I find the new features too the online accounts, really fantastic. Thanks MaxisLucy and MaxisLucky, for the information.

So...just for clarifications sake. If I install the game on my girlfriends computer, and give her a screen name under my account, will we be able to play at the same time using different screen names, on two different machines using the same "master Spore account" or is one going to scream "Account already in use, please log off on machine 1 to play on 2" ?

Oh! and many kudos on the decision. While the DRM install limit is still a worry (I'm reaching my third install today ) it shows that you guys are listening to constructive input and making our SPORE experience better.

Oh gawd, great stuff - here's hoping the forums will become a place of peace again

Thank you Maxis and especially EA for listening to feedback, not just about this but with regards to the DRM (I know less then 1% of users install the game on more then two PC's, but that's beside the point)

I'm sure Spore will be a lot more enjoyed in this house now.

It is good to know that you have been listening and although the communication has been one sided at times it's good to see steps are being taken forwards.

Though this problem didn't affect me personally, I found myself with quite a bad taste in the mouth upon discovering it. It was the principle of the thing. These solutions you've described reflect a willingness to react proactively to your customers' responses, and this first phase, from what I see, should diminish the core of the issue. It makes me feel much better about Maxis/EA, and more confident in my purchase of the game.

As a software developer, I know these changes are probably not trivial, so I applaud you on your quick response and ability to get to the core of the issue.

i loged on here 2 see about this issue and am happy that its being worked on (thx maxis) dont kno y they just didnt make it like diablo...thats only usable on 1 computer where as that online accounts r not...i can have multple accounts and easily use them on any computer as long as theres a separate copy 4 that computer witch in fine with its perfectly far and it cant be parited

but i do have another question witch is a lil off the subject

my lil sister got on my computer and couldnt make an account so played mine while i was working and opened up most my acheivements...

is ther a way 4 all my acheivements 2 be relocked so i can open them again

doofusian wrote:

all Screen Names will be playing in the same Galaxy

I really wish you guys would reconsider this. I don't understand why they can't be in a different galaxy entirely, it makes a lot more sense and would solve a lot of problems with saved games and achievements. For instance, if I go and blow up Earth on one save I'm not going to be able to get the same achievement in another game. You're destroying the replayability of the game by doing it this way.

It might not be possible for them to do this without a patch. When the original The Sims shipped you had ONE neighborhood which served the same purpose as the galaxy in Spore. Later they added the ability to have multiple neighborhoods. It's probably possible for them to add the functionality later on, but it doesn't seem like it was a top priority for release.

Incidentally I believe a workaround should be possible for this.

1) create a new screen name via the spore website (once it's available!)
2) go to windows - control panel and create a new user account for your girlfriend/wife/kid/dog
3) login as the other user and fire up Spore (might need to browse to install directory if no shortcut)
4) login as the other screen name

This will probably work because I've already created an account on my PC and all files are created under her name. Thus, new universe.

I can't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to do this, just being sure to change the screen name each time you change user.


Draycen

I just wanted to say that even tho' I probably won't use it myself -- it's a great solution to the problem so many families have right now. A big thumbs up from me here.

Just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!


This is arguably the #1 thing this game was missing, and it means that family members can play *THEIR OWN* game in a way they couldn't before!

Thank you MAXIS!!!!!

Thank you. This is satisfactory, and really solves the problem, which is people being able to have their own identity while playing the game.

I apologize for any of my words that were less than civil, I don't think I ever got too mean, just very cynical about being ignored by the company.

Glad to know that I can go buy Rock Band 2 now.

Thank you for doing something legitimate about this.

Thanks Lucy and thanks Maxis for pursuing this and coming up with a good solution. It is much appreciated.

So, just to clarify: will my wife NOT be able to move the planet that she started her game on to a new account once said accounts are supported? Will she have to start all over again if she wants to have her own profile, and lose the ability to play as her creature with its distinct evolutionary history? I want to know if I should tell her to hold off playing for now, so she doesn't end up making even more progress that she'll have to do all over again.

tathanen wrote:So, just to clarify: will my wife NOT be able to move the planet that she started her game on to a new account once said accounts are supported? Will she have to start all over again if she wants to have her own profile, and lose the ability to play as her creature with its distinct evolutionary history? I want to know if I should tell her to hold off playing for now, so she doesn't end up making even more progress that she'll have to do all over again.

I can't speak for EA but I think I have a fair understanding of what they are doing technically. Personally, I would suggest that she hold off (or just play for exploration), I don't believe account migration is going to be a high priority for them just based on everything I see; but I could be wrong.

doofusian wrote:

all Screen Names will be playing in the same Galaxy

I really wish you guys would reconsider this. I don't understand why they can't be in a different galaxy entirely, it makes a lot more sense and would solve a lot of problems with saved games and achievements. For instance, if I go and blow up Earth on one save I'm not going to be able to get the same achievement in another game. You're destroying the replayability of the game by doing it this way.

I think the idea is, to qoute her post "In the first iteration of this change, all Screen Names will be playing in the same Galaxy...."

I believe the intent is to do what they can do [as soon as they can do it], and then make the larger changes.

I'm not familiar with their architecture, but anything server side is generally easier to change. Client side changes go out in a batch and require a much lengthier testing process. So depending on where the code lives we could be waiting a while - so I'm going put spore down for a month and let the devs go heads down and see what they come up with.