This isn’t a review by any means, I just wanted to share my awful and failed first world experience with getting to ReCore. If you’ve purchased an Nvidia GTX 970, you should probably keep reading.
Last week, I was gearing up to check out ReCore, Microsoft’s newest exclusive title. I’ve heard mixed things about it, mostly about how the second half doesn’t follow through. Regardless, Antonio really seems to like it, and its credits include Kenji Inafune (Megaman) and Mark Pacini (Metroid Prime); two of the industry’s best. Surely, it must be worth something if they’re involved.
I was also interested in seeing how well the new “Xbox Anywhere” initiative works. The fantastic (or controlling; depending how you look at it) feature allows you to play select Xbox games, both on your Xbox One console, and your PC. It even goes so far as to keep your save files in both places!
Okay, cool. I was sold.
The only thing I knew about this new system is you have to buy your game either on your Xbox One Marketplace or in the Store App built into Windows 10. Since I’d heard the console version is a huge steamer, I thought I’d start with the PC. Navigating to the Microsoft Store, I pulled up ReCore’s store page, only to find I couldn’t purchase the game without installing Microsoft’s new Windows 10 Anniversary update.
Since day one, I’d had my machine set to update automatically, so I was a little confused. Regardless, no biggy, let’s do this!
Like a starving orphan being offered a meal, I hoofed it over to the Updates app on my PC, posthaste. I slammed down my left click like The Rock showing Stone Cold who’s boss. Now we wait…
Loading wheel…
Loading wheel…
Loading wheel…
No dice, sir. Your computer is up to date!
At this point, I’m frustrated. All I wanted to do was play a mediocre shooter for a while; now I’m 20 minutes into an arduous journey to failure. My computer is like a baby to me, and right now, she’s throwing a tantrum. Naturally, I did what every parent does when their child is being stupid…
Googled it.
Turns out, Microsoft is rolling out the update to users over time, rendering it unavailable to all until their queue ticket is up. This is America, dammit, and I’ve got no time to waste. Luckily, Microsoft dropped an EXE file on their support page to pull the update immediately. Now we’re cooking.
15 minutes later, I’m on Windows 10 again, looking fresh as ever. It wants to force me to see what’s new, so of course I get up and go to the bathroom. When I come back, it’s back to the windows store. I’m coming ReCore, our time is close!
As I scroll down the page, I get to the game’s system requirements list.
Generally, I breeze right past this, since my computer is still very new and able to handle nearly any game out there with ease. This game was different. I wanted to know if the requirements had been held back to level the playing field with the Xbox One’s inferior hardware. In case you were wondering, they don’t. This game looks and plays much better on the PC than it’s console twin.
One by one, a green checkmark shows next to it’s recommended hardware setting. Like I said before, nothing new. Imagine my surprise when I see a giant red X next to ReCore’s Video Memory requirement. Normally, this wouldn’t be a big deal, I could just scale back my settings once the game is launched to make it playable. In this case, there’s a BIG problem. I paid for a card that meets the recommended settings!
Flustered, I try recall whether or not I was mistaken on my 970’s specs. All I wanted to do this day was play a new game. Now I’m on a witch hunt to see why things aren’t what they appear. I pulled up my Newegg purchase list just to make sure I didn’t make a horrible mistake.
Nope. My card lists 4GB VRAM, just like the recommended settings for ReCore.
Since this is my first PC build, I think perhaps I’ve done something wrong during my setup. So once more, I take to the Google for answers.
Then I see it….
I’ve been had, Pixelraters.
Turns out, Nvidia designed the GTX 970 to limit access to the last 512 MB of RAM on the card, effectively taking 0.5 GB from its functionality. Even with this setback, the card is wonderful performer. There are still a few reasons to be upset. Obviously there is the point of false advertising. Nvidia knowingly slapped an inaccurate statistic in their marketing and took money for the product. More concerning, though, is the GTX 970 is a baseline requirement for a VR ready computer. Anything less and you’re risking incompatibility. For me, this is not a huge deal. For someone who dropped 800+ dollars on an Oculus Rift? Bummer.
Nvidia’s CEO pledged to communicate issues like this more clearly in the future, but that didn’t stop gamers from doing the most ‘Murican thing they could think of:
If you’ve purchased a GeForce GTX 970 between 9/1/14 and 8/24/16, NVidia is going to pay you a hefty $30 to make up for their mistake. I’m fortunate I discovered this as I’ve been registered for Nvidia since I purchased my card, and yet not once have they bothered to reach about their scheming ways.
At the end of the day, have I played ReCore?
Nope, couldn’t tell you a thing about it.
Is my GTX 970 still a more than capable video card?
Absolutely.
Is Nvidia making up for their mistake?
Sure, but I still paid hundreds of dollars for a product that now has an undertone of dishonesty.
Was this whole article ridiculous?
Indubitably.
I’m sure I’ll get around to playing the game; but for now, I’m going to sit and be salty to my ReCore.
Happy Weekend Pixelraters!
