I explained exactly why, and I apologise if it is a bit techinical. As a Software engineer somethings that are obvious is sometimes very hard to explain to non engineers, and whilst i hate to say “because I said so”, the detailed explaination is just too long.
If you want to know more, google thigns like “No execute”, “data/code seperation”, “Self modifying code”, and other computer security.
And whilst they COULD stream both the executable with the content after startign the gmae, it would definately need to be restarted once downloaded, and installed via elevation, which might actually be prefented by steam, etc.. remember Steam/WIndows Marketplace is in control of the executables here, and under the windows security model, microsoft shoudl not be abel to access executables belonging to another company (without elevation)
As i said, there are real technical reasons for doing it this way, which may seem frustrating for the lay user, but years of malware, etc have led us to reasons why things are done the way they are.
I’ve been dealing with updating software since the 90s as a software engineer with an eye on user experience/UI and while you’re generally right, they simply designed and implemented the update process in the most horrible way I’ve ever seen. I would be more forgiving if everything else in the game wasn’t breaking constantly.
As a sotfware engineer, you should understand why its done this way, especially with Copy protected titles offered from a store such as Steam or MS Play. if you were able to just copy the EXE to another computer, thats not great for Copy protection (and other implications for security). So each “Store” has its own “locker” and DRM mechanism, to protect their “assets”. so only only the store you purchased it from can modify the code in its locker, and preserve its DRM. Its simple as that.
Now its also possible to have the content updated via the store too (and some games do), but in a complex title such as this, and with data requirements being so high, Asobo have decided content is updated by the game, instead of the store, and it makes sense. Finally the additional content (such as Japan) is implemented as a Free DLC, so that you can the choice to decide not to install it if you wish, or temporarily remove it (there could also be licensiing, and contractual reasons behind this, as some of the content is not by Asobo, but Gaya).
None of this is unusual, and is common even on iPhones/Android. I dont understand the fuss. As a software engineer myself, i probably would have done the same thing…
For a copy protection it’s very nice, for modifying stuff it’s not so good. I dont like how the Install folder is protected if you bought it from MS Store and not on/from Steam. But that’s kinda offtopic.
Well, i am a software engineer too, and while you are making good points, the Japan scenery that is in the marketplace is pure data AFAIK, the only code is in the launcher for a change of the startup screen to show a couple of Japan screenshots (hence the need to re-download it from the Xbox store, and that in fact may very well be the only reason why we had to go back to the Xbox store).
If they are going to do that for each country they’re revamping, our hard disks will be filled pretty quickly and needlessly.
Hence I maintain that there was probably no need to go this route.
I am not really sure if you are trolling or not, or if you are a bit confused about what this patch was about. I am mainly replying to make sure others do get confused by what you are saying. Forum Moderators, if you wish to lock this thread please do.
Firstly, you say that the only “code change” is the Splash scren. This is not true, and even a non software developer can see that, there is quick a few bug fixes, and new feature sin this release, that cannot be dont only by “content”. Thats why there is a 600MB patch involved. AS a software engineer this shodul be totally obvious to you.
Also any new data may require new code to read the data, if the existing code cannot handle the new types of data (even simple things liek a new CODEC, etc), and all of this new code need sto be installed and runnign before the data can be handled, (otherwise either it will not work/crash/be unstable). Again very obvious to most software devs, and non software devs alike.
Finally if they are going to renvamp and add content to a country, that IS going to to take space! I mean thats obvious, things dont happen for free! A detailed airport can take severel hundred meghabytes of models, and textures to render. They have to go somewhere! By not forcing you to add the pack, and keeping it as an optional content gives you the choice. If you dont want it, or your dont have space, dont install it, or uninstall it. Their way of doing it is precisly done to deal with your concern about filling up the hard disk. I really dont understand what your issue is? To be fair everyone has the right to their own views, and thats fine.
No. Just in case you didn’t notice there are 3 download steps to this release.
Step 1: “boot” download from the Xbox store 600 Mb
Step 2: download from within the game at startup, around 6 Gb
Step 3: Japan revamp in the marketplace, around 1.5 Gb
Step 1 is only part of the game (game updates, game lobby, option screens, etc), and it was changed to add the Japan screenshots, something that is only cosmetic and to advertise the new content. Basically everything that you see before you push the yellow “Fly” button is this download. Now that I think of it, it may also be where they fixed the regression about the sensitivity screen, so this download was necessary anyway for that.
Step 2 is changes to the bulk of the simulator, aka bug fixes (and new bugs). When I said that “the only code change was in the lobby”, I meant code change related to the Japan scenery, not the bug fixes obviously.
Step 3 is pure data. These data are normally streamed. As far as I know the Mont Saint-Michel and the pyramids are streamed as well, not stored forever on your hard disk. That’s why you often have a freeze ingame when approaching these places. I don’t see any reason why this should be different with the Japan update. If you don’t want highly detailed assets, this could just be a matter of a switch and the server could send you the level of detail you want.