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New dev blog: Introducting the EVE Launcher

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DeadNite
Absolute Order
Absolute Honor
#41 - 2011-11-09 15:52:47 UTC  |  Edited by: DeadNite
I do have a few question/comments about the EveOnline launcher:

1.) Will you be integrating the SiSi/Duality server launcher with it. I personally think that this would allow you to hit the mass test numbers you are always looking for if when opening the launcher you have a big banner at the top that says "Need capsuleers for mass test, click here to run the test client (with a big flashy arrow of course)." This beats the current way of having a link that takes you to a page that takes you to another page which then takes you to a wiki page that shoots you to the test server forum. Granted you provide 100 opportunities to make sure people are aware of the process and rules of SiSI/Duality but as I am sure you are aware of, more often than not people still engage on stations, engage on gates, re-list items they purchased in excess...etc. (My personal favorite is people joining MoveMe only to ask how they get moved completely ignoring the message of the day in Las Vegas text telling them how to get moved)...sigh

2.) Can you confirm that this will be the only way to launch the game or can those who still wish just continue to launch it the current way do so? Mac/Linux users come to mind because if they don't get the launcher you would assume that the servers are capable of distributing patches as they currently do.

3.) Any reason you chose not to integrate EveGate into your launcher solution? Perhaps have an EveGate feel to start adding a consistent look and feel to the tools you provide. This way you can do everything related to eve in the launcher tool and have an interface that you have championed for quite some time. (Ex: The EveOnline Launcher mirrors EveGate and has a progress bar under the tabs with the play button as a tab…etc)

3.1) The goal, ultimately, is for those new to the game or those who have not used the feature for awhile are able to intuitively use it due to knowledge from other feature use. (IE: Make UI objects and buttons in similar locations throughout all feature interfaces so that the player knows exactly where to look when looking for how to execute or modify their choices.) This applies to more than just EveGate but to the ingame interface as well. Look at the EveOnline Website, Look at the Wiki, Look at EveGate, and Look at the account management website...they are worlds apart yet all support the same product. There is not a consistent look and feel throughout the various features/services.
Spyker Slater
Bliksem Bende
#42 - 2011-11-09 15:53:37 UTC
Here is a suggestion. I remember many a patch day sitting for hours F5'ing the forums and reading all the rage/trolling/funny stuff people had to say while waiting to play. Maybe you could add a way to comment with a "twitter like" scrolling thingy so we have something to do on patch day.
Ariane VoxDei
#43 - 2011-11-09 15:54:13 UTC
Hate launchers with a vengeance.

Intrusive, spammy, in your face, reducing control.

So, will we still be able to run without it?

Currently go to singularity without it.

Thinking of 2 things that the launcher has potental to break (if not).
switches to eve.exe, such as /LUA:OFF
and
priority switches, such as "cmd.exe /k start /belownormal /b eve.exe /LUA:OFF". (inb4 pedants, the example is not entirely correct)
Jack bubu
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#44 - 2011-11-09 15:54:44 UTC
So will this be mandatory or optional?
Akara Ito
Phalanx Solutions
#45 - 2011-11-09 15:55:11 UTC  |  Edited by: Akara Ito
Please add an option to set a maximum download speed, or at least make the launcher clever enough to scale the download down if another programm needs download.

That thing with the integrated SiSi launcher would be nice as well.

Beyond that, what again is the advantage of having a Launcher ?
I dont see any tbh.
Raziphan Rebular
Path of Dooppa
#46 - 2011-11-09 15:58:02 UTC
Dziu wrote:
If we got this can we have see some logoff option that wont restart the client EVERY SINGLE TIME? Pirate



What? insane! how dare you suggest simple features that every other MMO in the history of mankind has had. Now go sit in the corner and think about what you did! Arrow
The Offerer
Doomheim
#47 - 2011-11-09 16:01:00 UTC
Very nice addition. Thank you.
rofflesausage
State War Academy
Caldari State
#48 - 2011-11-09 16:01:04 UTC  |  Edited by: rofflesausage
Can I launch Eve.exe directly still and jump directly to the game? Will this still patch fine if there has been an update? - I'm assuming so if the Mac client can't use this tool.

I am assuming there is nothing crazy with this tool like a requirement for it being running / background services to play Eve, annoying Apple style?

Cheers
CCP Topknot
C C P
C C P Alliance
#49 - 2011-11-09 16:02:49 UTC  |  Edited by: CCP Topknot
Akara Ito wrote:
Please add an option to set a maximum download speed

This is already in there.
Riffix
Synergistic Arbitrage
#50 - 2011-11-09 16:03:11 UTC  |  Edited by: Riffix
Arth Lawing wrote:
ORCACommander wrote:
looks good but i don't want it. when i click the shortcut for my game i want to go into the game not into a cd autorun menu.


This.
If we wanted all that web content account management stuff we'd launch our Firefox and do it.
The auto patching isn't going to happen because if I'm not online playing I won't be running these pathetic launchers that everyone seems to insist on using these days as a way to clutter up your PC with useless ads and crap.

Old patch day = do stuff while waiting for server, do patch, play
New patch day = sit watching launcher wait for server, do patch, play


I want to agree with you but the reality is that the reason "everyone" is using these types of things is because the alternative (the way CCP does it now) is much more cumbersome.

i.e. Start game, load game, check for patch, download patch, exit game, patch, start game (hope there isn't another patch/hotfix).

It takes more resources, more time, and seems generally cumbersome. With all the hotfixes these days you see this fairly often and it is not pleasant.

With a launcher it is basically a 2 step process: start launcher (patching if needed) and then click play to start game. If there is no patch you can click play almost immediate so you only see the launcher about as long as you see the current splash screen.


What I'd like to know is whether this will replace the sisi launcher which is to say I'd like it to. I'd love one single launcher that lets me Play EVE like always or easily click a button if I want to go to test server. The picture in the blog is a perfect example. They are advertising a mass test but how much more participation would get get if the button to join it was right there :-)

Lead, Follow, or Get the #@$!@ Out of the Way.
CCP Topknot
C C P
C C P Alliance
#51 - 2011-11-09 16:03:43 UTC
Dareth Meroul wrote:
No more cool 3D scene playing in the background of the launcher? Sad It may be functionally irrelevant, but... I do love it so.

It doesn't have to be full screen the way it is now, but it sure would be nice to have a living EVE background for all of the UI/feature goodness coming to the foreground.

This is not removing the login screen. You will still see the beautiful login screen :)
Sarmatiko
#52 - 2011-11-09 16:04:30 UTC
I liked old design with hand-drawn Play button more Big smile
CCP Topknot
C C P
C C P Alliance
#53 - 2011-11-09 16:07:57 UTC
BeanBagKing wrote:
The auto patching might be useful on patch days, so it'll update while I sleep and be ready to play when I wake up. Other than those specific days I don't think I want it, like someone aboove said, its just one more item cluttering, my task bar and running in the background.

Like I said in the blog, this is just one of the things we are considering for future versions. However, if we were ever to do auto patching, it would always be optional and turn-off-able
CCP Topknot
C C P
C C P Alliance
#54 - 2011-11-09 16:08:21 UTC
Sarmatiko wrote:
I liked old design with hand-drawn Play button more Big smile

me too. But I think we are the 1% in this
Nova Fox
Novafox Shipyards
#55 - 2011-11-09 16:08:49 UTC
Would be a bit more awsome if the launcher was the one program to access all the other Public Test Servers.
Like a pulll down select server option (duality sisi tranq) and then patch/install/run and easier uninstall of the test clients.

Dust 514's CPM 1 Iron Wolf Saber Eve mail me about Dust 514 issues.
iOSJake
Doomheim
#56 - 2011-11-09 16:09:01 UTC
Darod Zyree wrote:
The ability to like posts and share content with your friends in the cloud while syncing your photostream with your mobile devices. Naw, just kidding.

I love EVE and all of the developers :-)
Toshiko Kin
Material Reclamation Services
#57 - 2011-11-09 16:10:35 UTC
While you're working on the Mac version, it would also be nice to be able to tell it where you want stuff installed, and have it not blow away any user set info.plist settings, like what the name of the prefs file is.
Faith Sunstrider
#58 - 2011-11-09 16:12:20 UTC
Multi threaded downloads? Check
Repair option in the launcher? Check
EVE news feed? Check
Ability to run eve.exe? Check

I don't get the rant. Launchers are cool and useful (for both dev team and players). If you don't like it, just launch the eve.exe.
Thanks for the launcher (I really loved the multi threaded download, but increasing "the parts" from 5 to 10 would be awesome).
Uninhabited
School of Applied Knowledge
Caldari State
#59 - 2011-11-09 16:12:55 UTC  |  Edited by: Uninhabited
Unless this has already been mentioned, in future can we get that big PLAY button to have the option to launch multiple(selectable) clients?

EVE is an army of alts as you are no doubt aware.
Liu Ellens
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#60 - 2011-11-09 16:12:57 UTC
CCP Topknot wrote:
This is not removing the login screen. You will still see the beautiful login screen :)

1. The background of the launcher could show the render of the first, original public launcher (the rotating EVE logo) - this has been asked for a few times recently I believe :)

2. Multiboxing: any support there? e.g. 'launch game 3 times, prefill login names X, Y, Z" (I haven't thought this through to be honest, might still be better to launch the launcher for launching the game three times manually.)

Well, they oughta know what to do with them hogs out there for shure.