EZ Pad & DirectPlay 8.2 Info

[Herr Gott]

Hi All,

I just wanted to clear up a few things about EZ Pad and DirectPlay 8.2 for the IC stress test (in an unofficial capacity).

The multiplayer stress test is a time limited beta for 20 000 participants. In order to ensure that the time limited nature of the demo works as expected (and isn't easily worked around like some time bombs), EZ pad is used to control access to Internet games *for the stress test only*.

Let me reiterate that this is only used by the multiplayer stress test, it will not be used in the final version of the game, and it is not used in any of the current single player demos.

So, if you wish to try out IC without this feature then you can try one of the single player demos that have been / are being released.

On to DirectX requirements... DirectPlay 8.2 addresses several issues with various network goodies (i.e. Firewalls & NATs). It is *required* by the IC stress test, so if you try to connect to the multiplayer server and have no buttons active - then please ensure that you have 8.2 installed. The DirectX download page unfortunately does not mention DPlay 8.2 (from what I saw), so as other posts have mentioned you have to search their download site for it - or you can click this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/r...arch&ordinal=4

Hope this helps!

[ÜberJumper]

Thanks Herr Gott! Was just msning Craig about that!

I have seen people posting concerns about what information that EZ Pad could and is transfering. Can you provide info on what exactly is being shunted back and forth, without giving away any technical secrets, please?

[Herr Gott]

Hi Uber,

I am (unfortunately) not the one to ask about EZ Pad specifics as integration is handled by Microsoft.

As we are all aware from last night, it sends the the "enabler" to your machine so that the demo will run (until the expiry time is hit). The downside of this is if the EZ Pad server is on vacation, then the stress test won't run.

I can confirm that EZ Pad is not spyware - i.e. it doesn't scan your system, it is not a virus and it will not pop up annoying ads. I suspect that a different name would not raise as many concerns.

[Tosh]

umm ... i don't want to make up weird theories about EZ pad, but after i started IC, my firewall notices that Microsoft Works tries to access the net. Funny thing is, it never did this before - so i'm wondering how Works was activated ?!?