CMBN licensing issues for 2.12

[Grim.Reaper]

Not to hijack this thread about specific licensing and DRM issues, but something that has also puzzled me about the Combat Mission series is their patching process as well.  I think we all have bashed Graviteam's patching headaches for their series of games (AP: OP Star. etc.) but after reading this thread I also had an interest to play a little Shock Force so I went to try and figure out how to install everything again since I own all the modules.  Here are the instructions I found.  The instructions are easy enough to follow but the fact that you need these detailed instructions to figure it out still frustrates me.  Can't they make a comprehensive patch system where you simply install all the modules and apply one big patch?  Its things like this (even if petty) keep me going back to certain titles.

*** Patching Process***

Install CMSF, do NOT license it if it is a Battlefront version.

Install the v. 1.10 patch for your distribution (Battlefront or Paradox). This step is sometimes not needed if you have the Marines module, but bundles that include the Marines module may not have all of the necessary files that are part of the v. 1.10 patch.

If you have the Marines module, install it now.

If you have the Marines module, launch CMSF and use the Marines license key to activate (this activates both CMSF and the Marines module).
If you have the British Forces module, install it now.
If you have the British Forces module, launch CMSF and use the British Forces license key to activate it now.
Install the v. 1.21 patch. Make sure to make the correct selections for the modules you have. Making an incorrect selection will result in modules disappearing or license key requests for modules you do not have. If you run into this problem reinstall the v. 1.21 patch again and make the correct selections. You must install the v. 1.21 patch BEFORE installing the NATO module.
If you have the NATO module, install it now.
If you have the NATO module, launch CMSF and use the NATO license key to activate it now.
Install the v. 1.31 patch. Make sure to make the correct selections for the modules you have. Making an incorrect selection will result in modules disappearing or license key requests for modules you do not have. If you run into this problem reinstall the v. 1.31 patch again and make the correct selections.
Install the v. 1.32 patch. Make sure to make the correct selections for the modules you have. Making an incorrect selection will result in modules disappearing or license key requests for modules you do not have. If you run into this problem reinstall the v. 1.32 patch again and make the correct selections.

[RyanE]

In my opinion CMBN is even more complicated.  I have had to reinstall it a couple times and there is just enough ambiguity to make some guess work on patches vs module sequence.

The other problem is that they are sometimes slow to update procedures in their knowledgebase on the support site.  And that seems to be where they want people to go.  I have always felt they should keep an updated FAQ installation right in the forum.  It seems they would rather resolve everything through tickets on support site..not sure why.  They could save themselves a lot of effort.

[RyanE]

Somewhere in the world there is a former computer of mine with a license for Shock Force Marines, which I  forgot to unlicense before uninstalling.

It would make to much sense to incorporate the unlicensing process with the uninstall process. 

BF support will not reset my licenses either. Pretty awesome.

Why won't they reset your license? I'm having this problem too. I sent an email to BF support on Saturday afternoon and within 2 hours I received a response from John telling me no problem, he would reset my licenses. It has not been done yet, but I'm hopeful it will get sorted quickly now that the holiday weekend is over. I'm annoyed that I even have to ask for more licenses in the first place, but if all it takes is an email, I can live with that.

I have never had them reset a license through email...and I have had to do it a few times.  Its always connected to a ticket submission on their support site.

[Grim.Reaper]

In my opinion CMBN is even more complicated.  I have had to reinstall it a couple times and there is just enough ambiguity to make some guess work on patches vs module sequence.

The other problem is that they are sometimes slow to update procedures in their knowledgebase on the support site.  And that seems to be where they want people to go.  I have always felt they should keep an updated FAQ installation right in the forum.  It seems they would rather resolve everything through tickets on support site..not sure why.  They could save themselves a lot of effort.

I would still rank Graviteam more difficulty, but Battlefront still no picnic.....

[RyanE]

The only thing I'll say about Graviteam is that it stays consistent.  BFC's process seems to change as patches and modules are released.

Neither do a good job of documenting it.

[Jarhead0331]

Somewhere in the world there is a former computer of mine with a license for Shock Force Marines, which I  forgot to unlicense before uninstalling.

It would make to much sense to incorporate the unlicensing process with the uninstall process. 

BF support will not reset my licenses either. Pretty awesome.

Why won't they reset your license? I'm having this problem too. I sent an email to BF support on Saturday afternoon and within 2 hours I received a response from John telling me no problem, he would reset my licenses. It has not been done yet, but I'm hopeful it will get sorted quickly now that the holiday weekend is over. I'm annoyed that I even have to ask for more licenses in the first place, but if all it takes is an email, I can live with that.

I have never had them reset a license through email...and I have had to do it a few times.  Its always connected to a ticket submission on their support site.

There is an email address elicense@battlefront.com. That's what I used.

John may have created a ticket thereafter to resolve the issue.

What has been the result of your support ticket submissions?

[SgtRock]

This is what happens when you use a third party DRM, that you don't have full control over!

and

You don't have an build-in update utility for your software!

Battlefront's products have become too complex (too many variables) for manual updates any more. One mistake and one or more of your activations go bye bye!

[Ubercat]

I think something broke recently with the activation system.  A few people on BFC have been complaining about it recently.  I bet if you went to do a reinstall, MG would get borked.

Complaining? On Battlefronts website? Have they been banned yet?

[RyanE]

Never knew about the email box...

Generally, they have reset within 24 hours.  I have gone as long as three days.

This one is different though.  I think they are grasping at straws and just delaying me by making jump through some hoops until they figure it out.  I still have not heard about any new activations yet.

[Boggit]

Somewhere in the world there is a former computer of mine with a license for Shock Force Marines, which I  forgot to unlicense before uninstalling.

It would make to much sense to incorporate the unlicensing process with the uninstall process. 

I've done that. It's a pain. I totally agree with your suggestion. It makes a lot of sense. :)

[Boggit]

Somewhere in the world there is a former computer of mine with a license for Shock Force Marines, which I  forgot to unlicense before uninstalling.

It would make to much sense to incorporate the unlicensing process with the uninstall process. 

BF support will not reset my licenses either. Pretty awesome.

Why won't they reset your license? I'm having this problem too. I sent an email to BF support on Saturday afternoon and within 2 hours I received a response from John telling me no problem, he would reset my licenses. It has not been done yet, but I'm hopeful it will get sorted quickly now that the holiday weekend is over. I'm annoyed that I even have to ask for more licenses in the first place, but if all it takes is an email, I can live with that.

I have never had them reset a license through email...and I have had to do it a few times.  Its always connected to a ticket submission on their support site.

There is an email address elicense@battlefront.com. That's what I used.

John may have created a ticket thereafter to resolve the issue.

What has been the result of your support ticket submissions?

I had SCWW1 Breakthrough break the license when I ran the latest patch. John was on it pretty quickly, and sent me Gsclean to fix it which it did. I asked for a credit on activations, but have no idea whether that was done or not, as there was no reply on that point.

[RyanE]

The main issue is you have no idea where you stand with activations.  A number of times when I have had activation issues, I have re-entered a license number.  I have no clue if that decrements the activations or not.  And with the 12 or so lost activations over the 15 or so games/modules I have from BFC, they have never given me back any more than the one I needed at that moment.

They were supposed to give one new activation each year you owned the game.  But they said they had issues with the process and I haven't heard mention of it in years.  This DRM issue is the dirty little secret of BFC that I think limits the game to only people who are truly dedicated or vested in the games.  Casual players are not going to go through this process.  Hardcore players will say that it is worth it or the pain isn't much compared to the enjoyment.  But when you have limited playing time, any hassle is too much hassle.

btw, support sent me an email saying CMBN is activated again, but no mention of getting any of my activations back.  No activation given to me for MG though.  I am again SOL if something happens.  The support person stated they are look into a bug in 2.12 that is killing some activations.

[RyanE]

Somewhere in the world there is a former computer of mine with a license for Shock Force Marines, which I  forgot to unlicense before uninstalling.

It would make to much sense to incorporate the unlicensing process with the uninstall process. 

I've done that. It's a pain. I totally agree with your suggestion. It makes a lot of sense. :)

I think it is part of uninstall...at least in later versions.  I uninstalled CMSF and all its modules and the uninstall worked well.  I have never had an issue with CMSF's unlicense process.  The issue is if you don't get a chance to unlicense.

[SgtRock]

The main issue is you have no idea where you stand with activations.  A number of times when I have had activation issues, I have re-entered a license number.  I have no clue if that decrements the activations or not.  And with the 12 or so lost activations over the 15 or so games/modules I have from BFC, they have never given me back any more than the one I needed at that moment.

They were supposed to give one new activation each year you owned the game.  But they said they had issues with the process and I haven't heard mention of it in years.  This DRM issue is the dirty little secret of BFC that I think limits the game to only people who are truly dedicated or vested in the games.  Casual players are not going to go through this process.  Hardcore players will say that it is worth it or the pain isn't much compared to the enjoyment.  But when you have limited playing time, any hassle is too much hassle.

btw, support sent me an email saying CMBN is activated again, but no mention of getting any of my activations back.  No activation given to me for MG though.  I am again SOL if something happens.  The support person stated they are look into a bug in 2.12 that is killing some activations.

Your right, too much hassle for a game! Who's even got the time to waste on this crap? I just had to replace a crashed hard drive and this is where Steam really shines! I'm not going to even re-install CMSF, my rebuilt system will remain Battlefront DRM free!

[jomni]

Who's even got the time to waste on this crap?

Those who play nothing but Combat Mission.