While it wouldn't get me any closer to actually playing, I sure wish they would let me run the installer now. It's just sitting there mocking me.

10 days, 10 hours, 10 minutes...

I've been waiting 11 years, 10 months, and 4 days already...
   
However, these last 11 days, 7 hours, and 15 minutes seem like an eternity.

Have you two gotten more than just the original confirmation?
 
I got the email that I was in the beta and that further instructions would follow. That's been two weeks. The reason I ask is that the Salem forums seem to indicate that the Beta has begun (today, maybe).

[IN:]

A bump, in case any kind souls want to help more GTers get into the Beta.
 
IN:
   
Isgrimnur
CeeKay  
Qantaga
  
Need Referrals:  
  
drifter's link - Needs 3
Arclight's link - Needs 3
Arkon's link - Needs 2
soulbringer's link - Needs 3
    
If you use any of the links posted by GTers, let us know whose link you followed. We'll keep a tally of how close everyone is to getting in.
    
If you read this thread and have no intention of playing the Beta, it would be very nice if you could use one of the GT referral links to sign up, just to ensure that those that want in the Beta can get in. Thanks.

I have been looking forward to this for awhile but, after watching the latest videos posted by metallicorphan and CeeKay, my anticipation has ramped up significantly.  
  
While I'm sure I will be obsessed by D3, I can see Dragon's Dogma taking a significant chunk of gaming time away from Sanctuary.
   
I'm amazed by the way your pawns can learn about quests/enemies while they're out with another player and then give you guidance when you encounter those quests/enemies in your own game.

[IN:]

IN:
   
Isgrimnur
CeeKay  
Qantaga
  
Need Referrals:  
  
drifter's link - Needs 3
Arclight's link - Needs 3
Arkon's link - Needs 2
soulbringer's link - Needs 3
    
If you use any of the links posted by GTers, let us know whose link you followed. We'll keep a tally of how close everyone is to getting in.
    
If you read this thread and have no intention of playing the Beta, it would be very nice if you could use one of the GT referral links to sign up, just to ensure that those that want in the Beta can get in. Thanks.

[IN:]

I have my three.
     
Updated:
    
IN:
   
Isgrimnur
CeeKay  
Qantaga
  
Need Referrals:  
  
drifter's link - Needs 3
Arclight's link - Needs 3
Arkon's link - Needs 3
    
If you use any of the links posted by GTers, let us know whose link you followed. We'll keep a tally of how close everyone is to getting in.
    
If you read this thread and have no intention of playing the Beta, it would be very nice if you could use one of the GT referral links to sign up, just to ensure that those that want in the Beta can get in. Thanks.

[IN:]

Thanks, and congrats, CeeKay.
     
Updated:
    
IN:
   
Isgrimnur
CeeKay  
  
Need Referrals:  
  
Qantaga's link - 1
drifter's link - 0
Arclight's link - 0
Arkon's link - 0
    
If you use any of the links posted by GTers, let us know whose link you followed. We'll keep a tally of how close everyone is to getting in.
    
If you read this thread and have no intention of playing the Beta, it would be very nice if you could use one of the GT referral links to sign up, just to ensure that those that want in the Beta can get in. Thanks.

[IN:]

Updated:
    
IN:  
  
None so far
  
Need Referrals:  
  
Qantaga's link - 1
Isgrimnur's link - 2
drifter's link - 0
Arclight's link - 0
Arkon's link - 0
    
The next person to sign up needs to use Isgrimnur's link to lock him in. Once we get Isgrimnur in, we can spread the referrals around.
    
If you use any of the links posted by GTers, let us know We'll keep a tally of how close everyone is to getting in.
    
If you read this thread and have no intention of playing the Beta, it would be very nice if you could use one of the GT referral links to sign up, just to ensure that those that want in the Beta can get in. Thanks.

[the next person to sign up from this thread should use Isgrimnur's link to give him a third referral and a guarantee into the Beta.]

Let's keep up with a tally how many referrals there are for of those who post their links here to try to get as many as possible in the Beta:
    
Qantaga's link - 1
Isgrimnur's link - 2
drifter's link - 0
Arclight's link - 0
    
If you're actively trying to get into the Beta, post your link in this thread and I'll add you to the list. I'll try to keep up with everyone who wants to post their links here and, hopefully, by the end of April, we can get quite a few in the Beta.
  
We can try to spread the invites around as much as possible, although the next person to sign up from this thread should use Isgrimnur's link to give him a third referral and a guarantee into the Beta.    
  
If you do use someone's referral link, post here and I'll keep it updated to try to get as many of us as possible to 3 referrals.
  
If you do read this thread and have no intention of playing the Beta, it would be very nice if you could use one of the GT referral links to sign up, just to ensure that those that want in the Beta can get in. Thanks.

Thanks for using my link Issy!
   
It looks to be a very interesting game. I just watched a vid on how anyone who kills a character will leave clues that can be found by trackers to help bring the murderer to justice.
   
Hopefully, we'll get some more interest in the signups to get several GTers in the beta.
   
Maybe even those who aren't overly interested in playing the beta can sign up using Isgrimnur, drifter, and my links to make sure we get in.

Beta Signups are now open.
   
When you sign up, you get your own URL link to use to recruit friends.
       
If anyone feels so inclined, you can use this link that will give me credit for the referral:
   
http://beta.salemthegame.com/?ref=2099cdc692b
   
If three of you use that link to sign up, I will be ensured a spot in the beta.
   
If you would rather just sign up without the referral, use this link:
   
http://beta.salemthegame.com/

BTW, for anyone interested, I'm planning on starting up a Hardcore league with some fellow Wanderers soon after the game is released.  This would likely be more of a side, longer term activity, not to take place of your "real" game playing in regular mode.

Here's the concept:

- You devote one hardcore character slot to the league.

- Character can only be played solo or with others in the league.

- League will maintain its own economy (no AH and no outside trading).

- Goal is to play together and help each other get along as far as possible through teamwork/gameplay and saving money/items.

- Each time you die, post name and class/level and we'll keep a record of our fallen comrades and progress.

   
That sounds very cool Rittch.
   
May 15 seems so far away.

It's also in the save game file description (viewable when saving or loading).

Thanks Doopri.
  
I played with the resolutions, but that didn't seem to help. I searched around online and found that others had enabled "UberSampling" to fix it. I tried that and, voila, I could talk to NPCs again.
  
The only problem is that it seems I'm taking a frame rate hit in Flotsam. Maybe it'll even out once I get out of town again. I hope I won't have to enable/disable it throughout the game, because I have to exit all the way out to find that setting.
  
At least I'm able to talk to characters again and was able to close the Madness quest.

[Spoiler]

I picked this up during the latest Amazon sale. I was going to hold out until the Enhanced Edition (I was even considering waiting for it on the 360), but the Amazon $14.99 deal was too good to pass up.
   
I'm coming into this thread new here, so this may have been covered earlier.
   
I'm enjoying the game so far and I'm looking forward to the rest of the game. I'm in Flotsam, making decent progress. I've completed quite a few quests, I think I'm level 8, and I'm cleaning up a few quests before taking on the Kayran.
   
I do have one issue with the game and wondered if it is common and, if so, if there's a fix. I am having a bear of a time targetting people to activate the talk button. In order to talk to the Flotsam blacksmith, I have to move over to the side and wait for an NPC to walk up in front of him, then the talk button appears (if I'm standing in just the right spot). It's hit or miss with the "witch" in her house to try to talk to her about Newboy's amulet or to trade with her. I have to stand in different places in her cabin and slowly move the mouse/camera around until I get just the right pixel to activate talk. There are several other places where it's hard to talk to characters.
   
But, most frustratingly, I'm trying to finish the "In the Claws of Madness" quest where:

Spoiler for Hiden:

I have the nekker hearts and eyes to give to the head wraith back down in the ruins of the hospital.

   
No matter what I do, where I stand, how meticulously I move the mouse/camera, I cannot get a talk icon to activate for him.
   
So, I wanted to ask if anyone found a way to overcome this or if I'm alone in my "talk" frustrations.

Thanks CeeKay!

1. The Witcher 2 - $14.99 (Deal of the Week is extending through 2/29)

   
Here's a (probably silly) question.
   
They are listing this as the "Premium" digital version. However, they're also listing the Enhanced Edition, coming Apr. 17, as $49.99.
   
I am assuming that, like the original game, the Enhanced Edition will be available for free for anyone who owns the game. However, I wanted to ask here, just to make sure this wasn't a version that would have to pay to upgrade to the EE when it releases.

I finally got the chance to play some today.
 
It's a blast. In my first four years in Scotland, I have imprisoned my brother (for plotting to kill my heir) and my marshall (for plotting to overthrow me), re-married (I was a widow at game's launch), have a new child on the way, and have to decide if I want to press a claim against a vassal of Norway.
 
So much fun.

That review in this thread describes it as having RPG features, but I didn't get that impression from anything else I read? Can anyone here that has it confirm whether or not it does?

   
It doesn't have RPG features in the traditional sense. What it has are events that can change your character's traits. For example, you might get an event that pops up asking if you'd like to lead a hunt for a giant boar. Depending on your choice of whether or not to go on the hunt and whether or not you are successful on the hunt, your character could earn the trait Brave, or Coward, or Timid, or ...
   
The traits that your character earns effect your realm, but they aren't traditional level-ups or abilities that you choose deliberately. They come through the course of the game.
   
I've got the game and can't wait to spend time with it. I loved the original. In the few minutes I've had to jump in and look around, it looks and feels great.

Soulbringer

Not sure I remember this one.

GT Link

   
I liked the game a lot. It's funny, though, that I remember the anticipation of Soulbringer more than the actual game itself. It was done by essentially the same development team that did Realms of the Haunting. After enjoying Realms so much, I couldn't wait for that team's next game.
  
It didn't reach the Realms level, but it was a fun action RPG-ish game. It doesn't look like the graphics held up very well over time, but I may have to splurge on it, just for nostalgia's sake.

Faeblades are cool. That is all you need to know.

   
Agreed. At level 9, I'm about 2/3 Sorcery and 1/3 Finesse. I cast the storm spell from a distance and close in with the Faeblades. I found a purple drop (Faeblades of Song, or somesuch) and they are amazing.
    
It has been a long time since I have been so completely enraptured with a game. Demons' Souls may have been the last time I was this obsessed with a game.:-)
  
I'm loving every minute (although work has caused most of those minutes to be late night, early morning). Who needs sleep?  
  
Oh, and my house is very cool.

Thanks Lordnine. I appreciate the explanation.
    
While the $9 savings was nice, the Steam offering of TF2 skins (v. the Fate-touched weapons) was what ultimately led me to buying from Amazon.
  
I'm hoping KoA is such a tremendous success that 38 Studios can dictate their own distribution methods from now on. Having Schilling can't hurt, as he strikes me as the kind of guy who will do something just because EA tells him he can't.    
  
Now, back to deciding if I want to focus on Finesse/Sorcery, pure Sorcery, Might/Sorcery, pure Might, Finesse/Might ...

Personally I thought it was worth an extra $9 to not have to use Origin.  The Steam version is the only one that doesn’t register with Origin.  I also wanted to show support for the developer who chose to self-publish on Steam against EA’s wishes.

   
See, that's where I need to do more research. I didn't know that buying through Amazon would damage 38 Studios.
   
Believe me, I am not arguing with you, I just need to be more informed. How did I hurt 38 Studios by buying their game through Amazon?

As for the game itself, less than 10 hours to go.
 
I'm planning on getting up at 5:00 a.m. to play a couple of hours before work.

EA is using every sleazy tactic they've got to make people desperate enough to use Origin. Don't give in. When you're downloading the game on Steam on release day, imagine that as your way of giving EA the proverbial finger.

   
TiLT, I understand what you're saying and respect that you are speaking with your purchasing decisions.
 
Personally, I would have liked to have bought the game through Steam. However, my decision to go through Amazon was two-fold:
 
1. Saving $9.00
 
2. Preferring the Amazon in-game perks to the Steam Team Fortress perks (which I would never use).
 
So, I understand your Origin disdain, but Amazon was easily the best choice for me. I don't consider saving money and getting better items to fall into the sleazy territory.

Thanks CeeKay!
 
It"s now installed and at the "Release Date Check" screen.
 
Come on Tuesday.

The download has completed and now will be mocking me until Tuesday.
    
I do have a question for anyone else that has pre-loaded this from Amazon.
  
I get to the part where I enter my product code. Then, to a screen that says:
  

YOU'RE ALMOST THERE...

You have successfully activated the following game for the account: xxxxxxxxxx Please click Next to install this game on your computer.

 
However, the "Next" button does not seem active (nothing happens if I click it, it doesn't even "depress"). Will it not install until Tuesday (I thought I could go ahead and install it, but the game wouldn't open until Tuesday)? Or is something borked with my install procedure?
  
Edit: Now, I can't even get to that "You're almost there" screen. When I click the "Install" button on the Kingdoms of Amular splash screen, it brings up the Origin program and says "No Games Detected."
  
I'm hoping this is the part that is turned off until Tuesday, or I will be sorely vexed.
   
Just posting to see if this is normal, or if I need to be troubleshooting.

Ugh.
     
So, 6,999,999,997 people got in, while only three of us here did not?   

I'm at 34% of my PC pre-load from Amazon.
   
I'm going to be incredibly sad when it finishes, but they game doesn't open until Tuesday.
 
But, I will be happy knowing it's already installed and waiting for me.

Lots of invites going out, but not emails. Check your Bnet accounts.

    
 

Dungeon Crawlers (coming Thursday) looks like it could be fun, supposedly a humorous TBS described as Shining Force meets Diablo:

http://toucharcade.com/tag/dungeon-crawlers/

 
  

A turn-based fantasy rpg called Dungeon Crawlers came out last night which I can describe best as: if Spengler, Venkman, and Stantz were sitting around a table playing D&D, this might be the result. The interface is a bit quirky, but I'm having fun with it so far.

I'm really interested in this one, hoping I can get somewhere with WiFi today so I can try it out on the flight home.

 
I picked it up last night, too.
  
Thanks for the heads-up on this one. I'm only into the third level, but I'm hooked so far.

Thanks for the reply ydejin.
   
I started a new game and did not have the issue with the missing equipped items. Hopefully, that bug will be quashed before release.
   
Thanks for confirming the lack of access to equipment changes during battle. Seems a strange choice, but I can adjust for that.
   
It definitely is a big improvement. I'm actually looking forward to getting further in the game and learning more about it, unlike the initial release when I felt like I was trudging along, just to justify my purchase.

I was going to wait until the game was released, but this thread encouraged me to download the beta.
  
The game has already impressed me more in an hour than Elemental did in a week.
  
I'm still just scratching the surface, but there is something happening that I can't figure out.
  
I completed an early quest and received a mace as a reward. The mace served me well in battle. When I started the next battle, though, my hero was missing (not causing any damage) on every attack she attempted. When I examined her profile, the mace was gone and she was fighting empty handed.  Then, I finished another quest and received a nice battle axe. I equipped it and won a battle, with her doing some nice damage. Then, a couple turns later, some bears jumped her and, voila, she's fighting empty handed again. No sign of the new axe.
  
This also happened with her starting bow after another battle.
    
I'm sure I'm missing something obvious, but where are my weapons going? Are they breaking in battle?
  
I've checked the other hired champions in the trade option, but they don't have the mace or axe. They weapons have just vanished into thin air.
  
I realize it's still beta, but wondered if there's something I should be doing (repairs, etc.) to keep my weapons equipped/maintained.
  
Also, I can't seem to find a way to examine my equipment in the battle screen. I can open the hero, but not access her inventory. Do I have to make all my equipment choices before battle begins? Or am I missing a button to access inventory mid-fight? For example, I have a sand golem that I can theoretically summon, but I can't find a way to access my inventory to call him during the battle screen. Do I have to summon him before battle?
  
I'm sure I'll learn more as I go, and I'm thrilled that the game is finally closing in on a good state, but I'm a little confused at the moment.

Something was wrong on getting the FG team on.  Cundiff was sprinting down the line of scrimmage with 10 seconds left on the play clock.  I knew he was going to miss.  Ravens should have called Time out

   
I thought the exact same thing.
   
At that point, even a delay of game penalty would have been better than rushing the kick like they did.

That will probably get me to resub to the game - I really like the core game, and its been enhanced a LOT over the years.

   
Agreed. I've always enjoyed my forays into the game. I'll definitely want to experience the Forgotten Realms addition.

I really wish I didn't have to wait until Feb. 7 for the full game.
   
I've played the 45 minutes of the demo with three different races, once as finesse, once as might, and once as magic. I went three different directions from the starting village and found enough content/geography to fill three separate 45 minute experiences. So, their claim of a large, open world, with a multitude of quests certainly appears accurate.
   
My only dilemma now is how I'll focus my character when the full game releases.
   

For some reason, every time I saw it I thought it was an MMO, finally realized it was a single-player RPG. D'oh.

 
   
You're probably thinking of Copernicus, which is the MMO that is being developed by 38 Studios, with a lot of the same talent (Salvatore, McFarlane, et al) involved.

Wow - the demo was even more fun than I expected.  The combat was instantly enjoyable, the game looks beautiful, and it looks like there is a massive amount of things to do.  The game also seems like it will avoid the action RPG trap where all enemies just rush at you.  Even with the handful of enemies in the demo, fighting the different types required different tactics.  Fighting a bear felt completely different from fighting a pack of wolves, and the different feel of each weapon added even more variety.  I can't wait to dive into the full version.

 
Ditto.
 
I'm in Day 1.