Open Beta GOG - No valid serial found

[Th30n]

Hey Vic,

I know you are busy, and it is stated that open beta works only with Matrix version, but I'm still reporting the error on GOG version for future reference.

I've applied the open beta v1.10.04 over the GOG v1.09. After launching the game, and getting to the menu I get the following fatal error
"No valid serial found. VR Designs error-code: 22. Please go to matrixgames helpdesk if you need assistance"

Anyone knows if there's a way to get the GOG version running with open beta?

[eddieballgame]

I own the GOG version as well...support & all.
I have not used the GOG version, but if I was to apply the latest beta patch to it...I would do it 'by hand'.
In other words, I would apply all the beta files individually/manually.
No idea if this would make a difference, but worth a shot.

[Don_Kiyote]

afaik, short of full on hacking, the beta (as downloaded from here) will not work with the GOG version as of this date, full stop.

Patience.

[zgrssd]

ORIGINAL: Th30n

Hey Vic,

I know you are busy, and it is stated that open beta works only with Matrix version, but I'm still reporting the error on GOG version for future reference.

I've applied the open beta v1.10.04 over the GOG v1.09. After launching the game, and getting to the menu I get the following fatal error
"No valid serial found. VR Designs error-code: 22. Please go to matrixgames helpdesk if you need assistance"

Anyone knows if there's a way to get the GOG version running with open beta?

For GoG he had to remove the Serial Check. So the executeable is fundamentally different.

If you install a non-gog executeable over the gog version, that one will look for the Key. And find nothing.

[eddieballgame]

I am wondering if applying all the 'beta files' minus the 'exe' file, will still allow for many of the updates to work.

[zgrssd]

ORIGINAL: eddieballgame

I am wondering if applying all the 'beta files' minus the 'exe' file, will still allow for many of the updates to work.

You can certainly try.

But it is likely the actuall code is in any of the .dll files.
Or that the old .exe can not read the updated Scenario File.
Either way, you will not be able to make usefull bug reports due to the frankenstein nature of your game installation.

[eddieballgame]

I tested it & using the 'frankestein' method of, simply, copying & pasting & I was able to play the GOG version.
The only file I did not swap out was the 'exe' file & there were no '.dll' files.
Of course, the version still showed 1.09, so not sure how much of the 'beta' is actually being implemented. (too lazy to check on that)
Agreed on this method not being useful per 'bug reporting', but for a GOG user wanting to attempt to use some of the new stuff per the beta...maybe this could help.
Another reason to buy on Matrix/Slitherine. [:)]

[Don_Kiyote]

not sure how much of the 'beta' is actually being implemented.

Try to check your game against the changelist. For example:

Changelist for v1.10
-Added option to hide some map aesthetical gfx details to speed up map scroll speed by about 33% extra

...try to find that^ option. If it's there, all the other stuff probably is too.

[Th30n]

For what it's worth, I've managed to circumvent the serial check rather trivially in my GOG installation, so it seems I now have the full patch applied without problems. I'd rather not explain the steps here, as I feel the same steps might actually be used to circumvent illegally obtained Matrix version.

[Don_Kiyote]

I now have the full patch applied without problems.

That would be nice. Its not like this problem is going away. GOG will update to 'Main' versions, hopefully, or so they've told me. But frankly that is a second-rate solution. We are told to expect more, future updates, for years possibly.

The GOG launcher has a function for "Beta Channels". I personally would rather not use a launcher for my launcher, but if it meant being able to update at will, then I concede. GOG as a company perhaps doesn't have the manpower.

Another possibility is Vortex, the Nexus Mods tool.

Anyways, PM if you'd like to share, thanks.

[Grigio87]

For what it's worth, I've managed to circumvent the serial check rather trivially in my GOG installation, so it seems I now have the full patch applied without problems. I'd rather not explain the steps here, as I feel the same steps might actually be used to circumvent illegally obtained Matrix version.

Hi, I have the same issue with my GOG copy, can you share with me your method? As new player I'm not enabled to use PM, if you can send the instructions on my email I would be very grateful! (grigio87 # g mail , com)
Or, if you prefer, you can add me as friends on GOG (same nickname).

Thanks in advance!

[RustySkull]

Can someone share the method for circumventing the serial chech for the GOG version please?
my mail is vagozolo@gmail.com.

I bought this game on GOG and there was no disclaimer, that I will be locked out from betas.
I find this quite scammy.

Thanks a lot.

[ernieschwitz]

Not scammy actually.

GoG and Steam both work like a "rental service". You "rent" the game from them, and they have the serial and keys. Matrix lets you buy the whole package. So you "own" it. The difference is that you would probably not be looked at with very kind eyes if you painted a rental different colors and so on, but if you owned it, no-one would care. To protect other players against people doing "fishy" things, with the files, the "rental service" checks to see if you applied a "paintjob" and if you have, overwrites it.

That is the reason why you are locked out of beta.

[Voker57]

Not scammy actually.

GoG and Steam both work like a "rental service". You "rent" the game from them, and they have the serial and keys. Matrix lets you buy the whole package. So you "own" it. The difference is that you would probably not be looked at with very kind eyes if you painted a rental different colors and so on, but if you owned it, no-one would care. To protect other players against people doing "fishy" things, with the files, the "rental service" checks to see if you applied a "paintjob" and if you have, overwrites it.

That is the reason why you are locked out of beta.

That does not make any sense. Games are not cars. The only reason why you can't use open beta is that nobody bothered to create an executable free of the "DRM" for open beta. You can use open beta in Steam just fine. In the end, legitimate users who bought the game from GOG suffer and pirates can still enjoy the game.

[eddieballgame]

I don't get the rental reference per GOG & many Steam games as well.
Once you download the game file/files & save them (GOG)...no renting is required.
Many Steam games can be saved elsewhere & accessed without Steam running.

[ernieschwitz]

I don't get the rental reference per GOG & many Steam games as well.
Once you download the game file/files & save them (GOG)...no renting is required.
Many Steam games can be saved elsewhere & accessed without Steam running.

Do you get a serial? They keep it, hence, not a real purchase, just a rental.

[eddieballgame]

I don't get the rental reference per GOG & many Steam games as well.
Once you download the game file/files & save them (GOG)...no renting is required.
Many Steam games can be saved elsewhere & accessed without Steam running.

Do you get a serial? They keep it, hence, not a real purchase, just a rental.

No serial numbers for GOG games..at least for the purchases I have made.
Per some Steam games such as the Dominions 4 & 5 & CoE series for example, use a serial number but Steam is not required to play them...just to update.
Slitherine & Matrix use the serial number format & there is no 'renting' as well.

[Don_Kiyote]

The only reason why you can't use open beta is that nobody bothered to create an executable free of the "DRM" for open beta.

My guess about the reason, is that it has something to do with the publisher's agreement with GoG. It may be nothing more complicated than that GoG doesnt have the manpower to update all their titles with beta versions. GoG is a secondary distributor, and they may have agreed to manage updates to SE themselves. Given that the company has a huge library with a low margin, I assume, they may not have the capability to do that.

Perhaps for any game.

I did write in GoG support about this. There is an option in GoG Galaxy for 'Bets Channels', which alas does nothing.

...I mean, if they had even around 2000 titles a month to update, that would still be really hard for a small company to manage.

[Voker57]

The only reason why you can't use open beta is that nobody bothered to create an executable free of the "DRM" for open beta.

My guess about the reason, is that it has something to do with the publisher's agreement with GoG. It may be nothing more complicated than that GoG doesnt have the manpower to update all their titles with beta versions. GoG is a secondary distributor, and they may have agreed to manage updates to SE themselves. Given that the company has a huge library with a low margin, I assume, they may not have the capability to do that.

Perhaps for any game.

I did write in GoG support about this. There is an option in GoG Galaxy for 'Bets Channels', which alas does nothing.

...I mean, if they had even around 2000 titles a month to update, that would still be really hard for a small company to manage.

GOG does not need to take any extra steps, beta patches for GOG could just be released on the forum, like they do for Matrix version

[Don_Kiyote]

GOG does not need to take any extra steps, beta patches for GOG could just be released on the forum, like they do for Matrix version

Do you mean on this forum? That would be nice. Who would prepare the patches for use with the GoG version?