BioWare looking into Mass Effect 'Pinnacle Station' DLC glitch
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Aug 26th 2009 at 12:45PM } 
Unfortunately, if you've played through Bring Down the Sky's added areas and missions, you can't load your game without having that DLC on the hard drive. This means that the only way for Platinum Hits players to reach Pinnacle Station is to delete their bundled Bring Down the Sky DLC, purchase it from the Marketplace for 400
, and then reinstall it. As you can imagine, this has given rise to some unhappy feelings among afflicted players.A BioWare rep responded to these complaints by saying the developer is working on a fix for the problem, but couldn't give an ETA as to when the fix would arrive. We certainly hope it shows up before torches and pitchforks get involved.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nerdy Desi @ Aug 26th 2009 12:49PM
I played ME on my PC back in June and after 9 hours, I reached Feros and got the elevator glitch where I was stuck in the elevator and trying to exit the elevator ended up in an infinite loading screen. If I used the console commands and got out of the elevator, the scripting was messed up. So I thought my game was lost forever.
But the recent 1.02 patch says it fixed the issue, I installed it yesterday but now my save games won't load, I get the error message that the Bring Down the Sky DLC module is missing and required, even though I downloaded it and its in the game folder. : /
Ryan @ Aug 26th 2009 1:21PM
I hope they let you have a reach around.
Nerdy Desi @ Aug 26th 2009 1:55PM
I don't get it. : 0
Nerdy Desi @ Aug 26th 2009 1:57PM
Ah never mind, a quick trip to urbandictionary.com cleared that up nicely.
They should do that to all the Xbox guys here that bought the DLC too. : )
Damian @ Aug 26th 2009 1:05PM
So Bioware admits it exists?!
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 26th 2009 12:54PM
From what I understand, the DLC isn't worth playing anyway. It's a bunch of action oriented challenges that you complete. Some of them being territories, CTF, and survival game modes you would find in any run of the mill FPS. What it's doing in a game like Mass Effect, I have no idea.
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 26th 2009 1:03PM
It is really horrible, so bad I can't even bring myself to finish it. There's no story at all, you simply talk to a guy and he tells you about the VR simulation, then you talk to another guy to start it.
Beat 8 VR scenarios, then another guy comments...then you beat 4 more, then the leader says "oh hey betcha can't beat my mission", then you do that and you get a mediocre weapon and an apartment that has just about 0 use.
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 26th 2009 1:04PM
Yeah tmac, that's about the gist of it. No wonder they never officially announced it...they're ashamed of it.
whylekat @ Aug 26th 2009 1:29PM
Maybe they're trying to re-hash some excitement on the cheap before ME2 releases..?
WarriorDyke @ Aug 26th 2009 6:47PM
exactly, EA/Bioware should have left those time trials to the FPS games and kept Mass Effect the way it was intended to be played. Anyone on the the fence about the DLC: DON'T BUY IT! Its a waste of MS points...but if your a 'cheevo whore...and absolutely have to have your ME experience ruined, than by all means go ahead.
Jerk Face @ Aug 26th 2009 10:06PM
This thing is a pile of fuck. What a shitty, shitty DLC purchase. Bring Down the Sky was fantastic for the five bucks it cost, but this? All I can say is DO NOT BUY THIS.
The Dark Wayne @ Aug 27th 2009 5:10AM
bioware didnt even make it, they outsourced it to demuirge!
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 26th 2009 1:01PM
"while players can download the intergalactic Fight Club scenario problem-free, the content isn't actually showing up in-game for some folks"
If this was free, I would say that's not a glitch, that's a miracle. Wish it was possible to refund DLC less than a day old.
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 26th 2009 1:05PM
Future consoles need an upload feature so you can send purchased content back for refunds.
Yeah, I know it'll never happen. Just sayin....
goboColossus (LIVE, PSN - gobopop) @ Aug 26th 2009 1:08PM
Seriously... Worst $5 I've ever spent, and I own Space Giraffe.
What kills me is how you have to complete these stupid training programs AFTER you've already been accepted as a Spectre. So you've already proven you are the best of the best, if you can't beat a few ingrates on the scoreboards, wouldn't that mean they should all be Spectres too? And to think they've been sitting on this DLC for almost two years.
Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 26th 2009 1:13PM
I'm really glad I didn't impulse download on this.
R (Planeteers | Power of Penile Pulse) @ Aug 26th 2009 1:26PM
I dunno, I enjoy it. Story driven gameplay is nice, but ME is seriously lacking in the "go here and kill as much shit as you can" department, and this DLC fills that nicely. Ive done it for about 2 hrs so far and I have enjoyed it all.
Aero @ Aug 26th 2009 1:12PM
So is the problem only for Platinum Hits versions?
Draken Stark @ Aug 26th 2009 2:06PM
I got the game when it lauched and it works just fine for me.
panzerklein @ Aug 26th 2009 1:50PM
So its worse than the first Saints Row 2 DLC Pack?
That has been the biggest waste of 800 Points I've had so far...if this is worse than it...then Wow.
Just Wow. I guess Bioware had to slip up and release something dodgy sometime...
Seasick Pirate @ Aug 26th 2009 1:36PM
What theme is used in the screenshot from this story? Is that one of the original NXE themes?
I'm on the verge of liking it, but it may be too lime green for my taste.
ChomskyKnows @ Aug 26th 2009 1:41PM
I don't understand this article.
It clearly says the Bring Down the Sky DLC must be on your HDD to access the Pinnacle Station DLC for Platinum Hits people, and that's the reason Platinum Hits people can't access the new content (because it's on the disc, not the HDD?)
Then it says those people have to delete it off their HDD and re-download it for a price. Wait, how do they delete it if it isn't on their HDD to begin with?
I'm confused. Does the Platinum Hits DLC install to the hard drive or not? I'm lost...
yo Naturale @ Aug 26th 2009 1:59PM
You download the BDtS DLC off the Platinum Hits Bonus disc onto your HDD (i.e. you don't have the bonus disc in the drive to play the DLC, b/c you have to have the ME game in the drive regardless if it's installed to HDD or not).
What this is essentially saying is that the BDtS DLC you download of the Marketplace is essentially different somehow in it's coding from the DLC off the Bonus disc.
So the only solution (at the moment) is for those who have the bonus disc DLC is to *RE-purchase* the DLC off the Marketplace. The reason this has to be done is because you can't access any of your saves if the BDtS DLC has been deleted and you've already played through the mission.
ChomskyKnows @ Aug 26th 2009 4:54PM
man that is bizarre for a triple A developer...wonder if the Games On Demand version is screwed up too. Surely it's a Platinum Hits version as well...
yo Naturale @ Aug 26th 2009 1:46PM
I'm a late adopter lured in by the publicity for ME2 and the ME Platinum Hits price point, and I found myself surprised at just how much I enjoyed this game considering I don't usually partake in the RPG fare.
I'm still making my way through my first run, so the fact that my freshly purchased Pinnacle Station DLC isn't working isn't driving me insane... yet. Mostly because I still have plenty of other missions and assignment still to tackle.
If Bioware addresses and *fixes* this issue (within reasonable and due time), all will be forgiven in my book. Not necessarily forgotten, but forgiven at least.
The lesson is that two days ago I probably would've plunked down $60 for ME2. Today..? Probably not, as I'd just wait for it to drop in price as well.
Michelobius @ Aug 26th 2009 2:03PM
If the reason for your apprehension about ME2 is this "early adopter" problem, don't let it affect your decision. Bioware is normally a first-class organization which produces top quality games. There is never any reason to think they will release a substandard product on day one and then fix it later.
yo Naturale @ Aug 26th 2009 2:25PM
Well, I don't have a history of purchasing any Bioware games. So up until a week ago, their slate was blank for me.
I plunked down $20 for the Platinum Hits edition and found myself blown away, as I gorged on the game for 4 days straight (and that included playing the DLC off the bonus disc).
All this would seem to me that the company and its marketing division did its job quite well. They made a quality product (which I missed on its initial offering), and still found me as a consumer as word of mouth and advertising ramped up for the sequel.
This latest DLC was merely a cherry on the top as far as I was concerned (though I've seen quite a few comments about how it's a little late in the game for DLC as far as they're concerned).
Except... when I pay for something, I expect it to work. It's as simple as that, and I don't think that's being too unreasonable on that issue.
So as of right now on my personal Bioware scorecard they have some very high marks, and one *giant* low one as well. Like I said before, I'm very willing to look past it *IF* they rectify and fix this issue in a relative and timely manner. I'm not demanding "NOW! NOW! NOW!", just that it gets done.
When or if that happens, I'll reevaluated how I feel about buying one of their games again. As the situation stands as now, $60 for a new ME game isn't going to come from my wallet... and really I do think it's a shame because they should've had me right where they wanted me as a consumer.
Michelobius @ Aug 26th 2009 2:33PM
I find it really interesting the role you're playing as a "consumer". As though there are clear rules to how you spend your money. Why are you looking at it like that? If you were to look into their history and past your own personal experience, you would see that Pinnacle station is the aberration, not the rule. The only reason not to do so is willful ignorance, something I rarely understand, and especially don't now since this is Bioware we're talking about and you're only keeping yourself from enjoying their products.
I guess what I'm saying is that punishing them for one mistake is puzzling at best, especially given their overall track record, beyond your personal experience.
yo Naturale @ Aug 26th 2009 3:58PM
Well, I *am* buying my games as a consumer (because none of this stuff is being given to me as a gift), and I *do* have general purchasing guidelines, or "rules" if you will, as to how I spend money on games.
I currently have 15 games for 360, which I believe is about double the average for what is said owned for the average 360 console owner. That would probably put me in the "high user" category in any sort of statistical gatherings.
Out of those 15 games I own I only spent full retail ($60) on two them. Of one of those two it was probably a mistake, as it can be had for a lower price point currently, and I hardly play it anymore. The other, I still play and greatly enjoy it regularly two years later. That's value, which as a consumer I greatly enjoy.
I'll even give you one of my game buying "rules" as an example; *Never buy a Ubisoft Tom Clancy game at full price.* I enjoy these games, but I would have to be "willfully ignorant" (one of your personal No-Nos) to not know that they are going to drop in price by at least 30% (and maybe more) in less than 6 months. I am patient enough and fully capable of waiting 6 months to possibly save $30.
Other than that one game at full retail (and this Pinnacle Station DLC) I can't think of one game-related purchasing instance that I regret (and that includes my non-full priced console that had to be sent to Texas b/c of a faulty hard-drive that was fixed *promptly* and without hassle). That's not a good category to be in with a scrutinizing consumer like myself.
I'm not in the habit of "donating" money to businesses, which is essentially what the money (in the form of MS Points) forked over for that Pinnacle Station DLC has been so far, because I'm not able to use it in the manner intended (by the producer or the consumer's point of view).
Believe it or not, price does come into play when people buy things (that's when they become "consumers"). Some even think that's a large reason (though not the only one for sure) why the Nintendo Wii has done so well this generation, and the 360's reason for outselling the PS3 - a lower pricing point. For people like myself, it's a hard factor (though not the only one) to ignore.
As for not looking past personal experience being "willful ignorance," that's a larger debate that rages on in many forms (especially amongst gamers) when people debate the application of anecdotal evidence.
I am a believer that perspective is everything. I *do* like to think I am capable of taking a larger view of things, but... if I painted a picture of a man's life as a saint, you might think differently if you knew that man as the person who wronged you in some great fashion. It's hard to get past things like that, when it (the usage of anecdotal evidence) may or may not be hard wired into you for decision making processes that your survival depended on.
Now, please don't over react and take to mean that I think game purchasing is survival related, because I don't, but I do think the argument of the use of anecdotal evidence is a broader one than you're implying that it is or isn't.
I never said I wouldn't buy another ME (or Bioware by extension) game, just that I would give serious thought to that purchase, and it more than likely wouldn't happen at full price (whereas two days ago, I might've).
Michelobius @ Aug 26th 2009 4:21PM
Look, I'm all about saving money. I almost never buy games full price myself because, well, I'm poor. The game has to come out at a particular moment when I have money to spare in order for it to be an instant purchase, otherwise I find some other way to play it like borrow or rent. I'm not objecting to being judicious with your money, and I think that more people should act that way.
What I'm objecting to is the idea that one piece of shitty, malfunctioning DLC would change your mind about an entire company or gaming purchase decision. It would be like if I went and got a delicious steak with fantastic potatoes and fresh corn, immediately pledged to come back to this restaurant soon, but then found a fly in my beverage. Well, the restaurant apologized for that and is in the process of bringing me a new beverage. It's true that the beverage hasn't arrived yet, but suddenly my opinion has been inexplicably downgraded to the point that now I won't come back unless I have a coupon.
It just seems like a harsh response to what is a relatively small issue. Yes, I know you don't have the DLC you paid for yet, but they're working on it. I'm also saying that of all the games that are worth full price, one made by Bioware is a pretty safe bet.
Finally, I didn't say anything about taking my word for it regarding Bioware's previous track record. Being a cost-effective gamer such as myself, surely you will see value in trying some of their older titles like Knights of the Old Republic (a personal favorite) or Neverwinter nights, or Baldur's Gate. You may not be the biggest fan of RPGs, but if you try some of these games, I'm sure you'll notice the quality and attention to detail put into these titles.
yo Naturale @ Aug 26th 2009 5:14PM
As far as I'm concerned that hair in my food (I prefer hair to a fly analogy. This problem didn't just land in my DLC as some uncontrollable outside third-party. Bioware didn't screen [wear their hairnets] this problem ahead of time like they should have) is still sitting on my table, the beverage was never served and the restaurant owner has merely said "Yes, we see that hair." All happening at the sort of restaurant where you pay first...
First impressions can be mighty important to some. Yes, I understand you've been a patron at this restaurant for many years, and you've enjoyed their fare and service. I on the other hand, don't normally eat this type of cuisine, yet after hearing such nice remarks about the quality (and seeing the impressive new building going up across the street) decided to give it a shot.
First bite, delicious. Second bite, hair in my food . Oh, and I haven't gotten my drink yet.
Can you not see how that might deter someone, at the very least, from going back to that restaurant? I concede that I understand that you enjoy what they produced over the years, and would overlook a "slight" offense as an aberration. Me..? I was the recipient of a swift kick in the nuts (maybe a little harsh, but a purple-nurple at the least) when I walked in the door - which had a cover charge.
All I'm really saying is that I really doubt I'll be eating this particular Thai food again unless some sort of coupon is involved.
Michelobius @ Aug 26th 2009 7:22PM
I guess I'm just a little more forgiving than you. To me, regardless of previous experience, I'm willing to brush off one offense when it's clear it was an unintentional mistake. Hair in the food happens, man. It's not worth getting your undies in a bunch and denying patronage (or whatever percentage of patronage you're denying with the coupon). The only reason you should do that is if you expect your second experience to be sub-par also, and there's no real reason to think that unless you're a pessimist and expect the worst or short-sighted and are unable to segment portions of your experience.
In any case, I feel I've made my point. Do what you will.
yo Naturale @ Aug 26th 2009 7:59PM
You've made your points quite clearly Michelobius. Also, I do feel like I'm able to "segment portions of my experience" very well.
Yet, when relationships are new (this relationship being them: seller, me: buyer), those experiences are slim and each instance magnified. For there to some sort of leeway, or trust, there has to good faith *earned* if I'm giving it out myself (in the form of cash and non-refundable MS points in this case) as far as I'm concerned. When I see it personally, I will give them credit personally.
Developer Valve is going through a lot of these same issues when it come to console gaming. They have a sterling reputation amongst PC gamers that is generally accepted as well deserved. Yet, you have this same discussion in regards to Valve with console users that aren't PC gamers and the "praise" will change drastically. Valve has yet to earn the trust and good will (despite their PC reputation) of many console gamers for a myriad of reasons (game support, dlc, pricing...), but these are storms they must weather if they want to be a part of the console gaming segment.
Bioware hasn't earned that goodwill yet with me either, and as my father used to say, "shape up, or ship out."
Michelobius @ Aug 26th 2009 8:34PM
The thing is though, it's not really a two way relationship when you just joined the party late. Bioware has already been establishing its reputation without you. Valve is different because they have made some missteps in the console arena--they're new to it. It's not Bioware's fault you decided to join their "relationship" just as they made one of their only missteps ever. Think about the sheer odds of your situation--not only did you buy the game just recently even though it's been out for 2 years, but they came out with DLC shortly after that by sheer coincidence. When that DLC happens to be the first crappy thing the company has ever done, all of a sudden they look bad to you despite strong evidence to the contrary.
Claiming that they need to build your trust doesn't really make sense unless you're unsure of the quality of the company in question. Your hesitation would be justified if this were the first in a long line of problems from them, or if this was their first game. Your decision about whether or not to buy Mass Effect 2 full price should come down to one thing and one thing only: whether or not you think Mass Effect 2 will be worth $60. DLC on the prequel two years after the game came out should have no bearing on that evaluation. It's going to be a good game. When it comes out, read reviews, consider your own enjoyment of the first game, and then make a decision regarding the game's value. DLC is nothing.
Stavros @ Aug 26th 2009 2:30PM
I had my game lock up on a loading screen while going into the simulator once yesterday but that was about it in terms of technical problems.
The DLC is entertaining enough, I guess... it's prompting me to finish off some achievements that I for some reason failed to get (mostly for the biotic power use) and maybe do the main story quests one more time for old time's sake. But there's really not much meat to them... it's just if you're up for a bit of a combat challenge.
The Alex @ Aug 26th 2009 4:41PM
I'm curious who actually came up with and tested the idea of deleteing the Platinum Hits Bring Down the Sky DLC, then paying 400 points for and downloading the Bring Down the Sky DLC off Marketplace.
I could just picture some sad and impatient individual figuring this out.
It sounds like a lot of effort for a problem that just propped up, it hasn't even been 48 hours yet! Give Bioware some time to react :)
VSpeck @ Aug 26th 2009 6:39PM
Just found out that Bioware didn't even make this DLC. It was Demiurge. Bioware passed it off.
Everyone think of ME1's DLC every time Bioware starts talking about the amazing DLC ME2 will have.
BlackBeltJones @ Aug 26th 2009 7:22PM
I can play the content but it freezes sometimes when I get knocked down.
SimonJK @ Aug 26th 2009 8:26PM
Why are people still saying this DLC is unannounced, when it was posted by Major Nelson at 10.45am on the 25th Aug? - http://majornelson.com/archive/2009/08/25/mass-effect-pinnacle-station-game-add-on.aspx
Why has it taken this long to correct what is probibly a simple programming error, find line that checks BDTS dlc is on HD and sort it out! IMO most of this glitches seem to happen with the popular games like Fallout 3, I think it is done by MS on purpose! When was the last time a dlc for 'Guitar Band LiPs was glitched?