They should not re-download every time you start the game. It's likely you are missing user privileges so the game can't store the updates permanently. Make sure to launch the game with administrator privileges and the user data folder is accessible.

(11-11-2009 02:54 PM)Dennis Wrote:  

[snip]

Q: Does Tropico 3 update automatically?

A: Tropico 3 uses an integrated automatical update-function. If you start Tropico 3 while being connected to the internet the game will download new updates automatic.

Q: Which kind of copy protection is used at Tropcio 3?

A: Tropico 3 does not use a online-activation-system, all you need to play is a legal serial which is delivered with your game. If you want to use the online-features like uploading and sharing of custom maps you have to create an online-account.

[snip]
I did the underline.

It seems not to be entirely intuitive how to find the "in-game" link to the site where one is to establish the "online-account" as mentioned above. Would it be possible to publish here an explicit, step-by-step description of how to use the ONLINE-FEATURES ??

You are being asked to register an account before you can access the online features. It doesn't get any more intuitive than that. You are creating the account directly in the game, there is no web link you have to follow.

(04-01-2011 03:40 PM)Timo Wrote:  You are being asked to register an account before you can access the online features. It doesn't get any more intuitive than that. You are creating the account directly in the game, there is no web link you have to follow.

So somewhere as a player uses the in-game menu to select the various features, the "on-line" features appear in some manner or other and when the player tries to select one of them, he is prompted to register an account.

Yes, that is not especially intuitive unless the player is so naive as not to know about the on-line features. May I introduce you to ezwip
http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/member.php...&uid=12845

Perhaps you could kindly describe where the "on-line features" may be encountered in the game menu.

(04-01-2011 04:44 PM)CoconutKid Wrote:  So somewhere as a player uses the in-game menu to select the various features, the "on-line" features appear in some manner or other and when the player tries to select one of them, he is prompted to register an account.

Correct. Features such as the user created challenges and leaderboards require internet access and registration of an online account.

Your link just takes me to a user profile.

(04-01-2011 04:56 PM)Timo Wrote:  Your link just takes me to a user profile.

Yes. I thought you might provide a little special help to that user who seems unaware of the "on-line" stuff -- and he might give you an insight to how to improve the marketing of the benefits of the on-line features.

Just as game players are advised to study the characteristics of the "Tropican citizens" -- perhaps you should or could occasionally make yourself acquainted with a random game owner.

Did that user post anything hinting at him or her being unaware of the online features? I've looked at the user's post history briefly but couldn't find anything suggesting that he or she needs help with this.

(04-01-2011 08:36 PM)Timo Wrote:  Did that user post anything hinting at him or her being unaware of the online features? I've looked at the user's post history briefly but couldn't find anything suggesting that he or she needs help with this.

(04-01-2011 02:26 AM)ezwip Wrote:  

(03-01-2011 03:17 PM)CoconutKid Wrote:  The Game site was also supposed to be the homestead for the fan community, and you don't know anything about it?

I coughed up 6 bucks for the whole shebang and installed the 3rd party back door on my computer. If there is such a site I'd like to know as well. I did find a Steam forum for Tropico which is more active than this.

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/fo...sc&page=11

http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread...8#pid75538

I guess I misled the poor person with the wrong terminology. I hang my head in shame. Of course, whilst you are hanging my head plus body from a nearby tree.

Is there a way to retrieve your password in the game. I shelved the game for a while and now when I use my password it doesn't work. I would like to browse the challenge games for scenarios. I bought the game through Steam at release so there is no question about owning a legal copy.

Your password does work, you just need to enter/remember it correctly. You can change it from the login screen, though.

Actually I had to register my game again. I may not have tried any challenges after buying AP when it was released this may have caused my account to reset. It would be nice if they had a retrieve password option since they want your email address anyway.

Edit; Thanks for the fast reply

That's normal, AP comes with a new serial key and requires a new registration as the challenges are in a different format and stored on another server.

Like the person above, i'm getting the "you need a compatible dx9 card" error. Now i have the latest drivers from NVIDIA (it's a 9800GT card) and i used to play this perfectly fine in the past. I had a format meanwhile (haven't played tropico in months) but my hardware hasn't changed (C2D 2.33Ghz with 3GB RAM). All this on a Windows 7 32bits.

Anyone have any tips about this problem and how to go around it ? I've tried reinstalling gfx drivers and of course, uninstalling/reinstalling T3 but to no avail.

EDIT: Also tried updating directX but it turns out i already have the newest version.

EDIT2: Finally got it to work by resetting my desktop resolution to a more "common" one (1024x768), deleting UserConfig2.lua that by default sets the game to start for the first time on your current desktop resolution, which in my case was causing the problem. Strange that the game doesnt recognize 1680x1050 as a valid resolution here.

New Question I think:

Playing on PC. I used to play T1 and am new to 3.

I was going through a couple campain seneros, finished one successfully, but I must have clicked keep playing. How do I get back to the campain menu with the challenges(map of islands to pick from)? Do I need to keep playing until a revolt or I die or get voted out?

(Sorry realized this might fit better under game play FAQ)

Have installed Absolute Power and the 2.01 patch. Now clicking on cities only reveals the little post-it note on upper right. The detailed info tab that used to popup with unexpanded T3 does not popup for buildings, though it still does popup for people.

I'm having a problem whenever I try to load a save game it always brings up Load Game Failed please reply cause I wish to keep playing this fun game.

Hello,

I have just purchased Tropico 3 Absolute Power Expansion, and after installation and starting the game, it asked me to updated the patch which I did and it worked perfectly. However, the problem is after quiting the game, whenever I want to play again the play button is disabled, and I can only play be re-installing the whole expansion again!



Can you please solve this problem for me.

(15-04-2011 07:38 PM)Your Boss Wrote:  Hello,

I have just purchased Tropico 3 Absolute Power Expansion, and after installation and starting the game, it asked me to updated the patch which I did and it worked perfectly. However, the problem is after quiting the game, whenever I want to play again the play button is disabled, and I can only play be re-installing the whole expansion again!



Can you please solve this problem for me.

Use a Program shortcut rather then the CD/online service 'Play' button. There is probably one sitting on the START or All Programs/Kylypso Menu.
Still having problems then contact support@kalypsomedia.com .

(15-04-2011 08:03 PM)rj66 Wrote:  

(15-04-2011 07:38 PM)Your Boss Wrote:  Hello,

I have just purchased Tropico 3 Absolute Power Expansion, and after installation and starting the game, it asked me to updated the patch which I did and it worked perfectly. However, the problem is after quiting the game, whenever I want to play again the play button is disabled, and I can only play be re-installing the whole expansion again!



Can you please solve this problem for me.

Use a Program shortcut rather then the CD/online service 'Play' button. There is probably one sitting on the START or All Programs/Kylypso Menu.
Still having problems then contact support@kalypsomedia.com .

Thanks for the reply. There is no shortcut for Tropico 3 for some reason! I have shortcut for Tropico 2 and 1 but not 3!! This is why I have to use the CD.

(15-04-2011 09:37 PM)Your Boss Wrote:  Thanks for the reply. There is no shortcut for Tropico 3 for some reason! I have shortcut for Tropico 2 and 1 but not 3!! This is why I have to use the CD.

Use Games Explorer as explained in your Windows operating system user manual. Games for Windows titles do not create desktop shortcuts.

hi, i am trying to install T3 but each time it gets to copying voice files it stops responding. I have updated all of my drivers but nothing is working. please help

Hello, I'm new here. I've been playing Tropico 3 for some time now, and have some issues. I have to type in the serial key every time I open the game (both with and without the CD). When I'm connected to the internet, it says that the key is wrong (when it's right), and the other way around when I'm offline, because I read in some forum that I should disconnect, and it helped. As much as I've read on this forum, I understand that there are patches, but I can't see they have ever been downloaded, which I suspect comes from the offline-right-key-thing, which I guess from my game isn't properly registered. I tried to reconnect right after typing in the key (and it starts counting log in-time), but no patch-action.
Has this something to do with firewalls? I have no idea how to deal with that and I'm anyway on a workplace network with heavy duty security (I guess).
I'm thankful for any help.

So i bought tropico 3 for my Xbox 360, and for some reason each time i press continue or load one of my saves, it freezes my Xbox, and i went and even got a brand new copy....please help me out

(28-06-2011 02:51 AM)SLIP414 Wrote:  So i bought tropico 3 for my Xbox 360, and for some reason each time i press continue or load one of my saves, it freezes my Xbox, and i went and even got a brand new copy....please help me out

This is a known issue with xbox and populations over 500. There will be no fix for it. A few threads talk about this issue.

have an issue
i installed my tropico 3 game fine ran it activate it then downloaded the 1.7 patch just to get

your vid card does not support dx 9

any ways to bypass this please help

Hello, i'm having problems with Tropico 3 related to screen resolution.

My desktop resolution is 5760x1080, however, I am trying to run the game at a lower resolution (1920x1080) because it is not practical in game.

However, when changing resolution, the game hangs and nothing happens, I have to alt-f4 to quit it. Obviously, the settings aren't saved.

Is there a config file somewhere or a command line option to force a particular resolution setting?

I guess I should have posted this in it's own thread, though.

Installation for multiple user accounts?
(Seems to apply to Windows XP and Windows 7 alike, so probably also Vista.)

On my computer I have a (local) user account for each family member, and only my account has admin privileges.

Installing Tropico 3 (from DVD) is no sweat, and after typing in the serial number it updates okay.
Now, when starting the game from another account it does ask for the serial number again. Hitherto I've been reluctant to type it in, fearing that doing so will mess up the installation on the original account and/or reduce the number of future re-installations available.

- Can the game be "active" (although not ran) on multiple user accounts at the same time?
- Is there a limit to the number of re-installations allowed (possible) with one serial number?