Steel Beasts Pro PE

Zulu1966 · November 03, 2012, 06:48:31 PM

Hi - anyone know if this game company is still active. I paid for an upgrade for the latest version but got no license file link. I sent a mail to support but heard nothing. Tried to register on their forums but even thats not sending me an activation mail for my account there.

Have I just thrown money in the toilet ?

Yskonyn · November 03, 2012, 06:56:41 PM

AFAIK they are active.
Support usually is quick and effective. Not sure what is going on. :-\

Jarhead0331 · November 03, 2012, 07:00:24 PM

That's odd. I hadn't heard anything. Try asking over in the armor section at simhq.com. Pretty sure Ssnake hangs out in there.

Staggerwing · November 03, 2012, 07:01:01 PM

I certainly hope that eSim is still a going concern. Did you (sorry for the obvious) check your spam filter and make sure they have the correct email addy in your profile?

Edit: corrected pub name.

Zulu1966 · November 03, 2012, 09:00:02 PM

Thanks all ... got a reply - but they cant figure out why I didnt get any mails. Got the licence thing sorted but now the freaking codemeter thing doesnt work. Doesnt even get recognized as a USB device. This has got to be the most Pain in the A** DRM I have seen. Any clues ?

LongBlade · November 03, 2012, 09:16:12 PM

Sorry, this is a game I've always wanted to get into but never took the plunge.

Zulu1966 · November 03, 2012, 09:30:05 PM

Quote from: LongBlade on November 03, 2012, 09:16:12 PM
Sorry, this is a game I've always wanted to get into but never took the plunge.

Well - I have never been particularly anti drm. But this thing has a dongle. So the game doesnt work not because I dont have a key. Not because the software is bugged. But because some quite separate piece of plastic thats just been sat in a CD case for four years no longer works. I guess they are going to ask me to send it back - but I frankly dont know I can be bothered. I mean its 2012, dongles for gods sake - I had to use those in my amiga .... this may be reason enough to keep your money longblade.

Nefaro · November 03, 2012, 11:30:21 PM

USB Thumb Drives are notoriously unreliable as to life span (which is what these 'security' dongles are). Some will last you a long time, more likely so if you only keep them plugged in, powered up, and used occasionally. But I've also seen some that just plain die within a year or two of regular use, no matter the name brand.

I've got an old SanDisk that has lasted a surprisingly long 3-4 years, but I learned to only plug it in and use it very rarely, for a 3rd backup location of smaller files and useful little Windows utilities I may need when people ask me to fix up their PC while I'm visiting.

jomni · November 04, 2012, 06:11:09 AM

Ah dead USB's... the disadvantage of dongle-based DRM.

Staggerwing · November 04, 2012, 06:50:12 AM

Here is a link to the eSim forums concerning dongle issues:

http://www.steelbeasts.com/sbforums/showthread.php?t=7012

Zulu1966 · November 04, 2012, 08:18:29 AM

Quote from: Staggerwing on November 04, 2012, 06:50:12 AM
Here is a link to the eSim forums concerning dongle issues:

http://www.steelbeasts.com/sbforums/showthread.php?t=7012

Thanks - but I spent hours trawling through everything yesterday and it appears I have the terminal flashing red and green issue. Now to compose an email to them and see if I can keep my temper.

Zulu1966 · November 04, 2012, 08:20:17 AM

Quote from: Nefaro on November 03, 2012, 11:30:21 PM
USB Thumb Drives are notoriously unreliable as to life span (which is what these 'security' dongles are). Some will last you a long time, more likely so if you only keep them plugged in, powered up, and used occasionally. But I've also seen some that just plain die within a year or two of regular use, no matter the name brand.

I've got an old SanDisk that has lasted a surprisingly long 3-4 years, but I learned to only plug it in and use it very rarely, for a 3rd backup location of smaller files and useful little Windows utilities I may need when people ask me to fix up their PC while I'm visiting.

Thats the thing. It worked last time I used it a few years back and since then its just been sat in a box. Ridiculous system, they must self destruct or something.

panzerde · November 04, 2012, 02:00:33 PM

I bought Steel Beast Pro PE about six weeks ago, and my initial license email went astray. They did respond within a day with a new email. Since then I haven't had any issues, though it does look like the biggest technical complaint with the game is around their Codemeter license key.

Fantastic, though extremely complex and demanding sim. Could do without this clunky DRM approach, though.

Zulu1966 · November 04, 2012, 03:10:46 PM

Quote from: panzerde on November 04, 2012, 02:00:33 PM
I bought Steel Beast Pro PE about six weeks ago, and my initial license email went astray. They did respond within a day with a new email. Since then I haven't had any issues, though it does look like the biggest technical complaint with the game is around their Codemeter license key.

Fantastic, though extremely complex and demanding sim. Could do without this clunky DRM approach, though.

Well - I am now two days without access to my game or a reply. I must say I am less than inpressed. I know its the weekend but this game is a$150 bucks so I would have expected something. I frankly find the whole code meter thing utterly arcane and ridiculous. People complain about ubi soft but this thing has got to be the worst I have seen. At least all I need for ubi soft is an internet connection for this I have to be sending bits of plastic by post half way round the world to get the thing working.

Yskonyn · November 04, 2012, 03:12:53 PM

Yeah it's pretty frustrating for the price they ask for it.
I've not have had any problems with my dongle ever. In over 4 years now. But if you do, then it's certainly frustrating!