would have solved all of these problems. the point of a grace period is to get you into the game then you validate your access later with your cd key. it was within trions ability, every mmo in several years has done it. TRION added a grace period to rift right before launch themselves.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xtheoneandonly

Well as you say, we kind of got a raw deal, but that's for two reasons. One, Trion can not control the third party retailers to the extent of making them release cd keys for everyone who preordered. Two, the CD keys are needed to flag your account as having actually bought the game and thus letting you install it. Unfortunately us physical copy buyers have our cd keys locked inside our collector's boxes. So unless you wanted someone opening all the boxes and rifling through stuff just to send you your cd key, then we get "left behind"

---

Always has to be balance. Digital copy buyers (some) get early access, in that servers need last minute tweaks and such, and physical copy buyers just wait. until whenever the retailer opens shop.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oveur

I have yet to master the skill of Omnipotence.

---

Nathan, I may steal this for a tagline some day! LOL :D

Greatest dev post ever..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newsin

I appreciate the post answering some of the questions people had. But in the end, I still dont get why people who ordered Physical Copies of the game got kicked in the junk. Sorry, there is more to this then just EGO levels. It's Principle, many of us feel a little punished because we like to collect collectors edition items. We also paid the same amount. Some of us ordered MONTHS ago to support the game, Prior to the announcement of Steam.

I paid my full amount upfront ( I hate owing money ). This is exactly why they do Grace Periods in "most" newer game launches. Last 4 MMO's I have played actually. Either way. Appreciate some of the clarification on whats going on.

---

My Ultimate Edition arrives tomorrow as well, it's on a Fedex truck. I can't change that, not for you nor me. As much as I can't change that, I can't delay the launch of the game either because logistics end up taking time. I'm very sorry that it's ending up this way, it's not intended nor wanted. Our goal is to launch as well as we can and if that means opening up some servers early to test, I won't hesitate to do that.

Again, my apologies and I hope you understand why we're doing this.

Happy wait, Oveur, as I am UE holder as well. Curious question though, are you gonna be on Xbox, PS3 or PC?

Created account and toon on US / PC servers. Any idea when EU/PC will be available?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oveur

My Ultimate Edition arrives tomorrow as well, it's on a Fedex truck. I can't change that, not for you nor me. As much as I can't change that, I can't delay the launch of the game either because logistics end up taking time. I'm very sorry that it's ending up this way, it's not intended nor wanted. Our goal is to launch as well as we can and if that means opening up some servers early to test, I won't hesitate to do that.

Again, my apologies and I hope you understand why we're doing this.

---

It is what it is, your still my favorite Dev in Spandex on Twitter :)

I'm unhappy about it of course. If I didn't like the game from all the time I've played I would've probably Cancelled. However, I can say that the game is great I think its worth the wait, I just think this whole thing could have been handled a little better prior to today.

Dont get me wrong though! I would never ask that you not release the game until the exact time. Im just upset that I pre-ordered the game and am unable to enjoy it with those who digitally downloaded the game and were allowed access. I have to wait tell tomorrow at 9 or 10 in the morning to get the game... then spend the rest of the day patching and then maybe get to play a few hours. Such is life I guess.

I called up Gamestop to see if I could pick up my copy of the Collector's Edition tonight instead of having to wait until tomorrow. Of course, I was told no. Then I was a bit upset that my pre-order code was not enough to get me into this early launch, and was upset more when I found I can't even pre-download the game so it's ready to go when I get my code in hand tomorrow.
Then I saw this post, chuckled to myself, and am all ok with it now. A response with some humor somehow made me alright with this. Can't wait to get in and play tomorrow. And although, I don't agree with the way you are handling this early launch, Trion, thanks for the laugh at least.

Hmmm, "Nathan Richardsson"... Wouldn't a true son of Iceland have spelled that Richardssen? Just saying... If yer too busy to answer, what with the launch and all, I understand. Good luck with the roll out! See you at Iron Demon Ranch!

I agree that physical copy owners are being unjustly penalized. And this is a first for that to happen. I bought 3 collector's edition from Gamestop ($150 each) for me and my two sons. Now none of us to get to play until mid-day tomorrow when the majority of our guild will be on tonight.

totally sucks. makes me want to get a refund.

despite the humorous post from the dev, this is not good customer service and the only thing I have to express my disappointment with is my patronage, or in this case now, the lack there of.

maybe come back to this game when i get bored...but Im in the Company of Heroes 2 beta which starts tomorrow, maybe I wont miss it at all.

Great Thread :) Found a new fravorite Dev :)

Wish I'd managed to get in though :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SolidTx

I agree that physical copy owners are being unjustly penalized. And this is a first for that to happen. I bought 3 collector's edition from Gamestop ($150 each) for me and my two sons. Now none of us to get to play until mid-day tomorrow when the majority of our guild will be on tonight.

totally sucks. makes me want to get a refund.

despite the humorous post from the dev, this is not good customer service and the only thing I have to express my disappointment with is my patronage, or in this case now, the lack there of.

maybe come back to this game when i get bored...but Im in the Company of Heroes 2 beta which starts tomorrow, maybe I wont miss it at all.

---

I think is the other way around since nobody "should" be able to connect to the servers right now.

It's more like everyone else played a prank on Trion. Silly April Fools' Day. :cool:

Can I catch up to people who started before me? Without a doubt.

Will I be able to claim any of the names I had in mind at ACTUAL launch? very unlikely now..

I don't care if I start later.. But I was rdy to log in when it was SUPPOSED to open, to do exactly that, claim the names I wanted.. you robbed me of that chance, and I find that to be inexcuseable.

Doing something like this wouldve been fine if you allowed people to claim names before launch, but this SUPRISE EARLY LAUNCH (for a select few), is quite unfair in regards to names.

Quite honestly, I belive there should be a wipe before offical launch, not because I care that people progressed in game, but because I and I am sure others, want a fair chance at claiming the names we wanted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Munx

Quite honestly, I belive there should be a wipe before offical launch, not because I care that people progressed in game, but because I and I am sure others, want a fair chance at claiming the names we wanted.

---

Considering that the GM said that this definitely wasn't a soft launch, I'd think that a wipe was implied.

Any official word on why some of us can't claim our digital deluxe upgrade items. It registered the code fine on my account and my other pre-order/arkfall code items were available, just not the items from the digital deluxe upgrade.

All he implied was that people who played now might lose progress, which would be to data errors, etc.

That he sais we can catch up also implies that there are no plans to wipe, as there would be no need to catch up if there is a wipe.

On a diffrent note, he should stop implying stuff, give us some facts.

I'm pretty sure this is the only AAA MMO in a number of years to offer pre-orders and digital editions, with out allowing players to sign in with their pre-order codes with some sort of limited grace period attached.

I don't really get it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Munx

Quite honestly, I belive there should be a wipe before offical launch, not because I care that people progressed in game, but because I and I am sure others, want a fair chance at claiming the names we wanted.

---

I couldn't agree more. My girlfriend lost her character's name due to this non-scheduled early start. We made plans to be ready for this by midnight EST. Sadly, servers came up without notice.

I am loving this Q&A :D Thanks for the info guys! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Halloween

I couldn't agree more. My girlfriend lost her character's name due to this non-scheduled early start. We made plans to be ready for this by midnight EST. Sadly, servers came up with no notice.

---

so your whole gaming experience is gone now because someone has taken your name? what would of happen at midnight when you got home and someone already had it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Halloween

My girlfriend lost her name.

---

I've seen this movie.....You have to kill the fat witch to get her name back.....The paper dragon boy will help you.

I just got back from Gamestop and they refunded me my $478 of money I had paid to buy 3x Exclusive Gamestop Collector Editions of the game. I won't, at least at this time or anytime in the foreseable future, be playing. To some this may seem like an extreme reaction to what in the long term represents 12-24 hours of lost time. So be it if that is your reaction. My only recourse to this sort of poor management and service on Trion's part is with my wallet. And then there is the character's names. And then there is the principal of the matter.

There are many many choices out there as to what game I spend my time and money. A simple pre-load using a key my retailer gives me and a grace period of 3 days (like every other MMO does for people who buy collector's editions do) would have solved this. And to think you provide the worst service to the very people that pay the most for your products. How ironic.

Is there a Server Status page we can check to see if our preferred server is up/down/etc?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SolidTx

I just got back from Gamestop and they refunded me my $478 of money I had paid to buy 3x Exclusive Gamestop Collector Editions of the game. I won't, at least at this time or anytime in the foreseable future, be playing. To some this may seem like an extreme reaction to what in the long term represents 12-24 hours of lost time. So be it if that is your reaction. My only recourse to this sort of poor management and service on Trion's part is with my wallet. And then there is the character's names. And then there is the principal of the matter.

There are many many choices out there as to what game I spend my time and money. A simple pre-load using a key my retailer gives me and a grace period of 3 days (like every other MMO does for people who buy collector's editions do) would have solved this. And to think you provide the worst service to the very people that pay the most for your products. How ironic.

---

lol another funny story by something that wasn't promised from the start.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IGears

so your whole gaming experience is gone now because someone has taken your name? what would of happen at midnight when you got home and someone already had it?

---

Then he/she would've had the same chance as everyone else to get it, and would obviously accept that someone quicker got it.

some of us have used our ingame name for over a decade and are attached to it, I don't expect to be able to get it in every game I play, but I do expect to have the same chance as everyone else to aquire it if I pre-order, and showed up on time.

And if anything ingame names are more important in defiance then any other mmo to date, as there is the chance of being mentioned in the show etc.

Thanks for the clarifications Oveur. ^_^

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MacDeath

Is there a Server Status page we can check to see if our preferred server is up/down/etc?

---

this please.

and if there's another wipe will all the items be redeemable again including lock boxes, and boosters reset?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Munx

Then he/she would've had the same chance as everyone else to get it, and would obviously accept that someone quicker got it.

some of us have used our ingame name for over a decade and are attached to it, I don't expect to be able to get it in every game I play, but I do expect to have the same chance as everyone else to aquire it if I pre-order, and showed up on time.

And if anything ingame names are more important in defiance then any other mmo to date, as there is the chance of being mentioned in the show etc.

---

whatever, this is sad... fussing over a name... that is a total game breaker for you... i will never understand this at all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fitz

Greatest dev post ever..

---

+1009090 internets in agreement

How about the issue that I am having? I know I am not the only one...

http://forums.defiance.com/showthrea...d=1#post155310

I just want to know if he is Oveur Unger or was he Oveur Dun?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Motrok

How about the issue that I am having? I know I am not the only one...

http://forums.defiance.com/showthrea...d=1#post155310

---

sounds like you need to reinstall the patcher or something

Still for the ps3 digital copies we should be allowed to download its 12.6 gigs some people it will take awhile to download then we have to patch I mean really help us out plz. Ty