My experience with Unlimited status

[SammyJay]

I'm trying out this game for the second time. The first time I played POTCO, I got extremely frustrated with the game glitches and shortly after starting, I uninstalled the game. My biggest complaint was visual glitches, perhaps caused by lag, where I would be attacked by unseen mobs and also mobs that seemed to appear out of nowhere only to kick my butt. I even got attacked by a mob that I couldn't see while I was running through a town. That mob shouldn't have even been there!

Another thing I disliked was the inconsistency of mob levels throughout the zones. Maybe I'm spoiled by other MMOs, but I feel that a low level player should be able to complete a quest involving a specific level range of mobs without an insanely high level mob being thrown into the mix. This game sends players out into the world, never knowing what level enemy they are going to encounter. That is frustrating.

I am willing to overlook that, and I did because I recently downloaded the game client again and decided to give POTCO another try. I played last night with little difficulty except for the above mentioned enemy level issue and a few minor game glitches.

Today, however, I decided to upgrade my account. With it only costing 5 bucks for the first month, I figured that would give me plenty of time to decide if the game itself is worth the $10 monthly price tag. The upgrade seems to be causing me more headaches than the free version.

After I upgraded, I loaded the game and logged in. I've made attempts to play many times today and it's always the same issues, though not the same issue each time. Sometimes I will get an error saying my internet connection was unexpectedly broken. Whatever. Other times I will log in fine, but will have intermittent lag issues. Enough lag that if I actually attempted to play it would cause problems.

But the big thing is this: I can no longer launch my ship. I can approach the launch dinghy, and press shift to bring up the launch window, but many times that window never opens and when it does, my game freezes during the loading screen and my ship never loads. This only started after I upgraded my account.

This is just my personal experience and is not to say that anyone else will have issues like this if they upgrade. I don't know what to do at this point but maybe reinstall the game and try again. If that fails to remedy the problem, I will just have to uninstall the game once again and find another MMO. I sent a bug report, but won't hold my breath waiting for a response.

I'm not discouraging anyone else to upgrade if they wish to. This is simply my experience so far, after having just upgraded.

[Angel]

Well, I will say this. Sounds like you may catch a busy server. I stick with the quiet ones. Helps on the lag aspect. Secondly, definitely contact live support. They will help you out on it.

Heres a comment for the high lvl enemies thrown in the mix for low lvl players. If you notice one of the hints mentioned "Get other players to help when defeating higher lvl enemies" or something like that. It is tryin to get you to join in on team work. This may be a single player game, but the team is the best part.

[SammyJay]

Okay, I submitted my bug report and contacted live chat. The person I was assigned to suggested updating my video drivers. I fail to see how this will make a difference. I played fine last night, but all of a sudden my outdated drivers are causing an issue with the game crashing? Doubtful. At this time, the game will freeze shortly after I log in, and then becomes non-responsive. I have to shut the game down through task manager. I give up.

As for the high level mob issue, I can see how that might be encouragement to group with other players, but evidently I've played WOW too long because in this game it doesn't seem like it's a well-implemented feature. A low level player goes out to kill low level mobs and then all of a sudden a high level critter comes out of nowhere and kills them. A player shouldn't have to group up just to go do a simple quest unless it specifically calls for a group.

An example of this is when I was doing the tattoo quest. I sailed to Rumrunner Isle to kill the sand crabs and the scorpions. The sand crabs weren't a problem, although here again I saw mobs my level and then just off to the side I saw mobs twice my level, but when it came time to kill scorpions, I would be attacked suddenly by high level sand crabs that were no where around when I approached the scorpion. This happened everytime I attempted to complete this quest. I think this was a glitch however, because in the few seconds between dying and being sent back to jail, I was able to watch the crabs run way off screen somewhere. They literally came out of nowhere. They were still running off when my load screen came up. I was definitely not in aggro range of those things, but yet right in the middle of attacking a mob, here they came.

In any case, I just paid money to upgrade a game that I can't play now. I just hope I can get my subscription cancelled because I won't pay $10 per month for a game I can't access.

[Raven Night]

Are you using an ATI card?

Even if you are not, you should try this...though it didnt solve all of my problems, it ended most of the freezes, disconnections and the like. Here it is.

Open your game_options.txt file in your PiratesOnline folder. When you have it open, look for the tag "api"

Replace what is below it (probably "default") to the following...

pandadx9

So that it looks something like this

api
pandadx9

Now save the file, close it, start the client and log in...and see if that fixes your problem.

It seems the game does not agree with openGL at all.

[SammyJay]

I didn't find a file titled game_options.txt but I did find another file with the api/default so I changed that. I still have the same problems though. I really hope this isn't an issue with my router. The only other thing I know to try at this point is connecting directly to the modem and see if that helps. If that makes a difference, I'm still stuck because I can't go out a buy a different router at this time but at least I'll know something. If it doesn't help, then I guess that's it for me. That's a shame because I really wanted to play this game more.

[Maximvs]

Originally Posted by Raven Night

Are you using an ATI card?
Even if you are not, you should try this...though it didnt solve all of my problems, it ended most of the freezes, disconnections and the like. Here it is.

Open your game_options.txt file in your PiratesOnline folder. When you have it open, look for the tag "api"

Replace what is below it (probably "default") to the following...

pandadx9

So that it looks something like this

api
pandadx9

Now save the file, close it, start the client and log in...and see if that fixes your problem.

It seems the game does not agree with openGL at all.

This was the perfect fix for my card - and ALL ATI users out there having this issue should be trying this ASAP!!!

It was SO bad that I had to use an ol'junky card instead of my ATI 2600 HD 512MB Card... but now - the picture is amazing...

Thank you for posting this fix.

[Sarah]

I had an ATI problem, too. Here's what pirates sent me:

I was having major graphics issues myself. On the official Pirates web site, there is a list of supported drivers (sorry, can't remember exactly where, but it's something like tech support, or known issues....i'll check)

Anyhow, turns out my graphoics driver was not on their "officially supported list" (ATI Radeon xpress 1100, also a vista os). I sent a question to customer support about the driver, and if it would be added to the supported list, and they sent back a fix. Works perfectly now!

Go see if your driver is supported, and if not email them. I got the fix sent back in less than a day, and for the POTCO team, that's like warp speed

This was the fix they sent me, I have no idea if this will work on your computer though, so check it out before you try this:

"The issue you reported may be due to an incompatibility with OpenGL and your video card driver. Enabling Pirates Online to use DirectX 9 should resolve the problem.

To specify Pirates Online to use DirectX9 you will need to edit the "game_options.txt" file located in the PiratesOnline directory if you have ever saced settings in the Options Panel.

1) Go to Start | Programs | Accessories | Windows Explorer
2)Navigate to C:\Program Files\Disney\Disney Online\PiratesOnline
3) Double click on game_option.txt
4) Make sure "state" has "working" on the line directly below it. If you see "attempted_working" change it to "working"
5) Under "api", please change the text from "default" to "pandadx9"
6) Save the file then launch the game"

That's word for word what they sent me, and it works like a charm

Copied from my post in computer problem section

[Stripedfermata]

I know one thing my wireless router does is disconnects me every time someone answers or hangs up the phone. If you are using a wireless router, that may be one of your issues. Although, unfortunately, its not one that you can do anything about.

[Darthkuriboh]

I don't understand why people are complaining so much. Everyone seems to forget this is practically a BRAND NEW GAME. Sure all the bugs haven't been worked out yet. That's not really unusual. Maybe I've just been working with computers too long tho, because I see things like that all the time, and just learned to take it in stride. They WILL get the stuff fixed, as well as adding new features we all hope will make gameplay smoother/more fun, although I must admit, I'm having a BLAST now. And yes, I'm paying my $10.00 a month as well as my bro in law and sister having bought annual memberships. This game is that fun. And to the guy who mentioned WoW... WoW is garbage. It's the trashy BS of the mmo world. This game has far more potential.

[RunellaSkullheart]

Originally Posted by Darthkuriboh

I don't understand why people are complaining so much.

The OP can't access the game and in the rare moments that he can, cannot launch his ship. Seems like a very good reason to complain. He paid for a service he can't access or get the most use out of.

[SammyJay]

Haha, first of all, I'm not a guy. Second, hey Darth, I'm glad you're enjoying your gaming experience in POTCO. The fact is, Runella hit it right on the head. I want to play this game because I too, feel it has much potential but at this time I can't. It's frustrating to me because when I started my account on Monday and downloaded the client I was up and running and playing fine. Then comes Tuesday and I decide to upgrade my account and now I can't play.

I won't get into a debate over WOW, as I realize there are people who don't like that game and that's fine. I was simply stating that after having played that game for over two years it takes some time for me to adjust to the mechanics of other mmos. It's not a big deal. I did take notice of some things in POTCO that are different but I didn't let that stop me from committing to at least a month of game play by upgrading.

Anyway, I'm not saying that upgrading is what caused the issue cause that just wouldn't make sense. But at the same time, I haven't changed anything on my computer either so why would I have no problem with this game on one day, but not be able to play the next?

I do appreciate those who have made suggestions and I'm trying whatever you guys post. I have done a complete reinstall of the game client as well.

***Edited to add, I called the customer service number and had my unlimited account cancelled. The rep was very nice about it and said I would be credited for the $4.95 I paid. We'll see whether or not I really am but for now I am pleased with the response I got. I suppose I could always try later to play this game, but for now it just seems like an impossibility. I realize most people are able to play with little or no problem but from what I've been reading online, some people (like me) just CANNOT play this game no matter what.

It's sad, I had just gathered enough gold to buy a better boat and never got to sail it even once.

[Maximvs]

Originally Posted by Darthkuriboh

I don't understand why people are complaining so much. Everyone seems to forget this is practically a BRAND NEW GAME. Sure all the bugs haven't been worked out yet. That's not really unusual. Maybe I've just been working with computers too long tho, because I see things like that all the time, and just learned to take it in stride....

The issue is - one should not have to become compliant with software (or computers in general) being defective from the start and 'fix as you go'...

I go to buy a new house, and just before I move in I look around - two windows are missing - no plugs in the bedroom... oh thats ok they will 'fix it as they go'? So they put the plugs in my bedroom - but now the kitchen plugs aren't working? OOps they say - so they take out the bedrrom plugs and run an extension cord to my bedroom from the kitchen... but now this puts too much load on the kitchen plugs and the fuses break - so they decide..... blah blah blah.... (oh, and how about those windows that never got looked at in the first place???)

Don't even start me on the Space Shuttle or Mars Rovers... one tiny software mis-calcualtion there... the standards they set are WAY crazy and they still get it wrong (which unfortunately happens)...

We as a society have become too 'soft' in just accepting the fact that when you get computers and software - they will already have bugs before I even use it - when it should be 'don't even talk about it until its good'.

Not an agruement point in this case - its a general statement for all (I have no idea about WoW cause I've never played it...) I deal with 1000's of comps everyday myself - and it is strange that society has leaned this way when they wouldn't allow any other product be so poorly sold and accepted in general

Are you using an ATI Card?

Donno about others - But Yes I am - and No I am not LOL

My ATI card would NOT let me sail - at all... aftere up/down-grading drivers / reinstalling OS fresh, and trying other options - in th end I put an older card in to make it run (and sail).... BUT I will try these steps tonight when I get to the PC... maybe - it will finally see the power of my 512MB ATI Card (and not the junk card I have to use now) *crosses fingers*

[Voski]

I've had no problems so far in the game. When I want to take down higher lvl enemies, I just get a crew up to do it and sometimes if you're lucky you can get with high lvl allies to take them down. More than likely its your video card.

[Darthkuriboh]

have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the software? What OS and how much RAM? how about increasing your virtual memory? maybe shutting down some unnecessary programs? What's it doing when you try to start it? Is it starting at all?

[SammyJay]

If by software you mean the game client, then yes I've done that. Here is what the game is doing at this point. I log in, I get to character screen. I load the game and I'm on Port Royal at the moment. I make my way to the shoreline each time because I want to get to a launch dinghy. Sometimes the game will freeze before I get to the shore, sometimes it will "catch back up" and I can continue but other times my connection drops right then OR the game itself will become non-responsive and have to be shut down.

If I DO make it to a launch dinghy, sometimes I have to wait for the green circle to appear. When, or if, it does I can press shift and at that point the game will do one of two things. Sometimes it will bring up the launch window and I can select my ship. Once this happens, I will get the standard load screen but that is as far as I can go. Otherwise, once I get to the dinghy, the green circle either never shows up or if it does, my game will freeze before the ship launch window comes up. At that point I will either lose my connection to the game or it will become non-responsive.

Oh, I also updated the firmware on my router just in case, but with no positive results.