Bug in PSP version

grim · Post by **grim** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:07 am

Hi!

I hope someone can help me. When I play Axis I use the limited fuel, fog of war etc.

Each time the dialouge box appears containing 'Axis oil reserves are running low' the programme crashes.

Any fixes?

Grim

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:15 am

Do you have more information about this problem? Is it repeatable? There is no way to patch a PSP game unfortunately

grim · Post by **grim** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:54 am

What more information can I provide?

The problem is replicable and happens EVERYTIME the dialogue box warning me of low oil reserves appears on the screen.

I am very dissapointed because the game is great but is usually at a crucial stage. the only way to avoid this is to avaoid having the w arnibng appear which means handicapping the Axis still further.

What happens is that the dialouge box appears, when it disappears the screen flickers, black lines cross it and then the icons and place names, cities etc disappear leaving only the basic map.

This is ruining what has been a good game.

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 11:11 am

If it is happening every time for you we can only apologise and suggest you play without the oil setting turned on. We put hundreds of hours of testing in to the game so it is very disppointing that a bug like this was missed if its repeatable

We will get the team to investigate this issue and fix the problem but this is of little use to you I am afraid as there is no way to patch your version.

grim · Post by **grim** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 11:31 am

Thanks. Would you keep us informed? Clearly playing without the limitation on oil makes for a completely different and unrealistic game.

I assume that when you fix this the later versions of the game will be shipped with the bug fixed? I assume by the tone of your previous message that existing purchasers such as myself have no recourse?

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 11:44 am

We will definitely keep you informed.

Due to the way things work with Sony it's impossible to make a new version in the near future. All copies of the game that will be sold are manufactured in advanced. It's unlikely we'll manufacture more copies of CEAW on PSP. Before manufacture we have to go through a complex submission process with Sony where they perform rigorous tests to catch these sorts of issues but unfortunately in this case it seems that both we and Sony missed the bug if it is repeatable for other users and not just on your PSP. This started in November and it takes around 3-4 months to go through this and get to the point where you have completed disks, even forgetting about the costs involved which would be prohibitive. We can't even fix the issue and make disks here - Sony own the only factory that is able to make these disks so there is no way to bypass this process. If we are able to verify it and fix it there may be an opportunity to resolve this issue for the US release.

At the moment I'm afraid there is really nothing we can do to help

I can imagine how frustrating this is, but I would recommend you try the game without the oil option on as it's very enjoyable and with the harder difficulty settings it is still a good challenge. Once again I apologise but sadly there is just nothing we can physically do to help.

luigifumero · Post by **luigifumero** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:31 am

Hi,

I am Luigi, the producer on the DS and PSP version of CEAW. I would like to apologise for the bug that slipped through the testing process. As Iain mentioned the game was tested extensively and this problem was not noticed. Unfortunately it was “introduced” as a side effect of fixing another bug at the very end of development. The problem is only in the PSP version, not the DS one.

We cannot do anything apart from saying we are extremely sorry. We have put so much effort in the game and it is a shame such a thing happened. The bug is now fixed and it will not be on the future prints of the game but it is not of consolation to you guys who bought it now, sorry.

The only suggestion I can make is to take extra care when playing when you are running out of oil. The game will display the message and crash on PSP if you have less oil that twice the amount needed to move all your units. In the worst case scenario (where you have not improved your technology) a vehicle will consume from 2 oil units (submarines, ships, transports) to 6 oil units (tanks). Knowing this, if you think you will be getting the low on oil message please wait a turn to get some more oil from your oil fields (hopefully you own some).
Sorry again.

scarfacetarraff · Post by **scarfacetarraff** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:44 pm

luigifumero wrote:Hi,

I am Luigi, the producer on the DS and PSP version of CEAW.

I was just about to mention it never appeared in my DS version.

And, I would like to recommend to grim that you may want to contact the retailer and see about returning the game for "store credit." Then, wait for the 1st round of PSP versions to sell out before picking up the latest press.

Also, you could make it a gift to a younger brother or cousin who would likely be fine w/ using unlimited oil. Then, go buy the latest run.

julyderek · Post by **julyderek** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:49 pm

It seems to be a bug which isn't too bad. I will still buy the PSP version when it comes out in my area.

firepowerjohan · Post by **firepowerjohan** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:55 pm

The worst bugs in games are those that cannot be avoided but luckily this one can be

grim · Post by **grim** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:52 pm

Luigi,

Thanks for your explanation. I still enjoy the game and no longer use the 'limited oil' option. This truly changes the game as the Axis MUST strive to control the oil fields but if it is turned off the Axis options are based around resource points and therefore many more strategic options arise.

Thanks for your help.

Grim

nocustomerservice · Post by **nocustomerservice** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:51 pm

I have this same problem, which is ruining a good game. Not only is it annoying that there is this bug but it is anoying that you have to register with the website in order to be able hunt around and find this message and the process for registering is very frustrating. Why can't you get it to suggest a user name like every other registration process rather tan requiring you to endlessly guess what may not have been used yet and have to retype password (twice) and the security word each time. Poor customer service. I am not impressed.

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:07 pm

Sorry you are having problems and sorry you had issues registering. To be honest we did not have that many members until recently and there were very few issues with signing up as nobody was picking the same usernames., I can see now that it could be an issue so I'll ask teh web team to look in to that and create a better sign up process. Nobody is more upset than us that this bug was missed. We spent a huge amount of time making the game and to have the results marred by such a small oversite is very frustrating.

mrc4thgrade · Post by **mrc4thgrade** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:15 am

Just to be clear, the oil supply bug is present when playing either the Axis OR the Allied side . The PSP completely crashes when you run out of oil regardless of the side you play.

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:27 am

Yes this is true - the only thing is as Allies its very rare for that to happen so it usually occurs if you are playing as Germany.

torchy · Post by **torchy** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:05 am

I've been playing as the Axis in the 1939 scenario on my PSP and have this problem circa Jan 1942 and each time the message appears it completely crashes my PSP. Odd thing is sometimes I hit zero Oil with no message and sometimes the message appears when I've had 200 Oil or 50 Oil. Could you give details of exactly what triggers the message and when.

luigifumero · Post by **luigifumero** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:30 am

torchy wrote:I've been playing as the Axis in the 1939 scenario on my PSP and have this problem circa Jan 1942 and each time the message appears it completely crashes my PSP. Odd thing is sometimes I hit zero Oil with no message and sometimes the message appears when I've had 200 Oil or 50 Oil. Could you give details of exactly what triggers the message and when.

Hi torchy,

The game will display the message and crash on PSP if you have less oil that twice the amount needed to move all your units. In the worst case scenario (where you have not improved your technology) a vehicle will consume from 2 oil units (submarines, ships, transports) to 6 oil units (tanks).
It is not the actual running out of oil that makes the game crash, but the displaying of the message.

Regards,

Luigi

torchy · Post by **torchy** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:47 pm

Thanks for the update, is there any chance of a fix for this being released as it is annoying and it's happened again today. Can patches be downloaded for PSP games (I can't say I've come across one before)? or maybe a replacement disk be available for those who want it. Shame really as apart from this the game is really good.

I've not played the PC version of the game yet does this bug exist in that version as well?

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 3:14 pm

Sadly not at the moment. It's not possible to patch a PSP game. All we can do is build in the fix and hope that we get the chance to remanufacture at some point.

The bug is only on PSP. Not in DS or PC. If it was in PC it would be easy to fix and patch

CarldeVisser · Post by **CarldeVisser** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:58 am

Great game, and really nice to have this sort of game on the PSP.

However after not much play decided limited oil was the only way to play, and then got these crashes (playing Axis).

Checking here I see there isn't a solution, so I will be returning the game to the retailer.