Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition for PC!

[Dankk]

Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition can now be pre-ordered.

40$ on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/211420/

40$ on Gamersgate ($34 if you have the 15% off IGN discount) (activates on Steam):
www.gamersgate.com/DD-DSPDE/dark-souls-prepare-to-die-edition

40$ on GreenManGaming ($32 if you use the code "PARTP-ALCNO-TIESU") (activates on Steam): http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/nz/en/pc/games/action/dark-souls-prepare-die-edition-na/

Not sure about European prices.

 

[PowerYoga]

did they announce whether this has GFWL or does it use steamworks?

 

[mindcycle]

did they announce whether this has GFWL or does it use steamworks?

Yes, I would like to know this as well. GFWL = a no buy for me

EDIT: Just looked at the GMG description page. Here's what it says..

"Online play requires software installation of and log-in to Games For Windows - LIVE "

 

[gorcorps]

Given that the non-steam sites activate on steam, it's steamworks. When it's another DRM (like GFWL) they typically DON'T activate on steam even though you can buy it through steam, because they key you bought is for GFWL and not steam.

Rest easy fellas, looks like no GFWL here

 

[Dankk]

Given that the non-steam sites activate on steam, it's steamworks. When it's another DRM (like GFWL) they typically DON'T activate on steam even though you can buy it through steam, because they key you bought is for GFWL and not steam.

Rest easy fellas, looks like no GFWL here

Hate to break it to you, but it's both. The game requires Steam to activate. It also requires GFWL for online play. They confirmed a long time ago that they're using GFWL for multiplayer.

(Dark Souls isn't the first game to do this; Dirt 3 required both Steam and GFWL too)

 

[PowerYoga]

Yes, I would like to know this as well. GFWL = a no buy for me

EDIT: Just looked at the GMG description page. Here's what it says..

"Online play requires software installation of and log-in to Games For Windows - LIVE "

whelp, no buy for me. Fuck GFWL.

 

[clok1966]

I personall hate consoles for most game (gamepads are not good for FPS which are 95% of console games) in most respects.. but I think Dark souls will just play better with a gamepad.. and for me to say that.. its a big thing.. I may be wrong ( and hope I am) Skyrim and such play well on keyboard so this may too. BUT it does sound like a Straight Port so that will blow ..

As for some comments on story.. this is a GAME about you and your skills.. nothing in the game cheats you. This game is about you solving how to attack, how to avoid, how to defend.. and recognizing traps.. back in the old days when games had 3 lives.. you HAD to be good.. nowdays.. life regens.. you start where you died, you can contunie forever.. in some games that great.. but this is a game of skill.. I kept hearing how "BRUTAL" DemonsSouls was.. bah.. no harder then about 95% of the Nes/genisis platformers with 3 lives and 10 hours of levels of PERFECTLY timed jumps. In fact this game is easy if you are carefull and dont push into more then you can handle.. dont let your guard down and ever think there isnt a trap or enmy comming. The bosses do harketn to the old days, perfectly timed attacks... but damn its a great game..

 

[PowerYoga]

demons souls is brutal because the enemies are STRONG, and the game punishes you for screwing up. You miss that dodge? Now you're knocked down, and the guy is preparing to stab you in the face when you get up. Or he just knocked you into 3 gargoyles that are now breathing fire on your dead body. Or he just sucked a soul level out of you. It's challenging in a rewarding way, being that if you're good at these sort of games there is a lot of fun in the fights.

NES was hard not because the game is hard, but because the mechanics and controls SUCKED and there's a lot of bugs like platforms you fall through for no reason at all. Not to mention memory limitations means you can't save, and most of them are platformers that you need to go through in 1 sitting anyway. It's frustrating because when you die half of the time its because you can't go up the stairs.

 

[gorcorps]

Hate to break it to you, but it's both. The game requires Steam to activate. It also requires GFWL for online play. They confirmed a long time ago that they're using GFWL for multiplayer.

(Dark Souls isn't the first game to do this; Dirt 3 required both Steam and GFWL too)

Ugh... both? I never played Dirt 3 so haven't heard of such a thing. Up until now I guess it's been a safe assumption that if 3rd party sellers still activate via steam, it's steamworks (so no GFWL needed). Having both is a kick to the stones.

 

[KaOTiK]

I think it is both because Namco/Fromsoftware are in a bit of wtf state. They went with GFWL because they already had net code built around it to some extent from the consoles and they don't have tons of experience in the PC market. They seem to have added Steam into the mix to some extent because of the amount of people asking for it, but they probably don't want to work on getting it fully working for a full featured steamworks game and dropping GFWL completely. So they kind of put themselves in a weird situation trying to please everyone but kinda pissing off a lot lol. I'll buy the game because I loved it on the PS3 and the fact that they were willing to give it a go bringing it to the PC at all after a petition. Yeah, they need to understand that a crappy port wont always cut it but gamers need to also put their money up for once and follow through on what they say. They begged and petitioned to get Dark Souls on the PC from a company who has minor PC experience, if we show them we weren't just blowing smoke up their asses I'm sure they will do better in the future learning from the mistakes now. But if the game sells like ass we will be SOL.

 

[Chiropteran]

whelp, no buy for me. Fuck GFWL.

Hey great news, I was afraid I would have to buy this game.

Thanks GFWL, you saved me some cash.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I will be buying (even though I still have my PS3 copy in shrink wrap...). I find that I just don't play on the consoles much anymore, and if it isn't on the PC, it really has little to no chance.

 

[PowerYoga]

I think it is both because Namco/Fromsoftware are in a bit of wtf state. They went with GFWL because they already had net code built around it to some extent from the consoles and they don't have tons of experience in the PC market. They seem to have added Steam into the mix to some extent because of the amount of people asking for it, but they probably don't want to work on getting it fully working for a full featured steamworks game and dropping GFWL completely. So they kind of put themselves in a weird situation trying to please everyone but kinda pissing off a lot lol. I'll buy the game because I loved it on the PS3 and the fact that they were willing to give it a go bringing it to the PC at all after a petition. Yeah, they need to understand that a crappy port wont always cut it but gamers need to also put their money up for once and follow through on what they say. They begged and petitioned to get Dark Souls on the PC from a company who has minor PC experience, if we show them we weren't just blowing smoke up their asses I'm sure they will do better in the future learning from the mistakes now. But if the game sells like ass we will be SOL.

Problem with this is Dawn of War 2 did this and it was absolutely horrendous. I will never buy another GFWL game, especially when its such a pivotal and important aspect of the game.

 

[mindcycle]

I like how "3rd party DRM" on Steam is listed as simply: Microsoft

What a joke..

 

[Dankk]

I think it is both because Namco/Fromsoftware are in a bit of wtf state. They went with GFWL because they already had net code built around it to some extent from the consoles and they don't have tons of experience in the PC market.

Right. There's a reason they used GFWL; it uses the exact same netcode as the Xbox 360, so it's much less troublesome, especially given that From Software isn't familiar with the PC.

Fortunately I've never had a single problem with Steam or GFWL, so I'll be buying it. I have probably 20 different games with GFWL. Never had an issue with any of them.

So they kind of put themselves in a weird situation trying to please everyone but kinda pissing off a lot lol. I'll buy the game because I loved it on the PS3 and the fact that they were willing to give it a go bringing it to the PC at all after a petition.

Right. I'm buying the game because I backed the petition, I supported From, and I already committed to it. I'm sticking to my word.

Yeah, they need to understand that a crappy port wont always cut it but gamers need to also put their money up for once and follow through on what they say. They begged and petitioned to get Dark Souls on the PC from a company who has minor PC experience, if we show them we weren't just blowing smoke up their asses I'm sure they will do better in the future learning from the mistakes now. But if the game sells like ass we will be SOL.

There are two things we can do here:

1) Buy the game and support From to encourage them to make more PC games;

or

2) Take back our word and get angry at From, who was just being nice and actually went through the effort of porting their game for us. The game will sell poorly, From will be sad and confused, and they'll never touch the PC market ever again.

People petitioned the shit out of Namco Bandai to get Dark Souls. They actually gave it to us, and then they announced they're using GFWL, which suddenly made everyone pissed. I swear, PC gamers are impossible to please.

 

[mindcycle]

There are two things we can do here:

1) Buy the game and support From to encourage them to make more PC games;

or

2) Take back our word and get angry at From, who was just being nice and actually went through the effort of porting their game for us. The game will sell poorly, From will be sad and confused, and they'll never touch the PC market ever again.

People petitioned the shit out of Namco Bandai to get Dark Souls. They actually gave it to us, and then they announced they're using GFWL, which suddenly made everyone pissed. I swear, PC gamers are impossible to please.

The problem here is GFWL includes a horribly broken DRM system. The multiplayer aspect of it may be just fine, but the DRM side of it is what sucks. It doesn't matter if they had all the greatest of intentions in the world. There are people, like myself, who gave GFWL several tries and consistently got screwed. Why would we want to buy another game that uses that software just because the developer/publisher was nice enough to port a game? Why waste $40 on something that is most likely going to be a massive PITA? That's the real issue here IMO.

 

[PowerYoga]

It's not exactly a secret people hate GFWL. Most online games that are built around GFWL are dead for good reason.

It's not about PC gamers being impossible to please, its more about promising you a delicious sandwich and then smearing turd on it. Are all the contents of the sandwich still there, with possibly more things that you love? Yes. But now you don't really want it because there's turd all over it.

This should come as absolutely no surprise, since when they announced that they will use GFWL there was a huge backlash as well.

 

[NoSoup4You]

Looking forward to this, never had any issue with GFWL.

 

[Attic]

I hate GFWL. The turd anology above is spot on. You can take a great game, but when GFWL is strapped on, that great game quickly turns into something to avoid.

GFWL was promised to be great some years ago, it turned out to be terrible and unfinished yet it still clings on to games. If folks knew how crappy GFWL was going to be they'd never have used it,... I feel like it's still being put into games based on it's 5 year old hype.

Hope GFWL is removed from Dark Souls, i really wanted to play this one on the PC and i'm not going to be pleased if I have to contend with GFLW in order to enjoy a game.

 

[Chiropteran]

The more I hear about this game the more I want to play it. I just can't stand GFWL.

I'll probably break down and buy it despite GFWL when it goes on sale.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Don't care about GFWL will buy.

 

[Bryf50]

Looks like this game is basically a guide on how to make a shitty port.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-09-dark-souls-pc-preview-the-devils-bargain
Locked 30fps-Check
Locked Resolution at 1024x720-Check
GFWL-Check
Completed unedited UI-Check
Janky Mouse Controls-Check

I really wanted to buy this because the game seems good and I liked that they listened with the PC port. But there are several things on the list that are inexcusable.

 

[KaOTiK]

Pretty much what the developer said the port would be, mappable keys, better framerate (the console version's framerate was horrid in areas, especially blighttown), AA, and new content. The cons of GFWL and no fancy PC options were told right when they said they would do the port. The only part that is surprising is the framebuffer at 720p and the fps being locked at 30fps.

Still doesn't detract from an amazing game. Honestly, we should be surprised it is even being released on the PC at all considering a petition actually got them to do it and they have nearly no PC experience.

At best, we can hope the game does sell what was anticipated by the petition and get some patches to improve some stuff and future games will be developed along side the PC version meaning a much better experience. At worse, the game sells like crap and we wont get any more games from them and more then likely any game that gets a petition to be ported to the PC the publisher/dev will just reference this situation saying no.

 

[Bryf50]

Pretty much what the developer said the port would be, mappable keys, better framerate (the console version's framerate was horrid in areas, especially blighttown), AA, and new content. The cons of GFWL and no fancy PC options were told right when they said they would do the port. The only part that is surprising is the framebuffer at 720p and the fps being locked at 30fps.

Still doesn't detract from an amazing game. Honestly, we should be surprised it is even being released on the PC at all considering a petition actually got them to do it and they have nearly no PC experience.

At best, we can hope the game does sell what was anticipated by the petition and get some patches to improve some stuff and future games will be developed along side the PC version meaning a much better experience. At worse, the game sells like crap and we wont get any more games from them and more then likely any game that gets a petition to be ported to the PC the publisher/dev will just reference this situation saying no.

Yea I know what you're saying. I didn't expect any fancy features but locked resolution and fps is just plain lazy. And they actually have made a PC game not all that long ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja_Blade
From what I've found googling it was a lot less half-assed of a port.

 

[NoSoup4You]

All those issues are still an improvement over the PS3 version. The wonky controls though might be an issue. This isn't a single player game, players can invade your session and kill you, or players can join and help you...etc. It's a neat dynamic, Demon's Souls was awesome but I haven't played Dark Souls yet.