WARNING: Don't buy games from the Windows Store
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Hey guys, I've been testing the Windows Store version of Rise of the Tomb Raider pretty extensively, and I've discovered something. Microsoft has made it impossible to modify files in the winapps folder, where Windows Store apps are downloaded. This means it's completely impossible to install Helixmod/3dmigoto fixes. You can do it by booting into a different OS (secondary drive or live CD) and dropping the files, but as soon as Windows detects the game is trying to launch with unexpected DLLs, it cancels the launch, and subsequent attempts display a warning that the game is corrupt and needs to redownload. So they're cracking down on anyone tampering with the files of apps on the Windows Store, which makes it very difficult to install 3D fixes, and impossible to run games if you do succeed. It's really frustrating, as the WS version of ROTTR is the only version that supports the Xbone controller's "impulse triggers", and nothing I've tried will let me bring that compatibility to the Steam version. So in short don't buy games from the Windows Store if you want to play them in 3D.
Hey guys,

I've been testing the Windows Store version of Rise of the Tomb Raider pretty extensively, and I've discovered something.

Microsoft has made it impossible to modify files in the winapps folder, where Windows Store apps are downloaded. This means it's completely impossible to install Helixmod/3dmigoto fixes. You can do it by booting into a different OS (secondary drive or live CD) and dropping the files, but as soon as Windows detects the game is trying to launch with unexpected DLLs, it cancels the launch, and subsequent attempts display a warning that the game is corrupt and needs to redownload.

So they're cracking down on anyone tampering with the files of apps on the Windows Store, which makes it very difficult to install 3D fixes, and impossible to run games if you do succeed. It's really frustrating, as the WS version of ROTTR is the only version that supports the Xbone controller's "impulse triggers", and nothing I've tried will let me bring that compatibility to the Steam version.

So in short don't buy games from the Windows Store if you want to play them in 3D.

#1
Posted 02/04/2016 03:16 PM   
Good to know. Although GFWL playing out the way I thought it would, all future MS services were permanently placed on my **** list. As a result, I didn't bite on that 9 dollar exploit. Nice to know MS never changes. Really hope OpenGL/Kronos can eventually free us from MS tyranny.
Good to know.

Although GFWL playing out the way I thought it would, all future MS services were permanently placed on my **** list. As a result, I didn't bite on that 9 dollar exploit.

Nice to know MS never changes. Really hope OpenGL/Kronos can eventually free us from MS tyranny.

#2
Posted 02/04/2016 04:11 PM   
Damn that sucks, I was really hopeful one day I'd be able to finally play Gears of War in 3D... never got around to getting it when it was up on GFWL.
Damn that sucks, I was really hopeful one day I'd be able to finally play Gears of War in 3D... never got around to getting it when it was up on GFWL.
#3
Posted 02/04/2016 04:12 PM   
I suppose that it must be launched via signing into Microsoft? If not, I can't remember exactly how, but to get around it I used to rename the folders/exe and move them around somehow to remove access restrictions. (demos used to have the same lockout) Then I could edit the config as needed. Try copying the contents of the folder to a unnamed folder on your desktop, then move it to another place in the directory and then name it. It was something like this that I did previously. It could also be using some kind of checksum.
I suppose that it must be launched via signing into Microsoft?

If not, I can't remember exactly how, but to get around it I used to rename the folders/exe and move them around somehow to remove access restrictions. (demos used to have the same lockout)

Then I could edit the config as needed.

Try copying the contents of the folder to a unnamed folder on your desktop, then move it to another place in the directory and then name it. It was something like this that I did previously.

It could also be using some kind of checksum.

#4
Posted 02/04/2016 04:30 PM   
[quote="D-Man11"]I suppose that it must be launched via signing into Microsoft? If not, I can't remember exactly how, but to get around it I used to rename the folders/exe and move them around somehow to remove access restrictions. (demos used to have the same lockout) Then I could edit the config as needed. Try copying the contents of the folder to a unnamed folder on your desktop, then move it to another place in the directory and then name it. It was something like this that I did previously. It could also be using some kind of checksum. [/quote] I tried all this with Minecraft Win 10 edition, and it gives and error message about having to be run in "container" or something.
D-Man11 said:I suppose that it must be launched via signing into Microsoft?

If not, I can't remember exactly how, but to get around it I used to rename the folders/exe and move them around somehow to remove access restrictions. (demos used to have the same lockout)

Then I could edit the config as needed.

Try copying the contents of the folder to a unnamed folder on your desktop, then move it to another place in the directory and then name it. It was something like this that I did previously.

It could also be using some kind of checksum.

I tried all this with Minecraft Win 10 edition, and it gives and error message about having to be run in "container" or something.

Rig: Intel i7-8700K @4.7GHz, 16Gb Ram, SSD, GTX 1080Ti, Win10x64, Asus VG278

#5
Posted 02/04/2016 05:48 PM   
Isn't GFWL clearly still running. While not too common there is quite a number of GFWL games around. Honestly I've had more issues with autolog than GFWL making NFS hot pursuit unplayable online when I tried it. Gamespy shutting down probably had a much larger effect. It is not currently clear that GFWL will be turned off as was feared.
Isn't GFWL clearly still running. While not too common there is quite a number of GFWL games around.

Honestly I've had more issues with autolog than GFWL making NFS hot pursuit unplayable online when I tried it. Gamespy shutting down probably had a much larger effect. It is not currently clear that GFWL will be turned off as was feared.

Thanks to everybody using my assembler it warms my heart.
To have a critical piece of code that everyone can enjoy!
What more can you ask for?

donations: ulfjalmbrant@hotmail.com

#6
Posted 02/04/2016 06:50 PM   
Does it? I know they planned to shut it down. Then aborted? Seems like most of the games that didn't remove it got pulled from Steam. I know I tried playing a game recently and I flat out couldn't get past the Title screen. Although to be fair, it's entirely possible I didn't have a Live service installed. And I didn't want to download something that was going to have 100 associated updates just to scratch an inch that would be gone in 15 minutes anyways.
Does it? I know they planned to shut it down. Then aborted? Seems like most of the games that didn't remove it got pulled from Steam.

I know I tried playing a game recently and I flat out couldn't get past the Title screen.

Although to be fair, it's entirely possible I didn't have a Live service installed. And I didn't want to download something that was going to have 100 associated updates just to scratch an inch that would be gone in 15 minutes anyways.

#7
Posted 02/04/2016 07:00 PM   
The GFWL store was shut down, plus multiplayer servers. The game key authenticator and interface still function. But, you can no longer purchase DLC separately. Some games patched out GFWL and are still available for sale, others like Fable 3 are no longer sold. More details can be found https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/724084/
The GFWL store was shut down, plus multiplayer servers.

The game key authenticator and interface still function.

But, you can no longer purchase DLC separately. Some games patched out GFWL and are still available for sale, others like Fable 3 are no longer sold.

More details can be found
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/724084/

#8
Posted 02/04/2016 07:09 PM   
I had the same thing as Mike, the exe can't be run if it's not in the approved location, launched through an approved method (the store).
I had the same thing as Mike, the exe can't be run if it's not in the approved location, launched through an approved method (the store).

#9
Posted 02/05/2016 03:36 AM   
After using GFWL i will never use any of Microsoft stores or game network. It was just undescribable bad experience, one of the worst thing i ever used. Microsoft support is just bullsh1t. So no, never again
After using GFWL i will never use any of Microsoft stores or game network. It was just undescribable bad experience, one of the worst thing i ever used. Microsoft support is just bullsh1t. So no, never again

#10
Posted 02/05/2016 07:31 AM   
I agree, GFWL was/is pretty shitty. What worries me more is Microsoft trying to push cloud gaming and more companies doing the same. I can understand why it would be good for some people that want to use it, but I really hope it doesn't become the norm. Once everything is on the cloud, everything becomes a subscription plan. This will be way worse than the cable/internet companies milking the consumer.
I agree, GFWL was/is pretty shitty.

What worries me more is Microsoft trying to push cloud gaming and more companies doing the same. I can understand why it would be good for some people that want to use it, but I really hope it doesn't become the norm.

Once everything is on the cloud, everything becomes a subscription plan. This will be way worse than the cable/internet companies milking the consumer.

#11
Posted 02/05/2016 03:00 PM   
If someone is doing subscription it's EA's Origin currently. http://www.metaboli.co.uk has done it for a long time. Can't remember how much external control you have with metaboli. Patching an exe is out of the question. With the newer system I think you can easily slip in a 3D Vision fix but I havn't tried.
If someone is doing subscription it's EA's Origin currently.


http://www.metaboli.co.uk
has done it for a long time.

Can't remember how much external control you have with metaboli.
Patching an exe is out of the question.
With the newer system I think you can easily slip in a 3D Vision fix but I havn't tried.

Thanks to everybody using my assembler it warms my heart.
To have a critical piece of code that everyone can enjoy!
What more can you ask for?

donations: ulfjalmbrant@hotmail.com

#12
Posted 02/05/2016 04:34 PM   
Let s don t get into the windows store. without actually mentionning how much i am a Killer Instinct fan whatever... I want to donate to the common account of games, but couln't find anyhihng. Could you come back to me with a paypal account please?
Let s don t get into the windows store. without actually mentionning how much i am a Killer Instinct fan whatever...

I want to donate to the common account of games, but couln't find anyhihng. Could you come back to me with a paypal account please?

Intel Core i7-3820, 4 X 3,60 GHz overclocked to 4,50 GHz ; EVGA Titan X 12VRAM ; 16 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR-1600 (4x 4 GB) ; Asus VG278H 27-inch incl. 3D vision 2 glasses, integrated transmitter ; Xbox One Elite wireless controller ; Windows 10HTC VIVE 2,5 m2 roomscale3D VISION GAMERS - VISIT ME ON STEAM and feel free to add me: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198064106555 YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1UE5TPoF0HX0HVpF_E4uPQ STEAM CURATOR: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33611530-Streaming-Deluxe/ Image

#13
Posted 03/12/2016 03:01 AM   
[quote="D-Man11"]I agree, GFWL was/is pretty shitty. What worries me more is Microsoft trying to push cloud gaming and more companies doing the same. I can understand why it would be good for some people that want to use it, but I really hope it doesn't become the norm. Once everything is on the cloud, everything becomes a subscription plan. This will be way worse than the cable/internet companies milking the consumer.[/quote] Another good thing about VR, is you can't have truly "Cloud" based gaming. Not in the streaming, cable company sense. When you need motion to photon to be sub 20 ms, rendering will need to be done locally. This is never really going to change (based on simple physics). Yeah, you could do cloud gaming if you lived in NYC and there was a server there, but it's just impractical to have local hosting servers covering every single population center. So you either cut out a significant portion of the population, or you just abandon the concept of streaming VR games. EDIT: Assumes of course Comcast isn't hosting EVERYTHING. Then again, on my X1 system, I often get latency in the 1000s of ms when pressing a effing button on my remote. I'd cringe at those gerbils trying to get a game streaming without added latency.
D-Man11 said:I agree, GFWL was/is pretty shitty.

What worries me more is Microsoft trying to push cloud gaming and more companies doing the same. I can understand why it would be good for some people that want to use it, but I really hope it doesn't become the norm.

Once everything is on the cloud, everything becomes a subscription plan. This will be way worse than the cable/internet companies milking the consumer.


Another good thing about VR, is you can't have truly "Cloud" based gaming. Not in the streaming, cable company sense. When you need motion to photon to be sub 20 ms, rendering will need to be done locally. This is never really going to change (based on simple physics).

Yeah, you could do cloud gaming if you lived in NYC and there was a server there, but it's just impractical to have local hosting servers covering every single population center. So you either cut out a significant portion of the population, or you just abandon the concept of streaming VR games.

EDIT: Assumes of course Comcast isn't hosting EVERYTHING. Then again, on my X1 system, I often get latency in the 1000s of ms when pressing a effing button on my remote. I'd cringe at those gerbils trying to get a game streaming without added latency.

#14
Posted 03/12/2016 02:25 PM   
Hey mrorance - you can send donations to me, I make the purchases for the shared accounts. It's just my username at gmail.com
Hey mrorance - you can send donations to me, I make the purchases for the shared accounts. It's just my username at gmail.com

#15
Posted 03/13/2016 05:50 AM   
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