724 replies to this topic

[FredFredrickson]

Sandy has asked me to post a poll to see what the community thinks about Game Maker 8, Softwrap, and the impending release date. Following is his message about this. No matter how strongly you feel either way, please keep the discussion civil. We did a pretty good with the last community project - let's do the same thing here.

EDIT (UPDATE) from Sandy. On reading your comments I've made a small change ...with immediate effect the default for Softwrap is FIVE installs, not 3.

From Sandy -

I'm still feeling a bit battered and bruised from the announcement of the new Game Maker Logo... so I'm a bit reluctant to do anything that might appear controversial. Every Friday Mark Overmars and I have a Skype call for at least an hour on discussing YoYo Games and Game Maker. Last week Mark raised the issue that the website changes we require to support removing Softwrap are behind schedule and are now at least 3 months away. Mark has been VERY busy at the University and he was worried that his ability to provide some of the code we need might take even longer.

The situation is pretty simple. Game Maker 8 is pretty much finished. Mark has taken a few days vacation to do a few small fixes and we'll be happy that we can release the product. BUT we can only do this quickly if we use Softwrap again.

We will hopefully be able to release before the end of December and Mark is ready to try and get the additional work required to support Softwrap completed during his vacation next week. As this his is NOT something we've been planning for, there may be issues we haven't anticipated, but we're both optimistic we can get the work required done quickly.

So, rather than just make a decision that I think is the right one, I thought I would repeat the positive part of the logo decision making process and give you, The Community, a chance to vote on the issue.

BEFORE you start getting excitable ..... at least take the following points into account, and then please just give us your vote!

• Going with Softwrap means you get GM8 in the next few weeks (our target is end of December)
• We will use a different version of Softwrap from last time, which will hopefully reduce the few problems that persist
• The YoYo Games solution will not be ready until at least the end of March
• The YYG solution is a "Soft-DRM" and still requires some online activation
• The YYG solution initially will have no more payment options than Softwrap currently provides

It's up to you, so please vote YES or NO to Softwrap.

[petenka]

So long as we switch to the yyg solution as soon as it is ready, I say yes to softwrap.
I WANT MAH GM8!!!
so yeah, I'm fine with softwrap. it worked for me perfectly fine always.

[9_6]

Hell no.
Take all the time you want to get rid of that abomination properly and do it well.
It's the tiny little detail that pretty much ruined gm7 for me.

Do it like blizzard, it's done when it's done and when it's done it's good.

Edited by 9_6, 14 December 2009 - 08:07 PM.

[FredFredrickson]

It worked for me fine as well. The only problem I ever had with it was some slight confusion about how to use a key multiple times, but I always managed to figure it out.

It's the tiny little detail that pretty much ruined gm7 for me.

How did it ruin GM7 for you, 9_6?

I'm not defending Softwrap - I only ask because I feel that if you've got such a strong opinion about it, you should at least explain why so the rest of us can discuss it properly.

[@Alex@]

Personally i've never had problem with softwrap and Sandy does state its a new/different version from the current model that people have had problems with. So i'm perfectly fine if they decide to use softwrap for GM8.

So am happy enought to vote yes for the use of softwrap.

[WadeMcGillis]

Sure, keep Softwrap. Then GM9 can have all of the features that YoYo hinted at: online highscores built in, microtransactions, no Softwrap, etc.

[FlatLander]

Well Softwrap has caused problems for me but a 3 month fix seems too long. (Esp. if 3 months becomes 6 months ...)
A different version of Softwrap offers some hope, I suppose.

[edited for typo]

Edited by FlatLander, 14 December 2009 - 08:42 PM.

[emanuel87]

Is there an option for us, if problems occur, to 'reactivate' with YYG solution? say if i bought a license now, using softwrap, if problems occur should i wait for few months until the accomplishment of "YYG's solution" and reactivate with it, is that an option?

[FredFredrickson]

If YYG goes with Softwrap, it could be the permanent solution for GM8. I don't think they can say whether or not they will implement their own solution later on, should they go with Softwrap initially.

[sevcik.daniel]

I haven't got any error with softwrap in GM7 activation.

[SLarouche]

I never had a problem with Softwrap, so I prefer to have GM8 sooner please.

thanks,

[9_6]

It's the tiny little detail that pretty much ruined gm7 for me.

How did it ruin GM7 for you, 9_6?

I'm not defending Softwrap - I only ask because I feel that if you've got such a strong opinion about it, you should at least explain why so the rest of us can discuss it properly.

Fair enough.

I like being able to work on my stuff whenever I want to. Without sometimes having to email and wait for someones response for a varying amount of time.
I also like my game maker reliably staying registered.
Furthermore, I like always being able to register it properly, even if I don't have internet. Just in case, you know?

Why do I like this?
Because I spend a lot of time on my projects and thus don't want to jeopardize their existence because I use a tool that might just stop working altogether for an indefinite amount of time.
Basically if you're at a place with no internet and no possibility to have it back the next few weeks and your game maker decided to unregister itself, you're screwed.

It also totally depends on whether or not the softwrap servers work, you know? And why should the thing I bought depend on the server of a third party
It's the usual drm dilemma, I feel like I rented the thing rather than actually having it. It bugs the hell out of me with games already but now tools too?
That doesn't ever happen with gm6.

Or to make it even shorter: I like using absolutely reliable tools for time consuming projects and games always are time consuming projects.
I also like my freedom. Freedom is good. I don't wanna have to beg for something like installs for the product I legally bought.

That's about it.

Edited by 9_6, 14 December 2009 - 08:42 PM.

[sandyd]

I can't see us changing the way we wrap GM8 half way through. SO, if you're concerned that the keys will get out of sync...don't, but see this as a vote for the life of GM8. We CAN change this mid-term, but it's possibly a lot of work, so for now we want to know you'll accept a Softwrap based solution until further notice.

[Pinpickle]

I had a problem with Softwrap, and Softwrap fixed it on the spot.
I have no problems with keeping it.

[NakedPaulToast]

If YYG goes with Softwrap, it could be the permanent solution for GM8. I don't think they can say whether or not they will implement their own solution later on, should they go with Softwrap initially.

I'm not reading anything in Sandy's communication that suggests when the YYG's solution is available, they won't implement it replacing Softwrap, within GM8.

To me this is a no brainer. Vote YES.

Voting YES, we get GM8 with Softwrap until about March then we get GM8 with the YYG DRM.

Voting NO, have nothing until about March.

What possible advantage is there voting NO?

*EDIT* Whoooops just read Sandy's update. That changes things.

Edited by NakedPaulToast, 14 December 2009 - 08:32 PM.

[Desert Dog]

Not a big fan of Softwrap, for several reasons (including a lot of what 9_6 said).

However, are the 'other' options really going to be better? I hope this isn't a case where it's better to have the devil you know, than the devil you don't....

We CAN change this mid-term, but it's possibly a lot of work, so for now we want to know you'll accept a Softwrap based solution until further notice.

I voted no in the poll, but yeah, of course I have no problems with you using Softwrap, while looking at other options.

Edited by Desert Dog, 14 December 2009 - 08:34 PM.

[linx137520]

Doesn't make much sense why you people couldn't just live with softwrap for a bit . At the rate the poll is going we'll be waiting a couple more months...

[KC LC]

I say avoid Softwrap -- whatever the delay in GM8 may be. Besides, GM8 may not be as ready as Sandy says it is. His track record estimating these things isn't very good.

Here's the problem: Softwrap often IGNORES email that doesn't have exactly the information they need. Not even a peep saying "we need more info". I've had to help dozens of members after Softwrap just ignored their registration problems. I'm sick of it.

GM8 offers some great new features, and I'll definitely upgrade. But these new features don't justify going with Softwrap again.

There's a saying in West Texas where I spent my summers: don't serve apple pie on a cow chip.

[WadeMcGillis]

His track record estimating these things isn't very good.

Careful, sandy's reading this topic right now!

[Comando32]

I vote to have soft wrap in gm8. I recently had my GM7 DE-activate (its vista 64-bit, its anything but compatible with gm8) on my third computer I used my code on. when I contacted them about it, they renewed my code as of their first response for another three uses, no questions asked (may it be noted I provided some info in the first email). I believe allot of the reports of softwrap being unhelpful and rude have been people with lite who call in and say "I can haz pro plz?" and then rant when they get rejected. now I know some of you truly had issues with them, but I think after the whole nomoresoftwrap rally started they decided to ramp up their customer support before they believed they might start finding severed fingers in shoe boxes waiting on their front step.

So personally never experiencing an issue with them, I vote yes to this decision. I want my GM8 before 2008!...err...2010!