OK. So generally I do not review the readme files before installation of any game (until now). Had I known that I needed .NET Framework 3.0 prior to installation of Kingdoms, I would have saved a pile of time installing, crashing and then uninstalling and re-installing once the above mentioned was updated from Microsoft. So tell me, why couldn't SEGA in all their wisdom not put a check prior to installation (like Direct X) with a link to Microsoft for the update for those who needed it. The 2nd DVD disc sure had the space for it. Perhaps that will assist most of the crashing that we are experiencing......Sound familiar on turn 2 while trying to get on the battlefield?

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I may be wrong... but I think the dot net stuff is only used by the game launcher window, and that was introduced back in a patch for M2TW (maybe the last one.. 1.2?), when they added the survey questions and promos, which require a 'Net connection.

Unless they've changed something, the dot net install shouldn't be required to run the game, but you may have to make a Windows shortcut and point it directly at the .exe file to bypass the launcher. And yeah, this is pretty sloppy programming. If a game company needs Internet access, just program it in-house like Blizzard does, instead of relying on services that not every machine out there has installed.

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That may explain it. We have been running M2TW on Vanilla due to the bad press given to the patch. So I did not download the patch. That would explain the issue. I am happily now into the Kingdom campaigns and enjoying the expansion pack as expected.....Happy gaming.

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???

First i've heard of it. I thought the general concensus around here was that the 1.2 patch was essential. It can be a bit tricky to install, but once it's in there properly it fixes tons of stuff without adding any new problems that i'm aware of.

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