Posted October 13, 2018
high rated
So, I see that a recent excuse for attacking Beamdog is that they are selling premium modules that apparently, according to some, were released for free by BioWare back in the day.
So, let's clear that up.
First of all, while it's true that there was a time BioWare let links to the premium modules be posted on their own forums, they never officially approved it and they never cared enough to remove the intrusive DRM that made these modules require the authentication server to function. At the very least, they never gave anyone permission to play these modules after the authentication server was put down. The only way to do so is use an authenticator generator app (which, coincidentally, I'm the author of) or the Python script it was based on (which, coincidentally, I'm not the author of), which, needless to say, were never approved by BioWare, either.
Claiming that Beamdog wants your money for modules that were available for free is just as bad as being angry at GOG for selling games that could be found for free on abandonware sites.
Beamdog actually did what BioWare never cared to do, that is, remove the DRM from these modules. And you know what? The original premium module installers for the original game will work out of the box in the EE. And Beamdog is fully aware of it.
Will I retain ownership of the premium modules I purchased from BioWare?
If you already have the premium modules (Wyvern Crown of Cormyr, Pirates of the Sword Coast, or Infinite Dungeons), they will function properly in Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition.
This is taken from Beamdog's official FAQ. No one requires you to buy these modules if you purchased them back in the day.
I'm all for constructive criticism, but spreading lies and half-truths is despicable. Hearing haters say "how dare Beamdog sell modules that could not be bought until now, but I could pirate them with a clean conscience" makes me sad.
So, let's clear that up.
First of all, while it's true that there was a time BioWare let links to the premium modules be posted on their own forums, they never officially approved it and they never cared enough to remove the intrusive DRM that made these modules require the authentication server to function. At the very least, they never gave anyone permission to play these modules after the authentication server was put down. The only way to do so is use an authenticator generator app (which, coincidentally, I'm the author of) or the Python script it was based on (which, coincidentally, I'm not the author of), which, needless to say, were never approved by BioWare, either.
Claiming that Beamdog wants your money for modules that were available for free is just as bad as being angry at GOG for selling games that could be found for free on abandonware sites.
Beamdog actually did what BioWare never cared to do, that is, remove the DRM from these modules. And you know what? The original premium module installers for the original game will work out of the box in the EE. And Beamdog is fully aware of it.
Will I retain ownership of the premium modules I purchased from BioWare?
If you already have the premium modules (Wyvern Crown of Cormyr, Pirates of the Sword Coast, or Infinite Dungeons), they will function properly in Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition.
I'm all for constructive criticism, but spreading lies and half-truths is despicable. Hearing haters say "how dare Beamdog sell modules that could not be bought until now, but I could pirate them with a clean conscience" makes me sad.
Post edited October 13, 2018 by Taro94