I always hated programs like Arc and I currently use the classic launcher but I'm looking at getting into a few other PW games like neverwinter and forgotten worlds. I remember when ARC first came out it was laced with all kinds of really nasty things like Pando Media Booster and had a built in spyware mechanic to steal personal information and sell to 3rd party companies.
I always hated programs like Arc and I currently use the classic launcher but I'm looking at getting into a few other PW games like neverwinter and forgotten worlds. I remember when ARC first came out it was laced with all kinds of really nasty things like Pando Media Booster and had a built in spyware mechanic to steal personal information and sell to 3rd party companies.
Has it gotten any better and/or safer?
I just use Steam. Never touched Arc.
On a side note: I don't believe Arc was ever 'laced' with anything - many people have used it and never had a problem. Personally I have just never needed to use it.
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Umm...I don't think Arc had Pando on it...I remember the name and I had gotten Pando in the past and I think it was from the STO launcher or some other game...since I axed it long ago I haven't seen it since I got arc.
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It definitely had Pando Media Booster, I tried it very briefly when Arc first came and I had to uninstall that 3 times because every time it patched it would redownload and install it. it is one of the reasons I got rid of Arc
ARC is safe. I use it and have not come across any issues...
Pando Media Booster is not related to ARC what so ever. PMB used to be needed for an actual game from PWE,not STO tho, but after it was dropped and later TRIBBLE, it was completely dropped from the games...
However I only use ARC for PWE games. Neverwinter, STO, Blacklight etc. And use Steam for my other games.
Has it gotten better/safer?
It had always been, people just don't like change tho, that's why it was bashed.
Don't leave it open. As soon as the patch window opens, remove arc from memory in task manager.
It has more development time than all their mmo's yet is more poorly engineered than neverwinter
but I'm looking at getting into a few other PW games like neverwinter and forgotten worlds.
Assuming you mean Forsaken World, don't waste your time. Former FW player here. It's one of the worst examples of F2P gaming I've come across: Terrible and buggy engine, shoddy game balance and design, loads of cash required to excel without a reasonable "free" route, and (last I checked) a rather small population. I give it 5 more years at best before that carnival game packs up its tents and disappears.
Assuming you mean Forsaken World, don't waste your time. Former FW player here. It's one of the worst examples of F2P gaming I've come across: Terrible and buggy engine, shoddy game balance and design, loads of cash required to excel without a reasonable "free" route, and (last I checked) a rather small population. I give it 5 more years at best before that carnival game packs up its tents and disappears.
Wow, if it's like that, why play it when we have a game just like it right here in good ol' STO? LOL
Wow, if it's like that, why play it when we have a game just like it right here in good ol' STO? LOL
Because contrary to what people say, this game is very reasonable. Yes, it has bugs, but spend maybe a week or so playing Forsaken World and I'm sure you'll come running back here in no time.
Wow, if it's like that, why play it when we have a game just like it right here in good ol' STO? LOL
There's one thing my time spend in STO taught me: never ever touch another cryptic/PWE game.
Regarding ARC - I'm never going to trust it. Also, I still do not want nor need it. I don't want to play any other games available on arc + I still can run STO via steam or launcher.
The reason ARC is so hated is because Cryptic was trying to make it mandatory. The simple fact of having ARC is not the problem. The problem is when you NEED to have it, just to make STO work.
rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,672Community Moderator
edited April 2015
As far as I know, STO, Neverwinter, and Champions Online are available via Steam as well, so with those three there is an alternative. Same with that newly acquired game on ARC... Star Conflict.
I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something CRAZY happens again?!
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As far as I know, STO, Neverwinter, and Champions Online are available via Steam as well, so with those three there is an alternative. Same with that newly acquired game on ARC... Star Conflict.
Wait, Star Conflict is PWE? I thought it was made by the same people as War Thunder?
Anyway, I can't recommend that game. Next to nobody playing, and the controls are unfathomable.
I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something CRAZY happens again?!
The nut who actually ground out many packs. The resident forum voice of reason (I HAZ FORUM REP! YAY!)
normal text = me speaking as fellow formite colored text = mod mode
I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something CRAZY happens again?!
The nut who actually ground out many packs. The resident forum voice of reason (I HAZ FORUM REP! YAY!)
normal text = me speaking as fellow formite colored text = mod mode
OP i had ARC and it made my laptop lag like crazy so i removed it and went to steam
On steam i have both STO and Neverwinter....yes you CAN get neverwinter VIA steam that said as far as forsaken world? stay away from that all ive ever heard are bad things about that game.
I have Arc, no issues. In fact, it's the only way I can buy Zen directly anymore. Haven't been able to log into the website to buy for over a month. Keep getting lost in an email verification loop that never ends.
All that said, never once have I had an issue with Arc, except when I forget to close it, or anything it has or hasn't installed. I am unaware of any third party add-ons that get installed with it. I have seen none, and I check for unknown/stealth installed stuff semi-regularly.
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I just use Steam. Never touched Arc.
On a side note: I don't believe Arc was ever 'laced' with anything - many people have used it and never had a problem. Personally I have just never needed to use it.
Notable missions: Apex [AEI], Gemini [SSF], Trident [AEI], Evolution's Smile [SSF], Transcendence
Looking for something new to play? I've started building Foundry missions again in visual novel form!
http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?p=15427581
My wife calls that a 'headache'.
ARC is safe. I use it and have not come across any issues...
Pando Media Booster is not related to ARC what so ever. PMB used to be needed for an actual game from PWE,not STO tho, but after it was dropped and later TRIBBLE, it was completely dropped from the games...
However I only use ARC for PWE games. Neverwinter, STO, Blacklight etc. And use Steam for my other games.
Has it gotten better/safer?
It had always been, people just don't like change tho, that's why it was bashed.
It has more development time than all their mmo's yet is more poorly engineered than neverwinter
Wow, if it's like that, why play it when we have a game just like it right here in good ol' STO? LOL
There's one thing my time spend in STO taught me: never ever touch another cryptic/PWE game.
Regarding ARC - I'm never going to trust it. Also, I still do not want nor need it. I don't want to play any other games available on arc + I still can run STO via steam or launcher.
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Wait, Star Conflict is PWE? I thought it was made by the same people as War Thunder?
Anyway, I can't recommend that game. Next to nobody playing, and the controls are unfathomable.
I actually like Delta Rising.
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I see, so published by PWE, but developed by someone else. Wonder if it is still done by Gaijin or not.
I actually like Delta Rising.
I would assume so. STO, Neverwinter, and Champions are still being done by Cryptic after all.
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On steam i have both STO and Neverwinter....yes you CAN get neverwinter VIA steam that said as far as forsaken world? stay away from that all ive ever heard are bad things about that game.
All that said, never once have I had an issue with Arc, except when I forget to close it, or anything it has or hasn't installed. I am unaware of any third party add-ons that get installed with it. I have seen none, and I check for unknown/stealth installed stuff semi-regularly.
"There... are... four... lights!" ~Jean Luc Picard