SPORE has stopped working.

[AuroraGriffin]

That's what I'm getting for both SPORE and SPORE: Galactic Adventures.

Are there any SPORE players here who have gotten this?

Yes, I know, it was made for WinXP and Vista -- but WinXP and Vista users are getting the same error, even with the right OS and right video cards and drivers -- and altho' it's not officially supported, Windows 7 has been tested with SPORE: GA and works.

I was playing both for three days with no problem, when I started getting this error - and three days seems to be the length of time for everyone who gets this problem, before the issue starts, almost like it's intentionally written into the game code.

Then, when I try to run either version, I get a black screen, this error, then "Windows is trying to find a solution", that fails, and it exits to the desktop ...

 

[Maguscreed]

EA is to blame, it's a problem with their drm (digital rights management)
I wouldn't really hold my breath on them fixing it either.
They've already banked on spore.

 

[AuroraGriffin]

I guess that's unsurprising. And I've tried everything, including reinstalls, which require a redownload of several hours --- just to discover I wasted my time. >.<

 

[Maguscreed]

Yes, it's easier when the problem is on your end, because you can do something about it.
Unfortunately I know of no legitimate fix for this.

 

[AuroraGriffin]

I've heard cracked versions have no problems. I don't want to do that, because of the legal issues -- and this is a new computer we're talking about, so I don't want to risk getting a virus.

My point in mentioning this is that it is sad that end users have to find a solution for something that is gthe responsibility of the developers ...

 

[Maguscreed]

Yeah, it's not something we even discuss on this site. It's in violation of the forum rules.

A sad state indeed though, considering there has yet to be DRM that actually prevented piracy. It all seems to punish the legitimate user more than criminal.

 

[AuroraGriffin]

Sorry, I didn't mean to commit a faux pas. I was just making a quick point. I promise not to mention it again.

:roflmao:

BTW, I love your selection of emotes here. x)

 

[Maguscreed]

that's the admin's doing not mine, I'm just a user held in good regard.

The eightforums are promising to be even better.

 

[AuroraGriffin]

Okay, question. I'm looking at SPORE from something called "Steam". It's supposed to be DRM-free. Does anyone here know about this? Will this work? Would anyone recommend I rebuy thru' Steam instead?

 

[Maguscreed]

Items through steam have drm, steam IS the drm. It hasn't been problematic for me though and I've been using it for many years now. Ever since they first started steam to support counter strike 1.6 as they moved off WON (world opponent network).

Pretty much all the games I play are on steam and I have no problems with them. I can't comment on spore specifically though as I do not own the title myself.

 

[AuroraGriffin]

Thanks. ... I wish I could find if they got a demo version on there, so I can make sure.

 

[simmo]

Might pay you to check the STEAM forums as well to see if they any posts there related to this..Steam will have updates patches etc and should get your game up and running I would assume.
I have several games on a Steam acc and Origin now..Havent had an issue with any games launched by either.
You could open an account maybe and link the game to your account but I'm not sure you get all the auto patching/updates etc..

 

[AuroraGriffin]

Actually, I just woke up to check the Steam Version download for this. And I spoke, via e-mail, to the site owner, Ethan Lee, and he was VERY encouraging.

I'll keep you posted. ^_^

EDIT:

No!!! ... It didn't work!!!

 

[simmo]

You need someone who has this running to answer you...I've never played/owned the game so unfortunately I have no idea what you need to update/hack or whatever to get it running. I would have thought Steam would know of it and maybe if it exists a workaround/patch...bit unethical selling a game they know won't run on your OS..and they know whats on your PC OS wise.
Anyway mate good luck with it.

 

[AuroraGriffin]

You're right. If they could removed the DRM, they should have been able to fix the issue. ...
I guess it wasn't the DRM part after all. All I know is that their download is no better than the Origin version. >.<