101459 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) This is news that is sure to make a lot of Steam platform Fans happy. You can see the GR:FS Steam page here with bonus offer... There's also a really nice 75% off offer on legacy Ghost Recon games here that I highly recommend to anyone that loves the good old games, and might want access to them anywhere... Most interesting though on the GR:FS front are the screen shots on Steam, that have been a source of contention on the Ubisoft forums.... So, are these or aren't these from the PC build of the game? Anyone 'in the know', let us know! Edited May 17, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oelmuvun Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Wow, those screenshots look terrible. :< On a side note, IIRC the Rainbow Six Vegas(vegas 1 or 2 I do not recall) screenshots are not from the final PC version. I have never played the console version but they would either be from that or from some beta. Anyway, I also would be curious about the gr:fs screenies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 (edited) Wow, those screenshots look terrible. :< Yes, and that has been cause for some alarm on the Ubisoft and other forums as well... The draw distance in the console versions already seem painfully limited in some presentations for the franchise that inaugurated realistic ranged tactical combat... On a side note, IIRC the Rainbow Six Vegas (vegas 1 or 2 I do not recall) screenshots are not from the final PC version. I have never played the console version but they would either be from that or from some beta. Anyway, I also would be curious about the gr:fs screenies. Actually R6 Vegas PC looked worse then its per-release shots; thankfully someone discovered how to edit and mod the shaders and the game could be made to look very nice. And yes many agree it would be nice to see not just screen shots but some video of the PC game in action as we're not going to have the benefit of a Demo, or mod support to change anything that doesn't work out... Enough people seem to be kicking and screaming, and it's getting painfully close to release that Ubisoft will probably post something... Edited May 18, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilducky Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 The video on steam for GRAW 1 is from the consoles. What's stopping them from doing it again. Maybe because there's no ss from the pc version they used the console ss to give an idea on the game. Who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) In an interesting turn of events the 'Deluxe & Signature Edition DirectX 11 only' information has disappeared from the GR:FS Steam page, and Amazon U.S.. The original message, quoted by Ubi-Mush on the Ubisoft forums in this thread, read: "PLEASE NOTE THAT GHOST RECON FUTURE SOLDIER DELUXE EDITION IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS XP" There's been no update or correction on the forums, or any of the Ubisoft news outlets to the original news and spec posts, so this is a confusing turn of events that has a lot of would be Customers that want to jump on the pre-order specials that expire tomorrow scratching their heads. Mush's last update would seem to indicate that the original support commitment to Windows XP has been depreciated to just Vista and Windows 7, though the original spec sheet and Developer posts stating XP support still stand without update or correction... But it apepars GR:FS on XP is now a no go... Edited May 20, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=warcloud= Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 "PLEASE NOTE THAT GHOST RECON FUTURE SOLDIER DELUXE EDITION IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS XP" it apepars GR:FS on XP is now a no go. A total revoke perhaps?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) Yes, it's looking that way... Considering the game's been on sale for pre-order in some markets now for over a month with three different OS spec requirements: XP is fine, XP not supported on more advanced editions, and Vista/7 only -- Ubisoft really needs to sort this out, make one official statement to clear the deck and hopefully make sure people that are stuck with older systems that pre-ordered and had the rug pulled out from under them can get a refund in markets and from retailers that don't offer that option... Edited May 20, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 What a mess. Trying to find out for sure... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Posted this already here: PC version officially confirmed ! GHOST RECON FUTURE SOLDIER DELUXE EDITION IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS XP ................. The Signature edition compatible with XP? No, that isn't either. ................ Wait, it is not compatible with XP? Why? Do I have to change my operating system for the Signature Edition, but I can run the Standard game without any problems? The Standard one isn't either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) Yes, unfortunately the story hasn't stopped there and taken several turns since; with the system specifications changed on Amazon, Steam, the Ubisoft Forums, and now the Ubi Shop -- in the case of Amazon twice... The good news is everything appears to be reconciling toward the same system requirements, across all 'editions' of the game; the bad news is the direction that appears to be taking is 'no support for Windows XP'... Whether this will mean the game simply will not run at all on Windows XP, or has render issues with the specific maps cited for more expensive editions and Ubisoft just doesn't want to bother supporting and dealing with it remains to be seen. In the mean time Ubisoft still has multiple sources on its own site, and a multitude of e-tailers that have been (and still are) selling pre-orders for over a month where it was claimed Windows XP would be supported/work with GR:FS PC... A lot of folks that don't bother with forums or staying up to date with the latest game news may have a very unpleasant surprise when they try to install and run their new game depending on how this all plays out. In the mean time, a lot of people that would have jumped on the Steam sale that expires tomorrow, won't because of the confusion, and 'no Windows XP' also excludes a lot of would be Customers -- which I think is an epic bummer as I intend to buy the game and MMS driven MP games need all the Players they can get to work well... Edited May 20, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oelmuvun Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 There comes a time when your more than a decade old OS is not going to be supported anymore. Ivy Bridge based computers, from what I hear, will not be getting XP drivers either. I am just going to leave this here: http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?ln=en-gb&c2=1173 I get why people do not want to be forced into upgrading their OS, but that is not the way the world works. Security and enhanced software, etc are a topic. Actually, windows 7 will make better use of your hardware in general than XP though some people deny this and say it is simply bloated for having things like GPU acceleration and whatnot. Not even getting into how it handles multiple CPUs/cores and RAM. *shrug* Personally, I am not interested in upgrading to Windows 8. Metro is not suitable for desktop use. >:| But back on topic. It is scummy to change the system requirements halfway through preorders. This is information that they knew beforehand! There is absolutely no excuse. Not even slightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) While I might agree re. Windows NT 6.x kernel systems offer more security for the average end user, Windows NT 5.2 kernel systems can be hardened and made as, or even more secure due to the older OS's smaller and simper 'attack surface'... Even using low cost 3rd party or free 'Noob Tools' like Harden-it and Secure-it you can have an easy to setup XP system that's much more secure then any Windows 7 setup with the highest security settings... Also with respect to Windows NT 6.x making better use of hardware in general this is simply not true; many older SM 2, 3 and even low end SM 4 GPUs, the CPU and peripheral chip sets their partnered with are much more efficient running NT 5.2 kernel mode drivers as there's none of the HAL overhead seen in NT 6.x PM abstraction making NT 5.2 a much more efficient DirectX 9 OS. This can translate on many of these systems to a frame rate hit/difference that can make or break a newer game even being 'playable' at the lowest settings. There are still hundreds of millions of SM 2, 3, and low end SM 4 systems in the wild that can't efficiently run Windows NT 6.x OS, and don't offer a cost effective hardware upgrade path to make that worthwhile... Depending on where you look from 5 to 20% 'game PCs' are still running Windows XP and while that's obviously a minority, it's still millions of people, and while our hobby may not be that cost constrained for you and me, the unfortunate fact is for most people on the planet -- it is. To be fair to Ubisloft; their initial hardware spec does stipulate an SM 4 video card even for a minimal system, so that would imply DX 11, and the NT 6.x OS -- but it also explicitly says Windows XP, and your last sentiment does sum it up pretty nicely. The bummer is this will excluded a lot of people from buying and playing GR:FS, and the poorly handled communication well after the game has gone on sale will just add even more fuel to the fire of mistrust and ire PC gamers seem to have for Ubisoft... Edited May 21, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowblade Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I can understand those who have bought the game who still have XP would be frustrated, it's a pain in the butt. In all seriousness though, Microsoft have abandoned XP for a while now and Win7 is infinitely better. It was no different when the transition between DOS to Win 95 came, many still wanted to use DOS but it was an eventuality that Win 95 would be the victor given the number of devs producing for it over DOS. By the time Win 98 was out, every non-linux PC program was Windows only and 32 bit. It's the same with Win 7. But unlike Win 95 (or Vista), the upgrade to Win 7 is totally worth it on many, many levels. It's a step forward. Trust me, XP will be phased out with the new software requirements in 2yrs time, many programs will be making the transition to a purely 64 bit OS environment. And malware developed then will be capable of bypassing all of XP's security features too as the OS will receive no security support updates for a considerable length of time. It'd be madness to stay with it any longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I can understand those who have bought the game who still have XP would be frustrated, it's a pain in the butt. In all seriousness though, Microsoft have abandoned XP for a while now and Win7 is infinitely better. True, but there are a couple of points. 1. For the average user, there is still not a single compulsive reason to upgrade from XP to Win7. 2. For Ubisoft to maximise PC sales of GRFS, they should make it available to as many potential customers as possible. The reason they appear not to be could either be (a) some important technical requirement of GRFS that requires W7 and will not operate on WinXP or (2) pressure from MS to make Games for Windows release only to the current OS, to drive OS sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanMF Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 1. For the average user, there is still not a single compulsive reason to upgrade from XP to Win7. Games not supporting it any more seems like a pretty good reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 1. For the average user, there is still not a single compulsive reason to upgrade from XP to Win7. Games not supporting it any more seems like a pretty good reason Yeh, that was Number 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApexMods Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 For Ubisoft to maximise PC sales of GRFS, they should make it available to as many potential customers as possible. The reason they appear not to be could either be [...] pressure from MS to make Games for Windows release only to the current OS, to drive OS sales. You almost nailed it right there. MS is not only pressuring for Win7/8, remember that they make more money through licensing on the Xbox, so their interest in broad PC compatibility of any game available on their console is rather... small. So they can easily kill two birds with one stone here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 On a similar note, not just requiring W7, but also a 64 bit version: Some Frostbite games will require a 64-bit OS in 2013 - DICE I still run XP myself on another PC, but developers need to start using the latest tech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) Hopefully we'll get a clarification from Ubisoft soon, and if this is a case of Microsoft abusing their Games For Windows logo certification again, with some sort of proviso that 'XP is out' and I were in the Ubisoft marketing hot seat, were the cost of the logo will include lost sales -- I'd use it and tell it, in the most polite legal boiler plate possible: 'We regret that due to new requirements for Games For Windows certification...'. While the other disappointments of: no server browser, no dedicated server, no mod tools, and even no screenshots or video of the PC game just weeks before release were bumps in the road that rattled but didn't discourage me, this will apparently exclude some old friends from playing that are original Ghost Recon Fans, but have real life priorities that don't include a new PC every time a new game rolls out, because they have kids, and other life expenses that come first. I'd thought and hoped GR:FS would be the perfect Steam gift for these guys, it seems like it might fit the ideal sweet spot in being a game with enough tactical depth to interest them, offer the familiar COOP experience we loved playing together in Ghost Recon, and be something they don't need to spend hours a day they can't step away from playing to enjoy. The changes in the Ghost Recon franchise while disappointing are understandable, this was a kick in the crotch I wasn't anticipating... Edited May 21, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) Good Lord! The Steam specs on Steam North America just added Windows XP back for all 'editions' -- apparently after the weekend pre-order sale expired... Amazon has also removed all system specs but XP appears in the 'Standard Edition' selection option, and while the Ubi Shop stipulates only Vista & 7 the memory requirements still have a specification for Windows XP... What is going on?! Edited May 21, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Steam UK Page: Available: 14 June 2012 This game will unlock in approximately 3 weeks, 2 days and 20 hours System Requirements OS: Windows® XP (SP3) / Windows Vista® (SP2) / Windows® 7 (SP1) Ubi Forums: Over 2 days since the mention of no XP support, and still no official announcement on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hopefully we'll get a clarification from Ubisoft soon, Things are getting difficult to stay on top of this week, if this is ever clarified, I'd really appreciate a PM from someone so I can help spread the word. Ubi Forums: Over 2 days since the mention of no XP support, and still no official announcement on the subject. Hmmm Ubi Community Manager to Development Team cc Ubi France "Hey you guys, can you clarify the supported OS for GRFS PC please" Development Team to Ubi Community Manager cc Ubi France "Hey media peeps, yeh sure, it's Win7 only. Have a nice day!" Ubi France to EVERYONE "Who the hell made that decision, we need this game available on XP, STAT!!!!" Development Team to Ubi France "Is it too late to delay....." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 (edited) Hmm, they're back... Edited May 22, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thales100 Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I will buy it on steam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101459 Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 (edited) I will buy it on steam. It's funny that when I was making the post above thales post, both Ubisoft and Steam were editing and changing information as page refreshes showed different information across multiple refreshes, so I thought I'd wait for it to settle down... Steam has now restored the claim of Windows XP support and this now appears to apply to all 'Editions' as Steam and the Ubisoft forums were the two venues first to report that the 'Deluxe Edition' would not support Windows XP... Who knows where this stands as several threads discussing the matter disappeared and reappeared on the Ubisoft forums uncommented by Ubisoft Moderators or Community Managers, and Ubi-Mush's posts about the game not working with Windows XP remain without follow-up... The best bet (for now) for Ghost Recon Fans with Windows XP is probably wait and see, as the only advantageous pre-order offer where you could get the Deluxe Edition for the price of the Standard Edition was on Steam has expired -- and this coincided with the 'Deluxe Edition does not support Windows XP' disclaimer; perhaps the whole thing was some weird market test. But the most recent 'official word' at this time appears to come from Ubi-Mush starting here on the Ubisoft GR:FS PC forum four days ago, and concluding here that no version of GR:FS supports Windows XP -- there's been no official follow up since about the conflicting information on Ubisoft's various official channels or retailers selling the game... Edited May 22, 2012 by 101459 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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