Direct Song: Will you pay? - Guild Wars Forums

theVariable · Sep 07, 2005, 01:29 PM // 13:29

Well I just signed up and downloaded the free pack, just to find out that I have to use Windows Media Player to even play it. I don't use WMP due to security issues, but fine, I'll give it a try. Wait, I have to log in to listen to the audio that I just rightfully downloaded? Uh, no thanks. Not worth my time.

I am a supporter of Open Source, Creative Commons, and other open movements. But does that mean I expect companies to release things without turning a profit? Absolutely not. I'm taking issue with the tight fisted use of protection schemes. The way I see it, companies that try to force protection schemes on consumers that end up becoming an unnecessary burden, are out of line and will only hurt their businesses, in the long run. They do it, of course, to try to protect themselves, but it's a waste of time. The average consumer has to deal with extra steps and in some cases, incompatibility issues, just to access what they have paid for. Anyone who knows what they are doing, can easily get around the protections and re-release the content freely. So bother your customers and fix nothing? Great plan. With growing competition that let's consumers do as they please, tight fisted companies are in for a world of hurt.

But on to topic. Direct Song wants you to pay money for extra music, for your games. Ok, that's fine and all. But they are trying to limit what you can do with those music files, outside of the game. Anyone else have a problem with that? I'm not going to pay for music that I can't directly use in the manner that I want. I have plenty of musical scores I'd gladly play in the background, instead. So I won't be paying. What about you?

Gustav Gloomp · Sep 07, 2005, 01:32 PM // 13:32

i hate the idea of paying for music. thats all i hav to say i guess

NinjaMonkey · Sep 07, 2005, 01:35 PM // 13:35

I actually don't mind the few extra steps to activate the DRM in those files, they weren't at all painful and took about 30 seconds extra.

what i'm not getting is; we get that 'minipak' right, which is basicly a bunch of .wma files. and do what exactly?
start up windows media player in the background and play those files when we enter sorrow's furnance ?

hmm.. kinda stupid if u ask me.. i rather just listen to di.fm's eurodance channel instead.

Sekkira · Sep 07, 2005, 01:41 PM // 13:41

I don't mind paying for music, but ffs, wma files?

TreeDude · Sep 07, 2005, 01:41 PM // 13:41

Once you activate the license they will play in game at the areas they are for. I bought the extra pack which changes some music around.

GraceAlone · Sep 07, 2005, 01:43 PM // 13:43

Nope, I'd rather save the money for the next expansion

Ashley Twig · Sep 07, 2005, 01:44 PM // 13:44

Buying music for the game: dont' think so.

If the game would (like KOTOR e.g.) would adapt the music, so that you get e.g. a more dramatic score during battle and a less dramatic one during non-battle, maybe. But just plain music, regarless how beautiful it might sound: no.

Kuku Monk · Sep 07, 2005, 01:45 PM // 13:45

I'd rather buy a Big Mac....

Tactical-Dillusions · Sep 07, 2005, 01:46 PM // 13:46

The new music files will be detected automatically and will play when you enter the new areas...regardless of the install directory.

As for paying for music...i don't see anything telling me i must pay. I think you are mistaken.

Something about that word FREE which gives it away. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

theVariable · Sep 07, 2005, 01:55 PM // 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactical-Dillusions

The new music files will be detected automatically and will play when you enter the new areas...regardless of the install directory.

As for paying for music...i don't see anything telling me i must pay. I think you are mistaken.

Something about that word FREE which gives it away. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

The free pack is the bait. The point of Direct Song is to sell music for profit. One pack is currently available for purchase.

vLo · Sep 07, 2005, 01:56 PM // 13:56

Ok, so I was trying to license the thing, to make it work. I press submit... wait... error with IE. I try again, works, letting me to the screen where I have to wait before I can press "play".

Well, I wait for about 2 mins, nothing happens. I minimized winamp and started browsing with firefox. After a moment, I try to maximise winamp again, but I can't. I couldn't do anything to the minimized window. Ctrl+Alt+Del worked and I managed to shut down winamp.

Then, I try for the third time to activate the license... it now says that I have only 3 temporary licenses left! So, it did work, kinda, but why is it still saying I need to license it?

Thanks.

Tactical-Dillusions · Sep 07, 2005, 01:58 PM // 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by theVariable

The free pack is the bait. The point of Direct Song is to sell music for profit. One pack is currently available for purchase.

And if i could have sent direct-song cash or a cheque, i would have even more music to please the ear.
Unfortunately, my options for payment are strictly limited at present.

Thaf · Sep 07, 2005, 02:40 PM // 14:40

I have already purchased the pay for pack on there and will continue to purchase any new music they release,

There are 32 top quality songs for around £3.50 ($5.99) that's cheaper than new single releases with just 3 songs!

theVariable · Sep 07, 2005, 02:52 PM // 14:52

So you guys are perfectly happy with limited use? You don't care that you can't throw the music on to an iPod or many other portable players? You like using Windows Media Player to play all of your music collection while there are many better options available? You like having to be online to enjoy that "top quality" collection? Why?

EF2NYD · Sep 07, 2005, 03:00 PM // 15:00

I downloaded the pak this morning in about 5 minutes tops without any problems. Just reformatted my system last night too. As far as being of "limited use", there are many ways to get around the "protection". Just have to learn how. And off-topic, using Firefox doesn't teach you how to surf safer

Szechwan Chi Qin · Sep 07, 2005, 03:04 PM // 15:04

I'm into orchestral scores from films and games. $5.99 for 32 tracks, and 8 additional tracks for free? And from Jeremy Soule to boot? You betcha, I paid. And I don't mind paying for music, especially if it allows Jeremy Soule to continue producing more beautiful music!

Quote:

You like having to be online to enjoy that "top quality" collection?

From what I remember from reading the site, burning onto CD is allowed, where I can enjoy listening to the music on my audio system. How will that limit me to being online?

Z|insane · Sep 07, 2005, 03:08 PM // 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF2NYD

As far as being of "limited use", there are many ways to get around the "protection". Just have to learn how.

*Gives EF2NYD a cookie* Yeah exactly use the music how you want to.

Eadwyn Mirwen · Sep 07, 2005, 03:44 PM // 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF2NYD

I downloaded the pak this morning in about 5 minutes tops without any problems. Just reformatted my system last night too. As far as being of "limited use", there are many ways to get around the "protection". Just have to learn how. And off-topic, using Firefox doesn't teach you how to surf safer

[irony]Big deal.[/irony] Play the music and record it. "Problem" solved.

Thaf · Sep 07, 2005, 03:54 PM // 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eadwyn Mirwen

[irony]Big deal.[/irony] Play the music and record it. "Problem" solved.

Ding ding ding, it's not like there's a shortage of sotware that will record your current speaker output to mp3.

EternalTempest · Sep 07, 2005, 03:58 PM // 15:58

Will be buying it as soon as it's available myself. They gave me the free ability to use the soundtrack I purchased to be used in the game and are giving away so Sorrow's Furnace so I'm very happy. I feel since I will be buying music to extend the game with different tracks, I feel it's worth it.

On the soundtrack v1 & v2, they give you unlimited burning (cd-audio) rights so you can download and license the music to your pc then use windows media player to create a "standard" audio cd for listening in my car, itunes -> ipod, etc.

I did buy the collector's version of with the official sound track as being one of the big draws.