Original Link (now dead) - http://ac.turbinegames.com/index.php?page_id=291
Turbine Billing Launch
In our last article, we gave you a status update on the ongoing launch of Turbine's billing and authentication system for Asheron's Call and Asheron's Call 2. We let you know that everything was on-track for a launch of Turbine Billing for new accounts in the near future, and that migration would follow later.
So, what's the status now?
Turbine Billing for new accounts is live.
Again, as we stated in last month's article, this is only for new accounts. We decided to split the billing launch into two phases. New accounts on our billing system are going live first, and migration of existing accounts will start in the next few months. We'll be providing lots of information on the details of migration long before it starts.
Can I Transfer My Existing Account?
Not yet. Migration of existing accounts to Turbine's billing system will take place in the next phase. Until that happens, we cannot move existing accounts off of Microsoft's billing system and on to our own.
So, Where Do I Sign Up?
To create a new account, you'll need to purchase an Asheron's Call: Dark Majesty or Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings Product Key (CD Key) from the Turbine Store or from one of our partner sites.
Initially Product Keys for Turbine Billing will only be available from the Turbine Store, but they will be rolled out to our partner sites within the very near future. Product Keys for new accounts on the MSN Gaming Zone can still be used to create new accounts on Microsoft's billing.
Once you've purchased a new Product Key for an account on Turbine Billing, you'll need to download the installer for the new Turbine launcher. Accounts created with Turbine Product Keys can only be used with the Turbine launcher. If you currently have the game installed, you will need to uninstall it prior to installing the new Turbine game and launcher package. Installing the new launcher will not prevent you from playing the game with existing Microsoft billing accounts.
After you've installed the new launcher, you can run it by selecting it from the start menu or double-clicking it on the desktop. It will send you to Account Setup:
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Once your account has been created and you log in, you will be at the account management screen, where you can add an Asheron's Call: Dark Majesty or Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings subscription using your CD Key.
Every Turbine Account can have one Asheron's Call: Dark Majesty subscription and one Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings subscription.
How Do I Play Asheron's Call with a Turbine Account?
Once you've installed Turbine's launcher and created your subscription, you will use the launcher to log in to the game.
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You are prompted for your Turbine Account username and password on the right, while the left-hand pane provides news and helpful links. Additional support web pages can be reached by clicking the appropriate buttons on the right.
After logging in, you will be prompted to select your game world. Once you've made that choice, the Asheron's Call client will launch and you will select your character as you always have. Then you'll be playing Asheron's Call through Turbine's new billing system!
What About Migration?
We'll be providing more information on the migration of existing accounts as soon as we have more details nailed down. As we've said before, we want to make sure we get this right on the first try.
Additional Q&A:
Q. What are the requirements for the new launcher?
A. To run the new Asheron's Call launcher you will need to have Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 with 128-bit encryption, installed on your computer. Your operating system must be Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP or later. Windows NT and Windows 95 will not be supported.
Q. Which web browsers are supported for the Turbine Account management pages?
A. We only officially support Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher, however other web browsers such as Mozilla may work with these pages.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. We currently accept Mastercard and Visa.
Mastercard and Visa check/debit card are accepted as well. Please be aware that if you use a check or debit card to sign up for a new account, a temporary charge of $1.00 will be incurred at the beginning of your free month. This $1.00 charge will be refunded after 1-3 days.
Additional payment options will be implemented in the near future.
Q. Will Turbine accept forms of payment other than credit cards, such as checks or online services such as PayPal? Will Turbine be selling "game cards" at retail?
A. Initially, no. These are all options that we will be considering in the future, after the migration is complete.
Q. Will I be able to pay for my account for more than a month at once? Will Turbine be offering any discount package for multiple accounts or for players who want to subscribe to both games?
A. Initially, no. These are all options that we will be considering in the future, after the migration is complete.
Q. Can I play Asheron's Call with my Zone account and the new launcher?
A. Technically no, but the new launcher won't prevent you from playing. You'll note that the first entry in the news pane on the left of the launcher provides a web link for that very purpose. Clicking the link will open a new web browser and bring up the Asheron's Call pages on the MSN Gaming Zone. From there you can log in with your .NET Passport and play the game as you always have.
Q. Can I have accounts in both systems?
A. Yes, you can. There's no reason why you can't have one or more accounts on Turbine's billing system in addition to one or more accounts with the MSN Gaming Zone. You would use the new launcher for your Turbine Accounts, and the existing .NET Passport login for your accounts on the Zone. During migration, your Zone accounts will become Turbine Accounts.
Q. Will third-party add-ons such as Decal, dual-log programs, and windowed mode work with the new launcher?
A. Any program that doesn't alter the Asheron's Call client should work fine. Decal, for example, will work, although you will need to make sure that the Use Old Injection Method option is checked in the Decal Options panel.
The authors of some windowed mode and dual-log patches may need to alter the launcher.ini file in the Asheron's Call directory to prevent the client from being overwritten after they patch it.
Q. Can I download the new launcher without buying a new account?
A. Yes. The Downloads section of the Asheron's Call website has a link to the new installer. Keep in mind that this will not allow you to use the new launcher to log in to the game, you will continue to log in via the MSN Gaming Zone as you always have.