Failed downloads (App Store)

[galvinize]

App updates are never a problem, but I recently had an enormous update to the Obduction adventure game (9+ GB !). After two hours, the download was about 3/4 complete, then a window opened to inform me that the download had failed (and the percent of indicated download went back to zero).

My question is: where is the data that was already downloaded? Does it just disappear? Has the failed download material consumed my WiFi data allowance?

Also, it is interesting that the update file is as large as the original download!Is the entire game being overwritten?

 

[MacInWin]

Can't speak to the game, but I can say that your WiFi data allowance has, in fact, been consumed by the download. But it may be that the App Store will resume the download where it failed, if you try it again. Open App Store, and under the "Store" on the top bar is a prompt to "Check for Unfinished Downloads." I think that will pick up where it failed, but it may just restart the download from the beginning.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

When you say WiFi data allowance, do you mean your ISP limit or something else? Some people have capped accounts whereby they can transfer a set amount of data per month. If so, you should look into what you have and how much you've used (any ISP that has a cap also provides a way for you to measure how much of the cap you are currently using).

As far as the game size goes, this is a "workaround" for restrictions of the App Store. Apple restricts the overall size of files that can be uploaded. So most game developers will create an app that is the shell & downloader and upload that to the App Store, then once you run the app it will update independently and download whatever it needs.

Recently, I had read that the App Store might be remove the size restriction, but not sure if that includes updates of 9GB or more.

Either way, the partial download is held in a temporary place until the full download it complete and then it's copied over to the final location. So partial downloads aren't very useful to you, unfortunately.

 

[MacInWin]

Ashwin, not sure what the comment on "workaround" was about as I've never seen that, but I just bought the game and the download from the store was 9+ GB, so no "shell" there. And there was no download activity on launch of the game. It does take a while to launch, even with an SSD, which has been noted by other buyers in the store. I haven't tried actually playing it yet, as I don't have the time right now, but on initial launch it looks interesting.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Jake, as I said, the App store used to have a limit of 250MB or so for apps and games need a ton of data. I remember Angry Birds used to download 800 MB or so of data on the first download. But the App Store did remove this restriction, and not sure if they made it not restricted at all or what.

 

[harryb2448]

The entire game as a new download is 9.5GB so that seems what you have accessed galvinize. Maybe this update needed the full monty!

 

[chscag]

I must be getting old Harry. 9.5 GB for a game. That's larger than Microsoft Flight Simulator! Sorry, but I have better things to do with my iMac. ;D

 

[pm-r]

I must be getting old Harry. 9.5 GB for a game. That's larger than Microsoft Flight Simulator! Sorry, but I have better things to do with my iMac. ;D

Gee, I can't recall if the original Mac Microsoft Flight Simulator we bought for our son came on a CD or DVD, or was it on a bunch of floppys??? Naaww, I don't think it was that old.




- Patrick
======

 

[chscag]

The newer version of FS comes on a DVD and will use up around 5 or 6 GB of hard drive space. If you buy all the extra scenery and aircraft, it can consume even more space. And yes, the original version of FS came on either 5.25" or 3.5" floppies.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

I must be getting old Harry. 9.5 GB for a game. That's larger than Microsoft Flight Simulator! Sorry, but I have better things to do with my iMac. ;D

Most full sized games (not iOS) games are usually around 40-50GB or more. They are just getting bigger and bigger with the more immersive games.

 

[pm-r]

Most full sized games (not iOS) games are usually around 40-50GB or more. They are just getting bigger and bigger with the more immersive games.

Good grief!!!

But I must admit that none of our family really got into serious games or gaming other than the old System 7 "Secret About Box" Breakout easter egg game I sucked out the resources to create a stand alone pong game. My wife still asks if I could make it again.

An example of what it looked like and I'm guessing it was only a few MB in size at most. And nobody's shooting nobody and not even any huge propane/gas explosions!!!
http://www.mackido.com/EasterEggs/Breakout.html

Yup, times and things change I guess. :Blushing:



PS: The "Secret About Box" game still ran under System 9.x.





- Patrick
======

 

[chscag]

Most full sized games (not iOS) games are usually around 40-50GB or more. They are just getting bigger and bigger with the more immersive games.

I didn't realize the newer games are that large. It seems you're right after looking at some of them on line. If you're a dedicated gamer, it probably pays to buy a PC with a large HHD or SSD and use it for gaming. I still receive catalogs from Dell (we purchased a projector from them) which advertise their Alien Ware machines.

Here's a nice machine that Patrick might be interested in buying to play games on. LOL

 

[pm-r]

Here's a nice machine that Patrick might be interested in buying to play games on. LOL

Yeah right, and as I said, I don't do games, at least not any of the big fancy stuff, and the old "Secret About Box" apple PPC resource game doesn't work any more, and neither does "Myst" come to think of it.

PS: That's quite the machine for those who would appreciate it or for those who want a portable and don't build their own, as I understand a lot of high end gamers do.

As one program developer told me several years ago, it's the big gamers that push the computer speeds and their invested money amounts is staggering apparently.




- Patrick
======

 

[MacInWin]

There is a Mac version of Myst. It's called "realMyst" and it still runs under HS. Great game, even today!

 

[chscag]

I must be behind the times Jake. The only games I indulge in are Solitaire and Mah-Jong. The Mah-Jong games keep me on my toes.

 

[Slydude]

I must be behind the times Jake. The only games I indulge in are Solitaire and Mah-Jong. The Mah-Jong games keep me on my toes.

Same here. I'll admit to having a version of Bejeweled and Snood on my machine as well as one that does pool/snooker. I do miss a word game called W.E.L.D.E.R. It has not worked for the last several OS versions but continues to work on IOS.

 

[Rod]

Hi galvinize, I think I would have a look at the reviews for this game update on the App Store before updating if possible. You will see that the update is really almost another version of the original which explains the size of the file.. A lot of negative reviews regarding this. That doesn't necessarily mean much of course because people love to complain and you may have no problems at all, but it always worth reading them just in case they contain solutions.. As for the size of the download its not as big as a lot of visually complex games I have downloaded from the app store some double that size, eg Bioshock Infinity took me 6 tries before I got it. So yes they do drop out a bit, especially if you don't have lightening fast connection speeds. The odd thing is the uncompleted downloads must either delete themselves or get overwritten because they do not take up any storage until they are completed. The game sounds good by the way. Not my style although I have played Myst which was very good.

 

[chscag]

Same here. I'll admit to having a version of Bejeweled and Snood on my machine as well as one that does pool/snooker. I do miss a word game called W.E.L.D.E.R. It has not worked for the last several OS versions but continues to work on IOS.

I used to have a Scrabble game when I ran Windows; as a matter of fact I still have the box it came in. I keep old letters in it. The game was by Virgin Media. I've looked at some Scrabble games for Mac and none of them are as good. The solitaire game (Solsuite 2018) is nice and is actually a Windows version which I run with CrossOver. The Mah-Jong games were all free and downloaded from the App Store.

 

[Rod]

Okay, I think you have all made it quite clear we are not a "gamers" site. I might have thought some of you had tried FPS games like Doom and Quake but perhapes not. Thats no slur on great solitaire games and word games which i also am devoted to but Deus Ex, Bioshock, Prey, Call of Duty, Borderlands, Metro, Hard West, Rage none of these ring any bells for you guys??

 

[Rod]

Funny, I received an email notification of a post on this thread but it’s not here.