Can't use my DLC in offline mode..?

from Stardock Forums

Hello,

   I am curious if this is the standard way GC3 is supposed to act or if its something odd w/ my account or something. Basically, I bought and installed the Merc DLC, then went offline (Where I was, I don't tend to use the internet much there, so just assume not be connected). I fired up GC3, and its main menu said Mercenaries and patch 1.6 etc. (Note I also have the map editor DLC & Snathi).

When I went to create a new game, I can access the Snathi, and the other races. So that was all good. THen I realized my custom map would need updated for Merc's, so I went to the main menu to make a new map and... the Map Editor button was no where to be found. I finally went online, and the map editor showed up.. made my adjustments, saved it, etc. Went back offline, started a new game.. but I couldn't load the map due to not having the Mercenary DLC. Even though I could access the races, and my main menu reflected that I have it, I didn't technically "have it".


Is this normal? If it is, I really hope its something you will consider changing. If I bought the DLC< I should be able to use it whether I have internet or not at the time, that seems silly. Hell, the map editor is one of the things I am more likely to do offline than online...


If this is NOT normal, is it something on my end that I can fix, or is it a bug w/ the new DLC, or?


Thanks!

14,531 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

If you start the game when online and then disable it, does it do what you want? I noticed that a button briefly shows up sometimes and then disappears. It looks like it's doing a check of your assets, if DLCs installed etc.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Id have to try, but if I guessed I would think it would, but, it also wouldn't solve the issue if I say don't have internet access at all (Outage, etc.. I live in a very dense tree area, storms knock the cable out fairly often)

So while I do appreciate the idea, and I am sure itll work for situations where I have internet available but want to be offline, what happens when there is just no net available..? Am I supposed to not use the product I paid for that isn't specifically online only? Seems silly.

Again, thanks for the reply. Some time tonight I will try that as far as playing without net when its available, and reply with whether it works or not. I of course will update if I manage to get it to work offline all together.

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Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I haven't had any issue using any my DLC in offline mode for what it's worth.  Sounds like something is bugged on your end.

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

*does some checking*

Huh.  That's interesting.  All the DLC works EXCEPT for the Map Editor when offline. And while I haven't tested this case of loading a map when offline, I'm sure you're right.

I'd open a ticket with Stardock on both issues, personally.  There really seems to be no reason for the Map Editor to be an online feature, unless it is something to do with Steam Workshop.  But that's really the only thing I can think of.

Either way, loading a map in offline mode absolutely shouldn't be failing due to DLC since you do indeed have it.  That is something SD probably needs to know about even if the Map Editor, for whatever reason, needs to be online.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting BuckGodot, reply 3

I haven't had any issue using any my DLC in offline mode for what it's worth. Sounds like something is bugged on your end.
End of BuckGodot's quote

Likewise, i have done it, no issues

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

From your description I'm not sure if this applies but just in case: you likely need to have launched GalCiv3 at least once while online since purchasing the DLC to allow offline mode in Steam.

 

If that doesn't help you please open a ticket with Support.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Yeah I have opened it many times w/ the DLC installed.

I sent a ticket to support with the issue, hopefully can resolve it. Ironically, this became an issue today, as the internet was out for awhile lol. The issue is really odd; I was able to start the game, the map editor was gone as mentioned, so I loaded my game in progress.. it loaded perfectly fine despite requiring Mercenaries, and I even still had the 2 Merc ships I hired, could see the Bazaar on the map, BUT I couldn't access the Bazaar tab to hire more mercs.

Now that the internet is back online, I loaded up my save that I made during the outage, and the bazaar came back like normal so long as I am online. Crazy that only the big core features disable when there is no internet.


Thanks for the feedback, hopefully I get this resolved. I will update if I do!

Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Ser_JuJoo_Guppy, reply 7


Thanks for the feedback, hopefully I get this resolved. I will update if I do!
End of Ser_JuJoo_Guppy's quote

The Map Pack is a little different than the other DLC because its tied to Steam.  We'll look into seeing if there's a clean way to enable it in offline mode.

 

Reply #9 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I started Galciv 3 several times while steam was online and everything was there.

I go offline and everything is still there but the bazaar in any game I load or start including the torian campaign which is designed with it as part of the story.

WTF? is this a bug or actually meant to be online only feature?

Reply #10 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting LHDAllaxul, reply 9

I started Galciv 3 several times while steam was online and everything was there.

I go offline and everything is still there but the bazaar in any game I load or start including the torian campaign which is designed with it as part of the story.

WTF? is this a bug or actually meant to be online only feature?
End of LHDAllaxul's quote

 

Ever get this resolved?  I get same issue.

Reply #11 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Nope the entire bazaar feature is not present in any form (gone not grayed out) when offline.  Even in games that are started online where it does appear so it is activated.  Mercenaries campaign (along with rest of game) without mercenaries yay!

Have to yet to even hear whether this is intentional online only content or a bug.