What EXACTLY is the current situation of the DLC's for the Steam version?

[Valden21]

I had the game on my previous computer, and now I'm itching to play the game again on my current machine. However, not knowing the answer to this question is plaguing me. On my previous computer, I had followed the recommended method to get the DLCs via the download tool that EA put on its support page, and that worked just fine. But that was last year. Now, I'm seeing mixed messages as to whether that method is still viable. Some people are claiming that it's still viable, while others are claiming that you can't get the DLCs anymore. What's the truth?

[mirHL]

Just once.

Originally posted by GoldKn3cht:

And an installation is also not possible.

Meaning that it fails at the end?
Even though in the registry (HKLM\software\EA\EA\ME\ergc to keep it short) you can confirm it's properly present?

[GoldKn3cht]

Logically, if I can get it to work with the Universal Key, I'm familiar with the process.
My Origin key does not work with the procedure.
I will not repeat it again.

[AbedsBrother]

Originally posted by Valden21:

Originally posted by AbedsBrother:

Open installscript.vdf in notepad, find the text %CDKEY% and replace it with your license key.

Do you have to do that every time launch the game, or just once?

Just once for me.

[Valden21]

Thanks for the input, everybody. Sadly, the installation for BDtS failed, and I'm not even gonna touch the one for Pinnacle Station. *Sigh* Like Jade Empire all over again.

[mickomoo]

Originally posted by Valden21:

Thanks for the input, everybody. Sadly, the installation for BDtS failed, and I'm not even gonna touch the one for Pinnacle Station. *Sigh* Like Jade Empire all over again.

I apporached EA support for help and they gave me an origin copy of the game which comes installed with BDtS and PS. Your millage may vary on how much help they provide. Apparently I was lucky because a lot of people have requested support and didn't get anywhere but it might be worth a shot.

[General Furry]

I cant acess my steam mass effect product key, it just says requesting key infinitely

[GoldKn3cht]

My current approach. Now the Origin key also works.

1. delete old Mass Effect registry entries and folders on your hard drive (keep savegames)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Electronic Arts\Electronic Arts

2. download / install via Steam

3. start the game and make your own settings in the options then quit the game
**This step should not be skipped.**

4. Only now edit installscript.vdf (notepad) --> %CDKEY% with your Origin key or the universal key from the Pinnacle Station (5GUCXRFPQNBMTJBD3L5J)

5. start the game and quit it in the main menu

6. install DLC's MassEffect_BDtS_EFIGS, MassEffect_PS_ES

Now there were no problems.

After that I install additionally the following from Nexusmods.

ME1 Recalibrated
MEUITM Anniversary Edition
Mass Effect Mouse Fix

Finally for antialiasing (SMAA) -> ReShade

[mirHL]

Originally posted by GoldKn3cht:

Now the Origin key also works.

.-.
So what did you do to fix it now?
Step 3?

[GoldKn3cht]

Originally posted by mirHL:

Originally posted by GoldKn3cht:

Now the Origin key also works.

.-.
So what did you do to fix it now?
Step 3?

I just know if you jump from step 2 to 4 right away it doesn't work.

[mirHL]

Mhhh, well, so we have two mysteries
1) Why the hell I still have my key intact (Steam installation time? Game purchase time?)
2) How could steam care about the game settings or anyhow the n-time you reinstall the game

[mirHL]

Ok ladies and gents, I figured out the arcanum (well except the part where my key is still intact, but whatever).
It's not just the first time you start the game to be special here, but "any time until the full untampered installscript.vdf has been run once".

Their security is pretty lax for everything in fact[fatrodzianko.com], except a matching signature is required to write to HKLM outside of a very specific and pre-defined whitelist[revuln.com] of keys (which is in fact how the damn Bioware path is instead written without the slightest problem).

*But* once you have run the original script once, HKLM\SOFTWARE\EA\EA\ME™\ergc gets too finally trusted by SteamService.exe. Which means manual editing can in turn happen.
This idiocy is also probably why people were reporting their Origin key didn't work or viceversa. It was just a matter of timing with respect to having run previously the vanilla game or not.

Now, idk where this status is flagged (perhaps in the same magical place where my game key still exists /s, and I have also seen an interesting SkipServiceVerificationChecks registry toggle) but I believe GoldKn3cht's solution to be the most straightforward one, and that's it.

I'd like to thank my friend for having me install Mirorr's Edge for completely unrelated reason, Lady Luck for me opening its root folder right while installation was taking place and noticing the elusive runasadmin.vdf file that got me back into the debugging seat, my ISP for the recently upgraded connection that allowed me to reinstall full games in under a hour, and especially thanks to everybody in here for (somewhat) keeping up with feedback.

And F* EA. A month has passed.