Curse

The Pointless · Nov 19, 2006, 09:41 PM // 21:41

GW.DAT is the main file holding all GW data. Every map, model, image and sound is compressed and stored in that file, including any updates. When the game needs something, it extracts the files from GW.DAT and decompresses it.

The easiest and least bandwidth wasting option may be just to burn it to a Dual Layer DVD and pass it on to you to copy into your GW folder.

(If your friend can actually find Dual Layer DVDs anywhere!

)

Yanman.be · Nov 19, 2006, 09:41 PM // 21:41

I remember that A.Net stated that GW's networking was specifically designed for 56k.

-Orestes- · Nov 19, 2006, 10:05 PM // 22:05

What file can GW.dat be found in?
How do I navigate the computer to find it?

Cottage Pie · Nov 19, 2006, 10:05 PM // 22:05

I am on a big fat 10MB connection MWhahahahahaha *laughs at you all* but anyhow, It will help you to run guildwars with the -image command if you experience lots of loading waits, the -image command downloads and decompresses all current gameplay files, something to leave your computer on overnight for. Just make sure that you remove the -image from the shortcut after it's done, cos guildwars will just close once all files are decompressed.

My gw.dat file is now 9GB for some stupid reason, so getting a mates might not be possible unless you split it.

Yanman.be · Nov 19, 2006, 10:23 PM // 22:23

9 gb? wow....

-Orestes- · Nov 19, 2006, 10:31 PM // 22:31

Why, what is it usually?

The Pointless · Nov 19, 2006, 11:10 PM // 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Orestes-

What file can GW.dat be found in?
How do I navigate the computer to find it?

The defaut install folder is C:\Program Files\Guild Wars.

As for the 9GB, my guess is that's everything for the 3 current games plus updates, including holiday events. Maybe a bit of rubbish from the Previews have been left in there too

Wrath Of Dragons · Nov 19, 2006, 11:50 PM // 23:50

no. the 9gig is a leftover from a bug back in the day. it will gradually shrink. i remember an article somewhere, but i cant find it. It should be less then 4gig. If he has a dvd burner or an external harddrive, have him copy the GW.dat onto it, then you just go in and replace the one you have with the new one

Lady Lozza · Nov 20, 2006, 12:11 AM // 00:11

Dial-up connection are only a problem when updates happen. That is AFTER you have downloaded the original game files. For those who are just starting to play now, you have to realise that the original game has been out for over a year now (1.5yrs to be exact) and has had multiple changes to its engine, gfx, and also content. It should also be noted that Factions and NF are not run on separate servers, so you have to download some of the stuff relating to those campaigns as well. First load will be hell, but the game itself is completely playable on a dial-up connection. I was playing for a while on a 56k modem, but a 28k line.

MegaMouse · Nov 20, 2006, 02:29 AM // 02:29

I run a dual 6k dsl line at home. But while I am at work I use a seira Wireless modem that connects through Cingular, which can be compareable to the slowest dial-up connection. I only have problems when there are major updates and my signal is low, sol Guild Wars should play quite well on a 56k dial up. You will encounter some slowdown during the loading screensand even possibly during the misssions, but that should be expected especialy during times where there are a lot of players on. Other than those issues you should be fine, just gotta put up with a bit of the headaches.

Mega Mouse

Bane of Worlds · Nov 20, 2006, 02:30 AM // 02:30

If you own Nightfall then try to install it from the 3 CDs or 1 DVD(if you own NF CE) and you should have a file size of 2.88 GB as of Nov18(this is what my gw.dat file size is atm and during of the halloween event the file size was 2.77GB). You could also just physically move the gw.dat file from the DVD and have it load the updates(I done this).Don't leave game client in -image in a single setting as it actually yields a larger size but periodically load an area to "see" game client use the space efficiently. You'll actually see the gw.dat file decrease and not just get larger as the game client is writing over the outdated files and not just adding to .dat file. Also, try to go to your program folder and physically delete the old gw.date file.

You could find a friend who has it also but gw is can be ran fairly well unless you want to use a program like teamspeak or vent on top on of it as highend pvp requires...
I"m a dialup user sadly...

---Follower of Grenth

Raptor[LUX] · Nov 20, 2006, 02:39 AM // 02:39

My friend plays GW on a 56k connection and it plays fine. The only thing that slows him down alot is when there is a large update that comes out and he is stuck downloading it for a little while. For the rest of it, it plays fine.

Heimdallw32 · Nov 20, 2006, 02:52 AM // 02:52

I'm on a 56k connection. GW runs fine (lags a little at certain time periods, basically when the servers are all really crowded, ie. weekends, early evenings, etc.) for the most part.

Of course updates can be a problem, but that's something I can deal with considering ingame performance is pretty good.

Now, I think there's two retail versions of Prophecies, since some people have stated that if you install it from the CDs you don't have to download much other than patches...this was not the case for me. Installing from the CDs installed a scant megabyte or two, then downloaded the rest when I went through character creation the first time. Yes, I had to sit at the "Ascalon City" loading screen for around 20 hours. Thankfully that was the longest one, all other major loads have been at most 8 hours or less.

I still sometimes have to load when I enter an area (even if I've been to it before), either because they've updated it, or someone I'm partied with has content I havn't loaded before (Like a weapon or minipet or skill).

Bottom line? GW is definatly playable on 56k, if you have some patience, and are willing to put up with loadiing sometimes, and the occasional lag spikes. I'd say it's absolutly worth going through that, considering how well it runs ingame.

Sheol · Nov 20, 2006, 04:54 AM // 04:54

we had 4 copies running off of a ~56k dialup connection at once before, with minimal lag. however that was a while ago and i doubt that it would work as well now

Gorebrex · Nov 20, 2006, 06:20 AM // 06:20

Dont forget that not just the speed, but the quality of the connection is an issue as well. A lot of my lag issues in some games have shown to be from too many bad(timeout)hops.

Rakeris · Nov 20, 2006, 04:16 PM // 16:16

Yes GW is quite playable on 56k in fact better than many online games! One thing to thank NCsoft for, it sucks being stuck on dial up, but atleast I can plau GW. ^^

I use the -image command after any major update to make sure I don't get stuck downloading a bunch of crap loading some zone that was changed. If it's big, I usaully just leave it on all night.

Other than that the game playes great, really populated districts are a bit annoying (wish there was a go to least populated district option) as you may have to wait 30 seconds or so before you can move. Not always though.

Other than that, when you first start playing it will really suck, as you will have to download a lot of stuff. Best thing you could do would be to have a friend put it on a DVD for you. (Or take your PC to a new cafe) My GW.dat file is around 4GB after NF. I'd be wiling to send you it if you like. As downloading that much on dial up would probably take over 300 hours...

King Of Da Beasts · Nov 21, 2006, 05:40 AM // 05:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarkhan

it depends on the game version

Retail: Only downloads new content, streamed in. Not a problem for modem users (well, not now, it depends how much they stream into the world

)

Web: Downloads all content as soon as you enter into a new zone. Can be 30mb the first time. Not a good plan for the bandwidth impaired.

First dl when I want to kamadan was 140mb, which took 1 hour with 512mb broadband.

Alex Weekes · Nov 21, 2006, 12:16 PM // 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yanman.be

I remember that A.Net stated that GW's networking was specifically designed for 56k.

It's mentioned in the FAQ, actually

:

Quote:

Can I play Guild Wars on a dial-up modem?

Yes, you can. We are well aware that many users do not have broadband access, and we want the largest possible number of gamers to be able to join our game without being held back by technical issues like their Internet connection. We have designed Guild Wars to function excellently on a dial-up connection and players confirm they have no problems with their connection, even when playing on a server located in a different continent.

Before I joined NCsoft I spent a while stuck with 33.6k (at best, often worse) dialup access during early alpha testing for Guild Wars. You could say I was a very early guinea pig for dialup compatibility testing

.

Guild Wars is designed to run using minimal bandwidth. This helps you, because it means the game can run on slower internet connections just fine. It also helps us, as it means that our bandwidth costs are lower.

Teh Legacy · Dec 30, 2006, 02:21 AM // 02:21

I have teh 56K demon, and it's really not too terribly slow. Not if you get the retail version, that is. All I recommend is getting a GOOD modem that won't lose it's connection, that will come and haunt you.

Rakeris · Dec 30, 2006, 05:15 AM // 05:15

Thread Necromancy ftl!

But a good ISP is just as important as a modem, as a lot of the "crappy" ones will not let you stay connected for more than 3-4 hours at a time.