Actually you can't, i tried it which was why i switched to steam. you try and it kicks you to skrill to create an account with them.
Skrill is the processing company that handles all of PW's NA/European transactions.
STO is about my Liberated Borg Federation Captain with his Breen 1st Officer, Jem'Hadar Tactical Officer, Liberated Borg Engineering Officer, Android Ops Officer, Photonic Science Officer, Gorn Science Officer, and Reman Medical Officer jumping into their Jem'Hadar Carrier and flying off to do missions for the new Romulan Empire. But for some players allowing a T5 Connie to be used breaks the canon in the game.
Dosen;t matter. I chose to pay via visa, not via skrill. I do not need an account with them. No other online system i'm aware of that offers the visa option then expects you to utalise a third party to do it.
Dosen;t matter. I chose to pay via visa, not via skrill. I do not need an account with them. No other online system i'm aware of that offers the visa option then expects you to utalise a third party to do it.
Every system in the world requires you to use a third-party processor - it is simply usually done via a bank so you never see it happening. Many areas do not recognize some Chinese banks so it is simpler for PW to use a service like Skrill for all its transactions.
STO is about my Liberated Borg Federation Captain with his Breen 1st Officer, Jem'Hadar Tactical Officer, Liberated Borg Engineering Officer, Android Ops Officer, Photonic Science Officer, Gorn Science Officer, and Reman Medical Officer jumping into their Jem'Hadar Carrier and flying off to do missions for the new Romulan Empire. But for some players allowing a T5 Connie to be used breaks the canon in the game.
We appreciate your report about this case. Rest assured though that the appropriate teams have been informed regarding your inability to purchase using the Steam overlay and are already working on a fix as fast as possible. Should you wish to purchase Zen while waiting for the fix, you may try purchasing using the Arcgames site as an alternative.
Thank you for your patience and understanding."
Still no reply from Steam, but it's better than nothing.
Well, that is good news. I am certain Cryptic wants to get this sorted out before the weekend - as that is their busiest time period.
STO is about my Liberated Borg Federation Captain with his Breen 1st Officer, Jem'Hadar Tactical Officer, Liberated Borg Engineering Officer, Android Ops Officer, Photonic Science Officer, Gorn Science Officer, and Reman Medical Officer jumping into their Jem'Hadar Carrier and flying off to do missions for the new Romulan Empire. But for some players allowing a T5 Connie to be used breaks the canon in the game.
Allow me to be really direct.
When Arc was first released, I took an extensive look at it to see if it was actually worth installing. It is not.
I kept hearing all this hype about how it will enhance your gaming experience.
But when I actually analyzed it, what it really meant is it will enhance your PWE gaming experience.
It brings absolutely nothing to the functionality of STO and CO, which are the only games I play.
And then I learned from other players it was basically an advertising tool for every PWE game currently in existence and consumed a significant amount of gigabytes as well.
Since I have zero interest in PWE games, I don't care to receive advertising material about them at all.
And also, keep in mind I am a Mac user.
We cannot install Arc on our computers, so it's Steam or the standalone launcher.
I opted to use the former, to purchase c-points easily.
Yes, I will concede the point that we should have checked that the c-points purchasing was working before committing the payment towards Steam.
But honestly, it worked all the time for me so far, so I didn't know it could break down.
I don't think it's practical to keep checking if the payment server is working before we try it.
I'd have to try and pay, then cancel the transaction, go back to Steam, pay them, then return to STO to get the points.
Just a strange thought that occurred to me, when things like this occur after a patch, it makes me instantly suspicious.
The first thought I had is the patch broke something in the payment processing system.
I've never known this to happen before relating to Steam, but I know from experience that patches can break things in the game.
Ok i totally understand what you are saying especially about MAC users not being able to use ARC, that totally explains a reason its not viable for you.
Seriously though, anyone who isn't on Mac, there is absolutely no reason not to use ARC, unless its just your own pigheadedness. The " I refuse to use ARC because i think i am edgy and cool bucking the system ". You aren't.
You dont even have to use it all the time. I have it on my PC, but i launch STO through steam. When i want to buy zen, i alt + tab and boot up ARC because i'm not TRIBBLE enough i think they are somehow degrading my existence as a human being by using it.
And, you get MORE ZEN through ARC. Yes i will say that again. MORE ZEN. You don't get any bonus zen through steam, and the zen costs more. People love to complain about ARC (minus aforementioned Mac users of course) because they saw someone else do it. Typical internet warriors.
" Experience is a hard mistress, she gives the tests first, and the lessons after... "
to the sheepheads that say, "just use arc and be done"...
just some explanation. i live in austria.. here no PWE or cryptic or whatever gamecard is needed to pay the arc is available, also it does not accept visa.
so for buying zen with steam, i just to go the next gaming store get a steam wallet card, load that onto my steam. and tadaaaa im done.. zen bought. its a matter of minutes, as the next shop is around the corner. for me that i have to use arc to get zen is a pain in the TRIBBLE... as there is no possible easy way to buy zen here. these PEW cards are just not available. and local gamestops also dont have them and they cant order them they are not available for the middle european market.
thats why NO i will not "just use arc" to get zen ...
and yes i also cant buy zen anymore over the steam overlay since yesterdays patch.....
And, you get MORE ZEN through ARC. Yes i will say that again. MORE ZEN. You don't get any bonus zen through steam, and the zen costs more. People love to complain about ARC (minus aforementioned Mac users of course) because they saw someone else do it. Typical internet warriors.
Only if you buy $50 or $100 worth. Otherwise it isn't cheaper and only bonus you get is if you order in the two largest amounts. $10 on steam is 1000 zen same as buying from the arc site. If zen was half off on arc then it would be worth using.
Ok i totally understand what you are saying especially about MAC users not being able to use ARC, that totally explains a reason its not viable for you.
Seriously though, anyone who isn't on Mac, there is absolutely no reason not to use ARC, unless its just your own pigheadedness. The " I refuse to use ARC because i think i am edgy and cool bucking the system ". You aren't.
You dont even have to use it all the time. I have it on my PC, but i launch STO through steam. When i want to buy zen, i alt + tab and boot up ARC because i'm not TRIBBLE enough i think they are somehow degrading my existence as a human being by using it.
And, you get MORE ZEN through ARC. Yes i will say that again. MORE ZEN. You don't get any bonus zen through steam, and the zen costs more. People love to complain about ARC (minus aforementioned Mac users of course) because they saw someone else do it. Typical internet warriors.
Actually, you do get bonus Zen through Steam when they have a bonus sale, and I'm not aware of any price increase. The only exception is that the very largest Zen pack is not eligible for bonus sales.
Also, I dislike Arc for the same reason I dislike Origin: aside from being an apparently worse experience, it divides both my friends and games list. The idea of having a background platform is to have everything in one place, and I want that one place to be Steam because I like it and dem sales.
ON TOPIC THO
I'm not experiencing this issue. Clicking Buy Zen just brings up the dialogue, and the only available option is the Steam Wallet. I'm in the UK, in case that might make a difference.
I am NikkoJT, Foundry author and terrible player. Follow me!
There used to be a picture here, but they changed signatures and I can't be bothered to replace it.
So just make a skrill account. That's what its for, using cards to pay. Whats the problem?
It means handing out a bunch of personal data that can be sold on to other to yet another company. Plus after the debacle i had with paypal i'm not going to TRIBBLE around with another third party payer like that only to get locked out however far down the line. I just use a dedicated "internet" bank account so if anything goes wrong security wise they can only get at a small amount of money, (usually less than a £100).
Also yeah i'm in uk, here arc won;t let you use visa direct.
...talking to players is like being a mall Santa. Everyone immediately wants to tell you all of the things they want, and you are absolutely powerless to deliver 99% of them.
It means handing out a bunch of personal data that can be sold on to other to yet another company. Plus after the debacle i had with paypal i'm not going to TRIBBLE around with another third party payer like that only to get locked out however far down the line. I just use a dedicated "internet" bank account so if anything goes wrong security wise they can only get at a small amount of money, (usually less than a £100).
Also yeah i'm in uk, here arc won;t let you use visa direct.
I'm also in the UK, i used skrill before, i have used paypal for years too, as well as other third party systems. Never had a single problem. Its really not as big a deal as you are making it out to be. Then again, i'm not paranoid.
They can't sell your account details. If they did that they wouldn't exist and they certainly wouldn't be endorsed by semi respectable companies on their websites.
" Experience is a hard mistress, she gives the tests first, and the lessons after... "
Only if you buy $50 or $100 worth. Otherwise it isn't cheaper and only bonus you get is if you order in the two largest amounts. $10 on steam is 1000 zen same as buying from the arc site. If zen was half off on arc then it would be worth using.
No not at all. if i buy 2000 zen, i get 2300 zen. So a bonus of 300 zen. The bonus increases of course, the more zen you buy. 2000 zen for me is about £17 on ARC. On steam its £20.
So yes its cheaper, and yes i get bonus zen i wouldn't get through steam. I live in the UK, maybe this affects it but it shouldn't really.
Maybe more people need to be less **** scared of ARC and stop making out like it affects anything at all, other than your own overly inflated sense of self importance.
And to the guy who said something like, "I dont want background programs running that divide my friends, thats what steam is for" Oh diddums, Such a hard life. Whinge about everything much?
So don't run it in the background then. As i said earlier, i launch my game through steam. When i buy zen, i boot up ARC, log in, buy cheaper zen with a bonus, then i close ARC down and go back to my game. No background programs. Wow, its like magic!
" Experience is a hard mistress, she gives the tests first, and the lessons after... "
Maybe More People Need To Be Less **** Scared Of Arc And Stop Making Out Like It Affects Anything At All, Other Than Your Own Overly Inflated Sense Of Self Importance.
And To The Guy Who Said Something Like, "i Dont Want Background Programs Running That Divide My Friends, Thats What Steam Is For" Oh Diddums, Such A Hard Life. Whinge About Everything Much?
So Don't Run It In The Background Then. As I Said Earlier, I Launch My Game Through Steam. When I Buy Zen, I Boot Up Arc, Log In, Buy Cheaper Zen With A Bonus, Then I Close Arc Down And Go Back To My Game. No Background Programs. Wow, Its Like Magic!
Thank you. Finally someone who isn't, as one guy put it, a tinfoil-hat conspiracy theorist.
No not at all. if i buy 2000 zen, i get 2300 zen. So a bonus of 300 zen. The bonus increases of course, the more zen you buy. 2000 zen for me is about £17 on ARC. On steam its £20.
So yes its cheaper, and yes i get bonus zen i wouldn't get through steam. I live in the UK, maybe this affects it but it shouldn't really.
I went to the arc site and it costs the same amount of $ per zen as it does to purchase it through steam. Also when looking at the amounts only $50 and $100 are showing bonus zen. So no real incentive to ever download arc.
I refuse to use Arc for exactly the same reason I didn't want Steam on my computer for a long time, and the same reason I only barely use Origin. I don't see the need for a second piece of software. Didn't need that for my first fifteen years of PC gaming, why should I need it now? What won me over was mostly Steam's ridiculously low sale prices (90% off sometimes) and easy screenshot functionality. I see nothing like that on Arc, and since STO is the only PWE game I'm even remotely interested in (to hell with NWO, bring on NWN3), their glorified adware provides me absolutely zero benefit* over what I'm already using.
* That includes the Khan uniform, because I want my people wearing something that actually looks like a uniform.
"Great War! / And I cannot take more! / Great tour! / I keep on marching on / I play the great score / There will be no encore / Great War! / The War to End All Wars"
— Sabaton, "Great War"
There seems to be some misconception about things here;l Arc is a piece of software installed and arc is also the branding for a PWE website. Where there is arc branding with both, the two are not the same precise same thing (though the arc client does itself pull content from the website). There is nothing which prevents a Macintosh computer from accessing arcgames.com to do PWE account stuff, and there is no special client installation needed to do so; it's just a unified web portal for all of PWE's games.
A thought that occurs to me is that if you've got the old non-Arc client or a Steam client, it's more convenient to go on using that then migrating to Arc.
Look at it this way, your old client or Steam client is completely current in terms of patches/game updates.
Whereas if you choose to go to Arc, you're having to download the client all over again from scratch, consuming your bandwidth and more hard drive space.
Under those circumstances, you'd just stick with what you had before.
Also, I've been told that the Arc launcher is classified as bloatware, because the hard drive requirements exceeds what is strictly necessary to run STO and CO.
And after the Playstation Network security breach where a large number of credit card details were stolen, I don't disclose that info to third parties anymore.
Giving that info to PWE or whoever manages their credit card transactions is a third party who does not possess that info currently.
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
A thought that occurs to me is that if you've got the old non-Arc client or a Steam client, it's more convenient to go on using that then migrating to Arc.
Look at it this way, your old client or Steam client is completely current in terms of patches/game updates.
Whereas if you choose to go to Arc, you're having to download the client all over again from scratch, consuming your bandwidth and more hard drive space.
Under those circumstances, you'd just stick with what you had before.
Also, I've been told that the Arc launcher is classified as bloatware, because the hard drive requirements exceeds what is strictly necessary to run STO and CO.
And after the Playstation Network security breach where a large number of credit card details were stolen, I don't disclose that info to third parties anymore.
Giving that info to PWE or whoever manages their credit card transactions is a third party who does not possess that info currently.
The hard drive space requirement for ARC is only 200MB, the actual client installation itself, however only takes up 81MB.
And the installation of Arc does not require re-downloading the entire game over again.
That being said, the arc client is immaterial to this conversation, one does not need to install the arc client to use the arcgames.com website to buy zen.
And ANYWHERE you are using a credit card other than the issuing bank that information is being processed by a third party. The merchant doen't pull those funds directly from your bank, they process it through an authorizer who i connected to the card's network which transacts with your bank. Your information is going through 2-3 differeny hands anywher you go. If you're paranoid about third-party processors; I'd suggest not using credit cards at all.
They can't sell your account details. If they did that they wouldn't exist and they certainly wouldn't be endorsed by semi respectable companies on their websites.
Company's like that do it all the time. Note that i don't mean they sell my card detail's. I mean things like my name, address, telephone number, purchasing habits, e.t.c.
Also my paypal problem was paypal deciding to freeze my account because i'd spent more than X amount over the lifetime of the account and then saying the only way to unfreeze it was if i sent them a scan of a utility bill and photo ID. No way in hell i'm going to give those out just to use a payment service.
And ANYWHERE you are using a credit card other than the issuing bank that information is being processed by a third party. The merchant doen't pull those funds directly from your bank, they process it through an authorizer who i connected to the card's network which transacts with your bank. Your information is going through 2-3 differeny hands anywher you go. If you're paranoid about third-party processors; I'd suggest not using credit cards at all.
Again it's not so much the security of third parties, it's third parties that want a bunch of personal info about me that isn't actually required to process the transaction. If i really have to give that stuff out i like to minimize how many different people have it.
Again it's not so much the security of third parties, it's third parties that want a bunch of personal info about me that isn't actually required to process the transaction. If i really have to give that stuff out i like to minimize how many different people have it.
The only information you give in the transaction is what is required for authorization, name on card, address (associated with card), phone number (associated with card), card number, expiration date and CVV. All of which is required to process an online transaction.
So i´m the only one left with the problem?
if i hit ingame the buy zen button it opens only the arc protal in my browser. And before you going to ask, steamoverlay is activated and works fine in other games like rift or defiance
It is working for me.
Took about 1-2 days for someone to fix whatever went wrong though.
About the credit card details being unsecured, I do not use my credit anywhere but online.
I never use it at banks, atms, etc as a method of payment.
Which is why I'm incredibly particular with giving that info out, especially when I am dubious of the motives involved, like I am with Arc.
And for the players who keep insisting we should use Arc, don't bother wasting your time promoting it.
I don't like it and that opinion is never going to change, no matter what you say.
I know the truth of it, Arc is an advertising tool for the PWE games.
The support for STO and CO is minimal at best.
Also, a secondary concern I have is that the Arc client doesn't have the function to "hide" games you don't have installed.
From the screenshots I've seen, there's a list of 8 games or so run by PWE, STO and CO are at the bottom.
Since I will never play those games or the Neverwinter game, any info relating to them is, to quote the Borg, irrevalant.
Which is why I'm suspicous, Arc may start flashing ads/promotions up for all these games when the info isn't useful to me in the slightest.
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
Comments
"Hello,
Thank you for updating us.
We appreciate your report about this case. Rest assured though that the appropriate teams have been informed regarding your inability to purchase using the Steam overlay and are already working on a fix as fast as possible. Should you wish to purchase Zen while waiting for the fix, you may try purchasing using the Arcgames site as an alternative.
Thank you for your patience and understanding."
Still no reply from Steam, but it's better than nothing.
Interesting, so, can you explain why I can buy zen with my Visa via the ARC site while having no skrill account?
Probably has to do with you being in the US and carl103 not being in the US...?
Ok i totally understand what you are saying especially about MAC users not being able to use ARC, that totally explains a reason its not viable for you.
Seriously though, anyone who isn't on Mac, there is absolutely no reason not to use ARC, unless its just your own pigheadedness. The " I refuse to use ARC because i think i am edgy and cool bucking the system ". You aren't.
You dont even have to use it all the time. I have it on my PC, but i launch STO through steam. When i want to buy zen, i alt + tab and boot up ARC because i'm not TRIBBLE enough i think they are somehow degrading my existence as a human being by using it.
And, you get MORE ZEN through ARC. Yes i will say that again. MORE ZEN. You don't get any bonus zen through steam, and the zen costs more. People love to complain about ARC (minus aforementioned Mac users of course) because they saw someone else do it. Typical internet warriors.
just some explanation. i live in austria.. here no PWE or cryptic or whatever gamecard is needed to pay the arc is available, also it does not accept visa.
so for buying zen with steam, i just to go the next gaming store get a steam wallet card, load that onto my steam. and tadaaaa im done.. zen bought. its a matter of minutes, as the next shop is around the corner. for me that i have to use arc to get zen is a pain in the TRIBBLE... as there is no possible easy way to buy zen here. these PEW cards are just not available. and local gamestops also dont have them and they cant order them they are not available for the middle european market.
thats why NO i will not "just use arc" to get zen ...
and yes i also cant buy zen anymore over the steam overlay since yesterdays patch.....
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
So just make a skrill account. That's what its for, using cards to pay. Whats the problem?
Only if you buy $50 or $100 worth. Otherwise it isn't cheaper and only bonus you get is if you order in the two largest amounts. $10 on steam is 1000 zen same as buying from the arc site. If zen was half off on arc then it would be worth using.
Actually, you do get bonus Zen through Steam when they have a bonus sale, and I'm not aware of any price increase. The only exception is that the very largest Zen pack is not eligible for bonus sales.
Also, I dislike Arc for the same reason I dislike Origin: aside from being an apparently worse experience, it divides both my friends and games list. The idea of having a background platform is to have everything in one place, and I want that one place to be Steam because I like it and dem sales.
ON TOPIC THO
I'm not experiencing this issue. Clicking Buy Zen just brings up the dialogue, and the only available option is the Steam Wallet. I'm in the UK, in case that might make a difference.
There used to be a picture here, but they changed signatures and I can't be bothered to replace it.
It means handing out a bunch of personal data that can be sold on to other to yet another company. Plus after the debacle i had with paypal i'm not going to TRIBBLE around with another third party payer like that only to get locked out however far down the line. I just use a dedicated "internet" bank account so if anything goes wrong security wise they can only get at a small amount of money, (usually less than a £100).
Also yeah i'm in uk, here arc won;t let you use visa direct.
It seems to be working for me again, as well.
I'm also in the UK, i used skrill before, i have used paypal for years too, as well as other third party systems. Never had a single problem. Its really not as big a deal as you are making it out to be. Then again, i'm not paranoid.
They can't sell your account details. If they did that they wouldn't exist and they certainly wouldn't be endorsed by semi respectable companies on their websites.
No not at all. if i buy 2000 zen, i get 2300 zen. So a bonus of 300 zen. The bonus increases of course, the more zen you buy. 2000 zen for me is about £17 on ARC. On steam its £20.
So yes its cheaper, and yes i get bonus zen i wouldn't get through steam. I live in the UK, maybe this affects it but it shouldn't really.
Maybe more people need to be less **** scared of ARC and stop making out like it affects anything at all, other than your own overly inflated sense of self importance.
And to the guy who said something like, "I dont want background programs running that divide my friends, thats what steam is for" Oh diddums, Such a hard life. Whinge about everything much?
So don't run it in the background then. As i said earlier, i launch my game through steam. When i buy zen, i boot up ARC, log in, buy cheaper zen with a bonus, then i close ARC down and go back to my game. No background programs. Wow, its like magic!
Thank you. Finally someone who isn't, as one guy put it, a tinfoil-hat conspiracy theorist.
I went to the arc site and it costs the same amount of $ per zen as it does to purchase it through steam. Also when looking at the amounts only $50 and $100 are showing bonus zen. So no real incentive to ever download arc.
* That includes the Khan uniform, because I want my people wearing something that actually looks like a uniform.
— Sabaton, "Great War"
Check out https://unitedfederationofpla.net/s/
Look at it this way, your old client or Steam client is completely current in terms of patches/game updates.
Whereas if you choose to go to Arc, you're having to download the client all over again from scratch, consuming your bandwidth and more hard drive space.
Under those circumstances, you'd just stick with what you had before.
Also, I've been told that the Arc launcher is classified as bloatware, because the hard drive requirements exceeds what is strictly necessary to run STO and CO.
And after the Playstation Network security breach where a large number of credit card details were stolen, I don't disclose that info to third parties anymore.
Giving that info to PWE or whoever manages their credit card transactions is a third party who does not possess that info currently.
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
The hard drive space requirement for ARC is only 200MB, the actual client installation itself, however only takes up 81MB.
And the installation of Arc does not require re-downloading the entire game over again.
That being said, the arc client is immaterial to this conversation, one does not need to install the arc client to use the arcgames.com website to buy zen.
And ANYWHERE you are using a credit card other than the issuing bank that information is being processed by a third party. The merchant doen't pull those funds directly from your bank, they process it through an authorizer who i connected to the card's network which transacts with your bank. Your information is going through 2-3 differeny hands anywher you go. If you're paranoid about third-party processors; I'd suggest not using credit cards at all.
Company's like that do it all the time. Note that i don't mean they sell my card detail's. I mean things like my name, address, telephone number, purchasing habits, e.t.c.
Also my paypal problem was paypal deciding to freeze my account because i'd spent more than X amount over the lifetime of the account and then saying the only way to unfreeze it was if i sent them a scan of a utility bill and photo ID. No way in hell i'm going to give those out just to use a payment service.
Again it's not so much the security of third parties, it's third parties that want a bunch of personal info about me that isn't actually required to process the transaction. If i really have to give that stuff out i like to minimize how many different people have it.
The only information you give in the transaction is what is required for authorization, name on card, address (associated with card), phone number (associated with card), card number, expiration date and CVV. All of which is required to process an online transaction.
if i hit ingame the buy zen button it opens only the arc protal in my browser. And before you going to ask, steamoverlay is activated and works fine in other games like rift or defiance
I went to Risa just last week, what?
Took about 1-2 days for someone to fix whatever went wrong though.
About the credit card details being unsecured, I do not use my credit anywhere but online.
I never use it at banks, atms, etc as a method of payment.
Which is why I'm incredibly particular with giving that info out, especially when I am dubious of the motives involved, like I am with Arc.
And for the players who keep insisting we should use Arc, don't bother wasting your time promoting it.
I don't like it and that opinion is never going to change, no matter what you say.
I know the truth of it, Arc is an advertising tool for the PWE games.
The support for STO and CO is minimal at best.
Also, a secondary concern I have is that the Arc client doesn't have the function to "hide" games you don't have installed.
From the screenshots I've seen, there's a list of 8 games or so run by PWE, STO and CO are at the bottom.
Since I will never play those games or the Neverwinter game, any info relating to them is, to quote the Borg, irrevalant.
Which is why I'm suspicous, Arc may start flashing ads/promotions up for all these games when the info isn't useful to me in the slightest.
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad